When planning a vacation, a wedding, or a place for a quick getaway, you don’t usually think of the top wineries around the world. This guide explores breathtaking vineyards, many of which are over a century old. These vineyards have friendly staff, exquisite dining options, world-class accommodations, and award-winning wines. So, plan your next vacation or event at one of the top wineries to create memories that you will cherish forever.
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Exploring The Top Wineries
Paglione Estate Winery, Canada
The Essex Pelee Island Coast (EPIC) is a growing wine region located about four hours west of Toronto. The area is home to many family-owned and operated wineries that rest along the North Shore of Lake Erie. Paglione Estate Winery is one of the top wineries to choose from in Essex County. It has an authentic Italian charm, a welcoming staff, and a wide selection of wines. The estate occupies 40 acres and features 10 acres of vineyards.
Wines are made in small batches and served with antipasti platters, pizza, and homemade gelato as tributes to Paglione’s Italian heritage. This unique combination makes this one of the top wineries in Canada.
Interesting Fact: The winery’s founder Santino Paglione was born in Italy but immigrated to Canada. His dream was to open his own winery. He finally achieved his dream in 2013, when he opened Paglione Estate Winery. (Wonder if he ever thought it would become one of the top wineries in the world!)
Sula Vineyard, India
Rajeev Samant founded Sula Vineyards in 1999. It’s one of the top wineries in India, situated in the Gangapur Dam area and spread over 160 acres of area in Nashik. Sula Wines include Dindori Reserve Shiraz, Sula Sauvignon Blanc, Sula Blush Zinfandel, Sula Brut, and Late Harvest Chenin Blanc. It’s the most award-winning wine brand in India. Your list of top wineries to visit should definitely include this high-quality brand.
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Artesa Winery, USA
Artesa Winery is located just 15 minutes from downtown Napa Valley and Sonoma, and the tasting room is built into a hill. With a short climb from the steps to the top, the wine tasting entrance features a beautiful pond that greets you with stone art and fountains overlooking rows of vineyards on the hillside. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and those are just the views that make this one of the top wineries!
The wine is what will really blow you away. Each wine has a depth of flavor, a unique taste, and is exceptionally smooth. Join the Artesa Club for savings on wine, merchandise, food & wine experiences, and complimentary member tastings for four guests. You will receive five shipments a year of small production wines and member-exclusive pre-release wines. The beautiful scenery and exquisite wine collection make this one of the top wineries!
Balfour Winery, England
The beautiful Balfour Winery on the Hush Heath Estate, owned by Richard Balfour-Lynn, has a visitor center offering tutored tastings, an art & wine tour, and vineyard walks. A vast wooden deck bordered by vines is perfect for a summer wedding. With a 162ha estate and 53ha of vineyards adorned with ancient woodlands, Owen and Fergus Elias manage all aspects of winemaking and lead a team that produces a stellar line-up of wines.
Every visitor should sign up for the luxury Balfour Wine and Dine Experience. After being met at Marden railway station, you’re taken up to the first-floor balcony overlooking the estate, where a glass of Balfour Brut Rosé awaits you and your guest. Your ‘Balfour Ambassador’ will give you the estate’s history of wildflower conservation, then explain the winemaking process as you tour the winery. Guests see parts of the estate not accessible to other visitors and enjoy a three-course lunch with carefully paired wines, making this one of the top wineries to visit.
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Casa Madero, Parras, Coahuila, Mexico
The Parras region of Coahuila is one of Mexico’s most prominent and best wine-producing regions. Casa Madero, established in 1597, has the oldest winery in the Americas, where you can visit and sample its selection of wines that range from reds such as Shiraz and Malbec to whites such as Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. This spectacular vineyard also has fully certified organic status and a picturesque hacienda (house) if you want to stay overnight, earning it a spot amongst the top wineries.
Interesting Fact: With its aromatic intensity, Casa Madero Grand Reserve Chardonnay gets a gold medal in the “Global Wine by El Conocedor 2021.”
St Hugo, Barossa Valley, South Australia
The St Hugo winery has built a reputation for crafting fine wines from Australia’s critically acclaimed winemaking regions (the Barossa Valley and Coonawarra). The wine produced on these unique sites has acquired a reputation for being among the best globally, with award-winning wines since 1980. In addition, St Hugo offers weekend accommodation and wedding packages for large and intimately sized weddings. So say ‘I Do’ in the magical historical setting of the Barossa home, at one of the top wineries in the world!
