Over the years, wine has become one of our favorite lenses for exploring the world. We’ve cycled through vineyards in New Zealand’s Marlborough region, watched the sun set over the Douro Valley from a hillside terrace, and spent two trips working our way through the wineries of South Australia. We’ve come to believe that visiting a wine region is one of the best ways to understand a place — its landscape, its history, and its people.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best wine regions in the world based on our own travels, organized by continent. For each region, you’ll find a brief overview of what makes it special, plus links to our more detailed guides to help you plan your visit.
🍷 Wine Regions at a Glance
CLASSIC & ICONIC | Tuscany, Rioja, Douro Valley
BEST FOR FIRST-TIMERS | Tuscany, Marlborough (NZ), South Australia, Alsace
OFF THE BEATEN PATH | Sicily/Etna, Clare Valley, Chile
ADVENTURE + WINE | Mendoza, Etna
HARVEST SEASON | March–May (Southern Hemisphere) / Sept–Oct (Europe & Americas)
Wine Regions in Europe
Europe is the undisputed heartland of wine, and it’s where the majority of our wine travels have taken us. From the terraced vineyards of Portugal’s Douro Valley to the sun-drenched hillside towns of Tuscany, every region has its own distinct character shaped by centuries of winemaking tradition. Whether you’re a seasoned wine traveler or just getting started, Europe offers wine experiences for every style and budget.
France
France is home to some of the most celebrated wine regions in the world, and we’ve had the pleasure of exploring two of them — Alsace in the northeast and Provence in the south. They couldn’t be more different from each other, which is part of what makes France such a rewarding wine travel destination.
Alsace
Tucked along the German border, Alsace produces some of France’s most distinctive white wines — Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer — in a setting that feels almost fairy-tale. Vineyard-lined roads connect one charming village to the next, making it as much a scenic destination as a wine one.
3 Days in the Alsace: Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit
The Alsace wine route, located in eastern France, is a wonderful blend of fairytale towns and picturesque vineyards. 3 days in the Alsace wine region gives you enough time to visit a handful of these charming towns and to explore the countryside. About the Alsace Wine Route The Alsace wine route stretches 170 km, starting […]
10 Fairytale Towns to Visit on the Alsace Wine Route
When I first saw photos of the town of Colmar, it immediately got added to our travel wish list. With its colorful buildings, bouquets of flowers, and scenic streets, it looked like it was plucked right out of a fairy tale. With a little more research, I was thrilled to learn that Colmar is just […]
One Perfect Day in Colmar: Things to Know on Your First Visit
Colmar is a picture-perfect town located in the Alsace region of France. This small town, with its colorful, half-timbered houses, overflowing flower pots, and bustling street cafes, looks like it has been plucked right out of a fairy tale. With one day in Colmar, you have just enough time to explore the scenic streets, dine […]
Provence
In the south, Provence offers warm Mediterranean light, lavender fields, and some of the best rosé in the world. We paired our wine touring with time along the French Riviera, and the combination was hard to beat.
10 Day French Riviera and Provence Itinerary
This itinerary combines the French Riviera with a few days touring the Provence wine region.
Italy
Italy is one of the world’s great wine countries, and two of its most compelling regions couldn’t be more different. Tuscany seduces with rolling hills, medieval towns, and world-famous reds, while Sicily’s Mount Etna offers something altogether more dramatic: wines grown on an active volcano.
Tuscany
Tuscany is the heart of Italian wine culture, home to Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. But what makes Tuscany special for wine travelers is that the wine is inseparable from the landscape. In Tuscany, you’re tasting it in the hill towns where it’s been made for centuries.
The Perfect Tuscany Itinerary for 3 Days, 5 Days & One Week
In this guide, learn how to plan your Tuscany itinerary, with suggestions from just a few days to a full week.
