For Wine Lovers: Here Are The Best Countries To Visit

If your perfect vacation includes swirling a glass of red wine at sunset or sipping crisp white wines overlooking rolling vineyards, planning a wine-focused getaway might be your next great adventure. Around the world, certain wine countries pair outstanding bottles with beautiful scenery, rich culture, and unforgettable culinary experiences in famous wine producing regions.

We have cultivated a list of "must see" countries for wine lovers, and we're relatively sure that you may be surprised by a couple of our suggestions.

France: Classic Elegance in Every Glass

Any list that doesn't include France, well, it just doesn't make any sense.

France is the original bucket-list destination for any wine lover, with each wine region—Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and the Rhône Valley—known worldwide. These popular wine regions produce high quality, world class wine, from full bodied reds in Bordeaux to delicate Pinot Noir and mineral-driven whites in Burgundy.

Top experiences:

• Touring historic châteaux in Bordeaux and tasting top wine and classified growths based on Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blends.

• Sampling Champagne at prestigious houses and small grower-producers.

• Wine and food pairing dinners in Burgundy’s wine villages.

Best for: Travelers who want tradition, prestige labels, and a mix of wine, culture, and iconic cities like Paris.

Italy: Wine, Food, and La Dolce Vita

Italy blends wine with warm hospitality and incredible cuisine, making it perfect for travelers who want more than just tastings. Regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto are classic wine producing regions, pouring everything from bold Brunello and Barolo to sparkling Prosecco and easy-drinking table wines.

Top experiences:

• Staying in an agriturismo in Tuscany, exploring the wine region of Chianti Classico, and sampling full bodied reds.

• Truffle hunting and tasting age-worthy Nebbiolo-based wines like Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont.

• Cruising the canals of Venice, then heading inland to Prosecco country for fresh, bubbly white wines.

Best for: Food-focused travelers, romantic getaways, and those who love charming villages and scenic countryside.

Spain: Bold Flavors and Laid-Back Vibes

Spain’s wine scene combines character, value, and variety, with wine regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat producing high quality reds and whites. In these popular wine regions, you’ll find everything from traditional oak-aged reds to more modern, unique wines crafted by innovative producers.

Top experiences:

• Visiting traditional Rioja bodegas with cavern-like barrel cellars for structured red wine tastings.

• Exploring Ribera del Duero along the Duero River for powerful, full bodied reds.

• Tasting sherry in Jerez while learning about the solera aging system.

Best for: Travelers who want great value, vibrant culture, and a more relaxed wine-touring pace.

Portugal: Underrated Gem for Wine Lovers

Portugal has stepped into the spotlight for wine travelers, offering everything from Port wine and Madeira to elegant still wines from the Douro Valley, Alentejo, and Vinho Verde. The Douro Valley is one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, famous for terraced hillsides and a mix of rich reds and fortified wines.

Top experiences:

• Cruising or driving through the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, discovering both Port wine and dry red wine from local grapes.

• Staying at a wine estate (quinta) and tasting Ports where they’re made.

• Sampling bright, refreshing Vinho Verde near Portugal’s northern coast.

Best for: Travelers who enjoy scenic river valleys, fortified wines, and a less touristy feel than some classic regions.

United States: Diverse Wine Regions Beyond Napa

The United States offers an impressive variety of wine regions, with California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys leading the way for world class wine. But there are also excellent wine trails in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Washington State, and emerging areas like Virginia and Texas Hill Country that produce high quality, unique wines.

Top experiences:

• Visiting iconic Napa wineries for Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blends and high-end tastings.

• Discovering Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Oregon’s cool-climate wine region of Willamette Valley.

• Combining city stays in San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle with wine day trips to nearby vineyards.

Best for: Travelers who want modern tasting rooms, easy logistics, and a mix of city and vineyard experiences.

Argentina: Malbec and Mountain Views

Argentina is a dream for red wine fans, especially those who love Malbec wines. Mendoza, the country’s flagship wine region, sits at the foothills of the Andes, offering dramatic landscapes, sunshine, and a relaxed tasting culture that showcases full bodied reds.

Top experiences:

• Biking between wineries in Mendoza’s valleys, sampling a range of Malbec wines.

• Enjoying wine-paired asado (Argentinian barbecue) with bold local reds.

