If getting lost in 35 acres of lush vineyards is your idea of a good time, this is the bolt-hole for you. Cavas Wine Lodge in Argentina prides itself on offering 250 of the best wines in the Mendoza region, which you can sample through a private tasting session with the in-house sommelier. Select your favourite bottle and savour it over a romantic dinner, or take it up to your own private rooftop terrace for a spot of stargazing. Otherwise, grab a bicycle and bomb through the vineyards to scout your perfect picnic spot.
Vineyards, wineries and luxury hotels that specialise in all things wine are bountiful in South Australia. With 18 wine regions, punctuated with sumptuous boutique bolt-holes, it's not hard to see why it has earnt itself an excellent reputation for oenological expertise. We've put together a guide to point you in the right direction, which you can find here. One of our favourite luxury hotels in South Australia has to be The Louise, in the lush Barossa Valley. This luxurious hotel has 15 guest suites, each with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards, and its spectacular restaurant Appellation is known as one of the best in the region.
Nestled in a corner of Tuscany, a region awash with fertile lands and charming scenery, Castiglion del Bosco is a romantic, bubonic retreat that remains truly connected to its rich, mediaeval heritage. Modern luxury has been infused with the Castiglion’s authentic, rustic charm, thanks to owner and Italian fashion magnate Massimo Ferragamo. Naturally, Castiglion del Bosco makes use of its wine-producing knowledge by offering tours and tastings to guests passionate about their Brunello di Montalcino wine; a fine, velvety red. Our tip: save room in your suitcase to take several bottles home with you.
Producing award-winning wines using innovative methods is all part of the charm at the Matetic Vineyard in Chile’s Central Valley. With a sleek, state of the art facility to browse around, as well as a fascinating laboratory and wine cellar, La Casona at Matetic Vineyard proves it knows a thing or two about wine. This small luxury hotel has just seven quaint rooms that complement its colonial style, making it a truly intimate wine retreat. What’s more, literary enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the house ofChile’s iconic poet, Pablo Neruda, is waiting to be explored at nearby Isla Negra.
In the heart of California’s wine-drenched Sonoma Valley is the gorgeous Kenwood Inn & Spa, luxuriously styled with a distinctively Mediterranean flourish. Though not a wine producer itself, guests at Kenwood are provided with complimentary passes to HKG Wine Estates in Sonoma. The region is home to over 400 wineries and is known for its green initiatives and enthusiastic approach to sustainable tourism, ensuring that the natural beauty is preserved. In line with the region’s penchant for wine culture, the Kenwood Spa specialises in rejuvenating grape treatments. Soak in a vinotherapy bath as you sip on a glass of one of the local labels: this is oenophiles’ ultimate luxury.
If Sauvignon Blanc is your tipple of choice, head to The Steenberg Farm, whose specialty is the dry white grape – but that’s not to suggest it’s the only great wine they produce. Sample their Méthode Cap Classique, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Nebbiolo and the ICON wine Magna Carta at one of their tastings, and select your favourite to savour as you look out over the majestic Steenberg Mountains. Meanwhile, at The Steenberg’s reputable Catharina Restaurant, opt for a dish to exquisitely complement your wine: as one of the Cape’s most sought after restaurants, this will not be at all tricky.
