Top Wine Experiences to Savor This Harvest Season

W Algarve

Wine harvest season is at its peak, taking place between August to October, the most exciting time of the year for winemakers. This is the perfect time for wine lovers to travel and experience the winemaking process, celebrate local culture, and taste their favorite wines.

EUROPE

The MUSE Saint Tropez: A Wine Lover’s Retreat in the French Riviera

The MUSE Saint Tropez offers wine enthusiasts a luxurious retreat in the famous French Riviera town. This boutique hotel features 16 suites, each uniquely designed and named after famous muses. Wine lovers will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to local vineyards, including the nearby Chateau Des Marres. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s elegant swimming pool, spa services, and fine dining at the on-site restaurant. The MUSE also provides a special perk for those who book directly: a complimentary bottle of their own MUSE Rosé, made from grapes grown in neighboring vineyards. This exclusive wine offering allows guests to savor the local terroir from the comfort of their suite or while relaxing in the hotel’s tranquil gardens. With its combination of upscale amenities, personalized service, and focus on local wines, The MUSE Saint Tropez provides an ideal base for wine enthusiasts looking to explore the region’s viticultural offerings while enjoying a high-end stay in Saint Tropez. Images here.

W Algarve’s Wine and Wellness Package

Perched on the iconic seaside cliffs of southern Portugal, W Algarve, the region’s first luxury lifestyle hotel, offers the perfect opportunity to unwind during the shoulder season with fantastic weather, minimal crowds, and local cuisine. Travelers can celebrate wine harvest season on a getaway to W Algarve with their Wine and Wellness package. The three-day package must be purchased for travel days from Thursday to Sunday, with the following itinerary for a rejuvenating getaway:

Thursday: Begin Your Journey

·     Enjoy an in-room wine amenity at arrival

      Learn to create unique cocktails at a mixology masterclass at W Lounge

     Indulge in local bites at W Lounge 

Friday: Revitalize Your Senses

·     Breakfast at Market Kitchen 

·     Wake yourself up with a fit morning activity at FIT / AIR

·     De-Stress with a 90-minute massage at AWAY Spa

·     Explore Portuguese wine with a wine tasting at Vino by Paper Moon 

Saturday: Explore and Unwind

·     Breakfast at Market Kitchen 

·     Take in coastal views on a cliff walk from Castelo Beach to São Rafael Beach 

·     Enjoy Sunset Aperitivo at Balbina Beach

·     Visit the Quinta dos Santos Winery for local wine and dinner overlooking incredible Vineyards

Sunday: Farewell for Now

·     Breakfast at Market Kitchen

Images can be found here.

Celebrate Bardolino’s Wine Harvest with Cape of Senses

With the perfect climate and morphological features of the region, Bardolino in Italy is the homeland of numerous high-quality wines. Located around Lake Garda, Bardolino is a must-visit for wine lovers. Between September and October, visitors can embrace the harvest season by attending wine events and visiting wineries around the region. Nestled in the heart of the region, Cape of Senses offers a luxury hideaway overlooking the lake, perfect for a relaxing stay and for exploring the surrounding villages. Guests at the property can take advantage of local recommendations from the hotel’s concierge to plan their wine itinerary. Further, from October 3 to 7, Bardolino celebrates its prime wine with the 93rd Festa dell’Uva, honoring its world-renowned vino Bardolino. During the festival, travelers can enjoy musical concerts, theater performances, enogastronomic kiosks, and savor the best regional delicacies. This event encapsulates the region’s traditions and honors its wine heritage. The picturesque hills and Lake Garda provide the essential backdrop where the Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara are the principal indigenous grape varieties of the area. Images can be found here.

Embrace Chianti’s Renowned Wine in Style with Collezione Em

Nestled between Siena, Florence, and Arezzo, Chianti stands as one of Italy’s most renowned wine regions, offering a sensory paradise for wine lovers with diverse wine offerings—each boasting a unique flavor profile from Chianti Classico to Chianti Rufina. The harvest season—known as La Vendemmia—invites travelers to immerse themselves in the wineries, inhale the aroma of freshly picked grapes, and sample local wines and grappa—a traditional grape-based liquor.

For those looking to fully embrace the region’s traditions, Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence offers an immersive stay. As part of Collezione Em, the boutique hotel is built within the city’s oldest standing Byzantine tower and a medieval church, preserving its historic charm. The hotel’s prime location allows guests easy access to renowned wineries, like the family-owned Ricasoli Estate, home to the original Chianti recipe. There, grape harvesting is still done by hand, maintaining centuries of tradition. Guests can explore the winery, savor the wines, and discover the rich heritage of the Chianti region while enjoying the culinary offerings of Florence’s only two-Michelin-starred restaurant at Santa Elisabetta within the hotel.

