The World's 21 Must-Visit Wineries, According To The Wine Travel Awards

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. ine tourism has changed. The best wineries now offer much more than just a tasting room. They create experiences that show off the local landscape, traditions, architecture, and history. This helps visitors remember the place long after they leave. This idea is central to the Wine Travel Awards. The Fifth Annual awards now cover 48 countries and highlight wineries that stand out for their heritage, creativity, and strong local character, not just the famous spots like Napa Valley. "The selections are grounded in firsthand experience," Iryna Diachenkova, CEO of the Wine Travel Awards, tells me. "We discovered that on Mazzorbo, an island near Venice, a renowned winemaking family had revived the long-lost Dorona grape. When we visited Venissa Estate, we saw for ourselves that its flagship wine is pure gold, at least in color and certainly in price. Naturally, we added it to our must-visit list." She also highlights Argentina's Bodega La Luz del Vino. "The winery, together with several estates under the same umbrella brand, shares a clear DNA of quality. It is also led by an extraordinary owner, Dr. Ricardo Núñez, a visionary, philanthropist, and arguably the boldest investor we have encountered in the wine world. After all, investing in Ukrainian vineyards today is not a decision many would dare make." In Georgia, one estate stands out. "If we were asked to choose just one winery to visit in the homeland of wine, we would head straight to SHUMI," Diachenkova says. "It may sound simple, but this is a destination that must be experienced rather than described, and its outstanding wines, along with the remarkable drink Zigu, have to be tasted in person." The Wine Travel Awards aim to bring together a worldwide community of wine tourism fans, celebrating the people, places, wines, and local products that make each region unique. This year's awards will take place in June on the inaugural Global Wine Tourism Day at the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne in Beaune. From Georgia's ancient winemaking traditions to Thailand's tropical vineyards, these wineries are leading the way in wine travel and offer memorable places to stay nearby. Argentina Altitude plays a big role in shaping Argentina's wine. In places like Mendoza's Uco Valley, vineyards are set high in the Andes. The strong sunlight and big temperature changes there help create wines that are especially crisp and fresh. Bodega La Luz del Vino Bodega La Luz del Vino sits in the scenic Andes, blending tradition with modern winemaking. The Fernández Núñez family, whose roots go back to Galician immigrants in the early 1900s, brings extra character to these wines. At this winery, winemaking balances nature and skill. Old vines grow in mineral-rich soil, and the team uses careful fermentation and gentle oak aging to create wines that are strong yet still refined. Where to stay: The Vines Resort & Spa is known for its villa-style luxury and has been honored with a Michelin Key. Entre Cielos Wine Hotel & Spa and Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort are also excellent choices. France France is still the world's standard for wine, not because it avoids change, but because it improves on it. Years of expertise, strict wine laws, and a strong respect for terroir create wines that seem timeless. Champagne Joseph Perrier At Champagne Joseph Perrier, your visit starts underground. The chalk cellars, carved into the rock, run for miles and have been there for centuries. They offer perfect conditions for ageing wine and give a strong sense of history. Above ground, the atmosphere is calm and elegant. This family-owned Champagne house has made wine since 1825, focusing more on finesse than showiness. Where to stay: The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa stands out in the Michelin Guide for its wide vineyard views and refined atmosphere. Les Avisés is also a great option. Château Pape Clément Château Pape Clément stands out for how clearly its history shows. Founded in the 13th century, it has changed over time but kept its unique character. Bernard Magrez bought the Grand Cru Classé de Graves estate in the 1980s. This was his first vineyard and marked the start of his global wine business. Now, he owns four Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés and 42 vineyards around the world. Where to stay: Les Sources de Caudalie is a top choice. This landmark wine-country hotel is known for its vinotherapy spa and location near top estates. Yndo Hotel is another good option. Georgia Georgia is often called the birthplace of wine, with winemaking traditions that go back 8,000 years. Today, producers still use traditional methods like qvevri fermentation, connecting modern wines to ancient roots. Winery Khareba Khareba is a large winery focused on preservation. Its vineyards span several winemaking regions and include hundreds of native Georgian grape varieties. The estate makes wine and also acts as a living archive, protecting Georgia's rare grape varieties and traditional winemaking methods. Where to stay: Lopota Lake Resort & Spa is comfortable and close to many wineries. Schuchmann Wines Château & Spa is another good option. Shaloshvili Cellar & Hotel Shaloshvili is located in the village of Shilda in Kakheti and gives visitors a more personal experience, built on family traditions and warm hospitality. Life moves at a slower pace here, and the atmosphere feels more personal. In the heart of one of Georgia's famous wine regions, the property combines relaxation, culture, and real winemaking in a way that feels truly welcoming, not staged. Where to stay: Staying onsite is part of what makes the visit special. Smaller, family-run places