The sip trip – the best wine regions for a gourmet getaway
Know your pinot gris from your pinot grigio? Then a gourmet getaway to one of the world’s great wine regions should be on your list. These are our top five.
Sonoma County, California
An hour north of San Francisco, this huge county is made up of 13 distinct wine regions producing different varietals. It produces some of the New World’s finest cold climate pinot noir, as well as zinfandel, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Sonoma is also home to a number of Michelin star restaurants, so you can match local wines to incredible food.
Where to stay: The El Pueblo Inn is one of the few reasonably priced options in a region full of high end lodgings. The Adobe-style inn is surrounded by vineyards and has a swimming pool, hot tub and day spa. Rates start from around $215 per night.
Mendoza, Argentina
This is one of the world’s few desert wine regions, set in a semi-arid region more than 1,000 kilometres west of Buenos Aires. It is the largest wine region in the country and produces South America’s most famous varietal, malbec. Over the past 10 years the region has developed into a travel hotspot with stylish hotels and restaurants opening every week.
Where to stay: Tikyakilla is a traditional Argentine lodge on its own vineyard in the heart of the Mendoza wine route. There are four bedrooms around a shared living area and rates start from around $110 per night.
Stellenbosch, South Africa
There are more than 200 wineries around Stellenbosch, but the area is compact enough that you can drive around most of them in a day. Vines have been grown in the region since the 17th century, with cabernet sauvignon the most popular. The varied terrain allows for a lot of differentiation in wine styles, so you’ll find small batches of delicious regional specialties.
Where to stay: Two beautiful luxury cottages are tucked away on the grounds of a working winery and olive farm at L’Olivier, just five kilometres from the town of Stellenbosch. If you’re staying in January you can even get involved in the grape harvest. Rates start from around $215 per night.
Languedoc, France
Languedoc is the largest wine region in France and stretches from the Rhone Valley in the east all the way to the Mediterranean in the west. Wines here are great value – especially when compared with other regions of France – and you can pay as little as €5 for a decent bottle. Try the white granache varietals grown in the region.
Where to stay: In Languedoc you’re going to want to stay in a villa to get the full French experience. Crème de Languedoc has a great selection of villas in tiny villages or on country estates, many with extras like private pools. Rates start from around $2,000 per week for six to eight guests.
Umbria, Italy
Italy is chock full of wine regions, but the land locked region of Umbria is one of the lesser known. It is dotted with well-preserved medieval towns, rolling valleys, olive groves and vineyards. The region is best known for the crisp light white wines from Orvieto.
Where to stay: Relais Ducale is in the 14th century home of Duke Federico da Montefeltro in the historic town of Gubbio. It’s full of gorgeous original features like arched raw stone ceilings and antique furniture. Rates start from around $160 per night.