Wine Travel: The Next Big Thing
People go on vacation for any number of reasons: relaxation, exploring, learning — the list is endless. We all want the same thing from our vacation days. And that’s to have a good time. So it should come as no surprise that as wine becomes more popular, so do vacations centred around all things wine. Why not sip your way around beautiful locales and learn how local winemakers grow their grapes? No matter what aspect of wine’s journey you’re interested in, there is definitely a wine vacation out there for you. Even if you don’t want to focus your entire holiday around wine, it’s easy to involve a wine excursion almost anywhere! Here are some fantastic options to take a wine vacation or spend time on a holiday learning about the best vacation buddy: wine.
Niagara Peninsula, ON, Canada
Also referred to as the “Niagara Escarpment and Twenty Valley”, this section of Ontario is a wine lover’s dream. Enjoying similar latitude and climate to many wine regions in Europe, this region is home to over 50 wineries. Not only do you save precious time by not leaving Canada to enjoy great wine, you also get to support local growers! Some great wineries in the Niagara Peninsula include Fielding Estate, Malivoire, and Creekside Estate. There are of course so many fantastic wineries to explore and fun ways to do it. Between bike tours and private limousines, there are many ways to enjoy the sites and tastes in Niagara. This is definitely the region you want to take the time to enjoy some Chardonnay in. Ontario’s cool climate lends itself well to the white varietal.
Napa Valley, CA, USA
If you’re looking to venture a little further from home, but not too far, Napa Valley just might be wine holiday destination you’re looking for. Home to over 400 wineries, Napa Valley welcomes wine vacationers from all over the world. Whether you’re looking for rich Cabernets or sweeter Rieslings, Napa has you covered. With vast, large wineries like Beringer Vineyards dating back over 140 years, to smaller niche offerings like Girard, we simply don’t have the time to bombard you with all of our recommendations! One of our recent Napa features is from Stag’s Leap and they have a beautiful vineyard, long Napa history, and amazing castle-like Manor House. Should you find yourself heading to Northern California, you won’t want to miss out on all that Napa Valley has to offer.
Bordeaux, France
Is there anything quite like the thought of sipping French wine in the unrivalled beauty of Bordeaux? If tradition is more up your alley, then there are few places more magical for a wine vacation than France’s Bordeaux region. Historically somewhat unwelcoming to visitors, France has really begun to embrace wine tourism, welcoming over 4 million guests every year. Why keep such stunning vistas and vineyards to yourself?! The most difficult thing about a Bordeaux wine vacation is figuring out who to visit. This can be an extremely daunting task. Don’t be overwhelmed and get started with a few simple tips:
- Narrow down what kind of wine you love. Your Bordeaux holiday is going to be fantastic if you want to learn about and taste more Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for its red blends in particular, narrow down the varietals you’re most passionate about.
- What’s most important: quantity or quality? If you want to see as many wineries as possible, this is going to heavily influence where you want to go. If you are more focussed on seeing the best, then take your time sourcing ideas.
- How do you want to get around? There are plenty of options in Bordeaux for making your way between wineries. From bike tours to boat cruises to private tours in a Tesla, there is a wine tour tailor made for you.
Mendoza, Argentina
Incredible scenery is pretty par for the course when visiting the Andes mountain region in Argentina. The high peaks make for a fantastic backdrop when tasting some of the incredible wines on offer throughout the Mendoza area . Trekking down to South America might seem far for a wine vacation, but we see no better reason to hop on a plane than to enjoy great wine! With three main wine regions in Mendoza to explore — Maipu Valley, Lujan de Cuyo, and Uco Valley — there is something for every wine fan. Without a doubt you will want to take in some Malbec, as over 70% of Argentine wine is from this red varietal. We love Klassen Wine for their exceptional wines and their beautiful vineyards. There are many options though for every budget and wine fan. Taking a tour around the Luján de Cuyo region would be a great way to get in the sights and tastes of Argentina
Explore the World of Wine
No matter how you spend your vacation time, there is definitely a way to integrate your love of wine. There is no better time to explore the world of wine. With so many options and endless information available at our fingertips, there is a wine vacation for everyone!