Wine Tourism Destinations for Oenophiles

Hotel and restaurant on the seafront. Situated in the heart of one of the most exclusive suburbs, Bantry Bay, just ten minutes away from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and in walking distance to the Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, this elegant Edwardian mansion overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you choose the opulent atmosphere of Ellerman House or the modern style of its villas, you too will fall under the spell of this address that combines all the pleasures of Cape Town. Enjoy the gourmet cuisine, tasting fine vintage wines and surveying the impressive private art collection, plus a view of the Atlantic Ocean that is quite simply spectacular. The site located to the below right of Ellerman House has a new home being developed on it and building works are being heard on the property. For more information click here. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in a village. Wine enthusiasts will instantly recognise the name Saint-Émilion as one of the principal appellations of Bordeaux. Savour some great wines at the Hôtel de Pavie, where hosts Chantal and Gérard Perse warmly welcome guests to their elegant but relaxed retreat with stunning views of the vineyards as well as the medieval village, a Unesco World Heritage site. The interiors are an excellent blend of sophistication and comfort. At the restaurant be spoiled by the cuisine of the chef, who draws inspiration from the fresh food markets and the treasures of local farmers. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. In the Var hinterland, between Lorgues and Flayosc, discover a path crossed by vineyards, forest and olive groves. Follow it and you will find Château de Berne, naturally protected by 1000 hectares of private greenery. The estate houses not only a prestigious hotel, but also the freshness of a swimming pool set amid a garden, the charm of a moment inside and the beginning of delicious hours spent at the vast Cinq Mondes spa. The Michelin-starred restaurant Le Jardin de Berne invites you into a world of subtle flavours, while Le Bistrot de Berne will delight with its traditional, award-winning cuisine. As for exploring the area, a number of hiking and mountain biking trails are nearby. In the heart of this authentic and elegant corner of Provence, enjoy life as it moves to the rhythm of the seasons. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. Staying in this 13th century château overlooking the Lot valley is a truly unique experience, an authentic immersion in the history of France during the Middle Ages. Built on a rocky promontory, this was the summer residence of the Counts and Bishops of Cahors for seven centuries. Today, the chef draws his inspiration from local producers, and has won an international reputation for working wonders with black Lalbenque truffles and Quercy lamb. The wine list includes the great Malbec wines and vintages produced in the château’s very own wine cellars, because before being the owner, Mr. Vigouroux was the wine grower. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. It is in Bommes, in southwestern France, where the Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey upholds an art de vivre of unparalleled refinement. In harmony with the Gironde, a region enriched with a terroir of infinite treasures, this exceptional hotel reveals itself through an unprecedented symbiosis of worlds: Sauternes wine, crystal, gastronomy and hospitality. Located less than an hour from Bordeaux, the hotel boasts ten luxurious rooms and three suites of rare elegance that offer spectacular views over the estate’s vineyards. Enthusiasts and wine lovers alike flock here to celebrate the wonders of oenology with family and friends, pampered by the house’s wine specialists. These same connoisseurs welcome you to the gastronomic restaurant, where the decorative splendour and brilliance of the setting and service are matched only by the bewitching cuisine of renowned chef Jérôme Schilling. Hallmarks of the Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a stay here is one of peacefulness, intimacy, epicureanism and a sense of sharing. ... Learn moreless

Restaurant and hotel in the country. As a result of the merger of La Cabro d’Or and L’Oustau de Baumanière, Baumanière has become the epitome of Mediterranean art of living in a magical place. Appreciated by personalities from the political and the media world, this domain was founded by Raymond Thuillier, the "historical monument" of French gastronomy according to Gault et Millau. In 1969, Jean-André Charial took over from his grandfather as the head Chef, a position he held with maestria until today. This respected Chef is now no longer in the kitchens but managing the domaine. Baumanière remains a unique place, nestled in the Baux-de-Provence rocky outcrops. It encompasses five buildings surrounded by Mediterranean gardens: the L’Oustau, the historical main house, La Guigou, a Provençal farmhouse, the 18th-century manor, and finally Carita and Flora, two country abodes. There are also two gourmet restaurants, the Oustau de Baumanière—an institution where you can appreciate the refined, subtle, and creative cuisine of the chef—and La Cabro d'Or, a Provencal restaurant. The estate also has a spa, three outdoor pools, and a tennis court. ... Learn moreless

Restaurant and hotel in a village. In Vonnas, Georges Blanc, emblematic Chef and visionary businessman, has developed a veritable Gourmet Village on the river bank, around a reconstruction of the inn of his great grandparents. Together with his family, Blanc constantly reinvents Bresse specialties through creations such as the “crêpe vonnassienne” with salmon and caviar or the legendary Bresse chicken with foie gras. Visits are available upon request to one of the five most exceptional cellars in the world, with more than 135,000 bottles. In just under five hectares of grounds, discover a heavenly spa, an aquatic space next to a pond and a large, landscaped park that is illuminated at night. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in the country. Protected by the village’s medieval church and in the shade of old plane trees, stands this beautiful 18th century charterhouse. The stone arcades of its sand colored frontage invite you to discover an elegant succession of living and dining rooms. An afternoon by the fireplace in the library, a summer night dining under the lime-tree, tasting Armagnac from its vineyards, nestled in its soft sofas: all this generous joy, real hymn to the delicious products of Gascony, matches the harmony of its luminous simplicity. In the gardens, benefit from the expert treatments provided at the Thermal Spa. ... Learn moreless

Hotel and restaurant in a village. The Saint-James occupies buildings designed in 1989 by the famous architect Jean Nouvel. They nestle in the delightful little village of Bouliac, in a garden fragrant with lemon trees and antique roses. Inspired by the old tobacco drying lofts, four pavilions, linked by a gallery, create a modern pure space. Far away, you can see the Landes of Gascogne forest, the biggest collection of maritime pines in Europe. The gourmet cuisine is one of the major attractions of the Saint James: the chef serves cuisine which is full of flavour and based on local market ingredients, rounded off by the selection of wines from an outstanding cellar and panoramic views of Bordeaux. ... Learn moreless

Restaurant and hotel in the country. A small country palace, on the borders of the Landes and Béarn regions, a romantic haven, a feast for the senses, for pampering your body and letting your mind wander. This family home is an invitation to happiness. Fairytale gardens, aristocratic abode and symphonic cuisine. In this small village, once placed under the patronage of Empress Eugénie, herb gardens, majestic trees and ancient roses line the pathway to a stunning spa, La Ferme Thermale®. In the kitchen, Michel Guérard, who "cooks the way a bird sings", creates celestial marvels. Everywhere else, Christine casts her poetic touch. ... Learn moreless