Images can be found here.

Icelandic Wine at Sky Lagoon

The Gelmir bar at Sky Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon located right outside of Reykjavík, offers a unique wine experience while blending into the natural surroundings. Nestled within a cave-like structure overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean, this innovative bar allows guests to savor Icelandic wines while immersed in warm geothermal waters. The bar’s location in the 230- foot (70-meter) infinity edge lagoon creates an atmosphere of luxury and relaxation, where visitors can enjoy local wine while taking in ocean views. Guests can explore a variety of wines, from Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial to Monalto Rosé that perfectly complements the serene surroundings. The ability to carry drinks throughout the lagoon encourages a leisurely and immersive tasting experience, allowing visitors to fully appreciate each wine while surrounded by Iceland’s nature. The Gelmir bar seamlessly merges indulgence with nature, offering an immersive setting for guests to savor Icelandic wines while surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

Images can be found here.

AFRICA

Singita Premier Wine Direct:

Singita, recognized as one of Africa’s most influential buyers of wine, showcases a premier selection—including some of South Africa’s most sought-after private and limited-release wines. The Singita Premier Wine Direct, curated by the newly appointed Jorg Pfutzner, is comprised of a wine list that has received numerous awards, including the top Diner’s Club Wine List accolade.

Singita Boulders Lodge boasts an extensive wine cellar, serving as the origin cellar with over 3,000 labels for all imported and exported wine to other Singita sites. Guests are offered a unique personalized wine tasting experience within the unique ambience of each lodge’s own temperature-controlled cellar. Sommeliers are able to guide guests through a variety of wine styles, years and cultivars to find the wines most suited for their individual tastes.

Guests may also use the services of Singita Premier Wine Direct to purchase wines from Singita collection—including sought-after Exclusive Release, Limited Single Vineyard, and Rare Auction Wines—to either take along specially as ‘checked luggage’ or to make up unique consignments that will be freighted on their behalf.

For images of Boulders Lodge, see here.

Wine-Cellar at Tawana Camp

Natural Selection’s Tawana Camp, nestled in the Moremi Game Reserve, boasts a walk-in wine cellar that captivates wine enthusiasts. This carefully curated collection showcases an impressive array, featuring selections from renowned Western Cape wine estates such as Raats, Benguela Cove, Graham Beck, Hartenberg, and Anthonij Rupert. Each wine has been thoughtfully chosen to complement the camp’s cuisine and elevate the overall safari experience, offering guests a chance to explore a diverse range of African wines in the heart of Botswana’s pristine wilderness. Once guests have chosen their preferred bottle, they can enjoy their wine while soaking in the stunning views of the surrounding bush. Each of the 8 suites features a spacious private terrace, creating an intimate atmosphere for enjoying a glass of wine while watching wildlife such as elephants, leopards, and African wild dogs. Additionally, guests can gather around the outdoor fire pit to connect with fellow travelers, all while savoring their chosen wines and admiring the twinkling night sky. 

Images can be found here.

Wine Lovers’ Paradise: Stanley Safaris’ Tailor-Made Luxury Safari to South Africa:

Stanley Safaris excels in crafting tailor-made luxury safaris to Africa, forging exclusive partnerships with boutique, independently owned camps, and lodges. Among the extraordinary itineraries offered by Stanley Safaris, their “Best of South Africa Safari” stands out as a dream for wine enthusiasts, made even better among fall foliage. This journey takes travelers through the heart of Cape Town, the Winelands, and Sabi Sands. The adventure begins with a Cape Peninsula tour, featuring a visit to Boulders Beach where penguins can be observed. Then, from Day 5 to 7, travelers embark on a full-day private Cape Winelands tour to explore South Africa’s vibrant wine industry. After indulging in a day of wine tasting and discovery, travelers can relax at Boschendal Farm, one of the oldest wine estates in the country, and take an autumn stroll through the picturesque and enchanting town of Franschhoek, adding a touch of wine-inspired charm to their Stanley Safaris experience.

Image are available here and here.

Motse Wine Cellar 

At the heart of the Motse’s main building at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, lies a walk-in wine cellar, a treasure trove for wine enthusiasts. This carefully curated space showcases an extensive collection of South African wines, particularly from Lowland farm, one of the Northern Cape’s most prolific vineyards. Guests are invited to explore the cellar’s offerings, choosing from a diverse range of wines that complement their meals while watching the Kalahari’s spectacular sunsets. The cellar’s cool, controlled environment provides the perfect backdrop for wine tasting experiences, allowing visitors to delve into the rich flavors and unique characteristics of South African wine while surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Kalahari Desert. 

Images of Motse can be found here.

Images can be found here.

