Holiday Gifting Guide 2023: The Best Wine Resorts
Traveling for wine brings you to the most exceptional locations all over the world, coupling memorable wine experiences with the best food the world has to offer. When you commit to the top wine travel opportunities in the world, you open yourself up to breathtaking views, decadent bites, and memory after memory that will be etched into your camera and mind forever. Sit back and enjoy every second of luxury. Here are my picks for the best Wine Resort stays to give as gifts in 2023:
Courtesy of The Yeatman
The Yeatman is a luxury wine hotel and spa in Porto with spectacular views over the UNESCO World Heritage city and the Douro River. Member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection of hotels and distinguished with two Michelin Stars, The Yeatman Hotel is widely regarded as the best hotel in Porto and is a unique and distinctive landmark in the world of classic luxury hotels.
Set amidst the Port wine lodges, The Yeatman nestles on a hill, overlooking Porto and is set within 7 acres of land, and has outdoor and indoor infinity swimming pools.
All of our spacious rooms and suites have a terrace or balcony with views over Porto.
The Yeatman is a haven for wine lovers and the prime destination for those wishing to explore depth and variety of Portuguese wines.
The cellars of The Yeatman house one of the most comprehensive collections of Portuguese wines. The hotel has established partnerships with many of Portugal's finest producers who actively participate in The Yeatman's programme of tastings, seminars and wine dinners. These partner wineries also sponsor individual rooms and suites. Intriguing pictures and objects provide insights into each winery's unique history and environment and add a discreet individual accent to each guest room.
Complementing The Yeatman's own wine activities, visits can be arranged to leading vineyards and estates in the Douro Valley, Minho, Dão and Bairrada wine regions, all easily accessible by road.
The wine theme extends to The Yeatman Wine Spa with its exclusive skincare products and therapies.
Guests are able to discuss Portuguese wines with the hotel's knowledgeable and friendly experts who are on hand to guide guests in their discovery of Portugal's diverse and individual wine regions, with their unique traditions and wealth of different styles.
Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Enter through Mexico’s only private tunnel and emerge into a world of authenticity & luxury, one designed to anticipate your every need, delight the senses, and foster a deep connection with the natural surroundings. More than a resort, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is an immersive experience that celebrates the heritage of Mexican culture and cuisine, nestled between the cliffside and the brilliant blue Pacific Ocean. Leave your cares behind and create unforgettable memories while relishing the privacy of your own spacious room, suite, villa, accommodation casita or private home, each with a private plunge pool and ocean views to calm and inspire you.
Thoughtfully elevating flavors of Mexico, our iconic destination restaurants offer gourmet experiences and true Waldorf service surrounded by the beauty of the desert and sea. Enjoy legendary culinary experiences helmed by Executive Chef Gustavo Pinet, who sources the freshest ingredients from Baja California to the Yucatan. Indulge in the the seaside El Farallon to Don Manuel’s, find the best restaurants in Cabo San Lucas in one iconic location at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal.
A must try is the Champagne & Salt tasting at the cliffside Champagne Terraces before dining at El Farallon. You'll have the opportunity to taste from The Pedregal Collection, their private label wines produced in collaboration with the best wineries in Mexico and beyond, run by their Wine Director Jhonathon Wick.
Courtesy of Château l'Hospitalet
Since ancient times, L'Hospitalet has been a place of hospitality. A tradition cultivated and embellished to become today a Wine Resort entirely dedicated to the art of living, to the discovery of wines and a terroir.In this 1,000 hectare estate, luxury is also space and nature. Between the rows of vines and the shady park, Château L'Hospitalet and Villa Soleilla offer 41 rooms, including 28 suites, with a wide range of culinary offerings and memorable oenotourism experiences.
Discover Château L'Hospitalet's terroir and mild Mediterranean climate on a personalized and unique tour, and awaken your senses as you visit the estate, the Wine Resort and our cellar, ending with a tasting of 3 of the Château's great wines, with commentary by our wine expert.In July and August, guided tours are scheduled daily, but it is possible to book a private tour of this magnificent 1000-hectare estate.
The Art of Living - A veritable showcase for Mediterranean art de vivre and modernity, the restaurant has been run by Chef Laurent Chabert for 08 years at Château l'Hospitalet. He is now accompanied by Head Sommelier Pierre-Alexis Mengual, to offer a unique experience of vertical cuisine, in a completely redesigned setting, nestled between earth and sky.Here, nature is respected and magnified, an integral part of the decor visible through the bay windows and reflected in the plate, in perfect harmony with the great organic and biodynamic wines of Domaines Gérard Bertrand.
Courtesy of Meadowood
A gathering place, private club, and intimate country hotel for generations, the 250-acre wine-country estate invites guests into the family and community life of Napa Valley.
Rooted deeply in Napa Valley history, culture, and heritage, Meadowood Napa Valley welcomes guests into the fold of their private valley and the flourishing way of life it sustains, close to nature, in tune with the rhythm of the seasons. At once wild and refined, pristine and sophisticated, with elegant amenities that recall the civilized simplicity of earlier times, the estate unfolds from the ridges of its surrounding mountains through wooded canyons and rows of vineyards to the Napa River’s edge.
