The current oeno-tourism boom means you don’t have to sacrifice luxury if you branch out to less-travelled spots.
An ever-growing number of wineries are wooing curious wine lovers with sophisticated boutique hotels, serene infinity pools, soothing spas, Michelin-starred restaurants, and insider experiences such as harvesting grapes at midnight wearing a headlight.
My criteria for what makes a great wine destination starts, naturally, with truly superb wines. And spectacular scenery is a must, as is fabulous, creative food. But beyond the grape and the glass, I want other experiences - not just the option of being pummelled with grape skins or lolling in a red wine extract bath.
The following destinations offer these luxury options in spades...
For the adventurer: Franschhoek, South Africa
The Cape Wine Country is a tapestry of lush green vineyards, craggy hills, 17th century white-washed Cape Dutch farmhouses, and sleek, glamorous contemporary wineries. South Africa's stunning wines are still under the radar and deserve discovery.
Picturesque Franschhoek is east of better-known Stellenbosch and an hour from Cape Town. Its appeal is contrast - ringed by towering, dramatic mountains and nature preserves ideal for hiking, it’s also studded with 50 wineries, super-luxury places to stay, and shops and restaurants with French flair.
Settled by fleeing Huguenots, it now attracts such people as Sir Richard Branson, who bought wine farm (and hotel) Mont Rochelle two years ago, and Indian entrepreneur Analjit Singh, the founder of the local Leeu Collection boutique hotels, as well as new hot micro-brewery Tuk Tuk. Just-opened Leeu Estates (from $506, suites from $830) is set among sauvignon blanc vineyards with brick walkways and gardens and includes a winery, boutique hotel, and wellness spa; the Mullineux-Leeu wines are stellar.
Other fascinating wineries to visit are Allée Bleue, Chamonix, La Motte, Babylonstoren, Boschendal, Solms-Delta.
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