The world of wine tourism offers more than just tastings; it presents opportunities to savor exceptional vintages while surrounded by some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. For those who appreciate both fine wines and stunning vistas, these destinations combine the best of both worlds, creating unforgettable sensory experiences that please both palate and eye.
Here is a list of 20 outstanding destinations where spectacular views and exceptional wines come together in perfect harmony.
Douro Valley
Portugal’s ancient wine region offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the wine world. The main road (N222) has been ranked as the number one most scenic drive globally, with countless breathtaking viewpoints accompanying your wine tasting journey.
Terraced vineyards cascade down steep slopes to the winding river below, creating a landscape that’s as delicious to look at as the port wines are to taste.
Napa Valley
California’s premier wine destination combines world-class Cabernet Sauvignon with stunning mountain backdrops. The region captivates visitors with grand estates, acclaimed dining, and luxurious accommodations nestled among picturesque vineyards.
The valley floor framed by the Mayacamas and Vaca ranges creates postcard-perfect views at every turn, especially from hillside wineries offering panoramic vistas.
Santorini
This Greek island’s volcanic soil produces extraordinary Assyrtiko wines with mineral complexity that mirrors the dramatic landscape. Vineyards cling to windswept cliffs above the azure Aegean Sea, with many tasting rooms offering sunset views over the famous caldera.
The contrast between the stark white buildings, black volcanic soil, and blue ocean creates a visual feast to accompany your wine.
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Central Otago
New Zealand’s southernmost wine region produces exceptional Pinot Noir amid jaw-dropping alpine scenery. Gorgeous, massive mountains envelope shimmering lakes and winding rivers, while high altitudes and steep slopes allow for stunning views everywhere you look.
The region’s vineyards are framed by snow-capped peaks, creating one of the most photogenic wine regions on Earth.
Tuscany
Italy’s most iconic wine landscape combines rolling hills, medieval villages, and cypress-lined roads with celebrated Sangiovese-based wines. The gentle undulations of vineyard-covered hills stretching to the horizon have inspired artists for centuries.
Many wineries offer tastings on terraces overlooking this quintessential Italian countryside, creating moments of pure sensory harmony.
Columbia Gorge
Straddling the Oregon-Washington border, this emerging wine region offers spectacular river and cliff views. Visually stunning cliffs on either end of a sprawling river create the backdrop for a wine region that embraces the wild west spirit of winemaking with various innovative producers.
The dramatic gorge landscape provides a rugged counterpoint to elegant Pinot Noir and crisp white wines.
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Franschhoek
South Africa’s historic wine valley combines Cape Dutch architecture with mountain-ringed vineyards. Nestled in a mountain valley with eye-popping views, the region offers amazing food alongside its excellent wines, including the unique Pinotage varietal native to South Africa.
The scenic drive through Franschhoek Pass delivers vistas that complement the valley’s exceptional food and wine scene.
Provence
Southeastern France’s sun-drenched wine region is famous for both its rosé and its landscapes. The unique terroir of Provence, characterized by clay and limestone soils, plus marine influences and loads of sunshine, creates both excellent wines and stunning vistas.
Fields of lavender, ancient olive groves, and vineyard-covered hillsides combine to create scenes of extraordinary natural beauty.
Barossa Valley
Australia’s most famous wine region blends German heritage with striking landscapes. Close to Adelaide on Australia’s southern coast, Barossa Valley showcases scenic, sun-lit vineyards producing diverse wines, particularly excellent Shiraz made with dark berry fruits. The valley’s undulating terrain provides numerous viewpoints overlooking the patchwork of vineyards stretching across the countryside.
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Marlborough
New Zealand’s largest wine region pairs world-class Sauvignon Blanc with coastal mountain scenery. Marlborough is famed for its breathtaking scenery as much as its top-notch wines, with diverse landscapes spanning four different valleys.
Exploring by bicycle offers the perfect pace to appreciate both the wines and the spectacular surroundings.
