Top 20 Unmissable Wine Tourism Experiences in 2020 with Winerist

Argentina / France / Italy / Moldova / Portugal / South Africa and UK

Filled with unique wine experiences, Winerist (Winerist.com) is the perfect booking platform for those looking for a wine, food and whisky experience on every continent! Winerist is like an encyclopaedia of tried and tested wine and food destinations around the world: 133 wine regions are celebrated on the Winerist platform; the largest online travel specialist for wine and food tours featuring wineries, wine tours, cooking classes, wine hotels and more. This is the website to use to find and book your perfect wine, food and whisky experience.

Winerist have joined forces with The Wine Show, UK television’s most successful wine and travel show, back in 2020 with a third series. Ahead of that, Winerist select a Top 20 Unmissable Wine Tourism Experiences list for 2020.

Argentina – Finca Adalgisa – Fly to Buenos Aires – From £211 per night
Discover Finca Adalgisa, a little paradise situated within an old vineyard of Malbec vines. Finca Adalgisa is located in the village of Chacras de Coria, 20 minutes away from the city of Mendoza, at the heart of Mendoza’s Wine Route, with many wineries and vineyards within easy reach. The Finca offers the perfect combination between the rural lifestyle and living in a small, but lively village. Guests can take a stroll in the garden, relax by the pool located in the vineyards. The Finca and its vineyard are almost 100 years old. The Furlotti-Moretti family who own it, have been living on the property for three generations. Visiting guests can wander through the Old House and its library and get a sense of how the family lived here in the past.

France – Château Pape Clément – Fly to Bordeaux – From £17 per person entry
A jewel in Bordeaux’s famous Graves subregion. Wine tourists visiting this 700-year-old château will discover a haven of peacefulness and tranquillity, from the horses and oxen protecting the soil, to the use of music against vine disease. The château was built in the neo-Gothic style. The 60 hectares of vineyards are cared for combining traditional methods with the latest technologies.

France – Chateau de Massillan – Fly to either Marseille or Montpellier – From £101 per night Discover Château de Massillan, a magnificent hotel situated near Orange, in northern Vaucluse, next to Châteauneuf du Pape and Avignon, in the heart of the Côtes du Rhône vineyards. The magnificent Château was built in 1555 and served as the hunting lodge of Henri II and Diane de Poitiers. With majestic trees filling the 10-acre grounds and a pastoral pond reflecting the azure Provençal sky, the Château offers visitors the perfect retreat where they can surround themselves with nature and refinement.

France – Château Prieuré Marquet – Fly to Bordeaux – From £101 per night
Discover Chateau Prieuré Marquet, located north of Bordeaux, near Libourne and Saint-Emilion, in the centre of the Bordeaux countryside. Beautiful in all seasons, the area boasts rolling hills, vineyards, charming villages and elegant chateaus. Located on a hill, the castle dominates its surroundings. From the large terrace, the view encompasses beautiful vineyards and forest landscape. A long pathway leads to the authentic “chartreuse” made from traditional Bordeaux limestone, characterized by its four main buildings arranged around a large open courtyard.

France – Château des Briottières – Fly to Angers or Nantes – From £128 per night
Travel the Loire Valley and discover all it has to offer when you stay in the heart of the region at the 4-star Château des Briottières. This 18th century château is perfectly located at the west end of the Châteaux of the Loire circuit, and is considered one of the most impressive in the region, so treat yourself to a stay in a grand castle and live like royalty. Situated in Anjou near Angers and only 2.5 hours from Paris, the Château des Briottières is the ideal base for opening the gateway to Brittany, Normandy and the Loire Valley and for visiting the Châteaux de la Loire.

France – Château Haut-Bailly – Fly to Bordeaux – From £17 per person entry
Discover Château Haut-Bailly, one of the special historic properties in Pessac-Léognan, possessing some of the oldest vines in the appellation and maintaining the same landmass for over a century. The Château is perched atop the gentle slopes of Bordeaux’s historic Graves region. The Château was built in 1872. What is truly magical about Haut-Bailly is their adherence to a winemaking standard that has propelled them to one of the top properties in all of Bordeaux. Many consider this to be a must-see property because of its esteemed status and enchanting wines.