24 Best Things to Do in Tuscany, Italy: Cities, Hill Towns & Hidden Gems
From world-famous cities like Florence and Siena to quiet hill towns and scenic drives through vineyard-covered hills, Tuscany offers a wide range of experiences, but deciding what to do (and what to skip) can be overwhelming. We’ve explored Tuscany on two very different trips: a one-week highlights tour with our kids and a longer 10-day […]
Best Things to Do in Montalcino, Italy (Wine Tastings & Our Favorite Experiences)
Perched on a hilltop in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia, Montalcino is one of Italy’s most beautiful wine towns, famous for its Brunello wine, sweeping vineyard views, and charming medieval streets. Whether you’re here for a quick stop or a slow afternoon of wine tasting, this small town delivers one of the most memorable experiences in Tuscany. […]
Visiting Pienza, Italy: Best Things to Do, Tips & Travel Guide
Pienza is one of those Tuscan towns that earns its reputation. Perched above the Val d’Orcia, this tiny UNESCO World Heritage Site was redesigned in the 15th century by Pope Pius II as his vision of the ideal Renaissance city. Walking its perfectly proportioned streets, it’s hard to argue with his ambition. We’ve visited Pienza […]
Best Things to Do in Arezzo, Tuscany (+ Map, Tips & Itinerary)
After two trips through Tuscany, we’ve visited a lot of hill towns, including Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza, and a handful of smaller villages tucked into the countryside. Arezzo was one of the last ones we visited, and arriving on a Sunday in early October, we weren’t sure what to expect. What we found was one […]
Best Things to Do in San Gimignano (Tips from Two Visits)
San Gimignano is famous for its medieval towers, and yes, you should climb one. But a great visit here goes beyond the main piazzas and the gelato line at Dondoli. On our first trip, we arrived by bus from Siena on a busy morning with our kids, climbed to the top of Torre Grossa, ate […]
Cortona, Italy: Things to Do in This Underrated Hill Town
There’s a moment when you round a corner on one of Cortona’s side streets and the whole Val di Chiana valley opens up below you, and you think: how is this town not more famous? Tim and I had that moment during what was supposed to be a quick afternoon stopover between Arezzo and Assisi. […]
Best Things to Do in Montepulciano: Wine Cellars & Beyond
Planning your list of things to do in Montepulciano? This hilltop town in southern Tuscany is one of the most atmospheric places in the region, known for its Renaissance architecture, sweeping views over the Val d’Orcia, and its famous Vino Nobile wine. Perched on a hilltop in Val d’Orcia, Montepulciano is compact but packed with […]
Volterra, Italy: Best Things to Do, Map & HELPFUL Tips
Volterra is a hilltop town that is located in Tuscany, Italy. It’s one of the larger hill towns to visit in Tuscany and can keep you busy all day, with its list of museums, archeological sites, restaurants, shops, and stunning views over Tuscany. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Volterra […]
San Quirico d’Orcia: An Underrated Gem in Tuscany
San Quirico d’Orcia is a small, hilltop town in Val d’Orcia, Tuscany. This is one of the smallest towns in the area and often overlooked by many travelers. If you have a few hours to spare, this lovely village a joy to visit. San Quirico d’Orcia is named in honor of Saint Quiricus. This town […]
Sicily / Mount Etna
On Sicily’s Mount Etna, winemakers cultivate grapes on volcanic slopes, creating complex wines shaped by lava, altitude, and sun, making this one of the most unique wine regions in the world. It’s one of the most unique wine regions in the world, and one we’d recommend to any traveler looking for something beyond the obvious.
Etna Wine Region: Why Sicily’s Volcanic Wines Are a Must-Try
In this guide, we cover the best wineries in the Etna wine region, a sample 2-day itinerary, plus where to stay.
Here is more information about things to see and do in Sicily.
Exactly How to Visit Mount Etna & Do You Need A Guide?
In this guide, we cover how to visit Mount Etna, how to hike to the summit of Mount Etna, the best time to visit, whether or not you will need a guide, plus tour options, depending on what kind of experience you prefer to have. Mount Etna dominates the skyline of eastern Sicily. This is […]
The 15 Very Best Things to Do in Sicily
Explore ancient Greek ruins, go hiking on Mount Etna, visit charming coastal cities and hillside towns, relax on the beach, go wine tasting, and see how many cannoli you can eat…these all top the list of things to do in Sicily. We are frequent visitors to Italy, and Sicily completely won us over. Tim and […]
The Ultimate Two Week Sicily Road Trip Itinerary
This two week Sicily itinerary is done as a road trip, making one loop around the island. On this itinerary, explore Sicily’s most beautiful cities, climb Mount Etna, explore ancient Greek temples, stroll through picturesque hill towns, taste Modica’s famous chocolate, and spend some time on the beach. We spent just over two and a […]
Spain
Spain may be best known for its cities and coastline, but its wine regions are among the most rewarding in Europe. Rioja is the obvious starting point — and for good reason.
Rioja
Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine appellation, known for its smooth, oak-aged Tempranillo-based reds and a winemaking culture that blends deep tradition with modern innovation. It’s also one of our favorite wine regions in the world. Visitors can tour centuries-old bodegas, taste wines in architecturally stunning modern wineries, and explore charming towns like Haro and Laguardia. With easy access from both Madrid and Bilbao, it’s one of the most rewarding and accessible wine destinations in Europe.