Meadowood has evolved in parallel with the history of the settlement of California. As San Francisco has transformed from a fledgling port to an international center of culture and innovation, Napa Valley, just an hour’s drive north, has emerged as one of the world’s most prestigious winegrowing regions.
Since the current owner acquired Meadowood in 1979, it has served as a gathering place for Napa Valley residents and common ground for local vintners and winegrowers. Over the years, the lodging has evolved gradually in ways that respect the estate’s original character, agricultural heritage, natural surroundings, layered legacy, and place at the community’s heart.
Courtesy of Clos Apalta
In tune with our wine, our private residence has the same requirement for quality and elegance. Each of the rooms at our establishment, admitted into Relais & Châteaux since 2011, offers a breathtaking view of the Apalta vineyards and surrounding mountains. From the dawn light to the last fires of sunset, it is a haven of peace for guests in search of a sensually rich retreat.
The Clos Apalta Residence houses a gourmet restaurant: the refined and beautiful cuisine of the rich terroir. The tasting room, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, can also be used for conferences and seminars. Hedonists from all over the world meet to share their passion for wine.
As the terroir is a living matter, Clos Apalta has opened up to organics in the gentlest possible way. From then on, helping to preserve the natural and pure feel of the different terroirs became an absolute priority. The vineyard receives the best care possible.
"Our organic vision is to protect not only the purity of the fruit in our wines, but also the purity of our environment and the people who work in our vineyards. Inspired by our experience in biodynamic vineyard management, we allow the terroir and wines to truly work in harmony with each other. The area becomes self-sufficient: soil, plants, people and wildlife interact in a closed and autonomous system." -Charles de Bournet Marnier Lapostolle, President and CEO.
"Staying at our family’s private residence in Clos Apalta is a uniquely personal experience, an authentic immersion in a natural and beautiful amphitheater."
Courtesy of Hôtel de Pavie
Succulent and tasty delights await for you in our house Hôtel de Pavie, in the heart of Saint-Emilion, where you will discover the exceptional wines for which our region is famous. You will stroll on the raised terrace with a panoramic view over the roofs of the medieval village, enjoying an afternoon coffee or during your breakfast, while enjoying the elegant rooms and the gourmet restaurant, La Table de Pavie, with a cuisine signed by Yannick Alléno.
The Hôtel de Pavie is structured around the main building, the Maison du Clocher, followed by the Maison du Village, below. A third house was added to the collection in 2022: the Maison des Suites, a former trading house dating from the 18th century, in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, with 5 Suites.
At La Table de Pavie, located in the heart of Saint-Emilion, whose prestigious vineyard is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, chef Yannick Alléno, who has been awarded 3 stars in the MICHELIN France Guide several times, sublimates local products with technical expertise and passion. Its refined and modern cuisine goes perfectly with the Saint-Emilion and Bordeaux grape varieties.
The bar, central piece with a mixture of wood and stone, is open all day, for breakfast, afternoon tea or simply a drink at the end of the day, enjoying the superb view of the village. Its glass roof opens onto the garden and allows you to enjoy the landscape even on autumn and winter days. The terrace, allows you to enjoy a dazzling view over the rooftops of Saint-Emilion and the vineyard, to enjoy a magical moment.
Courtesy of Auberge du Soleil
Inspired by the south of France. Infused with California soul. Exceptional outdoor dining. Luxurious residential-style accommodations.
Showcasing breathtaking views, Auberge du Soleil is the dream of French restaurateur Claude Rouas. In 1981, with business partner Bob Harmon, Rouas opened Napa Valley’s first fine-dining restaurant, designed to reflect a taste of Provence in California wine country. The immediate success prompted the addition of “The Inn of the Sun” five years later. Nestled within a terraced, sun-kissed hillside amid 33 acres of heritage olive and oak trees, the hotel’s 50 contemporary guestrooms and suites effortlessly blend relaxed sophistication with understated elegance, earning a long-standing reputation as wine country’s most iconic luxury property.
For many, the name Auberge du Soleil is synonymous with wine country cuisine. Founded in 1981 by visionary French restaurateur Claude Rouas as Napa Valley’s first fine-dining establishment, The Restaurant has maintained its legacy as a “must experience” culinary destination for more than 40 years. Executive Chef Robert Curry sources the freshest ingredients from local purveyors, harvested at their peak of flavor, to create delicious dishes that showcase the region's best seasonal ingredients.
Join us on the Terrace of The Restaurant for Chef Curry's new two- or three-course prix fixe lunch menu, or indulge in a three- or four-course prix fixe or six-course tasting menu for dinner. Set the tone for your full sensory experience with a palate pleasing aperitif, a French-inspired cocktail or a glass of bubbles selected from our tableside Champagne Cart, all while savoring the panoramic view. Choose a Napa Valley favorite from our extensive wine list, or allow us to create a custom pairing for each course with the perfect complement of regional and international wines. We look forward to creating a life-long dining memory you'll linger over long after your final sip.