Wachau Valley
Austria’s premier wine region follows the Danube River through a landscape of terraced vineyards and medieval villages. UNESCO-protected for its cultural heritage, the valley’s steep slopes produce exceptional Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines.
River cruises offer wine tastings with constantly changing views of castles, abbeys, and ancient stone terraces climbing the riverside hills.
Mendoza
Argentina’s primary wine region sets Malbec vineyards against the dramatic backdrop of the Andes Mountains. The high-altitude vineyards benefit from large temperature swings between day and night, producing wines with both full flavor and lively acidity.
Many wineries feature outdoor tasting areas with unobstructed mountain views, especially spectacular at sunset when the peaks glow pink and orange.
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Willamette Valley
Oregon’s premier wine destination combines rolling vineyards with forested mountains. Home to two-thirds of Oregon’s wineries, along with beautiful scenery and unique towns, the valley produces outstanding Pinot Noir in a Mediterranean climate.
The region is divided into distinct areas, each offering its own blend of scenic beauty, from rolling hills to river confluences.
Yarra Valley
Just an hour from Melbourne, this Australian region combines cool-climate wines with panoramic vistas. Despite its nearly 200-year-old legacy as the birthplace of Victorian wine, the region is known for constantly pushing the boundaries of winemaking amid stunningly beautiful landscapes.
Many wineries feature hillside tasting rooms offering long views across the valley floor.
La Rioja
Spain’s most celebrated wine region pairs bold Tempranillo wines with medieval villages and undulating landscapes. Ancient monasteries and ultra-modern wineries coexist in a region where wine culture stretches back centuries.
The contrast between traditional stone villages and golden vineyard-covered hills creates scenes of timeless beauty throughout the seasons.
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Walker Bay
South Africa’s coastal wine region combines maritime influences with mountain backdrops. Beautiful vineyard vistas meet coastal walks in this region, producing fantastic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay just 90 minutes south of Cape Town.
The proximity to the ocean not only influences the wines but also provides spectacular coastal scenery to accompany your tastings.
Bordeaux
France’s legendary wine region pairs grand châteaux with gently rolling vineyards. One of the world’s most famous wine destinations, Bordeaux is home to a number of esteemed vineyards and truly beautiful château estates where visitors can even spend the night in castle-like residences.
The region’s architectural splendor complements its landscape of meticulously tended vineyards.
Margaret River
Western Australia’s premium wine region combines vineyards with pristine coastline. Pristine white beaches and crystal clear waters are just a stone’s throw from a bustling wine scene producing top-notch Cabernet, Riesling and Chardonnay.
The region’s position between forest and sea creates diverse landscapes perfect for both wine tasting and outdoor adventures.
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Waipara Valley
Located in New Zealand’s driest area, this emerging wine region offers distinctive terroir and scenery. With 90 different vineyards, most independently-owned, the region is known for excellent pinot noir, riesling, and chardonnay produced amid remarkable landscapes.
Family-owned operations offer intimate tasting experiences with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Stellenbosch
South Africa’s oldest wine route combines historic Cape Dutch architecture with mountain-framed vineyards. With over 150 wineries, many family-owned, the estates continue to produce internationally recognized wines of excellent quality, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinotage.
The dramatic mountain backdrops and perfect clay soils create both exceptional wines and unforgettable views.
Beyond the Glass
The marriage of exceptional wine and spectacular vistas offers something beyond what either could provide alone. These destinations remind us that wine is not just about taste, but about place—the specific combination of soil, climate, tradition, and landscape that creates something truly unique.
Each sip becomes more meaningful when enjoyed amid the very landscapes that shaped the wine’s character. Whether you prefer the dramatic river valleys of Portugal, the sun-soaked hills of Tuscany, or the mountain-ringed vineyards of New Zealand, these destinations offer perfect harmony between what’s in your glass and what’s before your eyes.
For those who appreciate both wine and views, these places represent the ultimate sensory experience.
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