Uncorking Luxury: Wine Destinations Waiting to be Savoured
For the passionate oenophile (wine connoisseur), the world is a treasure trove of exceptional wine regions, each offering its own unique blend of flavours, history, and landscapes. Our 'Taste' Y Factor goes beyond the bottle, blending an immersive experience that combines the art of winemaking with the height of bespoke luxury travel. So pour a glass of your favourite drop and join us as we take you on a journey through some of the world's most picturesque viticultural destinations and showcase our favourite immersive and experiential wine hotels along the way.
PORTUGAL - DOURO VALLEY
The Douro Valley, located in northern Portugal, is one of the world's oldest demarcated wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This picturesque area, defined by steep terraced vineyards along the Douro River, has a winemaking history dating back over 2,000 years. Renowned primarily for its production of Port wine, the region also produces excellent red and white table wines. Key grape varieties include Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz for reds, and Rabigato and Viosinho for whites. The combination of unique terroir and traditional winemaking techniques results in wines that are rich, full-bodied, and deeply expressive of their origin.
WHERE TO STAY - Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is an historic Douro Valley winery estate, situated along a 1.5 km stretch of the picturesque Douro River. This charming property is part of the Relais & Chateaux group and features an 18th-century manor house. Guests can enjoy modern comforts in elegantly appointed rooms and a range of activities, including a beautiful outdoor pool, yoga classes, walking trails, mountain biking, and immersive wine experiences such as guided vineyard tours, wine tastings, and seasonal harvesting experiences. Explore the local vineyards by water, with a meandering Douro River cruise, something a little different, or for a totally different style of ‘cruising’ the region, hit the road and explore the Valley’s viticultural highlights in an ice blue vintage American convertible!
ITALY - TUSCANY
Italy's wine history is a rich tapestry woven through centuries, with viticulture dating back to the Roman era, making it one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. Today, Italy stands as a premier wine destination, celebrated for its diverse regions and exceptional varietals. Tuscany, with its gorgeous rolling hills, quaint medieval villages, and sun-drenched vineyards, is particularly renowned and loved by travellers around the globe as a premier ‘sip and stay’ destination. Here, the iconic Sangiovese grape thrives, producing illustrious wines such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
WHERE TO STAY - Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, located within the Val d’Orcia in the Brunello di Montalcino winemaking region, is a 5,000-acre country estate, originally founded by fashion icon Massimo Ferragamo and his wife Chiara in 2003. Renowned for producing some of Italy's finest wines, this chic, quintessentially Tuscan resort features 42 suites and villas. The resort celebrates Tuscany's rich gastronomic heritage with two restaurants, an organic vegetable garden, and a cooking school. Guests can immerse themselves in wine experiences, including guided tours of ancient cellars, exclusive tastings of rare vintages, hands-on winemaking sessions, and scenic helicopter flights over the stunning landscape. Time your stay to coincide with Andrea Bocelli’s annual performance in the ancient Teatro del Silenzio amphitheatre in his nearby hometown of Lajatico, for an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience under the glorious Tuscan night sky.
FRANCE - CHAMPAGNE
France stands proudly as the epicentre of the wine world, boasting several renowned wine regions and a diverse array of grape varieties - from Bordeaux's bold reds to Burgundy's exquisite Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, not forgetting the aromatic whites of the Loire Valley and Provence's famed rosés. Yet among these illustrious names, the Champagne region outshines them all with its famed sparkling wine. Synonymous with celebrations, luxury, and sophistication, Champagne (the region and the wine) captivates with its effervescent charm and exceptional quality - after all if it’s not from Champagne, it’s not…Champagne.
WHERE TO STAY - The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in Champillon is an elegant, contemporary haven nestled into the famed region’s UNESCO-listed hillside. The hotel’s decor exudes understated opulence, complemented by panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards. Guests can indulge in a world-class spa, dip in the glamorous infinity pool, and savour gourmet dining experiences. The hotel offers activities including private vineyard tours, Champagne tastings, buggy tours, scenic hot air balloon rides, and leisurely boat rides along the Marne river.
CHILE - COLCHAGUA VALLEY
Chile’s Colchagua Valley is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and exceptional wines, making it a premier destination for oenophiles. Located approximately 150 km south of Santiago, this region benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean. The valley is celebrated for its production of bold red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère, which flourish in the region's fertile soils.
