Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or a special occasion, treat the wine lover in your life with a fun getaway to an on-the-grid or off-the-grid getaway where they can indulge to their heart’s content. Many destinations around the globe are better-suited for wine tasting and vineyard tours during certain times of the year than others so you can plan a trip in almost any season. Here are just five wine destinations to add to your itinerary this year:
February: Barossa Valley, Australia
Wine lovers who enjoy a bold Shiraz or want to blend their own vintage wine will enjoy a retreat to the vineyards of Barossa Valley. Penfolds winemaking lab is the place to blend your own wine and take a bottle or two home. Plan your trip during February and March to make the most of beautiful scenery and vineyard tours.
May: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Located in the Bordeaux region of France, Saint Emilion is an historic wine town and home to dozens of attractions and ruins that date as far back as the 14th century. You can attend a wine tasting at the Maison du Vin of Saint-Emilion Wine School or head off on a winery tour to see ancient cellars and historic vineyards.
July: Santa Cruz Mountains, California
The climate stays fairly stable in this part of California all year which is why it can be the perfect mid-summer escape. The roads that take you to different vineyards wind through mountains and eucalyptus groves and your can explore off-the-grid destinations along the way. Make a pit stop at Ridge Vineyards to enjoy breathtaking views of the Santa Clara Valley and Cupertino during your adventure.
September: Douro Valley, Portugal
Douro Valley is one of the most historic destinations you may ever visit — the city of Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage site — and home to several historic wine estates and vineyards. This region is famous for producing the Vinho Verde white wine and, of course, port wine. You can take a guided tour of several wineries that produce some of the best wines of Portugal.
December: Sonoma Valley, California
The holiday season is the perfect time of year to enjoy the picturesque vineyards and wineries decorated with holiday decor around Sonoma Valley. Many wineries of this region produce specialty wines for the season and some have tasting rooms with fireplaces for your holiday toast. Make your way to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Chateau St. Jean or Korbel Champagne Cellars or your holiday tasting tour.
