So you’ve been to Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Tuscany and splashed out for the exorbitant winery tasting-room fees in the Napa Valley. Where next?The current oeno-tourism boom means you don’t have to sacrifice luxury if you branch out to less-traveled 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 pummeled with grape skins or lolling in a red wine extract bath.
The following destinations offer these luxe options in spades.
For Art Lovers: Viña Vik, Chile
Take Viña Vik, a dramatic art-centric wine resort that opened last year in Chile’s Millahue Valley, a two-hour drive south of Santiago. It’s a rare combination of raw nature, cutting-edge art and design, and ambitious red wine.
The vineyard and winery came first. Norwegian-born entrepreneur Alexander Vik had a eureka moment while running the Bordeaux marathon, and he and his wife Carrie started hunting land where they could “make the best wine in South America.” With the help of star Bordeaux winemaker Patrick Valette, they found an 11,000-acre property of sloping hills, a glassy lake, and spectacular views of the forested Andes mountains in an undeveloped valley and planted vines.
A fabulous resort was always part of the plan—and 10 years later, it's a reality. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the vines, the hotel has a cantilevered slate pool jutting over the valley below. Staying in one of the 22 suites is like living inside an installation of a single artist’s work, with a glass-walled view of vines. The winery entrance is even enchanting, with a sloping plaza with streaming water and artistically placed rocks, crisscrossed by wooden walkways.
When you’re not oohing and aahing, tasting the two red blends (powerful, plush Vik and velvety Milla Cala), horseback rides to neighboring vineyards and joining the harvest will keep you busy.
Suites start at $1,200 a night, including meals, wine, mountain biking, horseback rides, and tastings.
For Italophiles: Venissa, Italy