The Grape Escape: Six Ultimate Stays for Wine Lovers
Red, white, rosé or sparkling…a good glass of wine is a beverage to savor, but there’s something extra special about sipping it in the sun against a backdrop of sweeping vineyards. With more than a quarter (28%) of global travelers saying they would like to do a wine tour on their next vacation,* we have delved into our more than 28 million listings in over 153,000 destinations around the world to present six truly unique properties that will give travelers the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the experience – whether a wine connoisseur or a complete novice. From cava in Catalonia to malbec in Mendoza, raise a glass to this selection of wine destinations set in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Mendoza, Argentina
South America’s biggest wine producer, Argentina, knows how to do a good vintage – and the city of Mendoza, with its verdant valleys set in the Andean foothills, is known for its fruity malbecs grown at high, sunny altitudes. While malbec originated in France, it thrives in Mendoza's climate, which is home to more than 1,500 wineries and responsible for 60% of the country’s overall wine production. This cosmopolitan, leafy city is perfect for those seeking both indulgence and adventure with its array of bodegas (wineries), world-class restaurants and tours including mountain biking, rafting and horseback riding in the nearby Andes.
Where to stay: Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, Villa Mansa is a unique, ranch-style property close to the many wineries in the area. Guests can opt for one of the quirky curved suites with architecture that emulates a wooden wine barrel and jacuzzi overlooking the impressive Andes mountain range. The hotel features a heated pool and luxury spa to unwind in, as well as an onsite restaurant where guests can also enjoy cooking lessons and a complimentary wine tasting with a selection of different regional wines from Mendoza.
Saint-Émilion, France
Set in southwest France, which provides the perfect microclimate for its world renowned full-bodied reds, Saint-Émilion is synonymous with wine. And for views alone, this charming medieval village, located in the heart of the Bordeaux wine area, steals the show with a fairytale landscape of turreted chateaus, undulating vineyards and wild flower-filled gardens. Both the village and its vineyards are now listed as a heritage site by UNESCO thanks to its architecture and exceptional wines. Travelers can wander through the quaint, cobblestone streets on a Full-day Guided Wine Tour in Saint-Émilion and learn about the region’s history, as well as explore the vineyards and sample a variety of Grand Cru wines.
Where to stay: The impressive 19th-century Château Hôtel Grand Barrail is set in an attractive three-acre park in the heart of the Saint-Émilion vineyards. Complete with original towers and turrets, high ceilings and four-poster beds, this grand hotel emulates the stunning architecture that this region is renowned for. Featuring an outdoor swimming pool with cabanas, a luxury spa and a Turkish hammam to chill out in, bike rental is also available for guests to explore the surrounding vineyards at their leisure.
San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, Chile
San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, which is also known as San Vicente is a Chilean commune and city in Cachapoal Province, Chile’s popular wine region. The breathtaking valley of Millahue lies in the heart of Chile’s wine producing region between the Andes and Coastal (Cordillera de la Costa) Mountain Ranges. Travelers can bask in the plethora of vineyards that lay beyond, with a range of wine tours on offer to taste the local wines, coupled with sumptuous feasts.
Where to stay: Nestled amongst Colchagua Valley's mountains and surrounded by vineyards, boutique hotel Vik Chile offers impressive panoramic views. It boasts striking modern architecture with its wavy floating roof of titanium, and themed suites that have been individually designed by Chilean artists with floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuring guests don’t miss a second of the dramatic landscape. The hotel features an infinity pool, spa and wellness center and two onsite restaurants, and has received a Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge thanks to its environmentally respectful practices. Guests will receive a complimentary private tour of Vik's vineyard as well as a wine tasting session with an expert sommelier.
Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain
Located inland from Barcelona, Vilafranca del Penedès is a charming Catalan town best known as the epicenter of cava production, Spain’s famous sparkling wine. With a quaint old town and medieval architecture, it’s surrounded by some of the largest cava wineries in Spain and offers plenty of opportunities for wine tasting and gastronomic experiences. Visitors can discover more about the wine history of the Penedès region at the VINSEUM wine museum which covers the introduction of vinification methods dating back to the Ancient Romans. A Wine Tasting with a Sommelier will allow travelers to immerse themselves in Spanish culture tasting a variety of wines paired with delicious local meats and cheeses procured from family-run producers.
