Food & Wine
Wine tasting holidays in Europe: 8 wine regions and where to stay
The best wine tasting happens where the wine is made, with views over the vineyards and a bed a few steps away. Here is Picolo’s guide to wine tasting holidays in Europe, with eight wine regions and a wine hotel in each.
It is late afternoon and the light over the vineyards has turned warm and golden. The winemaker pours a glass straight from the tank, talks about this year’s weather and points to the hill where the grapes grew. After the tasting you walk a few metres to your room. That is wine tasting at its best: where the wine is made, with plenty of time and no drive home.
We have chosen eight wine regions in Europe that suit a long weekend or a longer wine holiday, and a wine hotel in each. For several of them we have our own, more detailed guides.
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to plan a wine holiday
Pick one region: it is better to get to know one area than drive between many.
Book your visits: most wineries require booking ahead.
Stay on a wine estate: so you do not have to drive after tasting.
Travel in autumn or spring: the harvest is atmospheric, spring is calm.
Bring a cool bag: and check your customs allowances for bringing wine home.
France
Les Sources de Caudalie
A wine hotel near Bordeaux
Bordeaux: Les Sources de Caudalie
Bordeaux is the world’s most famous wine region, with the châteaux of the Médoc and the medieval town of Saint-Émilion. Les Sources de Caudalie lies among the vines by Château Smith Haut Lafitte, with a vinotherapy spa and restaurant. Read more in our Bordeaux wine guide.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Les Sources de Caudalie
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
Views over the Champagne vineyards
Champagne: Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
Champagne has chalk cellars beneath Reims and Épernay and small growers in the villages. Royal Champagne sits on the hillside overlooking the vineyards and the Marne valley. Read more in our Champagne guide.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
Italy
Castello Banfi Il Borgo
A wine estate in Montalcino
Tuscany: Castello Banfi Il Borgo
Tuscany means Chianti Classico between Florence and Siena, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Castello Banfi is a well known Montalcino estate with a small hotel in the old village by the castle. For even more luxury, Castiglion del Bosco in the same area is an alternative.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Castello Banfi Il Borgo
Relais San Maurizio
A monastery among the Piedmont vines
Piedmont: Relais San Maurizio
Piedmont means Barolo, Barbaresco and truffles from Alba. Relais San Maurizio occupies a former monastery overlooking the vineyards. Read more in our Piedmont guide.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Relais San Maurizio
Spain and Portugal
Hotel Marqués de Riscal
Gehry in Elciego
Rioja: Hotel Marqués de Riscal
Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine region, with tempranillo, medieval towns and the tapas street Calle Laurel in Logroño. The Marqués de Riscal hotel, designed by Frank Gehry, stands among the vines in Elciego. Read more in our Rioja guide.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Hotel Marqués de Riscal
Quinta da Pacheca
A wine hotel in the Douro
The Douro: Quinta da Pacheca
The Douro Valley is the home of port, with terraces along the river. At Quinta da Pacheca you can sleep in rooms shaped like giant wine barrels out among the vines. Read more in our Douro Valley guide.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Quinta da Pacheca
Germany and Austria
Moselromantik Hotel Kessler-Meyer
On the Mosel in Cochem
The Mosel: Moselromantik Hotel Kessler-Meyer
The Mosel means Riesling from steep slate slopes and small towns along the river. Kessler-Meyer stands on the riverside promenade in Cochem, below the castle. Read more in our Mosel guide.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at Hotel Kessler-Meyer
LOISIUM Wine & Spa Hotel
A wine hotel in Langenlois
Wachau and Kamptal: LOISIUM Wine & Spa Hotel
Along the Danube in Lower Austria lies the Wachau, known for Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and apricots, with the Kamptal region next door. LOISIUM in Langenlois is a modern wine hotel among the vineyards, with a spa and a wine world in old cellars.
Book your wine trip: See rooms at LOISIUM Wine & Spa Hotel
When is the best time for a wine holiday?
Autumn, with the harvest from September to October, is the most atmospheric time in most wine regions. Spring is calm and green, and wineries have more time for visitors. In summer southern Europe is hot, but evenings on the terraces are long and light.
When should you book your hotel?
Harvest time: the most popular period, so book early.
Wine hotels have few rooms: especially at weekends.
Flexible rates: choose a cancellable room if you are planning far ahead.
Frequently asked questions about wine tasting holidays in Europe
Where is the best wine tasting in Europe?
Bordeaux, Champagne, Tuscany, Piedmont, Rioja and the Douro are among the best known regions. The Mosel and Wachau are great alternatives if you love fresh white wines.
Do you need to book wine tastings in advance?
Yes, most European wineries require booking ahead for tours and tastings. Book before you travel, especially for weekends and during the harvest.
When is the best time for a wine holiday?
Autumn is popular because of the harvest, while spring is quieter. Check that the wineries you want to visit are open when you travel.
How much wine can you bring back to the UK?
Allowances depend on where you are travelling from and change from time to time. Check the current UK government guidance on alcohol allowances before you buy.
What is a wine hotel?
A wine hotel is a hotel on or next to a wine estate, often with its own tastings, restaurant and vineyards around it, so you do not have to drive after tasting.