Tired of one-size-fits-all vineyard lists? Us too. That’s why we’ve matched top wineries to your travel personality. Whether you’re a design nerd, a thrill-seeker, a history buff, or someone who plans holidays around the next meal, this is your wine-soaked bucket list for 2024.
For Architecture Lovers
These aren’t just wineries—they’re works of art with a side of Pinot.
Marqués de Riscal (Spain)
Frank Gehry’s shimmering titanium masterpiece crowns a 160-year-old Rioja estate. Inside? A Michelin-starred restaurant and a wine spa. Naturally.
VIK (Chile)
Part Bond villain lair, part zen retreat. Its avant-garde hotel and glass tasting room hover over 4,300 hectares of wild terrain. The wine? Bold and brilliant.
Bodegas Ysios (Spain)
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, it looks like a wave of wine barrels frozen mid-swoosh. A Rioja experience with serious design cred.
d’Arenberg (Australia)
Welcome to The Cube—five surreal levels of tastings, art installations, and sensory overload in McLaren Vale. Think Willy Wonka for wine nerds.
Tenuta Castelbuono (Italy)
Nicknamed “The Carapace,” this turtle-shaped dome in Umbria houses top-tier Sagrantino. It’s a fusion of sculpture, soil, and structure.
For Foodies
Wine and food pairings so good they should come with a warning.
Creation (South Africa)
Pinot Noir meets precision pairings. Each wine gets a bespoke dish, and every table has a view of the heavenly Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
Abadía Retuerta (Spain)
Set in a restored 12th-century monastery, this estate combines fine dining with serene surroundings and standout Tempranillo.
El Enemigo (Argentina)
Where Mendoza’s winemaking meets literary flair. Co-founder Alejandro Vigil channels Dante’s Inferno into a subterranean dining experience.
Ceretto (Italy)
Barolo meets Bauhaus. The glass “Acino” dome offers views over the Langhe hills—and a menu worthy of its iconic Nebbiolo.
Marqués de Riscal (Spain)
Yes, it’s back—but when you’ve got a Michelin star, world-class wine, and a tasting menu to match the architecture, you earn a second mention.
For History Buffs
Old vines. Older buildings. Timeless stories.
Schloss Johannisberg (Germany)
Over 1,200 years of winemaking and the birthplace of Spätlese Riesling. This Rheingau castle oozes heritage—and exceptional white wine.
Maison Ruinart (France)
Founded in 1729, the oldest Champagne house invites you into its chalk cellars and contemporary art programme. Bubbles with brains.
Château d’Yquem (France)
The gold standard for Sauternes since the 16th century. Rare tastings in a fairytale chateau steeped in noble rot (in the best way).
Bodega Colomé (Argentina)
One of the world’s highest vineyards, founded in 1831, with an onsite James Turrell museum. Old-world wine, high-altitude attitude.
Tio Pepe (Spain)
Sherry’s spiritual home. Since 1835, this Jerez icon has blended tradition and tourism with barrel tasting in centuries-old bodegas.
For Thrill-Seekers
Because some of us want a little adrenaline with our Albariño.
VIK (Chile)
Again? Yep. You’ll understand once you hike, ride, or zip through its private reserve—before collapsing into a world-class wine tasting.
Montes (Chile)
Sustainable to its core, this Colchagua estate offers botanical trails, barrel rooms scored to Gregorian chant, and serious Cabernet.
Domäne Wachau (Austria)
Take to the Danube with a wine and yacht experience. Terraced vineyards, Grüner Veltliner, and a river breeze? Yes please.
Bodega Salentein (Argentina)
Horseback through the Andes, then descend into a soaring barrel cathedral. You’ll earn every sip of that Malbec.
Final Sip
The best wine trips reflect who you are—not just what’s in your glass. Whether you’re snapping selfies under titanium roofs or saddle-sipping Syrah at altitude, these wineries prove that the best bottles come with a backdrop.
