These are the best holiday destinations for wine lovers
If you love wine, these grape escapes are just the thing for you. From a weekend break to a longer holiday, and from America to Portugal, these are the best places to drink and experience wine!
Wine lovers: these holiday destinations are a must
Just around the corner from San Francisco, California
In California, about a 90-minute drive from San Francisco, Francis Ford Coppola makes not only world-famous films, but also world-famous wine. And he presents it in a wonderful way. At his winery, you’ll find, among other things, a swimming pool – and the cabanas by the pool sell out faster in summer than tickets to the Champions League Final. Finished swimming? Then dive into the film museum, complete with Corleone’s mafia boss desk and other famous film props. And then: a wine tasting. A must-try: the Director’s Cut Chardonnay, with a label that looks like a… film reel!
Sleep in a wine barrel, swim in the decanter, Portugal
Port is without a doubt Portugal’s greatest asset. The wine comes from the Douro Valley, one of the most spectacular wine regions in the world, but takes its name from the port city of Porto. Huge quantities of port lie maturing in the cool cellars here. The wine cellar at The Yeatman Hotel houses one of the largest port collections in the world. And naturally, you can taste it here, with an unbelievably beautiful view of the old city. You can swim in a life-size decanter and sleep in a wine barrel. Kitsch or corny? A little, but it’s certainly fun (and super chic!).
An architectural masterpiece, Spain
The Spanish winery Marqués de Riscal was determined to bring top architect Frank Gehry on board for the makeover of the old bodega dating from 1858. To win over Gehry, famous for ‘his’ Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, they gave him a bottle of Rioja from his birth year, 1929. And it worked: with his graceful design for the five-star hotel added to the bodega, the oldest winery in Rioja became completely future-proof. The ribbon-like titanium and stainless-steel panels imitate flowing wine, dining comes with a star. And a glass of Rioja, of course. Spain’s red jewel.
Barolo and truffles, Italy
In late autumn, the Northern Italian Piedmont, famous for Barolo and Barbaresco, is even more blissful than during the rest of the year. Not only because the hilly landscape around the Langhe, with its medieval villages perched on the hilltops, is ablaze with the colors of the tall vines. But especially because this is white truffle season. The very best are found in Piedmont. And they are lovingly served to you in the Michelin-starred restaurant of the chic Il Boscareto. Add Barolo and heaven opens up. And after dinner? Head into the impressive wine cellar!
Swimming in island wine, Italy
The famous Sicilian family Tasca d’Almerita not only makes delicious wine in Sicily, but also has a resort on the small island of Salina. Travelers with taste are more than welcome. Surrounded by sea and vineyards, relaxation is guaranteed. Looking for a little more adventure? Take a stroll with Capofaro’s sommelier and learn all about the divine island wine Malvasia.
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