Wine Tours & Wineries The World Over: Unique Experiences for the Discerning Traveler

These experiences are not available to the general public, but because of our special relationship, you can enjoy special, privileged access. Whether it's a villa in Tuscany or a chateau in Bordeaux, we can help you craft a dream vacation you will remember for years to come. (Experiences from $500 per person.) Following is a sample of experiences available in select wine regions.

Napa & Sonoma Wine Experiences
Some of the best and most sought‐after wines are produced in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Start your day enjoying a private tour, tasting and lunch with the hottest producers of Pinot Noir in California (there’s a waitlist of more than 20,000 people) and enjoy wines that consistently earn 95+ points from Wine Spectator...Or be among the first to try the next “cult Cab” from a “winemaker of the year.” Closed to the public, you’ll enjoy a private tour , a lunch in the gardens with the winemaker and a special barrel tasting of these spectacular unreleased wines.

Oregon Wine Experiences
Oregon Wine Country is serene and serious – the state is recognized as one of the premier Pinot Noir producing areas in the world. Enjoy a private tour and tasting of the internationally‐acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the company of a fourth‐generation winemaker from Burgundy, and learn about the differences between the two regions from a unique perspective. Next, meet the owners and tour the spectacular "Estate Winery of the Year,” showcasing exquisite estate‐grown Pinot Noir (ranked #1 in Oregon).

Bordeaux Wine Experiences
Home to some of the most expensive and prestigious wines, the Bordeaux region is an iconic wine producing region. As you arrive at the famous chateau, begin to enjoy a one‐of‐a‐kind experience at an intimate private home. Your visit will include a tour of this internationally‐recognized second growth Bordeaux winery, which was recently voted the #2 wine in the world by Wine Spectator. Continue the afternoon with classic French cooking lessons from the private chef. Then, finish your day with an exclusive private dinner hosted by the owners of one of the top Premiers Grands Crus Classes of St. Emilion, a property dating back to the 12th century.

Burgundy Wine Experiences
Unlike other wine regions in France, Burgundy is divided between several thousand smaller vineyards and growers, and many of these top wineries are only accessible to professionals. Spend the afternoon at Domaine Serene with a fourth generation winemaker touring the grounds of a world‐renowned estate. Later, enjoy a private lunch with this charming family member, tasting award‐winning wines from the last ten years.

Champagne Wine Experiences
In an easy day trip from Paris, explore a region full of charm and meet producers of the world‐famous wine we call Champagne. Against the backdrop of the French Gothic Cathedrals, you’ll privately tour underground galleries. Your tour guide is the current heir to this world‐famous winery, so you’ll taste some of the most highly‐rated champagnes produced today.

Provence Wine Experiences
France's oldest wine‐producing region, tracing back an astonishing 26 centuries. It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful wine region. Provence is famous for the amount of Rosé produced and it’s also home to the celebrated Châteauneuf‐du‐Pape. Visit this French estate surrounded by over 100 acres of vineyards in the company of its talented winemaker, who honed his craft at Mouton‐Rothschild, all while sipping his super‐premium, award‐winning Rosé. Next, enjoy a private lunch and tour of one of one of the top 500 vineyards in France – and enjoy a special tasting from the private cellar.

Tuscany Wine Experiences
Experience the magic of the Tuscan tradition as you embark on a private tour of the medieval castle and the family‐owned estate, including a visit to the balsameria, where the winery makes its own aged balsamic vinegar. Consistently named Italy’s Premier Vineyard Estate, you will enjoy a wonderful lunch in typical Italian fashion – delicious and relaxed – paired with these top‐rated wines in the company of the warm and friendly winemaking family. Or you can opt to spend the afternoon with the private chef, learning the nuances of classic Tuscan cuisine, then enjoy the fruits of your labor on the terrace as your hosts share extraordinary wines from their private collection.

Spain Wine Experiences
With more acreage devoted to wine grapes than any other European country, Spain has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Rioja, the country’s most prestigious region, has been the epitome of fine red Spanish wines for generations. Visit an elegant estate – noted as Spain’s most important “chateau” – and taste some of the greatest Spanish wines made today, including a wine noted as one of the ten best red wines in the world. Then, enjoy your private tour of this family‐owned winery and taste each vintage from the last 15 years during a spectacular twilight dinner.

Portugal Wine Experiences
Here in the Douro Valley, time almost stands still; you will not find the latest winemaking techniques or fancy equipment. Instead, discover a wine industry much the way it existed over a hundred years ago, a style responsible for a vintage Port that’s lauded as one of the world's greatest wines. Tour this icon of the wine world in the company of the owner, who happily shares his passion and personal devotion to handmade wines. Enjoy your private lunch in the terraced vineyards with this winemaker.

South Africa Wine Experiences
South Africa is the ideal destination for wine tourists, lovers of culture and purveyors of fine cuisine. Celebrating its 350th anniversary in the wine world, and relatively new to the international marketplace, the region is home to some of the greatest wines available. Leave your luxurious room in a 300‐year‐old country estate to stroll amid rolling vineyards and soaring peaks, enjoying wines in the company of this superstar winemaker. Enjoy dinner at the winemaker table and savor wines awarded innumerable local and international awards.

Australia Wine Experiences
French influence, Australian character … There’s a lot to discover in Australia’s Barossa Valley beyond Yellow Tail and Jacob’s Creek. Take a 3‐hour flight from New Zealand and have dinner with this enthralling winemaker – lover of food and wine, relentless in his quest and uncompromising in his vision – and enjoy a tasting of what many rate as the world’s most unique wines. Next, experience a brilliant example of modern winemaking at this powerhouse producer and you’ll understand why it’s enjoyed six consecutive years in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List. Enjoy a special barrel tasting of unreleased wines and even try your hand at blending your own.

New Zealand Wine Experiences
Enjoy the truly spectacular scenery of New Zealand at this stunningly‐situated winery with beautifully manicured grounds. Learn about the vineyard owner’s passion and winemaking dream while tasting a Bordeaux blend that critics argue competes with the best of Bordeaux, and a sample a Pinot Noir that wine experts compare to the best of Burgundy.

Any time is a great time to visit wine country, but experiencing the harvest is a once-in-a-year opportunity. Called “The Crush” by locals, it is a special time in winemaking – the festive atmosphere and anticipation of the birth of a new vintage make for unforgettable days of celebration.

You can experience the harvest like never before. As the wineries prepare to receive the first fruit of the new vintage, you can enjoy a front row seat, seeing first-hand the passion, energy, science and effort that goes into making the world's favorite wines.

Experience a day in the life of a winemaker and be as hands-on as you like. Walk the vineyards in the pre-dawn hours with world-renowned winemakers and famous vineyard owners and experience rarely seen vineyard and crush activities in the most memorable fashion. With the personal guidance of these wine world “rock stars,” experience this unique time of year in a way others only dream about.

Not for those who prefer a tour bus or “booze cruise,” this very intimate experience is customized and can include a “grape stomp” or working alongside the harvest crew. Barrel tastings of unreleased wines and intimate, specially prepared dinners by local celebrity chefs hosted by vineyard owners at their homes complete this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A variety of experiences is available. Please contact our travel experts for more information or for luxury vacations. For wine and culinary-themed luxury cruises experiences, please view our Personal Enrichment programs.