15 Wineries to Visit in the Rioja Wine Region of Spain
We spent one week in La Rioja, and here are 15 of the best wineries to visit in the Rioja wine region, from the best underground cellars to the most creative vineyards. La Rioja is one of Spain’s most famous wine regions. Tucked away in northeastern Spain, tempranillo and Garnacha grapes grow on the rolling […]
8 Wonderful Things to Do in La Rioja, Spain
The #1 thing to do in La Rioja is to tour the wineries and taste the amazing wines that are produced here. But there are also small towns to be explored, new foods to try, and a few off the beaten path experiences to add into your itinerary, if you want to do more than […]
The Perfect Rioja Wine Region Itinerary
Welcome to one of our favorite wine regions in the world, the Rioja wine region. The picturesque landscapes of La Rioja, with its rolling vine-covered hills, historic stone wineries, modern architectural marvels, and quaint, charming towns, blend together to create one of the most interesting wine regions in Europe. We have traveled to wine regions […]
Portugal
Portugal is one of Europe’s most exciting wine destinations, and the Douro Valley is reason enough to visit on its own. This is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world, and it shows in the ancient terraced vineyards carved into steep hillsides, in the family-owned quintas that have been producing wine for generations, and in the unhurried pace of life along the river.
Douro Valley
Located just a short drive from Porto, the Douro Valley is best known for its Port wine, but its dry reds and whites have been quietly earning international acclaim for years. We love that the region rewards slow travel — you can explore by car, by boat, or even by train, stopping for tastings, scenic overlooks, and long lunches among the vines.
How to Visit the Douro Valley: Things to Do, Itinerary & Where to Stay
Everything you need to know to plan a visit to the Douro Valley. This guide covers the best things to do in the Douro Valley, a sample itinerary, plus the best restaurants and places to stay.
8 Wineries to Visit in the Douro Valley, Portugal
Sipping on wine and port while overlooking the Douro River is the #1 thing to do on a visit to the Douro Valley. In this guide, we list 8 wineries to visit in the Douro Valley. We spent four memorable days in the Douro Valley, using this time to visit a few wineries, indulge in […]
Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto: By Tour and Self-Guided
Taking a Douro Valley day trip from Porto is one of the most popular ways visit the Douro wine region. The Douro Valley sits to the east of Porto and it takes roughly an hour and a half to get here. This historic wine region produces port wine and table wines. With its terraced hillsides […]
Wine Cellars in Porto: Port Tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
One of the best things to do in Porto is to taste port wine. Located across the Douro River from Porto, in an area called Vila Nova de Gaia (or simply Gaia), sit the wine cellars where port wine is stored and aged. In this guide, we list the best wine cellars in Porto to […]
Wine Regions in Oceania
Some of the world’s most exciting wine is being produced in the Southern Hemisphere, and Australia and New Zealand are leading the charge. We’ve been lucky enough to visit both countries multiple times, and their wine regions rank among our favorite experiences anywhere in the world.
Australia
South Australia is the country’s premier wine state, home to three distinct regions — Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Clare Valley — each with its own personality and grape varieties. We’ve visited twice, and touring the wineries of McLaren Vale stands out as one of our favorite wine tasting experiences to date.
Wine Tasting in Barossa Valley: 13 Outstanding Wineries to Visit
Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions. This globally renowned region is well known for its Shiraz, a big, bold red wine. It is also home to some of the most famous names in Australian wine, including Langmeil, Peter Lehmann, and Penfolds, as well as some smaller family run wineries. There is […]
McLaren Vale Uncorked: A Guide to 18 Exceptional Wineries in the Region
McLaren Vale…welcome to one of our favorite places in Australia. The wine that is produced in this region is outstanding…big, bold Shirazes, fruity Cabernet Sauvignons, and full-bodied Chardonnays. We have traveled to wine regions throughout the world, including France, Italy, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, and the USA. South Australia is by far one […]
Our Experience Wine Tasting in Clare Valley, South Australia
Clare Valley is one of several wine regions in South Australia that can easily be visited on a day trip from Adelaide. Barossa Valley is the most well-known region, followed by McLaren Vale. Adelaide Hills sits just to the east of Adelaide. On our most recent visit to Australia, we spent four days in Adelaide. […]
New Zealand
Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest and most famous wine region, producing over two-thirds of the country’s wine. It’s best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, but excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are worth seeking out too. We’ve toured Marlborough twice, once by bicycle and once by car, and both experiences were memorable in completely different ways.
Wine Tasting in Marlborough, New Zealand: Best Wineries & Tours
We’ve toured the Marlborough wine region twice, by bicycle and self-driving. Here are the top wineries to visit in the Marlborough wine region plus helpful tips, where to stay, and where to eat.