Ellerman House’s Wine Gallery: A Celebration of South African Wine

Overlooking Bantry Bay in the heart of Cape Town, Ellerman House is ideally situated to explore the nearby Constantia Wine Route—one of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious wine regions known for exceptional Sauvignon Blan and unique terroir. Guests at Ellerman House can enjoy curated winery tours to the Constantia Wine Route that showcases the rich offerings of the region’s esteemed estates.After a day of vineyard visits, guests can return to Ellerman House to unwind with complimentary wine tastings at sunset. The hotel’s remarkable Wine Gallery houses over 9,000 bottles of South African wines, providing an excellent introduction to the region’s viticultural heritage. Boasting contemporary architecture with breathtaking sculptural elements and cutting-edge design, the wine gallery also offers guests a unique, interactive journey into the world of wine. The gallery showcases the country’s deep heritage of winemaking, featuring state-of-the-art wine racks and separate, temperature-controlled maturation cells for whites and reds as well as an interactive multi-media media wine library.

Images of Ellerman House here.

Spier Wine Farm: A Legacy of Winemaking Since 1692

Spier Wine Farm is one of South Africa’s oldest family-owned wineries, blending centuries of tradition with modern sustainable practices since 1962. Spier prioritizes organic and regenerative farming, focusing on soil health and ethical treatment of both land and people with a large portion of their vineyards cultivated organically without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Visitors can experience Spier’s dedication to sustainability through unique activities like Segway tours, offering an eco-friendly way to explore the vineyards and witness their efforts in restoring native plant life. For a more relaxed experience, guests can enjoy picnics featuring produce from Spier’s organic food garden, set against the backdrop of the historic farmyard.

Images here.

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa: A Luxurious Fall Wine Retreat

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa, spread across 10 acres of land, offers an intimate luxury retreat with a remarkable wine experience, inviting wine lovers into the wine cellars with the most educated sommeliers and exceptional South African flavors. With an award-winning wine list, guests can also embark on an “around the world” wine tour, exploring a variety of flavors and regions during the cozy fall months. For those in search of a truly distinctive and memorable encounter, The Saxon also extends the offer to have dinner in the wine cellar if booked in advance. From classic Chateaux to one-of-a-kind unique wines, The Saxon’s mission–led by head sommelier Lloyd Jusa–is to be ahead of the trend and offer the broadest and most diverse selection available. 

Please find images here.

NORTH/SOUTH AMERICA

Napa Valley Estate Escape with THIRDHOME

Nestled amidst rolling hills, this Napa Valley Estate Surrounded by Vineyards 4,000 square foot home serves as the perfect getaway for wine enthusiasts by overlooking a picturesque winery perched atop a gentle slope. This home is only available to members of THIRDHOME, a luxury travel club for second homeowners that includes over 18,000 homes across 100+ countries, and the average property value of $2.4 million. Perched on just over an acre of land, the 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom home provides unobstructed vistas of the lush, rolling vineyards to the north and south, creating a seamless connection between indoor luxury and the breathtaking wine country landscape. From the spacious great room, wine lounge, and private terrace, guests can gaze upon the meticulously tended vines that stretch as far as the eye can see. The estate’s elevated position ensures that every room captures the essence of Napa Valley’s renowned winemaking heritage. Whether relaxing by the pool, enjoying a meal in one of the outdoor dining areas, or simply taking in the view from the expansive windows, visitors can be immersive in the beauty of the winery, with the added magic of hot air balloons drifting over the vineyards in the early morning light.

Discover Chile’s Hidden Wine Regions: From Coastal Valleys to Andean Views

Chile is emerging as a hidden gem in the world of wine, with its diverse terroirs producing exceptional and distinctive wines that are gaining international acclaim. Although the wine harvesting season takes place from February to May, there are a plethora of regions for travelers to visit and do some tasting with the Andes right in view. The Casablanca and Leyda Valleys, near the coast of Chile, are ideal for Sauvignon Blanc and the Malleco Valley further south gives the perfect conditions for the Chardonnay grape. For red wines, Chile’s Central Valley, known for its ever-sunny days throughout the year, provides the optimum conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. Some of the greatest and world-renowned wine producers are based in this region, including Concha y Toro, Santa Rita and Cousiño Macul. The high altitudes and coastal weather of the northern valleys of Limarí and Elqui are perfect for the production of the classic Syrah grape, while the southern valleys of Chile help for the slow ripening of Pinot Noir grapes. Travelers to Chile can take advantage of Quasar Expeditions’ Wine Valley Tours, taking guests to some of the finest wine regions, including the Casablanca Valley, Valparaiso, and the Maipo Valley, combined with a stay at The Singular Santiago. Located in the historic heart of Chile’s vibrant capital, the property acts as a gateway to experiencing the best of Chile, including its many wineries and vineyards. 

Images can be found here and here.