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Wine offers a magnificent window into specific regions and cultures around the world. A trip centred on wine allows you to meet passionate locals, feast on farm-to-table meals, stay in gorgeous accommodations on farms or vineyards, and, of course, enjoy some of the world’s best wine.
Rioja
My first true wine trip was in the Spanish region of Rioja, known for its full-bodied reds. The food was exceptional, as we sampled local specialties, including jambon and frittata. We stayed in family-run vineyards and explored the avant-garde architecture of the Bodegas Marqués de Riscal. We travelled at harvest time, when the region was bursting with ripe grapes. At one point, we visited a tiny winery where a family sat together chatting and hand-picking the grapes. Rioja is a great entry point into wine tourism.
Waiheke Island
Ride the ferry from Auckland, New Zealand to Waiheke Island to visit your choice of 30 boutique wineries known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Waiheke Island is a great day trip spot for travellers, and offers a lot beyond the wine. Restaurants have tasting menus of locally-curated dishes, artisan shops provide a bit of eclectic variety, and you can even go ziplining for a touch of adventure. The local winery owners are hands-on and happy to chat about anything and everything. Waiheke provides a down to earth travel experience.
Cape Winelands
The Cape Winelands outside Cape Town, South Africa, are best known for Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, and Pinotage. The landscape transforms from sweeping coastline to pastoral bushland to idyllic mountain valley. In Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in South Africa, including The Blue Crane & The Butterfly, which has my favourite desserts on the planet. Stepping into each vineyard in the Cape Winelands feels like visiting an art gallery and the passion of the local growers is infectious. I capped my stay at a cottage on a working vineyard at Boschendal, where I enjoyed good wine and food surrounded by mountains and wildflowers. It’s only 45 minutes to the airport so it provides the perfect ending to a trip in the cape.
Carolyn Weppler has tracked gorillas in Rwanda, been proposed to in Paris (she accepted, naturally!), and travelled to 70 countries, counting Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Russia, Sri Lanka and even Afghanistan among her travel memories. Originally from Hong Kong, Carolyn lived in the UK before settling in Canada. A self-professed foodie traveller, her favourite destinations are Nepal, Peru, Uganda, and anywhere else where she can roam local markets and experience new flavours.