Where to stay: Discover the architectural masterpiece and Travel Sustainable property, Mastinell Cava & Boutique Hotel by Olivia Hotels Collection. The hotel’s uber cool design resembles a collection of stacked cava bottles with a mosaic-tiled roof; inside, its contemporary rooms reflect the inside of a wine bottle and feature circular windows overlooking the vineyards and Sant Pau mountains. This luxurious yet sustainably designed property features solar panels, LED lighting as well as low environmental impact furniture. Guests can enjoy wine tastings at the onsite winery and sumptuous Catalan cuisine made from fresh and organic local ingredients at the restaurant.
McLaren Vale, Australia
Situated between the rolling Mount Lofty Ranges and sprawling sandy Gulf St Vincent beaches, and a short trip south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is a sustainable winegrowing region boasting over 80 vineyards. One of Australia's oldest and most acclaimed wine regions, it’s best known for its Shiraz but offers a variety of quality wines that will satisfy all palates and budgets. Travelers can cycle along the 5 mile (9km) Shiraz Trail and soak up spectacular views of the ocean, mountains and wineries; the region is also a foodie’s paradise and home to a great variety of restaurants serving local wines and seasonal, gourmet food. The must-try McLaren Vale Wineries and The Cube Experience tour includes a wine tasting and lunch at the iconic d’Arenberg Cube, an avant-garde five-storey winery designed to resemble a Rubik’s Cube.
Where to stay: The spectacular boutique Hotel California Road at Inkwell Wines is the perfect adults-only escape. Situated in a working vineyard and winery estate, guests won’t have to venture far to taste the beauty of the region's wine selection. This contemporary stay, made from 20 repurposed shipping containers, features three luxury private suites all boasting panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows, a minibar stocked with Inkwell wine, a luxurious floating king-sized bed and a private deck to watch the sunset. One of the suites is wheelchair-friendly with a fully equipped accessible bathroom.
Bento Gonçalves, Brazil
A town situated in a pocket-sized corner of southern Brazil, Bento Gonçalves is hailed as the wine capital of the country. Earning this title through more than 150 years of wine tradition, this region has the most concentrated number of wine producers in the whole of South America. Here, travelers will step into a world strongly influenced by Italian immigraion, where delicious cuisine and some of the best sparkling wines in the world are never far away. With its emerald vineyards, small farms, countryside houses and clay oven-baked pizzas, this wine hotspot is often compared to Italian regions like Tuscany. Visitors can wind through the scenic valleys of Vale dos Vinhedos with its endless vineyards and family-run businesses and meet the friendly locals behind the award-winning wines.
Where to stay: Hotel & Spa do Vinho, Autograph Collection is situated in the heart of the wine-producing region of Vale dos Vinhedos. A classic Tuscan-style building bursting with history and culture, this hotel features a well-stocked wine cellar with over 600 international and national labels to experience, is surrounded by spectacular scenery and boasts a range of activities including a wine library, outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and two tennis courts.
* Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,055 respondents across 31 countries and territories were polled (including 501 from Argentina, 1003 from Australia, 500 from Belgium, 1001 from Brazil, 500 from Canada, 1000 from China, 1007 from Colombia, 1001 from Croatia, 508 from Denmark, 1002 from France, 1000 from Germany, 1005 from Hong Kong, 1000 from India, 502 from Israel, 1003 from Italy, 1002 from Japan, 500 from Mexico, 501 from The Netherlands, 501 from New Zealand, 500 from Peru, 1000 from Russia, 1005 from Singapore, 1002 from South Korea, 1002 from Spain, 501 from Sweden, 501 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 500 from Thailand, 1000 from the UK, 1002 from the US and 501 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2021.
** Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 30,314 respondents across 32 countries and territories (1,000 from USA, 958 from Canada, 1,009 from Mexico, 1,001 from Colombia, 1,003 from Brazil, 1,017 from Argentina, 1,000 from Australia, 486 from New Zealand, 998 from Spain, 1,003 from Italy, 996 from France, 495 from Switzerland, 980 from the UK, 998 from Germany, 1,014 from the Netherlands, 991 from Belgium, 985 from Denmark, 984 from Sweden, 964 from Croatia, 976 from Russia, 1,008 from Israel, 1,002 from India, 1,004 from China, 925 from Hong Kong, 1,006 from Thailand, 988 from Singapore, 1,002 from Taiwan, 1,004 from Vietnam, 1,004 from South Korea, 1,003 from Japan, 1,006 from South Africa and 504 from Kenya ). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months and must be planning to travel in 2022, and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in February 2022.
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