5 Resorts For Mini-Wine Excursions
Sip and explore on these easy day trips in Spain, Japan and more
For people who love wine, there’s no better vacation than a week spent walking through vines, soil crunching underfoot as leaves brush against skin and inhaling aromas of fermenting grapes while standing in a cool cellar.
But a fully immersive wine country getaway isn’t for everyone — can a compromise be found between the wine aficionado and those who just want a taste? Several hotels, aware of this push-pull, are taking advantage of their proximity to wine regions and offering experiences that leave everyone satiated.
Rancho La Puerta, Baja California, Mexico
Eighty-five years ago, to avoid the horrors taking place in WWII Europe, Edmond and Deborah Szekely fled to Baja California, Mexico, and established what is now one of the world’s preeminent health and wellness spas, Rancho La Puerta. While activities such as fitness classes, spa treatments and lectures remain mainstays, the resort just added a new offering: a day trip to visit wineries in the nearby region of Valle de Guadalupe.
In the past couple of decades, Valle de Guadalupe has emerged as one of the most dynamic regions for wine. International consultants and the establishment of an oenology school helped this boutique industry flourish. Today, there are roughly 150 wineries, where only a handful existed at the turn of the millennium. Many lean heavily into hospitality, with stylish accommodations and restaurants catering to international oenophiles.
“At Rancho La Puerta, we have always felt that true wellness comes from a deep connection with nature, community and culture,” says Eliezer Quiñones, general manager of Rancho La Puerta and an architect of the program. “By adding a new Valle de Guadalupe wine excursion for guests, we celebrate the rich history of the land, the artistry of its people and the joy of sharing food and wine together in one of the world’s most beautiful settings.”
The drive from Rancho is approximately 90 minutes and includes a visit to two wineries, plus lunch. Nascent industries like the Valle are rife with experimentation. At Vinos Pijoan, owner Pau Pijoan and his daughter, Silvana, work together, and Silvana also produces her own line of low-intervention wines. Taste and compare styles of Chenin Blanc, Zinfandel, Carignan and more, while nibbling on regional charcuterie and cheese. A short drive after brings you to Adobe Guadalupe. Tru Miller, a former Pan Am flight attendant, started the winery in 1997. As one of the earliest wineries in the region, she has deep insights into Valle’s evolution.
Majestic Hotel, Barcelona, Spain
The five-star Majestic Hotel opened in 1918 and continues to be a beacon of luxury along Barcelona’s Paseo de Gracia. Because high-end culinary experiences, from winemaker dinners to the daily breakfast buffet, are a focus for the Majestic, it makes sense that they own a winery as well. To reach the estate, Alta Alella, board a sailing boat from Port Vell and cruise the Mediterranean Sea to the Maresme region, the home of Alta Alella. Vines grow on slopes ranging from 328 to 820 feet in altitude. Ample sunlight, coupled with the cooling ocean breezes, creates ideal conditions for the white Xarel-lo and red Syrah grapes to thrive.
After a walk through the vineyard, partake in a wine tasting, followed by a lunch featuring regional specialties. The half-day excursion provides a short getaway for wine lovers before returning to the energy of Barcelona and its nightlife.
Risonare Yatsugatake, Yamanashi, Japan
Although wine isn’t the first beverage people associate with Japan — sake, whiskey and beer are the more obvious candidates — archeological findings show wine was made as far back as 4000 B.C. Today, a small but flourishing industry makes Japan an up-and-coming place to enjoy wine.
Yamanashi and neighboring Nagano are beloved for their natural beauty and outdoor sporting activities. Home to Mt. Fuji and a mountain range known as the Japanese Alps, they are also the largest wine-producing regions in the country.
Risonare Yatsugatake straddles the two regions, making it an ideal home base for exploration. However, the hotel is far from a typical ryokan (Japanese inn); it was designed by Italian architect Mario Bellini and modeled after an Italian village. Wander down Piment Street, a commercial thoroughfare that cuts through the heart of the property. Take a class at the Yatsugatake Wine House, a hybrid wine shop-wine school, and learn about Japan’s signature Koshu white wine and Muscat Bailey A red wine. In autumn, the estate’s wine festival takes over the street, where you can taste and celebrate a wide array of Yamanashi wines.
The Yeatman Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal
Owned by historic port producer Taylor Fladgate, this Relais & Chateaux hotel pays homage to the region’s history of port production through its decor in both public areas and suites. The hotel is located on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro River, where the port lodges reside, and is an easy bridge crossing into Porto proper.
The hotel is associated with the World of Wine (WOW), a wine museum and experience center. Spend a few hours touring the exhibits, which include not only wine but also chocolate and corks, then grab a drink at the Angel’s Share bar. For a more immersive experience, book a day trip to the Douro Valley, a UNESCO Heritage Site. Here is the epicenter of port wine production, and you’ll see the dramatic sloping vineyards and traditional production facilities firsthand.
Peralada Golf Resort, Peralada, Spain
For golf enthusiasts, the Peralada resort, about an hour and a half outside of Barcelona, is an ideal getaway. But it offers more than just the links; the estate also boasts a 14th-century castle and gardens, which house a large art collection and casino. Add in a spa treatment at the spa, and there’s something for everyone.
The property is owned by Perelada, one of Spain’s largest wineries, and is renowned for its red wines as well as its sparkling cavas. After a morning golfing or exploring the castle, tour the recently renovated winery. It was designed by RCR architects, winners of the 2017 Pritzker prize, and is the first LEED Gold-certified winery in Europe. After enjoying a tasting on the winery patio, marvel at the juxtaposition of modern and medieval in this pocket of Catalonia.
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