Guide to Our Favourite Wine Tours and Festivals

Every time we visit a country, we want to capture new experiences and savour them for all time. We have expectations of what our latest trip will bring to us, but different types of holidays suit different people. A wine tour is right up our street! There is something unique about taking in the atmosphere of a vineyard estate, whilst sipping a glass of vino. Situated in the most peaceful surroundings, you are likely to encounter some beautiful scenery, and, most importantly, try a variety of exquisite wines. There may also be an opportunity to enjoy some great food, all in the company of like-minded fellow travellers!

Here are some ideas of the kind of Wine Tour available.

Cape Town Winelands

If you are travelling to Cape Town, a tour of its vineyards is a must! The Full-Day South African Wine Tour we have chosen includes a tour to four different wineries, with expert-led wine tastings. You will travel from your accommodation on a full day trip and be surrounded by lush mountains and rolling vineyards. Included in your trip will be a tasting of red and white wines, port, brandy and sparkling wines. An a la carte lunch will be provided at a local restaurant. It is an 8-hour trip that departs daily.

Cost: £56.36pp

Niagara Wine Tasting Tour

The Deluxe Niagara Airbus Wine Tasting Tour is a guided door-to-door service that picks up from Niagara or Toronto hotels. Your tour will take you to some of the area’s finest wineries and take in the stunning scenery of the Niagara countryside. You will visit 4 Estates that include organic production; vineyard tours and, of course, tastings! There is a stop around lunchtime at the charming town of Niagara on the Lake.

Cost: $85pp

Walking and Wine Tasting in Italy

A week long holiday in the Tuscan Hills, walking and drinking wine, what more could we want from a trip! As part of a small group you will visit famous Italian cities such as Siena and Florence, along with trips to stunning fortified hilltop villages that make up this exquisite region of Tuscany. The walking tours give you a real taste of this beautiful area as you pass through vineyards, woodlands and olive groves. Included in the Tuscany Tours, Walking and Wine Tasting in Italy trip are flights from the UK to Pisa; local guide; a stay in a converted farmhouse with a pool; day trips and wine-tasting.

Cost: from £999pp

Wine Festivals in Europe

There are many wine festivals around Europe celebrating what will hopefully be a plentiful harvest. The vines have been nurtured and cared for throughout the growing season and it is now time for picking! As a visitor, you can be part of this process and help pick the grapes, taking part in the fun and games that are all part of the wine harvest. Of course, it is obligatory that copious amounts of wine are consumed along with any hard work that might be required! These festivals take part all over Europe: Douro Valley in Portugal; Jerez in Spain; Montpellier in France; Frankfurt, Germany; Budapest; St-Emilion in France, to name but a few. Find out more at All Wines of Europe.

This is just a small taste of vineyard experiences available. Whether you choose to take a day trip or possibly longer, there will be something out there that appeals to you personally, with a budget to suit. Whichever country you’re visiting, there is likely to be a wine tour nearby!