11 World-Famous Wineland And Vineyard Hotels To Savor In Style
From the soaring hills of Cape Town to the rolling Tuscan countryside, these are the dreamy destinations every wanderlusting wine lover will want to experience – where intoxicating views pair perfectly with renowned wine lists. By KATIE BERRINGTON
Awasi Mendoza, Argentina
Tucked in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, amid 55 acres of vineyards, the 17 sublime, luxury villas of Awasi Mendoza (formerly Cavas Wine Lodge) give guests a privileged position within Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, often called the heart of Argentine wine country. Each villa comes with a private guide and a jeep so that visitors are able to roam the sweeping, sun-kissed landscape at their own pace – and with a wholly personalized itinerary. But the vineyards are perhaps best explored on horseback, alongside local gauchos, or while enjoying hands-on experiences such as grape clipping and stomping, open-air Argentine cooking classes, and, of course, wine tasting.
Babylonstoren, South Africa
In the heart of the Cape Winelands, Babylonstoren is set on one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms. The elegant, understated estate offers sweeping views of the conical Babylonstoren Hill, Simonsberg and the Banghoek Mountains – and boasts gardens renowned for their biodiversity, several farm-to-fork restaurants, the ‘living’ Garden Spa nestled in a bamboo forest, and accommodation comprising a farm hotel and beautifully appointed cottages. There are extensive opportunities for wine and olive oil tasting here, with 13 different grape varieties growing across the estate’s sprawling vineyards.
Castello di Vicarello, Italy
Set in the wild and rolling Tuscan region of Maremma, Castello di Vicarello is an artfully restored 12th-century castle hotel, surrounded by organic vineyards and olive groves. With just nine suites – each uniquely designed – the atmosphere is intimate and indulgent. Unsurprisingly, food and drink are a highlight here, in a region world-renowned for its delicacies, with fresh ingredients grown in the gardens and rich wines produced from the award-winning vineyard.
Como Le Montrachet, France
In Côte-d’Or, a region synonymous with wine, Como Le Montrachet is a new addition to the beautiful Burgundy landscape. A thoughtful reimagining of a 19th-century inn, located just a stone’s throw from the legendary Le Montrachet vineyard in the quaint village of Puligny-Montrachet, the hotel offers tastings within its own vineyards, as well as tours of the local wine houses and their history.
Vik Chile
Located in the Millahue Valley, Vik Chile offers spectacularly majestic views of the Andes from design-led suites that are practically suspended above the vineyards – including one featuring a dramatic carbon-fiber bathtub. The area’s unique terroir and landscape, comprised of 12 valleys, contribute to a phenomenal variety and complexity in the wines it produces.
Tillingham, England
With a bucolic biodynamic winery set among 70 acres of sweeping hills and woodlands, Tillingham is a mixed farm (also home to fruit trees and livestock) where tours and tastings take place in a slice of Sussex serenity. For guests wishing to extend their visit beyond a sample, accommodation is available within a Victorian farmstead – in the former hop barn – as well as in two beautifully furnished bell tents.
Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal
This magnificent 19th-century manor, overlooking vine-covered terraces and the Douro River, offers seasonal menus and curated wine lists inspired by kitchen-garden ingredients and vineyard produce. Guests at Six Sense Douro Valley can visit the Wine Library and Terrace, where the sommelier recommends the best vintages to enjoy alongside delicious tapas.
Delaire Graff Estate, South Africa
Another Cape Winelands classic, Delaire Graff Estate is backdropped by vineyards where Bordeaux reds and Chardonnay grapes grow. Gaze out from the villa’s scenic picture windows, terraces, botanical gardens and swimming pools over the Stellenbosch Valley towards Table Mountain. As the sun sets over the Helshoogte Pass, there are few views quite as cinematic to accompany an award-winning portfolio of wines.
Villa La Coste, France
Art and wine combine at this sublime Provençal spot with an enticing creative spirit, halfway between Aix en Provence and the Luberon Nature Park, in the center of the biodynamic Château La Coste vineyard. The refined hillside residence of Villa La Coste embraces the beauty of its surroundings across 28 suites and expansive gardens, where views take in the vines and valleys below.
Jackalope, Australia
Bringing a focus on alluringly sleek design to the heart of the rustic, world-renowned wine region of the Mornington Peninsula, Jackalope gives an intoxicating aspect to the boutique vineyard in which it resides. Floor-to-ceiling windows gaze out over the rolling countryside, where, in deep volcanic soils, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme.
Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley, US
A marrying of two great wine destinations, French fine dining and a taste of Provence meet the spectacular, sun-kissed Napa Valley at Auberge du Soleil. Set amid 33 acres of heritage olive and oak trees, the hotel’s guest rooms and suites are elegant and pared-back, while the striking terrace is an unparalleled spot to sit and savor a Napa Valley wine served with a panoramic view.