I've traveled to 77 wine regions across the world. Here are the 5 that everyone should visit at least once.

Yahoo

13-07-2025

I write about wine for my job and have been to 77 wine regions around the world.
Some of my favorite regions are Breede River Valley, Napa Valley, Tuscany, and McLaren Vale.
In my opinion, these regions define the peak of the wine-making and consumption experience.
I travel to wine regions across the world for my work as a freelance wine writer.
As part of my "research duties," I've hunted for truffles in Barolo, touched down at the only winery in the US with its own airport, and even explored a prison island in Italy that utilizes viticulture to rehabilitate inmates and teach them new skills while also producing world-class wine.
Although I've been to 77 wine regions, not every single one is worth revisiting. There are just five I'd return to tomorrow if given the chance.
undefinedundefinedundefined
McLaren Vale is a gem in Australia.
Australia is vast, with 65 different wine regions crushing over a million tons of grapes a year. However, one of the country's most definitive and stunning regions is also one of its most accessible: McLaren Vale.
Just 45 minutes south of Adelaide, the 168-square-mile region is fairly laid-back and situated between pristine beaches on the Gulf St. Vincent coast and Mount Lofty Ranges.
One of the best ways to visit wine country in McLaren Vale is on two wheels. Consider biking the Shiraz Trail, which passes iconic wineries like Hugh Hamilton, Serafino, and Oxenberry.
Don't miss this winery: If you're in McLaren Vale, visit D'Arenberg. The historic winery produces an incredible range of quirkily named bottles with names like Dead Arm and Low Life.
However, the real draw for visitors is the mind-bending five-story Cube on the property. The building's highlight is a tasting room at the top with panoramic views of McLaren Vale, the Willunga Hills, and the Gulf St. Vincent.
Bordeaux is a must-visit wine region in France.
There are thousands of wineries and more than 270,000 acres of grapes under vine in Bordeaux. The wider region consists famously of the Left Bank and Right Bank regions, situated on either side of the Gironde River.
Traditionally, Bordeaux wines are blends — Left Bank wines are typically dominated by cabernet sauvignon, and Right Bank wines are ruled by merlot.
Beyond wine, the city offers impressive museums, stunning neoclassical buildings, gorgeous river walks, and many farm-to-table bistros and wine bars.
I've spent days just strolling around Bordeaux, running into architectural masterpieces and hole-in-the-wall wine shops with hundreds of coveted, impossible-to-buy-elsewhere bottles.
Plus, it's just a two-hour train ride from Paris, making it an excellent stop if you want to experience local wine culture during a trip to the City of Lights.
Don't miss this winery: If you're just swooping into Bordeaux for a brief trip, head to Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
Visits are by reservation only, and include tours of the winery's own Museum of Wine in Art with exceptional rarities and original artworks created by contemporary painters for Mouton Rothschild's famous, unique labels for each vintage.
South Africa's Breede River Valley is stunning.
South Africa offers some of the world's most stunning and progressive wine regions, with hundreds of thousands of acres of grapes under vine.
I suggest visiting the Breede River Valley, one of the largest wine production areas in the Western Cape.
Almost encircled by mountain ranges, the 80-mile-long valley hosts a range of boutique operations producing premium wines and sprawling co-ops cranking out value-priced wines on a large scale.
Don't miss this winery: One of the best places to experience authentic South African charm is the Graham Beck Estate. The winery produces a range of entry-level to long-aged bottles and collectible Cap Classiques (made in the Champagne method).
Plus, the sprawling estate is home to a variety of rare animals, including Cape leopards and zebras.
Tuscany feels like a picture-perfect slice of Italy.
Tuscany is one of those rare places that actually looks, feels, and tastes even better than it does in the movies.
It's the spiritual home of Italian wine, complete with unvarnished views of rolling hills populated by olive trees, vineyards, charming farmhouses, sunflowers, medieval castles, and enchanting towns.
While tasting delectable wines (the area's known for its reds), you can also treat your palate to fresh olive oil, shaved truffles, and homemade pasta.
Don't miss this winery: Castello Banfi was founded in 1978 by the Long Island-based Mariani family, but the history of the Banfi Castle dates back to the medieval era.
Today, it's an almost cartoonishly perfect setting for an Italian wine adventure. Swing in for a day and tour the winery, vineyards, and portions of the castle.
Stay for longer and dine at the Michelin-starred La Sala dei Grappoli, which serves elevated Puglian and Tuscan cuisine perfectly paired with Castello Banfi's Brunello wines.
Read the original article on Business Insider