WHERE TO STAY - Colchagua’s Vik Hotel, two and a half hours south of Santiago, is a luxurious avant-garde retreat blending world-class wine production with stunning design. Established in 2006 by Norwegian entrepreneur Alexander Vik, the hotel features sleek lines, expansive glass walls, and sustainable materials. Guests can enjoy guided tours of the state-of-the-art winery, tastings led by expert sommeliers, and farm-to-table dining experiences matched with local blends.
ARGENTINA - MENDOZA
Situated in the foothills of the majestic Andes mountain range, a three and a half hour flight inland from Buenos Aires, Argentina's Mendoza wine region with its sun-drenched vineyards and breathtaking mountain vistas has a rich winemaking history that dates back to the 16th century. Today the Mendoza region is celebrated as the heart of Argentine wine production, famed for its exceptional Malbec wines that capture the region's unique terroir. Beyond Malbec, Mendoza's vineyards yield superb Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Torrontés, offering a diverse palette of flavours.
WHERE TO STAY - Cavas Wine Lodge is an award-winning boutique hotel set amidst the stunning vineyards of Mendoza. Each suite is designed with modern comforts and traditional Argentine decor, providing private plunge pools and sweeping views of the Andes. The lodge offers intimate wine tastings, vineyard tours, gourmet dining experiences, and a world-class spa with vinotherapy treatments.
USA - SONOMA
North of San Francisco, California’s Sonoma County (and it’s equally famous neighbouring wine region, the Napa Valley) is celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene and diverse range of wine offerings, thanks to the region's cool climate and varied terroir. Favourite Northern Californian drops include elegant Pinot Noirs, robust Cabernets, delightful Chardonnays, and fruity Zinfandels.
WHERE TO STAY - Farmhouse Inn, located in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley is an ultra-stylish blend of Northern Californian charm, hospitality and modern luxury. This family-owned boutique property, centred around a restored 19th-century farmhouse, exudes a warm, inviting atmosphere, reminiscent of walking onto the set of a Nora Ephron movie. Guests can enjoy the serene spa and wellness retreat, an outdoor pool, and farm-to-table cuisine at the hotel’s Michelin-starred Farmhouse Restaurant, complemented by an impressive selection of local wines.
GREECE - PELOPONNESE
Greece's Peloponnese region is a scenic and historic area in the southern part of the country’s mainland, which offers an enchanting escape for wine enthusiasts looking to broaden their European wine knowledge beyond the better-known French, Italian, and Spanish destinations. Enveloped by the azure waters of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, the Peloponnese boasts a rich viticultural heritage dating back to antiquity, where wine was revered and celebrated in myth and tradition. Today, the region is renowned for its diverse varietals, including the aromatic Moschofilero, the robust Agiorgitiko, and the complex, age-worthy Mavrodaphne.
WHERE TO STAY - Dexamenes Seaside Hotel is a unique retreat on the western coastline, set within a former post-war wine factory. This hotel blends industrial heritage with contemporary elegance and eco-friendly design. Each room is crafted within old wine tanks, retaining the original character while providing modern comforts. Guests can savour gourmet cuisine paired with regional wines and enjoy activities such as guided vineyard tours, wine tastings, and culinary workshops.
SOUTH AFRICA - FRANSCHOEK
South Africa’s Franschhoek Valley, near Cape Town, is celebrated as the country’s gourmet capital, with award winning restaurants and extensive wineries. The region produces exceptional Bordeaux blends, Syrahs, and Chenin Blancs, thanks to its Mediterranean climate and fertile soils, and has become a sought-after destination for wine lovers looking to venture beyond their usual European grape-stomping grounds.
WHERE TO STAY - La Residence is a tranquil Dutch Colonial-style haven in the heart of Franschhoek Valley. This expansive 30-acre estate offers stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. The interiors are adorned with antiques, artwork, and lush fabrics - and unsurprisingly La Residence is rumoured to be one of Elton John’s favourite hotels. Guests can enjoy personalised wine tastings in the hotel’s private cellar or venture out to nearby wineries on the delightful ‘Wine Tram’. La Residence also offers gourmet picnics in the vineyards and food and wine experiences by helicopter, on foot, or by bike.