With thoughts of Christmas not too far away, finding the perfect gift for a friend or loved-one can be a nightmare, but with these delightful vineyards to visit, you can arouse your taste-buds and book a summer retreat to delight the senses and awaken your inner wine connoisseur for yourself and some friends. Here we have listed some of our favourite vineyards and Estates for the most extravagant getaway. Guests can take advantage of some added bonuses of wine classes, tastings and samplings, educational sessions and hands on involvement with the wine-making process from start to finish. A real treat for both new wine enthusiasts, and for those that can tell the difference between a Merlot and a Malbec! Staying at one of these exclusive properties will ensure the ultimate trip for wine aficionados, immersed in luxury in some of the most picturesque wine estates in the world.
Villa La Verrière Provence, France
Suitable for up to 14 guests, this estate is nestled in the heart of a UNESCO biosphere and stretches across 350 acres of verdant, lush private forest in the charming region of Provence. With rolling vineyards aged over 40 years old surrounding the Estate, as well as being comprised of a medieval priory and a winery, this location is steeped in charm and history, and wine lovers can fully enjoy their surroundings and landscape, whilst relishing in the on-site wine-tasting room. Boasting dedicated and experienced oenology staff and being the ideal place to host events, this villa is the perfect location for friends and family to escape to luxury, spend time together, indulge in their hobbies and enjoy the French countryside. The guests can make the most of the gardens, pool, tennis court and Jacuzzi, and choose between the four deluxe suites and three well-appointed bedrooms featured in this property. La Verrière prides itself on maintaining a sustainable environment and so fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown in the garden, and olive oil and honey are produced on the property. La Verrière raises its own sheep and guests can drink the water from its two mountain springs.
Villa Capodilista – Venice, Italy
Located 40km from Venice, Villa Emo Capodilista is set atop Montecchia, part of the Regional Park of the Euganian Hills. Originally said to be a hunting lodge, it is one of the original Venetian villas and is a masterpiece of Italian architecture. Surrounded by vineyards climbing the sloping hills, this property is a stunning location for an authentic wine break, having a passion for viticulture and viniculture, and producing the highest quality, award-winning wines. For those with a desire to learn and appreciate, there are wine tastings available in the estate’s wine shop, where guests can purchase a bottle or two of their favourites afterwards, along with a visit to the estate’s wine cellars, located near the ancient farm. With a private park, outdoor pool, and a helipad for convenience, this seven-bedroom estate boasts intricate frescoes and antiques, and can sleep up to 12 guests.
Lothian Estate – Cape Town, South Africa
This award-winning wine Estate is located within the Kogelberg World Heritage Biosphere Reserve and is in close proximity to Cape Town. Featuring eight bedrooms, and accommodating up to 16 distinguished guests, this luxurious estate on the banks of the Palmiet River is the perfect place to spend time with friends and family. Surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, vineyards, fruit orchards, a river and a lake, the Lothian Estate is a mesmerizingly beautiful place and allows guests to relax in style. Featuring their own vineyards along the embankment of the private lake in Elgin Valley and the Palmiet River, the cool climate here is the perfect setting for producing exceptional wines, and has received many awards over the years for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, amongst others. This newly built property has a real focus on maintaining the natural feel, and also offers ample opportunities to participate in many sporting activities, such as fishing, equestrian activities, jet skis, hiking and paddle boarding, along with a private heated infinity pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and in-pool bar, so guests can spend time doing the things they love, with close friends and family.
Il Borro – Tuscany, Italy
Spanning over seven-hundred hectares, this elegant villa offers privacy and exclusivity for up to 20 discerning guests, as well as being located in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, in close proximity to Florence. Boasting an impressive history of over a thousand years, when this villa was first established, it has long since enjoyed its prime location, and the fruitful focus of cultivating fine wines from the plentiful vines. Its sole motivation is to ensure that guests have an authentic experience at the villa, from the Il Borro Cellars learning the wine-making process, to the production of their own olive oil and honey. This villa is full of an elegant charm, and wine tasters will revel in delight at the Tuscan traditions and wine tasting here.
