Revered since ancient times, wine has played a prominent role in great civilizations. Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome cultivated vines and loved their wines. Centuries later, tasting a good wine continues to be a pleasure, if possible, even greater.
The sun, the wind, the rain, the grape variety, the cultivation technique or the characteristics of the terrain shape the terroir and give personality to the wine. To taste it is to begin a journey to its origins, to the place where it was made. But, beyond a sensory journey, the possibility of getting to know the landscapes, stepping on the land where the vines have grown and immersing yourself in the wine culture in all its dimensions is an exciting experience.
Wine tourism is gaining followers day by day. While in the past it was limited to taking the occasional tour between vines, today it is possible to spend the night in wonderful resorts and boutique hotels among vineyards, and carry out the most diverse activities. The list of properties is endless, from stunning properties in the Napa Valley in the heart of California, to historic castles in France, to historic wineries and iconic buildings. They offer a complete experience that includes wine-themed spas, Michelin-star restaurants, tastings, pools with views, or original activities to enjoy with your partner or family.
It is not easy to position yourself - and stay - among the best in a wine region like the Napa Valley, established as the most important in the United States, and one of the best on the planet in which there is no shortage of great wineries and excellent hotels. However, this Four Seasons establishment, voted the best in the world in a wine area by the World Travel Awards, combines it all. It is the first and only luxury resort in the area located inside a winery; and not just anyone: it is located within the prestigious Elusa Winery.
Take in the views from the terrace of one of its 85 rooms or 20 private residences scattered among vineyards; enjoy the garden spa; ride a bike around the farm; savor typical California dishes at the Truss restaurant, or the creations of Rogelio García, Michelin-starred chef, at Auro; enjoying tastings or opting for private retreats with meditation and yoga are just some of the proposals of a hotel that reaches its zenith at dusk.
The access road to the estate, dotted with vineyards, large cypresses and Italian gardens, are an exciting prelude to the experience that awaits guests of this hotel hidden in the heart of the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. Its owners, Julia and Giuseppe Prestia, have converted Villa Manodori, a historic 16th century country house, into an “informal luxury” hotel, a motto with which they avoid any attributes with aristocratic overtones. Staying at the Roncolo 1888, surrounded by the 130 hectares of the Ventura Roncolo wine estate, is an immersion in the wine culture of wineries that are committed to organic and sustainable production, respecting tradition.
Here the days pass at a slow pace tasting their wines and balsamic vinegars; walking among its vines; savoring dishes of Parmesan cheese and Parma ham; bathing in its pool, or discovering the best specialties of Emilia-Romagna - one of the most renowned regions in the world - at the La Limonaia restaurant. The establishment has twelve suites, whose minimalist aesthetic further enhances the original details of the structure of this hotel, a member of The Aficionados, the exclusive travel community inspired by creativity.
Staying at this establishment located in the historic terroir of the Sauternes region, less than an hour from Bordeaux, goes beyond a wine tourism experience. The hotel is one of three that Lalique has in France (the other two are in Wingen-sur-Moder, in Alsace) and the brand's imprint is present in a collection of decanters and in numerous pieces of glass on coffee tables. night, mirrors, chests of drawers and sofas in the three suites and the ten rooms and in the shared spaces.
Este Relais
Nestled among vines from the Penedès, the historic Catalan wine region, the Valderrama family establishment stands as a tribute not only to cava, but also to modernism and Antoni Gaudí. The hotel occupies a building designed by GCA Arquitectes that emulates the way in which cava bottles are stacked during fermentation, using the trencadís technique in its construction.
Modern and environmentally friendly, this five-star hotel, which has a local cuisine restaurant and 12 rooms with views of the organically grown vineyards of the Mas Tinell estate, offers a 360º wine tourism experience that has earned it various national and international recognitions. international. Its proposal includes walks through the vineyards on foot, on horseback, by bicycle, and even by segway; visits to vineyards and cellars; treatments to relax the body and mind based on wine therapy and cava therapy, or grape harvesting during the harvest.
It is not a typical wine tourism hotel, but an original retreat with bohemian touches nestled in a small wine estate in the Rías Baixas that barely produces 500 cases of excellent Albariño a year. The building, which was once an 18th century villa, has been converted into a world in which color is the protagonist. It draws attention to its bright pink painted façade and an eclectic interior full of personality, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent and the cultures of France, Italy and Morocco.
Thirteen suites with a unique design and views of the vineyards, six luxury yurts, restaurants, bars, heated saltwater pool, tennis court and wellness and spa services make up the attractive offer of this unique retreat surrounded by a garden. of more than four thousand species of plants. And Casa Beatnik, Bonhomme Hospitality's first destination hotel, has designed a complete program with yoga sessions to combat stress and connect body and mind 25 minutes from Santiago.
