It’s Wine O’clock Somewhere.

by | May 25, 2022 | Uncategorized

It’s Wine O’clock Somewhere.

It’s National Wine Day and Wine Down Wednesday. I don’t know when this will happen again so let’s all raise a glass of our favorite vintage and toast to this coincidence! But seriously in honor of the day let’s talk about wine tours. 

Why Go on a Wine Tour?

Wine tours are a great excursion to incorporate into your next trip for a few reasons:

  • Of course, the best part of a wine tour is trying all the amazing wines native to the region.  Wine tours offer you the opportunity to try a variety of wines and allow you to figure out which ones you enjoy the most.  Many wine tours also offer the option for food and small bites to keep your stomach happy the entire time!
  • Wine tours allow you to check out different wineries with transportation included.  No need to worry about having to drive back later!
  • The process of making wine is super exciting and differs for each winery.  On a wine tour, you’ll be able to better appreciate the wine you’re drinking because you’ll learn the process of making it.  By the end of the wine tour, you’ll feel like a total wine expert–even if it’s your first time at a vineyard! 

The Best Wine Tour Destinations

  1. Napa and Sonoma, California

You can’t talk about wine without mentioning Napa and Sonoma in California!  If you’re a wine newbie, California is the perfect place to dip your toes into the world of wine-making.  Across Napa and Sonoma, there are more than 600 wineries (you may even be able to visit the vineyards that make some of your favorite wines!) There are many excellent wine tour options, and most will even take you to see the Old Faithful geyser at the top of Napa Valley! 

  1. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town offers so much to see, from beaches to wildlife and even vineyards!  Within Cape Town, you’ll find Cape Winelands, which boasts a significant production of wine, as the name suggests.  There are several wine trails in Cape 

Winelands, and there is even a wine tram where you can hop off and on to visit different wineries and architecture. 

  1. Santorini, Greece

If you’re traveling with your partner, Santorini is the ultimate destination for both romance and wine tasting!  Santorini has one of the oldest wine-making histories dating back to 3500 BC.  The volcanic soil and warm, moist climate of Santorini make it the perfect place to grow grapes.  You’ll fall in love with the white wines and breathtaking views. 

  1. Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is a gorgeous city covered in beautiful hills and picturesque vineyards.  Most vineyards in the region offer tours and tastings where a wine expert comes in to teach you how to taste the notes of wine and the best wine and food pairings.  Many of these wine tours will allow you to try not only the famous wine but also the world-class food and olive oil (which is to die for!) 

  1. Rioja, Spain

Rioja is the wine capital of Spain, and it’s not hard to understand why!  Rioja is home to over 500 vineyards and is the name of a red wine that the region produces.  The area has been making wine for more than 2,000 years, dating back to Roman times.  Today, there are many self-guided and private wine tours where you can enjoy learning about Spanish wine-making history.

  1. Bordeaux, France

Did you know that Bordeaux is considered the world’s wine capital?!  With over 6,000 wine estates, Bordeaux is the ultimate wine-lover’s dream.  The city is home to many wine chateaus, which frequently have castles on the property!  Bordeaux has so many vineyards because the soil has the best nutrients and moisture for growing grapes.  Much of the wine produced in Bordeaux is red, but the region is also known for its white dessert wine!  If you consider yourself a lover of wine, you can’t miss a trip to Bordeaux. 

  1. Yarra Valley, Australia 

Located in Melbourne, Australia, Yarra Valley is known for its vineyards and wine-making.  The area is most famous for its Pinot noir, sparkling wine, and Chardonnay.  With just 80 wineries, it is on the smaller side compared to other wine regions, but don’t let that fool you!  Paired with fresh, local food and stunning views, you shouldn’t skip a visit to Yarra Valley if you are in the Melbourne area.  In fact, it’s one of Australia’s favorite summer getaways! 

 

  1. Mendoza, Argentina

Are you heading to South America?  Make sure to check out the largest wine region in Argentina, Mendoza!  The heart-stopping views of the vineyards situated on the edge of the Andes Mountains make this trip worth it!  Not to mention their famous Malbec wine.  If you’re looking to explore several of the city’s vineyards, try renting a bike with your group!  The area is relatively flat, making it easy to get around on a bike without missing any of the stunning views. 

This all has me thinking I may need to create a wine tour trip sooner rather than later!