Wineries around the world offer wine tasting experiences for all ranges of prices and to showcase their best wines. We at WineTourism.com love wine tastings and think that there is no better way to learn the history and tradition of a winery if not by drinking their wines, but why not look for unique wine tasting experiences that drift a little from the classic offers?
Here is a list of the most peculiar and unique wine tasting experiences that our partner wineries offer.
Unique Wine Tasting Experiences in France
France is the top destination when it comes to wine tastings and French wineries are those offering the most diverse experiences. Taste some of the most amazing wine in the world in singular ways and take advantage of the gorgeous landscape of the French countryside or the coast.
Domaine de la Belle Étoile
Start your journey around the incredible Loire Valley from Domaine de la Belle Étoile, a winery managed by Vincent Esnou, a 5th generation winemaker that gained his experience in South Africa and United States. He then combined the skills and knowledge he acquired with the heritage that his father left him to open Domaine de la Belle Étoile. Vincent has continually added new methods to their wine production improving at every step of the process.
1. Become a Geologist for a Day
Join the crew at Domaine de la Belle Étoile and sign up for this unique workshop where you will learn all the secrets of the terroir of the Anger wine region. Learn about how the soil affects growing of vines and the overall taste of the wine. At the end of the geology workshop, you will engage in a delicious wine tasting.
Château du Payre
Located on the bank of the Garonne river in the Bordeaux wine region, Château du Payre has been a female-managed winery for 5 generations. The climate of the region, characterised by moist summers and mild winters, give wines from Château du Payre a very unique and exotic taste. Certified by Terra Vitis, the French National Federation setting eco-friendly standards for winemakers, ensures that vineyards at Château du Payre are kept healthy and preserved for the next generation of winemakers.
2. Create your Own Wine
Did you ever have a look at a glass of wine, and thought to yourself "what would my wine taste if I was a winemaker?". Well, you can actually discover that at Château du Payre and make your very own bland together with the domaine's skilled winemakers. All blends create, will be on the end judged, thus you could win a prize.
Vignerons du Mont Ventoux
Vignerons du Mont Ventoux Winery is located in an exceptional location that has an amazing variety of terroir in the gorgeous Provence wine region. The winery boasts vines that root in the sun-kissed south-west foothills of Mont Ventoux that provide a natural protection against the Mistral wind and cold northern winds. The vineyards of this winery stretch for over 1000 hectares, where 750 come under AOC Côtes du Ventoux appellation.
3. Dune Buggy Tour
Discover the estate at Vignerons du Mont Ventoux in an usual and fun way. You will enjoy a dune buggy ride through their vineyards and their history. Trailing through their vineyard will be such a pleasure and winemakers from the winery will explain you (almost!) all of their secrets.
Discover wine tasting experiences in Italy
For wine enthusiasts, Italy is the place to be when it comes to top wine tasting experiences. However, there’s so much more to do than just sitting around a table for a classic wine tasting (which is great, don’t get us wrong!). Scroll down to read about two wineries in central Italy offering unique wine tastings.
Lungarotti
Lungarotti was founded by Giorgio Lungarotti in the 1960s, and ever since then it has been producing delicious and amazing wines to serve their guests. Located in the Umbria wine region, the climatic and natural conditions in the area are ideal for viticulture. Winemakers at Lungarotti always try make the best-quality wines using sustainable and organic techniques. Lungarotti was in fact the first winery in Umbria to gain the VIVA certification of sustainable agriculture.
4. Wine Museum
Learn everything about Lungarotti's history and development at their very own museum. This is the perfect opportunity for any wine lover to see traditional tools that were used for winemaking before technology came. The wine museum captures viticulture perfectly and takes you on a journey of winemaking at Lungarotti and in Umbria.
Podere dell'Etna Segreta
Podere dell'Etna Segreta is a family-owned winery located at the foothills of the Etna volcano in the dreamy Sicily wine region. The entire family running Podere dell'Etna Segreta has a passion for wine, and this is probably the secret ingredient that makes their wines so special and delicious. The estate where the winery is now was abandoned by the previous owners at the beginning of the 19th century, before Mario and his family gave the winery a whole new life.
