Avoiding the beaten track can lead to a cheaper and potentially more enriching experience for travellers who appreciate a good glass or bottlePorto, Portugal, has a long and fascinating history. Sun Jun 07 2026 - 05:39 • 5 MIN READWine tourism is become an increasingly popular part of a holiday, and most wine estates now see it as an important part of their business. It can be as simple as dropping in to a small local producer close to where you are staying, tasting and buying some wine.However, many wineries offer more, and this can include a day-long visit incorporating food and outdoor activities as well as wine. I list seven of my favourite wine destinations below. I have avoided better-known names such as Bordeaux, Champagne and Franshoek in South Africa and concentrated on regions that are mostly a little off the beaten track.In many cases, these will be less expensive. It is always worth making an appointment beforehand either through the producer website or by email. Jerez de la FronteraSpainThe Catedral de Jerez de la Frontera. Photograph: iStock Even if you aren’t a sherry fan, I would recommend a visit to the city of Jerez and nearby Sanlucar. If you do happen to like sherry, you will be in seventh heaven. Jerez has a fantastic food culture and many great tapas bars, known as tabancos here.The streets are lined with orange and jacaranda trees, offering a spectacular sight when in flower. What to doEat a seafood lunch with a glass of manzanilla in one of the excellent bar/restaurants overlooking the beach in Sanlucar de BarramedaVisit the alcazar and cathedralVisit and taste sherry at the Bodegas Tío Pepe or Gonzalez ByassTake a stroll around the old town, have lunch on the square, visit the amazing fish marketWatch a performance at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian ArtTake in some flamenco. Jerez is the spiritual home of flamenco and demonstrations often take place in barsPorto and the Douro ValleyPortugalThe Duoro Valley in Portugal Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, its sister city over the river, have a long and fascinating history. The buzzing old town is filled with bars, cafes and restaurants.In recent years, many of the Port houses have developed visitor centres and offer tours of the venerable old cellars followed by tastings. If you do visit Porto, make sure to keep a free day to visit the wonderful Douro Valley, now a Unesco World Heritage site. What to do Visit WOW, the World of Wine, including the Wine Experience, the Chocolate Experience and much moreVisit Taylor’s Port LodgeStroll around the old town of Porto – have lunch in Prova wine barVisit Lello bookshop, the Majestic Café, the Stock Exchange PalaceJourney by boat, train or car to the Douro Valley, one of the most spectacular vineyards in the worldTake a trip on the Téleferico cable carAlbaItalyAlba in northern Italy. Photograph: iStock An attractive prosperous city in Piedmont in northwest Italy, Alba is a best-known to foodies for the famous white truffle. It is also home to some of Italy’s greatest wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco, and chocolate company Ferrero. You can smell the chocolate throughout the town but sadly the factory is not open to visitors.Vineyards at La Morra, near Alba in Piedmont. Photograph: iStock What to doVisit the annual white truffle fair held from October 10th until December 6th Enjoy a glass of wine or plate of food in the bustling Vincafé on Via Vittorio EmanueleEat great local traditional food in Osteria dell Arco, Piazza Michele FerreroStroll through the lively city centre packed with interesting shops and medieval churches Visit one of many hilltop villages with great views out over the vineyardsVisit a winery, most offer paid tastings. Fontanafredda on the outskirts has a hotel, restaurants, and tasting room. You can even hire a VespaTain-l’Hermitage, ArdècheFranceA grand cru vineyard in Tain l'Hermitage. Photograph: iStock The town of Tain-l’Hermitage may seem unremarkable but it is home to Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage, two of the great wines of France, and is well worth a visit for that reason alone.The Chapel of Saint Christopher in Tain l'Hermitage. Photograph: iStock What to doVisit Maison Chapoutier for tastings and shoppingTake a trip up the magnificent hill of Hermitage, on foot, electric bike or trainVisit the museum, visitor centre and shop at La Cité du Chocolat, home to Valrhona chocolateDrop into Le Bateau Ivre wine bar and order from its extensive well-priced wine listEnjoy smart bistro food on the terrace overlooking the river Rhône in Le Quai restaurantHaro, RiojaSpainHaro and its vineyards. Photograph: iStock Haro is one of the most historic towns in Rioja. Just an hour’s drive south from Bilbao (and the ferry from Cork) as well as the airport, the city was one of the first to be connected to the railway. As a result, many of the oldest wineries are clustered near the old railway station, in the Barrio de la EstaciónWhat to doVisit the historic winery of La Rioja Alta in the old townTour the Bodegas Muga vineyards by electric bike, segway or hot air ballon. Picnic in the vineyardsEnjoy the buzzy La Herradura (The Horse Shoe) two parallel streets in the old town for tapas or a meal. Los Caños, Beethoven Chamonix, Terete, Nublo and Alboroque all serve their own special tapas, ranging in style from casual to Michelin starTake a trip to the Vivanco Museum of Wine in nearby BrionesArchitecture fans should take the short trip to Bodegas Marqués de Riscal (Frank Gehry) in Elciego and Ysios (Santiago Calatrava) in LaGuardiaMosel riverGermanyBeilstein and nearby vineyards in the Mosel valley. Photograph: iStock The Mosel river passes through Luxembourg, France and Germany. Most of it is in France, but the German part is better-known, largely because of its beautiful vineyards, picturesque villages and imposing hilltop castles. Other wines are produced, but Riesling is king along the Mosel. Some of the world’s greatest wines are made here and they’re usually light in alcohol. The Mosel river. Photograph: iStock What to doEat good local food at the Zeltinger Hof, in Zeltingen and enjoy wine from a very impressive keenly priced wine listTake a trip down the river in one of the many boats or, if you are feeling energetic, hire a bikeTake one of the many hiking trails up into the mountainsVisit picturesque Bernkastel-Kues, climb up the steep slopes to Landshut Castle and look out over the amazing vineyards clinging to impossibly steep slopesCamp by the river in one of the many campsitesChristchurchNew ZealandCuba Street in Christ Church, New Zealand. Photograph: iStock Christchurch is the main city on the South Island of New Zealand. Devastated by an earthquake in 2011, the city has been largely restored or rebuilt. A short drive north will bring you to Waipara Valley, home to some New Zealand’s finest wineries. Greystone organic winery in the Omihi Hills of the Waipara Valley, New Zealand. What to doEat at Gatherings (serious food, unfussy surroundings) or Inati, graze at The Riverside marketTake the slow tram through the streets of the old cityStroll around the Botanic GardensRide the Christ Church Gondola if you have a head for heightsVisit the neogothic Arts CentreWatch whales, eat crayfish, enjoy the dramatic scenery at Kaikōura, an hour north of WaiparaTake a trip to Waipara. Pegasus Bay (beautiful gardens), Greystone and Black Estate all produce excellent food and wineIN THIS SECTION