Wine Regions in South America
South America has emerged as one of the most exciting wine destinations in the world, and its two major wine countries, Argentina and Chile, offer very different experiences. What they share is stunning scenery, warm hospitality, and wines that massively over-deliver for the price.
Argentina
The Mendoza wine region sits in the shadow of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas, and the setting alone is worth the trip. Known primarily for its Malbec, Mendoza is also one of those rare wine regions where you can combine serious wine tasting with serious adventure. Horseback riding, white water rafting, rock climbing, and hiking are all on the table. Plan for at least three days to do it justice.
Mendoza Wine Region: How to Plan the Perfect Visit
The Mendoza wine region is the fastest-growing wine-producing region in the world, and it is Argentina’s most popular spot to travel to for wine tours and tastings. Located in the shadow of Mt. Aconcagua, the vineyards in the Mendoza wine region are at one of the highest elevations in the world. With little rainfall, the vines […]
Mendoza Itinerary: How Much Time Should You Spend Here?
How much time is ideal to spend in Mendoza, Argentina? That depends on what you want to do. If you come here only to tour the wine regions, a few days are all you need. If you want to add adventure activities and day trips outside of Mendoza, you will need more time. Check out […]
9 Unforgettable Things To Do in Mendoza, Argentina
Discover the very best things to do in Mendoza, Argentina, from touring its wine regions to more adventurous activities such as white water rafting, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Many people travel to Mendoza, Argentina for the wine. Why not…Mendoza is one of South America’s premiere wine regions. But there is a lot more to […]
Chile
Just a short drive from Santiago, Chile’s wine regions — Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley, Casablanca Valley, and Aconcagua Valley — offer an accessible and rewarding introduction to South American wine.
How to Visit Santiago the Wine Regions Without Taking a Tour
Our experience touring the Chile wine regions without taking a tour. We rented a car and made our reservations for tastings and tours in advance and here’s what we learned.
How to Plan a Wine Region Trip
After visiting wine regions around the world, we’ve learned a few things about how to make the most of a wine-focused trip. Here’s what we’d recommend.
Choose Your Region
The first decision is where to go, and that depends on what kind of traveler you are.
If you’re new to wine travel, start with an approachable, well-organized region like Tuscany, South Australia, or Marlborough. These are places where wineries are set up for visitors and the logistics are straightforward. Classic regions like Napa Valley, Bordeaux, and Rioja are also excellent starting points for first-timers.
If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, consider the Douro Valley, Sicily’s Mount Etna, or Chile’s wine valleys.
And if you want to combine serious wine with serious adventure, Mendoza is in a category of its own.
Think About Timing
The time of year has a big impact on the experience. Harvest season (September and October in the Northern Hemisphere, March through May in the Southern Hemisphere) is our favorite time to visit. The energy in the vineyards is unmatched, but it’s also the busiest and most expensive time to go. Late spring and early summer are excellent alternatives, with good weather and thinner crowds.
Decide How You Will Get Around
By Car: Having a car gives you the most freedom and flexibility and is the perfect way to get around regions like Tuscany and the Douro Valley.
By Bike: Cycling through the vineyards in compact wine regions such as Tuscany and the Marlborough wine region (NZ) can be a fun way to explore the area.
By Tour or Driver: Sit back, relax, and taste all the wine you want. This option is more expensive than self-driving, and you may be under the constraints of a schedule, but it is perfect if you don’t want the hassles of driving, parking, or even coming up with an itinerary.
How Many Wineries Can You Visit Per Day?
In our experience, three to four wineries per day is the sweet spot. If possible, plan lunch at one of them. It breaks up the day and the food is usually fantastic. More than four and the tastings start to blur together.
Book in Advance
This depends on the region. Laid-back regions like South Australia and Marlborough are generally walk-in friendly. But as a rule, we reserve tastings and tours ahead of time, especially for wineries we’re most excited about. In popular regions during peak season, some top producers book out weeks in advance.
Look Beyond the Wine
The best wine region trips aren’t only about wine. Most regions have a long history, and with that comes castles, ancient hill towns, scenic drives, and boat tours. Add in a long lunch or dinner at a vineyard restaurant. The food is almost always exceptional, and the setting can be magical.
Wine tasting in Montalcino, Italy
Ready to Start Exploring?
Wine travel has taken us to some of the most beautiful corners of the world, and we’re far from done. Whether you’re planning your first wine region trip or adding another to your list, we hope this guide helps you find your next great destination. For more travel inspiration, visit our Destinations page to explore everything we’ve covered around the world.