Appreciating wine in a restaurant will never compare to visiting the land where it originated: smelling the air, touching the soil and understanding the philosophy that brought it forth. This is oenotourism: visiting the vineyards to get a behind-the-scenes experience of the mindful farming, careful fermentation and meticulous aging that many summarize as "sense of place" or, as the French call it, "terroir". Among the world’s best wine producers, those of Relais & Châteaux tell the story of their passion for winemaking through tours of their vineyards or wineries, wine tastings, festivals, and workshops led by sommeliers. Explore these Relais & Châteaux properties: each terroir is unique, and each is pampered with respect for the land and the people that hand-cultivate it. You'll return home with inspiring stories from generations-old winemaking families and the expert techniques of swirling, sniffing and sipping wine.
Discover our Instants' article : Earth-Friendly Oenotourism in Far-Flung Destinations
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Restaurant in a vineyard. On the rural peninsula of Mornington, southeast of Melbourne, Pt. Leo Estate is a true horn of plenty. It houses a vineyard, a Black Angus breeding farm, an ecological vegetable garden, beehives, a sculpture park and two restaurants, including the exceptional Laura. Perched on the highest peak of the property, Laura has a 180-degree view linking every guest with the sculptures, the vineyard and the sea. Culinary Director Josep Espuga offers a menu that tells the story of the Peninsula. Guests are taken on a culinary journey that embodies the season and the region. Here, refinement serves to highlight the natural quality of the ingredients, and the cellar is a promise of beautiful discoveries. ... Learn moreless
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Hotel and restaurant in a village. In the heart of the Wagram wine-growing region, the village of Feuersbrunn is the place to enjoy Austrian “art de vivre”, and is also the home of the Mörwald family. Mörwald Gourmet “Toni M.” will delight food lovers with a classical haute cuisine enlivened by the chef ’s modern touch: Toni Mörwald likes to tease the best out of the finest regional ingredients to create a surprise with dishes such as Medallion of Poached Wild Samlet. This fusion style is reflected in the contemporary decor of the restaurant as well as in the beautiful design of MÖRWALD Hotel am Wagram where guests can take some time to broaden their knowledge of wine culture or visit the area. ... Learn moreless
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Restaurant and hotel in the country. On crossing the threshold of Taubenkobel, you will be welcomed by the owners, the Eselböck family, in the unique atmosphere of this cosmopolitan haven in a Burgenland village. This charming 19th century vintner’s house is dedicated to well-being, the appreciation of art and love of the surrounding nature of the Pannonian lowlands. The remarkable cuisine of Chef Alain Weissgerber will enchant your palate. Created in 1984, the former farm hosts not only one of the best culinary addresses but is also a romantic hotel, a grocery store in the middle of a beautiful garden that will seduce you. ... Learn moreless
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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
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Hotel and restaurant in town. The lemon-yellow facade of the Casa da Calçada hints at the sunny stay that awaits at this hotel. Situated in the heart of the town of Amarante, between the bustle of Porto and the sun-dappled countryside of the Douro Valley, both less than an hour away, this building dating back to the 16th century, with its golden baroque interiors, is a favourite with those who love beauty, golf, great wine and gastronomy. Nearby you find a splendid 18-hole golf course. The hotel also produces “Vinho Verde” wines, and on-site activities include a tour of the region’s best wine “quintas” that will ensure that you never forget the differences between Tawny, Ruby, White or Vintage Port. ... Learn moreless
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Hotel and restaurant on a lake. Castello del Sole, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, is one of the largest hotel estates in Ticino. It is an oasis of tranquillity in the heart of an expansive park and a bird reserve. The authentic architecture of a southern manor house, refined details like the seating in the park, the private beach on Lake Maggiore and the delightful inner courtyards all contribute to a sense of well-being. The two suite pavilions with the luxurious junior suites and suites are the stuff of which dreams are made. In the restaurant Locanda Barbarossa, the chef delights guests with his Italian-Mediterranean cuisine. Total relaxation is guaranteed in the exclusive spa of 2 500 m². ... Learn moreless
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Hotel and restaurant in the country. Mendoza boasts one of the world’s most charming wine routes, with beautiful landscapes and a variety of high-quality vineyards. On a 22-hectare estate at the foot of the Andes, Cecilia Diaz Chuit and Martín Rigal have created a splendid Spanish colonial-style hotel devoted to the joys of wine, complete with a wellness center and Moorish-inspired patios. In any season, the Mendoza wine country offers myriad activities and attractions that beckon to explore a region famed for sunny skies and nature’s blessings. Visit the local vineyards or stroll through historic Mendoza before enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace and watching the sun set behind the Andes Mountains. ... Learn moreless
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Hotel and restaurant in the mountains. Olympus for mountaineers and hikers, Mecca for skiers and a paradise for mountain bikers, Zermatt is dominated by the famous Matterhorn. On the infinity terrace and from the balconies of Chalet Hotel Schönegg, this mythical pyramid draws the eye and inspires the spirit to wander. With its timber cladding, old stone and fireplaces, Schönegg creates a modern alpine aesthetic and promises quiet moments of repose after a day outdoors in the powder snow or alpine pastures. With your gaze still upon the mountain, any final feelings of tension will fade away as you taste the wines of the Valais, nearly 80 vintages which, like the surrounding peaks, offer a myriad of faces to admire. ... Learn moreless
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Hotel and restaurant in the mountains. The Château du Sureau is the ideal place from which to explore the waterfalls and granite domes of Yosemite National Park, one of America’s most spectacular natural sites. This majestic hotel is reminiscent of the finest European châteaux. Its elegant interior, with guest rooms named after herbs and flowers, is resplendent with antiques, tapestries and artworks. The restaurant showcases the freshest Californian produce in sophisticated dishes packed with flavor and accompanied by the region’s best wines. If you are lucky enough to visit on July, you will be treated to the Elderberry Harvest Dinner, a fabulous five-course feast in honor of the château’s namesake. ... Learn moreless
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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