5. Cooking Class and Slow Experience Lunch
Take a break from the frantic everyday life and enjoy a relaxing moment at Podere dell'Etna Segreta. After a tour of the estate, you will take part in a cooking class where you will be taught how to make delicious Sicilian dishes. After the class, the staff at Podere dell'Etna Segreta will serve you their incredible wines.
Cantina Todini will present you different Umbria
Since 1979, Cantina Todini has been producing extremely fine and prestigious wines. In only 30 years, the winery became one of the most successful and productive wineries in the entire Umbria wine region. The winery deeply connects with the city of Todi, as you can clearly see from the replica of Todi’s cathedral at the gate. Cantina Todini is dedicated to producing typical varieties of the territory. Every bottle of wine is a unique delight to sip on and coming for wine tasting experiences is the best way to learn about their history and their philosophy.
6. E-Bike Tour
If you love riding bikes in rural estates and if you love wines, Cantina Todini offers you the perfect experience where you can get them both. Discover the estate from Cantina Todini and their vineyards on an e-bike and spend a day in surrounded by incredible nature before heading to the tasting room for some delicious wines.
Explore South America through its unique wine experiences
The range of high quality wine you can taste during wine tasting experiences in South America is incredible; it can go from red to white, to sparkling wine. Pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey through winemaking traditions in South America and be ready to visit beautiful wineries located in incredible landscapes.
Chañarmuyo Wine Lodge - Argentina
Chañarmuyo Wine Lodge is a gorgeous winery located in the La Rioja wine region of Argentina (not to be confused with Rioja, that's in Spain!). The vineyards at Chañarmuyo are exposed to constant sunlight and touched by warm breezes, which create in the surrounding area a unique microclimate for grape growing. The Chañarmuyo Wine Lodge first opened its doors in 2001 and it has been one of the best known and appreciated wineries of the region ever since.
7. Wine Tasting and Tour
Be prepared to take part in one of the best wine tastings you've ever experienced at Chañarmuyo Wine Lodge. The crew at the winery will present you their top-graded vintages from the assortment, paired with local food from Argentina. The actual wine tasting will take place after the vineyard tour, where you will get to see the harvesting process and grape growing methods used by the team.
Viña Chocalán - Chile
Viña Chocalán was born after a vision of wine bottle supplier Guillermo Toro. The first harvest was obtained in 2001, and soon after the construction of the wine cellar began. Viña Chocalán is located in the Maipo wine region in Argentina, and today it is among the region's prime producers of red and white wines. What makes Viña Chocalán's wine so special is the unique climate of the region that is nestles between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean.
8. Chocolate and Wine Tasting
We all know that wine and chocolate are a match made in heaven, that's why the team of experts at Viña Chocalán offers their guests the possibility to take part in a delicious chocolate and wine tasting. They will guide you as you taste their wines paired with chocolate after a very interesting guided tour of the vineyard.
Other wine experiences around the world
The world is full of incredible wine experience you should put on your list for 2022. We're just giving you a few of our favourites but be sure to browse through our website to discover the best one for you and the one you would enjoy the most.
Saxenburg Estates - South Africa
Saxenburg Estates has a very long history as it actually began in the 17th century. Vine were first planted during the first years of the 18th century, even though it actually became a mine before turning again into a successful winery. The vineyards of historic Saxenburg Estates Winery are situated on the slopes of the Bottelary Hills in the picturesque region of Stellenbosch. Saxenburg Estates predominantly produces red wines, one to try is their delicious Shiraz.
9. Safari Wine Tasting and Tour
There's no experience that could represent South Africa better than a safari plus wine tasting experience. At Saxenburg Estates you can do it in the winery's game camp, where you will take a walk in the wild before heading back to the winery to get a glass of wine straight from the winery's cellar.
Stancija Collis - Croatia
The stunning Stancija Collis winery is located in the sunny Istria wine region in Croatia. The Mastilovic family, the owners of Stancija Collis, are not just very successful winemakers but also olive oil producers. In their wines, they encapsulate the terroir and soul of this enchanted land. A vast range of grapes are used at Stancija Collis Winery to produce award-winning red, white, and rosé wines.
10. Off-Road Tasting
If you are looking for a more adventurous experience than just a normal wine tasting and tour, Stancija Collis winery is offering the perfect one for you. Hop on one of their land rovers and get ready of an off-road trip around the vineyards before heading to the tasting room for a delicious wine tasting.