• Visiting high-altitude vineyards in Salta for concentrated, unique wines with intense flavor.

Best for: Adventure-loving travelers, food and wine pairings, and those who enjoy mountain scenery with their tastings.

Chile: Coastal Breezes and Andean Backdrops

Chile is known for consistent quality, excellent value, and striking geography, with vineyards stretching between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. The Maipo and Colchagua Valley, along with Casablanca, are key wine producing regions that produce high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and fresh coastal whites.

Top experiences:

• Tasting Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère near Santiago in Maipo or the Colchagua Valley.

• Exploring Casablanca Valley for cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

• Pairing wine country visits with time in Santiago and colorful coastal towns like Valparaíso.

Best for: Travelers seeking a mix of nature, city culture, and good value for money.

South Africa: Wine with a Safari Bonus

South Africa’s Cape Winelands offer a stunning wine region that can easily be combined with safari experiences elsewhere in the country. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl are celebrated wine producing regions, known for elegant red blends, Chenin Blanc, and other unique wines that showcase both Old World and New World influences.

Top experiences:

• Wine tram tours through Franschhoek’s scenic vineyards, sampling Chenin Blanc and full bodied reds.

• Pairing wine tastings with Cape Town city exploration and Table Mountain views.

• Combining your trip with a safari in Kruger or private reserves for a wine-and-wildlife getaway.

Best for: Travelers who want an all-in-one trip: wine, wildlife, coastlines, and culture.

New Zealand: Cool-Climate Wines and Wild Landscapes

New Zealand is famous for its vibrant Sauvignon Blanc, but it also produces beautiful Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and more across wine regions like Marlborough, Central Otago, and Hawke’s Bay. These popular wine regions produce high quality wines set against some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world.

Top experiences:

• Tasting Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough with views of rolling vineyards.

• Exploring Central Otago’s Pinot Noir producers near Queenstown.

• Combining winery visits with hiking, boating, or adventure sports.

Best for: Any wine lover who also wants outdoor activities, road trips, and stunning scenery.

How To Choose the Right Wine Country for You

The “best” wine country depends on your travel style and which wine region speaks to your palate. If you love history, full bodied reds, and classic labels, France or Italy may be ideal. If you prefer relaxed, scenic trips with great value and unique wines, Portugal, Spain, Chile, or Argentina could be perfect. For those who want to combine wine with safaris, coastlines, or adventure sports, South Africa, New Zealand, and the U.S. offer tremendous flexibility.

Consider:

• How much travel time you have.

• Whether you prefer self-guided drives or hosted wine tours.

• How important cuisine, scenery, and non-wine activities are to your trip.

Why Book Your Next Trip With Condor Tours & Travel

When you work with Condor Tours & Travel, you get more than a reservation—you gain a trusted partner who knows how to turn dream trips into seamless, stress-free experiences. Our team brings decades of hands-on travel expertise, destination knowledge, and industry relationships to every itinerary we build, so you’re never just clicking “book now” and hoping for the best.

We take the time to understand your travel style, budget, and priorities, then match you with the right destinations, resorts, cruises, and experiences—not whatever happens to be on sale that day. From complex multi-country adventures to safaris, wine trips, and destination weddings, we handle the details you don’t see: schedule logic, connection times, local regulations, and backup plans if something changes.

Booking with Condor also means having an advocate before, during, and after your trip. If flights are delayed, plans shift, or you simply want to tweak an excursion, you’re not stuck navigating call centers on your own—our advisors step in to troubleshoot and adjust. With curated recommendations, vetted partners, and responsive support, Condor Tours & Travel lets you enjoy the fun parts of travel while we quietly handle the logistics in the background.

Plan Your Next Wine Journey With Our Experienced Travel Advisors

A well-planned wine trip is about more than tastings—it’s about finding the right mix of vineyards, local food, culture, and comfortable pacing in the wine producing regions that excite you most. The right itinerary ensures you enjoy the best bottles—from crisp white wines to full bodied reds—without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

At Condor Tours & Travel, our team can help you choose the best wine countries (or combination of wine regions) for your taste, budget, and travel timing. Ready to chase your next favorite vintage around the world? Contact us to start designing a custom wine-focused itinerary that lets you sip, savor, and explore with ease.