World’s Best Vineyards has revealed the top wine destinations for 2022, and with more countries than ever before featured in the Top 100, the competition was intense and diverse. If you’re a wine lover looking to plan your 2023 holidays, then this is the perfect place to start…
10. Bodega Garzón
Built into the hills of Maldonado in Southern Uruguay is the ambitious Bodega Garzón winery. The first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) vineyard outside of North America, it produces 2.2 million litres of pristine wine and uses the natural climate, wind energy, gravity and much more to cause minimal disturbance to the surrounding areas. Their signature Balasto wine is incredibly elegant and expressive, but even if no wine ever made it to bottling, this place still sounds worth visiting! It’s just an hour’s drive from renowned beach resorts like Punta del Leste, it has horse-drawn carriage tours of the vineyards, hot air balloons, an 18-hole golf course, sommelier blending sessions, and presiding over everything is expert chef Francis Mallman, the ‘master of smoke’ who teaches there and finishes the lesson with a four-course wine-paired lunch! What a weekend that could be!
Placement in 2021: 4th
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9. Catena Zapata
Behind the fascinating architecture inspired by the Mayan pyramids, the Catena Zapata winery is home to Argentina’s most famous wine family. You can undertake fascinating tours of the vineyard, which was founded way back in 1902, discovering how it pioneered the resurrection of Malbec and its usage of extreme high-altitude terroirs in the Andean foothills. You can even taste the signature Malbec from the barrel paired with tapas in guided walk throughs! The Adrianna vineyard in particular is the epitome of Argentina’s highly distinctive elevated terroirs with breath-taking wine and views to boot.
Placement in 2021: 7th
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8. Quinta do Crasto
The earliest records mentioning Quinta do Crasto in the Douro region of Northern Portugal date back to 1615, and it soon became one of the finest vineyards in the world. Very little has changed in that regard, or indeed in some of the production methods. Their trademark Port is still made using foot trodden grapes, and it’s all unfiltered to maintain full character. You can stay in one of the four stunning suites, overlooking the rolling hills and lake below, and the family may very well join you for breakfast in the dining room. Did we mention there’s an infinity pool serving wine and tapas on the side? It’s the perfect blend of history and modernity and would be ideal for a relaxing luxury trip.
Placement in 2021: 16th
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7. Robert Mondavi Winery
Robert Mondavi is a bona fide legend of American winemaking and founded this winery, described as ‘the soul of Napa Valley’, in 1966. A tasting of the famous To Kalon Reserve range including the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon is really what dreams are made of, and where better to enjoy than with views over the Mayacamas Mountains. The edible gardens that run alongside the vineyard tour are just the start of the food experience there, as you can enjoy lunch or the decadent ‘Legacy Dinner’. Mondavi’s love of wine, food and art is brought together magnificently, and that’s why this is North America’s winner in 2022.
Placement in 2021: 40th
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6. González Byass – Bodegas Tio Pepe
In Andalucía, the heart of Sherry county, sits González Byass and it has done since 1835. Now in its sixth generation of family ownership, this stunning vineyard is in one point of the acclaimed Sherry triangle - Jerez de la Frontera. Palomino vines sprouting from the chalky Albariza soil produce some of the juiciest, most flavoursome grapes on the planet. What could make all this amazing sherry even better? How about 19th century cottages transformed into the charming Hotel Bodega Tio Pepe? You get your own roof terrace with views of the cathedral, a bar (of course), a pool and a spa. Finally, and arguably the best thing is that you can tour the whole estate by miniature train! Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for the sherry-drinking mice scuttering (and possibly falling) around ;)
Placement in 2021: 9th
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5. Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg’sche Domäne Schloss Johannisberg
Riesling lovers, listen up. This stunning Neoclassical palace sits atop a hill not far from Frankfurt, and vines have grown there since a staggering 817! In 1720, it became the world’s first Riseling winery and went on to create popular grapes like Spätlese, Ausless and Eiswein. Even the barrels used here are made from the forests on the estate, and you can see all of that on the all-encompassing tour featuring ancient vaults, tasting booths, and finishing at the Schlossschänke tavern. If you time it right, there are often open-air jazz and classical concerts there too. It has to be the best place on the planet to drink Riesling without a doubt.
Placement in 2021: 34th
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4. VIK Winery
Let us introduce you to VIK Winery, a super sleek and quirky estate set against the majestic Andes in Cachapoal Valley, Chile. There’s artwork round every corner, contemporary titanium and bronze architecture, and 22 uniquely styled suites. Guests staying have 4000 hectares to explore, and if you’re thinking that sounds like a lot of walking then don’t worry, you can travel on horseback or mountain bike. There are just the three restaurants to pick from, all serving authentic Chilean cuisine and if it wasn’t enough drinking their sublime reds, you can bathe in them too! VIK is truly one of the most magical looking vineyards on this list.
Placement in 2021: 8th
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3. Montes
We’re staying in Chile for the bronze medal and winner for South America, and that’s Montes. In the heart of the Colchagua Valley, there’s 6km of mesmerising botanic hiking trails, and they all lead back to this feng shui inspired complex. All roads lead to Montes! The same angels from the label hang throughout, eery Gregorian chanting is sung from the depths, and the fiery Fuegos de Apalta restaurant serves mouth watering dishes overlooking the Apalta hillsides for a wonderfully mystical atmosphere.
Placement in 2021: 5th
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2. Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal
Narrowly missing out on the top spot two years running is this Riojan masterpiece. We say masterpiece because check out those twisted aluminium ribbons over the hotel! In the gorgeous Spanish sunshine, the metal gleams to reveal all the colours that show in the bottles and wine itself. This contemporary art is juxtaposed with the 19th century bodega below, containing some of the oldest Rioja in the world. You are free to explore this seminal estate by foot, bike or horse, and the medieval villages surrounding it are crying out to be explored too. Completing the experience is an expansive golf course, the luxury Caudalie Vinothérapie spa, and Michelin-starred dining led by superstar chef Francis Paniego. You’ll see this estate appearing over and over on top wine and vineyard lists, and for a first-class fine wine experience, you can’t get much better.
Placement in 2021: 2nd
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1. Antinori nel Chianti Classico (Marchesi Antinori)
After all of that you must be wondering what more can a vineyard do to get top spot? Well, Antinori nel Chianti Classico in Tuscany seems to have the answers. The Antinori family have been in and around the Tuscan region since 1385, a fact that is expressed in everything the winery does. It’s beautifully built with entirely locally sourced materials overlooking the famous countryside views and vines of Chianti’s classic Sangiovese grapes, as well as a host of others that have grown historically, like Canaiolo and Mammolo. Perfect production elements are achieved through natural and environmentally aware innovations, and in fact, from a distance the building itself looks somewhat invisible! Equal to being a winery, it is a celebration of Tuscany and heritage; from the distinctive architecture to the local produce at the Rinuccio 1180 restaurant (named after the first Antinori winemaker), to the museum space hosting exhibitions. You even finish exploring the extraordinary site in a cubed glass tasting room suspended over the barrels below. What more is there to say? The World’s Best Vineyard – and that’s official.
Placement in 2021: 6th
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For our UK readers, unfortunately, there are no vineyards that have broken into the Top 10 just yet, but they’re rising up the ranks so one day...one day. Nonetheless, there are really magical winery experiences to be had here too, so check out our Best UK Vineyard Stays!