Italy – Borgo Alveria – Fly to Catania
Borgo Alveria country resort sits on a site full of history; on this site sat an ancient monastery built in 1451 and destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. Today, situated just 10 km away from the town of Noto Antica, the resort is submerged in beautiful natural surroundings whilst still preserving the architectural and historic traits of the past. This charming hotel contains 12 intimate rooms that envelope guests in their rustic atmosphere.

Italy – Venissa Wine Resort – Fly to Venice
Discover Venissa, a magical place where you can enjoy the peace and tranquillity and the perfect relaxing base for visiting Venice or discovering the beauty of the islands from which the city rose up. There are six modern style rooms in one of the most beautiful rustic buildings in the Lagoon Park. You can choose from ample and spacious suites under the roof with its exposed beams or rooms overlooking the lagoon and the vineyard.

Italy – Castello di Fonterutoli – Fly to Florence or Pisa – From £86 per night
A truly Italian experience. Hotel Castello di Fonterutoli offers luxury accommodation as part of its historic wine estate which dates back hundreds of years starting from the 1400s. With grounds spanning nearly 1,600 acres (650 hectares) it is located near Castellina in Chianti in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. This boutique, family-run hotel consists of 12 country-chic and cosy rooms inspired by the colours of Chianti. Each room has been restored to represent authentic Tuscan style by the family architect, Agnese Mazzei. The hotel presents a truly traditional Tuscan feel and guests staying here in the heart of the estate will feel like they are living in a real Tuscan country village.

Italy – Villa Di Geggiano – Fly to Florence or Pisa
Villa di Geggiano has been the family home and winery of the Bianchi Bandinelli family since 1527. Just six kilometres north-east of Siena, its facade looks out onto the enchanting hills of Chianti Classico, a region of Italy world famous for its wines, natural beauty and rich history.
Originally built in the 14th century, the Villa di Geggiano, its gardens and 18th century decorations have been completely renovated and restored. The Bandinelli family continue to manage the Villa and the precious surrounding vineyards and have recently opened two luxury guest suites to holiday visitors wanting to savour the real Tuscan lifestyle.

Italy – Ca’ del Moro – Wine Retreat – Fly to Venice – From £258 per night
Just 17 km from Verona city centre, in the heart of Valpantena – DOC Valpolicella area – stands Ca’ del Moro – Wine Retreat, between the CRU vineyards and the cherry trees orchard. Ca’ del Moro is a modern hermitage that allows you to escape from everyday rhythms to find your own dimension in a “house” built with natural materials: wood, iron, stone. Ca’ del Moro is the perfect place for winelovers: here you can taste great wines, visit La Collina dei Ciliegi winery, its vineyards and “Barricaia” and experience a unique enogastronomic tour.

Moldova – Purcari – Fly to Chisinau – From £8 per entry
Located in spectacular scenery close to the Dniester River (around 30 KM from the Black Sea), the Purcari Estate is a combination of both traditional delights and modern technologies. More than just a winery, Purcari is also a stunning wine hotel offering luxury rooms and two restaurants which effortlessly blend European and traditional Moldavian cuisine, all paired with fantastic local wines. The estate is the perfect place to relax away from city life, surrounded as it is by two scenic lakes on one side and rolling vineyards on the other, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Moldova – Castel Mimi Winery – Fly to Chisinau – From £13 per entry
Castel Mimi – the guest card of Moldova and the only tourist destination in the country, listed among Top 15 most beautiful architectural masterpieces of the Wine World. Actually, it’s a unique concept of wine resort, spread over almost 200.000 m2 of a land that connects past with present and future. Built in 1893 by Costantin Mimi this has always been the only authentic Wine Castle in Moldova and even nowadays it proudly represents its Country and national heritage. Bulboaca wines were among the most popular in the country and beyond its borders since the year 1900. Kings and chiefs of state have visited and appreciated the castle and the vineyards since they were established.

