Traveling is fun and assuming that you would like to make 2019 a year of wine travel, you should be prepared for this fun. Imagine walking through vineyards, chatting one-on-one with winemakers, getting firsthand information on how to make wine and sipping the wine right before it gets bottled. This is a thrilling experience, and while there are numerous places you can visit in the world to have it, it might be overwhelming to choose the best for you. That said, here is a list of some of the places you should consider visiting to have an exciting wine experience.
1. Valle d’Aosta Italy
Valle D’Aosta Italy is one of the wine regions in Italy although many people do know of its existence. The hilly place has a unique culture that is more of a hybrid because the place borders Switzerland and France and they contribute to this culture. At Valle D’Aosta, one gets exposed to different outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and a great mountain view at any time of the year. As a person who loves wine, you will only need to travel to Monte Rosa in the east side or Mont Blanc on the west side of Valle D’Aosta because this is where the wine trail is found. You will have a chance to taste a variety of wines from local varieties such as Prie Blanc and Fumin or Italian varieties such as Nebbiolo and several other international grapes.
2. Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, South Africa
South Africa is a country that is known for having numerous wine regions, and this makes it a popular tourist destination. The good thing is that Hemel-En-Aarde Valley is near the beautiful capital city, Cape Town and this allows you to enjoy a cozy life in the city. Stephen Stepaniuk says that this wine region is usually termed as heaven and earth because apart from having a great wine experience with varieties such as Pinot Noir, Burgundian-style and Chardonnay, you will also enjoy a cool-quiet climate. When Hemel-En-Aarde Valley succeeded in making wines, other winemakers got attracted to the area which increased the variety of balanced and complex wines produced. Other activities that you can enjoy in here include fun at the beach, whale watching, and kayaking.
3. Yarra Valley, Australia
Yarra Valley is only an hour drive or less from Melbourne. Mellow hills surround the Yarra River, and this place is one of the popular wine places in Australia. Winemaking at Yarra Valley has been going on for over 180 years, but it became more popular when they started producing natural wines in premium bottles. While at Yarra Valley, you will enjoy more than tasting wines beginning from the cool, exciting climate, skiing and a great view from the elevation. According to Stephen Stepaniuk, wines in this region are characterized with the aspect of refreshed acidity and these include Patrick Sullivan wines.
4. Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Santa Cruz Mountains is an old wine region that became renowned as early as 1976 during a blind wine tasting event, Judgment of Paris. Some of the wines they make include pinot noir, first-class chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. The place is characterized by a mountainous topography which makes it too hot sometimes to allow wines such as cabernet to ripen and sometimes too cool for ripening pinot noir and chardonnay. Other activities you can enjoy at Santa Cruz Mountains apart from wine tasting include hiking.