Courtesy of Bardessono Hotel & Spa
A luxury Napa Valley spa resort experience unlike any other.
Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, Bardessono’s approach to offering the best of the good life is balanced with a celebrated appreciation for the local community of artisans, chefs, and wine makers. With a high value on conscious living, Bardessono models hospitality with enduring expressions of land and family that fostered and sustained the original Bardessono family farmstead. “Deep green” with luxury, a subtle aesthetic, privacy, and graciousness leaves guests with a renewed curiosity and a sense of purpose, bringing true meaning to mindfully living luxury.
Sleep deeply as never before and wake in a place that finally feels right. Here is your digital detox. Contemporary in style and energy, your comfort is certain, and your mood is easy. Your place in Bardessono blends clean lines with the complexity and simplicity of nature. For the ultimate immersion into privacy and grounding, our three signature Villas offer an enhanced exclusive experience.
Situated within walking distance of some of the top restaurants in the world, including The French Laundry. Allow Bardessono to make all of your wine and culinary dreams come true.
Courtesy of Marqués de Riscal
At the heart of the Marqués de Riscal City of Wine stands the jewel in the crown of the Marriot International hotel chain: the Hotel Marqués de Riscal, A Luxury Collection Hotel. Designed by Frank O. Gehry, one of the world’s top architects, responsible, among other major works, for the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, the hotel combines the most deeply rooted winemaking tradition with an avant-garde design, luxury and the most advanced technology of the 21st century.
Inaugurated on 10 October 2006, it stands out for its spectacular forms and skyline. This unique building contrasts elegantly with the headquarters of the wineries, a building dating from 1858 and designed by the architect Ricardo Bellsola, situated between the vineyards and the medieval town of Elciego, in the centre of the Rioja Alavesa.
It offers all the luxury standards and services that you would expect from a hotel with The Luxury Collection brand, the Marriot International chain, and with the personal stamp of Frank Gehry: the titanium and steel of the roofing panels and the asymmetry of the wall and floor tiles. The 61 luxury bedrooms, 10 of them suites, split between two buildings linked by a spectacular raised walkway, are all different and unique, both in their forms and for their outlook.
Courtesy of Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa
Inspired by the landscape, culture and natural beauty of its Cape Winelands setting, Delaire Graff Estate is a destination devoted to beauty in its many forms. Created by renowned diamantaire Laurence Graff OBE, experience flawless hospitality, cuisine, wine, art and spa – and embrace the peace and serenity of your breathtaking surroundings.
Experience the pinnacle of Cape Winelands hospitality. Positioned atop the Helshoogte Pass, delight in the unforgettable setting, panoramic views and exceptional facilities. Ranked one of the most prestigious wineries in the world. At Delaire Graff we capitalise on the long, slow ripening season and unique terroir to produce an award-winning portfolio of wines.
Inside and out, the Estate serves as a gallery for an extraordinary art collection. Handpicked by Laurence Graff from his private collection, over 400 pieces of art and sculpture await discovery on the Estate.
“Delaire Graff Estate is a place of exquisite natural beauty. We look forward to welcoming you.” –Laurence Graff, Proprietor
Courtesy of Alila Marea
Perched atop a stunning seaside bluff along one of Southern California’s most dramatic stretches of coastline, Alila Marea embodies the soul of California beach culture, just steps from six miles of sun-drenched sand and the bustling community of Encinitas.
Alila Marea resort’s rooms and suites are inspired by the natural elements of the coastline, and seamlessly blend into the majestic bluffs. Discover the exhilarating, the unknown and the extraordinary.Journeys are once-in-a-lifetime experiences designed to stay with you.
Celebrate the flavors of the region and its ever-changing confluence of cultures with dishes crafted from fresh local ingredients. Dining at VAGA will transport your palate - For a true “vaga”, the journey is never-ending; the spirit and palate, always curious. Drawing ingredients and inspiration from near and far, VAGA explores San Diego’s ever-changing confluence of culture and wanderlust through the cuisine of native Chef Claudette Zepeda. Drink local wines from San Diego and Mexico at sundown, watching one of the most stunning sunset views in the country.
Courtesy of Kopke
Considered to be one of the most representative Estate of the Douro Region.
São Luiz bears, these days, the end result of several acquisitions of other properties situated in the same area: Quinta da Mesquita (1972), Quinta da Lobata (1974), Quinta da Alegria (1982) and Quinta da Galeira (1987). The property has a total of 125 hectares, 94 of which are carefully tendered vineyards, many very old.
It's a Quinta that embodies centuries of Kopke's history and passion and is located in Tabuaço on the left bank of the Douro River between Régua and Pinhão, at the heart of the Douro Region.
Offering river views, Quinta de São Luiz - The Vine House in Tabuaço features accommodations and an infinity pool. With private parking, the property is 12 miles from Douro Museum and 19 miles from Our Lady of Remedies Sanctuary.
Over this visit at Quinta de São Luiz, you will be able to know the history of the Douro Region, the Estate and the vines, along with the winemaking process - from harvesting to the ageing process. At last but not least, you'll have the opportunity to have a tasting experience of our still and Port wines.