like this often give the best insight into Georgia's qvevri traditions. SHUMI Winery SHUMI covers a large area and has big ambitions. It sits in a landscape with a deep history, once home to Georgian nobility, and stretches across important microzones surrounded by nature. Here, history is an active part of the experience. It influences the wines, the surroundings, and what visitors feel during their stay. Where to stay: The Tsinandali Estate Hotel is a great choice for anyone interested in Georgia's aristocratic wine history. Rooms Hotel Telavi is another good option. Italy Wine is a key part of life in Italy. With so many local grape varieties and strong regional traditions, Italian wines show the character of each place and the rhythms of everyday living. Venissa Estate Venissa sits on the island of Mazzorbo near Venice and has an atmosphere that feels timeless. Its walled vineyard shelters the Dorona grape, which was almost forgotten. One of my personal favorites in Italy, this property is peaceful and shaped by both water and history. Visiting Venissa is about seeing the resilience of the land and the Dorona grape. Where to stay: You can stay right at the estate in one of five guest rooms. The quiet and historic island setting is a big part of the experience, and there's also a Michelin-starred restaurant on site. Villa Cammaratini Villa Cammaratini is close to Modica in Sicily and is a great base for exploring the culture of the Val di Noto. You'll find Baroque towns, ancient sites, and beautiful coastlines nearby. Set in the countryside, they focus on the food and wine identity of the region with relaxation in a carefully renovated farmhouse. Where to stay: Staying at the villa itself is an important part of the visit to winery Cantina Rio Favara. Ventiventi Winery Ventiventi gives visitors a well-organized, hands-on experience. Guests walk from the vineyard to the cellar, seeing each step of winemaking up close and in a way that brings the process to life. The estate focuses on organic farming and sustainability. Their hospitality centers on sharing stories and building connections with guests. Where to stay: Casa Maria Luigia is a great pick if you want to enjoy both wine and Modena's famous food. Hotel Rua Frati 48 is also a strong choice. Mirabella Golf Club The Mastroberardino family started this estate in 2008. Here, you can enjoy wine tourism and relaxation in the Taurasi DOCG area. The experience includes places to stay, dining, a spa, and tastings. The project gains additional depth through Antonio Mastroberardino's work to revive the ancient vineyards of Pompeii. As Diachenkova notes, "Antonio Mastroberardino is known as the archaeologist of the wine world, having dedicated 25 years to the revival of the vineyards of Ancient Pompeii." Where to stay: Radici Resort is a popular choice for travelers who want vineyards, warm hospitality, and a sense of the region all in one spot. FASOLI GINO Winery Fasoli Gino was founded in 1925 in the heart of Soave. The winery is still run by the family and has grown from a traditional producer into a leader in organic and biodynamic winemaking. The family's farming history began in 1921, when Amadio Fasoli started growing grapes in the Illasi Valley, east of Verona. He delivered his wines by horse and cart to local businesses. The company officially started in 1925, with its first sale to the parish priest. When Gino Fasoli took over, the second generation grew the vineyards and increased production around Verona. Gino's allergy to chemicals led the third generation to switch to organic farming. This change became a key part of the estate's identity. Where to stay: Magari Estates Hotel & Restaurant near the winery is a popular choice. The 16th-century estate has been reimagined by the Pellegrino and Fasoli families as a 15-room retreat. Radici Resort In Irpinia, southern Italy's wine culture stands out thanks to local grape varieties and a landscape that is quieter and less crowded than Italy's better-known wine regions. Radici is a place where you can relax and take your time. Visitors are encouraged to settle in and try wines that may not be well known internationally but truly reflect the local area. Where to stay: Staying at the resort itself gives you the best chance to connect with Irpinia's wine culture. Vinos de La Luz Just outside Montalcino, this estate combines the classic beauty of Tuscany with a modern approach to winemaking. Located in the UNESCO-listed Val d'Orcia, it is already making wines that critics are noticing. The property blends tradition with forward-thinking ambition. It is clearly Tuscan, yet it looks to the future rather than staying rooted in the past. Where to stay: Castello Banfi Il Borgo is still one of the area's classic places to stay. For those looking for a more luxurious base in Val d'Orcia, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is another top choice. Portugal Portugal is quickly becoming one of Europe's top wine destinations. While it was once known mainly for Port, the country is now gaining attention for its wide range of still wines and memorable wine-travel experiences, especially in the Douro Valley. The Yeatman The Yeatman sits above Porto and the Douro River, giving guests a unique view of the city and its wine culture. The Yeatman is more than just a luxury hotel. It has strong ties to Port producers and features a two-Michelin-star restaurant, helping guests connect with Portugal's wine traditions. Many travelers consider it one of Europe's best wine-focused hotels. Where to stay: The Yeatman is a top pick, but Six Senses Douro Valley is also an excellent choice. South Africa South Africa's wine industry blends Old World tradition with New World energy. Since the 17th century, the country has produced wines that combine structure and vibrancy, influenced