Moldova – Et Cetera Guest House – Fly to Chisinau – From £49 per night
Discover Et Cetera Guest House, situated in the South-East of Moldova, in one of the most favourable zones of the country for viticulture. The Luchianov Family started growing grapes in 2003. The land was purchased in 2002 by Alexandru Luchianov, who named the estate Et Cetera. After the adventurous life travelling, he decided to settle down where the roots come from. He became fanatically enthusiastic with his new passion, traveling to wine countries, adopting experience from foreign specialists, learning about vineyards and tasting wines, all of that to find the perfect taste.

Moldova – Asconi – Private Wine tour, visit and tasting at Castel Mimi and Asconi Winery– Fly to Chisinau – From £80 per person
Every city has its own lifestyle and if you want to feel the real vibes of a city, the best place to discover it are the city markets. Chisinau Central Market is a huge open-air market that occupies several blocks within the city. Later, you will enjoy a guided tour and wine tasting at Asconi Winery. Founded in 1994, the winery has developed not only the production of high-quality wines, made both from local and European grape varieties like Feteasca, Traminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Franc, Cabernet-Sauvignon, but also created one of the most authentic places to spend time with family and friends. Enjoy your lunch at the winery restaurant which preserves the best Moldovan traditions. In the afternoon, you will be heading to Castel Mimi – listed among the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world of wine (see above).

Portugal – Cockburn’s Port Lodge – Fly to Porto – From £10 per entry
Discover Cockburn’s Lodge, the largest wooden Port cellar in the historic area of Vila Nova de Gaia, on the opposite bank of the River Douro from Porto. Cockburn’s, which was bought by the Symington Family in 2010, is one of the diminishing numbers of Port houses that still chooses to continue the tradition of ageing Port in the historic centre of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Portugal – Taylor’s Port – Fly to Porto – From £13 entry
Taylor’s is the archetypal Port house and its wines the quintessential Ports. Established over three centuries ago in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. Taylor’s is regarded as the benchmark for Vintage Port.

Portugal – Pacheca The Wine House Hotel – Fly to Porto
Discover Pacheca The Wine House Hotel, one of Douro Valley’s best-known country house hotels, integrated in the Quinta da Pacheca, a pioneer in the bottling of their own wine brand. The property, with its traditional 18th century architecture, was restored in 2009 and is now a boutique hotel with 15 rooms. The hotel retains its rural charm, but with contemporary features and modern comfort. With the vineyard and wine as its inspiration and environment, the hotel is entirely devoted to gastronomic and oenological tourism, combining a modern and ‘avant-garde’ image with sobriety and elegance. The main building also houses the Wine House Restaurant which offers a varied and tempting menu which respects the concept of traditional Portuguese cuisine and uses the typical products of Douro.

South Africa – Grand Dédale Country House – Fly to Cape Town – From £223 per night
Located on a secluded, award-winning wine estate in a valley just below the historic Bainskloof Pass and surrounded by 380 hectares of breath-taking mountain scenery, Grand Dédale offers exclusive and luxurious 5-star accommodation. The exclusive and elegantly restored Cape Dutch Manor House, formerly the private residence of the owners of Doolhof Wine Estate, comprises six luxurious and bespoke rooms and suites. A separate thatched cottage is enjoyed by honeymooners or guests seeking additional privacy. Grand Dédale welcomes its guests with sumptuous comfort, discreet service and complete privacy and exclusivity amidst beautiful mountain and vineyard scenery.

UK – Flint Barns – Fly to London – From £100 per night
Whether you are looking for a weekend away as a family, a couple or walking the South Downs Way with a group of friends, the Flint Barns are the perfect place to stay. These historic buildings in the Cradle Valley lie at the western end of the Estate, and have been beautifully restored to the highest standard, forming a beautifully appointed “home away from home”. A large, welcoming dining room, serving locally sourced home-cooked meals, is complemented by a separate lounge and meeting areas, which makes this the ideal venue to welcome special interest and school groups, or companies looking for an unusual place to hold gatherings or meetings. The Flint Barns are a perfect and unique place to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the South Downs National Park and the rich history of the area. It sleeps up to 45 people in 10 en-suite bedrooms.