Agoda’s travel guide to the old, new, and emerging wine regions around the world.
One of the best ways to learn about local culture is through its food and drink offerings—and what better way to explore the flavors of a country than to go from the soil up through its vineyards. Once a niche market in the Old World Wine regions of Europe and an option only for the well-heeled, wine tourism today can be found on nearly every continent and is made accessible to travelers with a varying range of budgets. Agoda, one of the world’s fastest-growing online travel agents (OTA), shares its list of five locales every wine lover should visit.
The Old World Wine Regions
1. Tuscany, Italy
The best Chianti wine can be found in the Tuscan town it is named after, Greve in Chianti. There is no shortage of cantinas (wine cellars) here, and if you’re looking to get educated on wine production in the region, vineyards such as the Montefioralle Winery offer tours and wine tastings.
Now, for an authentic Tuscan stay, head to Agoda Home Borgo Di Pietrafitta Relais, a renovated farmhouse villa with stunning views of nearby foothills and groves.
2. Burgundy, France
No respectable list of wine regions is complete without mentioning France! While you can sample their offerings year-round, it pays to visit Chablis, a town in the country’s Burgundy region during October when one of the most important wine events is held and wine lovers from novices to seasoned connoisseurs can take part in tastings, classes, and other wine-themed activities.
Hôtel Le Maxime, only 20-minutes away from Chablis, is a charming hotel overlooking the Yonne River. Historic sites, shopping, and one-of-a-kind food experiences nearby await sightseers and adventurous foodies alike.
The New World Wine Regions
3. California, USA
California’s year-round warm weather, long growing seasons, and more than 30 different types of soil all contribute to Napa Valley’s reputation as the best producer of Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 400 wineries to choose from, you’ll be seeing red (from the bottom of your glass) in no time!
Silverado Resort and Spa is a mere 12-minute ride away from Napa Valley’s wine trail. Their full-service spa will come in handy if you need to recover from a full day (or two) of wine tastings here and there.
4. Yamanashi, Japan
Although grape cultivation has a long history in Japan, wine production didn’t kick off until the second half of the 19th century. Château Mercian, in the heart of the Yamanashi wine region, is among the most internationally recognized Japanese wineries and has its own museum, which is free to all visitors.
Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, is only about a half-an-hour away and at Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen Hotel New Century you can enjoy the incredible view right from your hotel room.
Emerging Wine Regions
5. Bali, Indonesia
Indonesia’s wine production industry may be limited, but vineyards such as Hatten Wines in Bali are thriving. The Hatten Wines estate is owned by a local Balinese family and is known for its award-winning rosé. Visit the vineyard’s Welcome Center where you can learn about the different stages of vine growth before tastings.
Eat Sleep Skate is a nearby bed and breakfast that features four different types of traditional wooden chalets and its own on-site skate park, for an extra dose of thrill!
About Agoda
Agoda is one of the world’s fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its humble beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005, Agoda now has a network of 1.8 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. It offers travelers easy access to a wide selection of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes, and villas to suit all budgets and travel occasions.Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 3,700 staff across 53 cities in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.