by its varied climates and striking landscapes. The Glass Museum at Glenelly Estate Glenelly is known for both its wines and its unique perspective. Owned by Bordeaux royalty, the estate brings a European touch to South African soil. The estate also features a museum with a remarkable glass collection that covers two thousand years. This adds a surprising cultural element and shows that wine is about setting, beauty, and history, not just taste. As Diachenkova puts it: "This property might not seem extraordinary at first glance, until you learn that the collection was assembled over a lifetime by the legendary winemaker Lady May. She spent half a century at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande before relocating to South Africa, and at 101 still makes transatlantic flights from Switzerland to oversee her estate." Where to stay: Delaire Graff Estate is often called the jewel of the Cape Winelands and is perfect for travelers who love art, wine, and excellent service. Babylonstoren offers a different but just as appealing farm-stay experience. Spain Spain's wine regions offer a wide variety, from the bold reds of Ribera del Duero to the fortified wines of Jerez. What ties them together is a strong sense of identity, with tradition and place at their core. Wine experts often claim that Spain's lesser-known regions can be just as interesting as Rioja. In Ribeira Sacra, for example, visitors see "heroic viticulture," where vineyard workers tend vines on steep slopes above the river. Bodega Tío Pepe In Jerez, wine and culture go hand in hand, and Tío Pepe shows this perfectly. Its cellars, courtyards, and vine-covered paths create a lively, authentic setting. Sherry is the main focus, but a visit here is about more than just how it's made. It's a chance to see how climate, patience, and tradition shape one of Spain's most unique wine styles. Few wineries match this atmosphere. Where to stay: Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe. Staying at the hotel lets visitors experience the daily rhythms of Sherry production and the unique atmosphere of Jerez. Descalzos Viejos Not many wineries can match this atmosphere. Descalzos Viejos sits in a restored monastery above Ronda, giving it a peaceful and historic feel. The building's design is just as much a part of the experience as the wine. As Diachenkova says, "Hemingway once said that Ronda is the most romantic place on earth. Descalzos Viejos is the most romantic place in Ronda, and that is before we even mention the wines crafted by winemaker Flavio Salesi, produced in a former monastery and aged in a cellar adorned with centuries-old frescoes." Where to stay: La Fuente de la Higuera is a countryside retreat that matches the region's unique landscape and atmosphere. Bodega La Luz del Duero In Ribera del Duero, the landscape shapes everything. The limestone soil, high elevation, and big temperature changes from day to night help create wines that are full of structure and intensity. From the winery terraces, you can see a medieval castle in the distance. This view perfectly shows how the region connects its history with the present. Where to stay: Hotel AF Pesquera is a great place to start exploring the area. AZZ Peñafiel Las Claras Hotel & Spa and Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena are also good options. Bodega La Luz de Rueda Rueda covers 72 municipalities in Valladolid, Segovia, and Ávila. Its character comes from three main features: the Verdejo grape, a continental Mediterranean climate, and the region's gravelly soils. Before 2019, Vinos de La Luz made its Spanish Verdejo wines at three local wineries, choosing grapes from top vineyards in the region. In 2020, the group bought its own winery in La Seca, a town known as one of the best places for Verdejo in Rueda. Where to stay: Posada Real Castillo del Buen Amor is full of character and atmosphere. Parador de Tordesillas is another great choice close by. Taiwan Taiwan's wine industry may be small, but it is full of ambition. Producers have faced tough climate conditions, which has led them to innovate and create unique wines that are now starting to get noticed around the world. Domaine Vino Formosa Vino Formosa leads this new wave. Their award-winning liqueur wines, made from Golden Muscat and Black Queen grapes, show a mix of creativity and careful craftsmanship. This shows that a wine region does not need a long history to be important; what matters is having a clear identity. As Diachenkova says, "This winery earned its place on our list thanks to its pioneering work in underwater ageing. They are among the early innovators of deep-sea-aged wine." Where to stay: The Lin Hotel Taichung is a stylish choice that fits well with this up-and-coming wine destination as it gains recognition internationally. Thailand Thailand is one of the most surprising places for wine. Even with its tropical weather, local producers have figured out how to grow successful vineyards by using higher elevations, sea breezes, and unique growing seasons. Monsoon Valley Vineyard Monsoon Valley shows that a vineyard can be something different. It is lush, green, and shaped by its own unique climate, producing wines that go against what most people expect. Visiting is about discovery as much as tasting. It shows that wine tourism is still growing in new directions. As Diachenkova says, "The vineyard entered the must-visit list practically on elephants, because it not only offers a journey into the world of exotic wines, but is also located next to an elephant sanctuary, which adds an unforgettable dimension to the visit." Where to stay: Anantara Hua Hin Resort is a great choice for travelers who want to combine wine tourism with a resort experience in Asia. For those who prefer the beach, Putahracsa Hua Hin is another good option.