Custom wine tours - Design your experience with wine and travel experts!
Planning your dream wine tour can be a struggle sometimes. Truth is, your journey begins long before boarding your plane, bound for a sunny vineyard among the Tuscan hills or the clay red fields of La Rioja in Spain.
Glass of wine in hand, you are struggling to plan your wine holiday. You scroll and browse through the options, hoping to spot the one that will stand out and whisk you away to your destination already. “There are dozens of wineries in the area, which one should I choose? Will they provide transportation? I hope they accept card payments!”
Packaged tours can certainly provide a taste of what a wine region has to offer, however personalizing your wine holiday is the key to tailor made experiences, adapted to your preferences and desires. Here are five compelling reasons why planning a customized wine holiday in 2024 should be at the top of your travel itinerary.
5 Tips to Plan a Customized Wine Tour in 2024
- Choose the region: Choosing the right wine region to explore is key to a successful wine tour. Are you looking to combine your custom wine tour with a summer retreat on the beach? Then, regions such as Puglia, Provence or Penedés would be great candidates. Is cultural tourism more your cup of tea? Tuscany, Bairrada or Champagne should be at the top of your list. No region is the same, and depending on your preferences, this decision will play the most important role in your wine vacation.
- Plan the dates: The right period will mostly depend on the time you have available to go on holiday. However, it’s important to keep seasonality in mind. Take into account the seasonality of wine production and local events when customizing your tour. Research the best times to visit wine regions based on harvest seasons, festivals, and special events, and plan your tour accordingly to maximize your experience. Remember, for example, that Southern Europe can get very hot during peak summer season. If heat is an issue or you were hoping for green fields, consider a spring or fall custom wine tour. Wineries work with the rhythms of nature and you will get the most out of your custom tour if you follow them too!
- Make a choice on transportation: There are custom tours where transportation can be provided, giving you an easy transfer option from your hotel or accommodation directly to the wineries or landmarks of interest. However, this is not always possible due to local availability and seasonality. In those cases, arranging your own transportation will give you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
- Set a budget: Providing a reliable budget for your custom wine tour helps our team of experts meet your expectations, saving you time during the wine holiday planning phase. We will carefully select the best options for you but rest assured, the final choice is always yours.
- Engage with Local Experts: Utilize the expertise of local tour operators, sommeliers, and winemakers when customizing your dream wine tour. These insiders can provide invaluable knowledge about the region's wine scene, recommend secret spots, and arrange special tastings that will distinguish your tour, making it unique. By engaging with local experts, you gain access to exclusive opportunities, transforming your wine tour into an authentic and original experience.
A customized wine holiday in 2024 offers many benefits over pre-packaged experiences and tours. You will receive a tailored itinerary, leading you to discover hidden gems and exclusive tastings, out of the beaten paths. Are you dreaming of exploring the vineyards and wineries of Italy, France, Spain or beyond? Customizing your tour will allow you to depart on a truly unforgettable journey catered to your interests and desires.
So why wait? Start planning your customized wine holiday today through the world's most enchanting wine regions. Are you ready to plan the perfect wine holiday with us? Here are a few examples of destinations, to spark your imagination.
Custom Wine Tours in Tuscany
You are welcome to plan with us a custom wine tour to Tuscany, Italy, where every corner of the region boasts rolling hills, charming medieval towns, and some of the finest wines in the world.
In the Chianti Classico region, vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. Enjoy a relaxing drive through the picturesque landscapes and visit renowned wineries and villas. Here you will be able to taste the heart of Tuscany in every sip of its Sangiovese wines.
One of the stops of your personalized tour could be Montalcino, a picturesque hill-town, rich in history and known for producing the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino. You will discover the wine-making miracle of Brunello, a wine that achieved greatness against all odds, and its familiar history and traditions.
Montepulciano, on the other hand, is all about Vino Nobile. A custom wine tour here could lead you on the steps of this “noble wine”. Will you discover the origin of its name? As the first wine to receive the highest certification in the history of the country, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano will certainly not disappoint.
Custom Wine Tours in Champagne
Visiting Champagne means retracing the steps of the most famous bubbles in the world. Champagne is one of the oldest drinks in history and this region witnessed its growth through the centuries. Did you know Champagne was drunk in the 9th century already, to celebrate the coronation ceremony of French kings in Reims Cathedral?
Reims itself is the largest city in the region and could prove a compelling stops for any visitor wishing to experience the medieval ambiance and charming alleys of this bustling town.
Épernay, however, is the main character of any Champagne wine tour, and for good reason. This town is rightly known as the Capital of Champagne. That's because in Épernay the legendary pioneer of Champagne, Nicolas Ruinart, settled in 1729, growing the production of the iconic sparkling wine into the grandeur it reached in the following years.
Remember to visit the Avenue de Champagne, a Hollywood Boulevard of prestigious Champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon, Mercier, Pol Roger or Perrier-Jouët.
Finally, a drive in the countryside of the Marne Valley to the quaint village of Hautvillers will bring you to visit the remains of the monk Dom Pérignon (rings a bell?), affectionately known as the "father of Champagne". You will be able to pay your respects to the man who started it all and connect with the origins of one of the most iconic drinks in the world.
Custom Wine Tours in La Rioja
This geographically small (second smallest in Spain) but very rich wine region is divided into three zones, Baja, Alta and Alavesa. The northernmost part of the wine region extends into the Basque Country and the province of Navarra.
A custom tour in La Rioja will lead you to discover the cultural and enogastronomical relevance of this special region. Rioja is the oldest and most important wine appellation in the peninsula and a DOCa Rioja recognized wine has to undergo some of the strictest regolations in the world.
Logroño is the acting capital of La Rioja, its baroque churches and Cathedral embody the architectural style of the 16th century. Wander in the market square and among the alleys, discovering the small shops and boutiques dotting each of the colourful buildings. Don't forget to stop for tapas at one of the many wonderful wine bars.
The city of Haro is a must to visit on any wine tours in La Rioja. Located in the nort-west corner of the region, it hosts the annual event of the Haro Wine Festival, a remarkable celebration occurring on June 29th. Witness here the battle of wine, where participants soak each other in wine until all is depleted. Wine is thrown from every possible container, bottles, glasses, even boots!
Do not miss Laguardia, capital of Rioja Alavesa. You will be able to sit in the shade of its high walls which in turn hide the gorgeous montain range of Sierra de Cantabria.
A customized tour to La Rioja will take you along the steps of the most iconic among Spanish wine appellations and let you taste their range of premium products.
How does it work?
Planning your own personalized tour is quick and easy! You can contact our team through the specific form. Remember to include all important and relevant informations related to your custom tour of interest. The more thorough and complete you are when submitting your request, the easier it will be for our custom tour experts to craft the right experience for you.
Our team could contact you on the email provided, in order to inquire about additional details necessary for the custom tours. Once we are ready, we will present you a proposal. Our offers are all-inclusive, sit back, relax and dream of your upcoming personalized tour, one of a kind.
Meet the team!
Get to know one of the passionate experts who are dedicated to crafting and curating premium tailor made wine experiences for you.
Tamta Bankanashvili
Tamta is from Georgia, like wine itself. She is a tourism and wine professional. She has completed her M.A. in Planning and Management of Tourism Systems at the University of Bergamo in Italy and recently received her WSET level 3 award in wines with a proud distinction.