Nestled in the picturesque Barossa Valley, Jacob’s Estate Cottage offers stylish, contemporary accommodations for up to six people. The original 19th-century Barossa settler’s cottage has been restored and offers three bedrooms and two gorgeous bathrooms. They’re surrounded by wide verandas, picturesque gardens, and a beautiful dining area. The St Hugo wine lounge and fine dining restaurant are just a walk away from the cottage. Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy a shiraz or cabernet sauvignon from the private collection!
La Vigne De Paris-Bagatelle, France
La Vigne de Paris-Bagatelle – a chic hotel constructed in 1926, on the border of the Bois de Boulogne park, is located at a privately owned vineyard in Paris. It offers wine tastings, guided tours, and courses by appointment. This privately owned vineyard is one of the top wineries in Paris. Accessible from the lovely Parc Bagatelle, part of the huge Bois de Boulogne, and one of the two forests within Paris’s city limits, it’s situated alongside the Seine. The Vigne de Paris-Bagatelle offers an exquisite confidential setting for seminars, corporate meetings, and events up to 350 people.
The Vigne of Paris-Bagatelle organizes visits to their vineyard and wine storehouse. During the visit, they explain the history of the region’s vineyard, show you their vineyard, and present their work. At the wine storehouse, they offer and describe the process of different methods of French wine-making. The visit ends with a sampling of wine produced on their Alsatian property and an introduction to enology.
Interesting Facts: Weddings and other private events can be held in this luxurious vineyard house, as well as private tours and sparkling wine tastings. Why not hold your special event at one of the top wineries in the world?
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Santorini Argyros Estate, Greek Islands
George Argyros established the Estate Argyros Winery on a five-acre vineyard in Mesa Gonia in 1903. In order to produce wine for the local markets, Santorinian winemaking methods were used. Today, the Argyros vineyard covers an area of approximately 65 acres, with parts dating back as far as 150 years, making it one of the island’s oldest vineyards and top wineries.
Yannis Argyros, a third-generation winemaker, runs the estate, Argyros. Yiannis is a wine lover that has worked hard to grow high-quality grapes to create some of the finest wines in Greece. The grapes grown on the property include many of the original varieties of Santorini, such as Assyrtiko, Aidani, Mandilaria, and Voudomato.
The top wines at Argyros include a variety of dry whites and dessert wines. For example, the Assyrtiko Argyros, a dry white wine produced from various Assyrtiko, is a perfect complement to lobster and has won many international awards. In addition to this, the winery has several awards and trophies for its fine collection of red and white wines. Currently, the Argyros wines are exported to the USA, Canada, France, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, and Australia.
Interesting Facts: The Argyros was also chosen as one of the 100 top wineries in the world by Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2005 and 2006.
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Italy
Castiglion del Bosco has a rich history, an Italian heritage, and a longstanding tradition of making wine dating back more than 1,000 years. The estate occupies nearly 5,000 acres in the Val d’Orcia — a Unesco World Heritage Site renowned for its beauty and considered one of the largest and top wineries in the region.
As with many of Italy’s most beautiful and top wineries and vineyards, nature is allowed to take the front seat at Castiglion del Bosco. In line with the winery’s organic viticulture, the vines receive little to no intervention and operate on their own path. As a result, the estate’s four Brunello di Montalcino DOCG labels are famed for their impeccable quality. The estate includes 153 acres of vineyards, a winery, a five-star Rosewood hotel, and a private golf club with an 18-hole course.
Interesting Facts: The elegant wine cellars of Castiglione house the Millecento Wine Club — a prestigious and exclusive club open only by invitation. No wonder this is one of the top wineries!
Domaine Jean-René Germanier in Vétroz, Switzerland
In the central Valais village of Vétroz sits one of Switzerland’s largest, privately owned top wineries. On Fridays and Saturdays, stop by Domaine Jean-René Germanier to taste their stunning range of wines. The best wines are matured in small oak barrels in their 200-year-old vaulted cellar. Wines can be tasted in the wood-paneled caveau. They also offer guided tours of the cellar with various treats, such as roasted chestnuts, homemade desserts, and different cheeses.
Interesting Facts: The ancient bicentennial vaulted cellar is well worth visiting. This is where the first vintages were pressed in 1896. Today the hall is entirely dedicated to the history of wine. The cellar is equipped to host wine tastings and accommodates up to seventy people.
If you’re looking for a unique getaway experience or a special setting for a wedding or corporate retreat, then these top wineries should be a consideration. With beautiful surroundings, luxury accommodations, and great-tasting wine, you will always enjoy a visit to any of the vineyards in this guide. Enjoy making lifelong memories at any of these top wineries.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out 10 of the Best Bed and Breakfast Places to Visit in North America for a place to stay while visiting top wineries.
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