Where Wine is the Destination: Hotels That Offer More Than Just a Good Bottle
Courtesy of SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites
As you pull into the grounds of the SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites in Mendoza, Argentina, you don’t pass rows upon rows of vineyards, or a large production facility ripe with vinous aromas. And yet wine has somehow infused every aspect of this luxury property with intention and impact. No detail has gone overlooked when it comes to capturing the imagination and captivating the senses of the wine lover at this intimate hotel – the brainchild of Argentine wine icon Susana Balbo and her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo and first in the family of luxury hotels they have planned.
![<p>Courtesy of SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites</p><p>This first hotel concept was inspired during COVID to create something private and personalized for guests after the pandemic. Recognizing a growing trend toward slow travel, the hotel aimed to provide a tranquil, intimate setting that encouraged guests to stay <em>in </em>during their stay. And, no matter how tempting exploring the various regions within Argentina’s rich wine landscape might be, it’s easy to stay in when “in” is this peaceful property. Ana and her family have also made every effort to bring wine to the guests so that they really don’t need to venture far to experience all that Mendoza has to offer for oenophiles, like food and wine, art – including pieces from Susana Balbo's private collection, and even wine-based spa products, all of which not only offer relaxation but also tell the storied legacy of winemaking within her family.</p><p>“<em>We wanted to set [ourselves] apart from other wine hotels. So we thought of this concept of the winemaker’s house</em>,” says Lovaglio Balbo. “<em>Our signature product here when people come and stay is called ‘Be My Guest.’ I used to live in this house – not as it is today but the garden and the main house. So, we want people to feel that this is an extended house and to feel like our personal guest somehow</em>.”</p><p>SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites is so named for the fully integrated spa facilities in each of the seven suites. Deep soaking tubs, saunas, and steam showers, private terraces, and plenty of space for in-room spa treatments centered around wine-based touches like grapeseed exfoliants and hydration wraps with red wine and raisin cream are just some of the details that truly tempt guests never to leave their room.</p><p>Dining at the hotel’s Michelin-recommended restaurant <a href="https://www.susanabalbohotels.com/sb-winemakers-house-spa-suites-en/la-vida-in-house-restaurant-en/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:La VidA;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">La VidA</a> is already a treat, but the Chef’s table experience is not to be missed. Here diners can sit back and enjoy a dizzying fourteen course extravaganza, dreamed up by the incredibly talented Chef Flavia Amad, artistically presented and cleverly paired with Susana Balbo’s wines. Of course, in true wine hotel fashion, guests can also indulge in wine blending experiences, interactive pairing exercises, and guided tastings on site.</p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JQqvS53tP.Mm8_66kiQJIA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/men_s_journal_718/fa47b7474d9f47e72984213d7d711a1e)
Courtesy of SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites
This first hotel concept was inspired during COVID to create something private and personalized for guests after the pandemic. Recognizing a growing trend toward slow travel, the hotel aimed to provide a tranquil, intimate setting that encouraged guests to stay in during their stay. And, no matter how tempting exploring the various regions within Argentina’s rich wine landscape might be, it’s easy to stay in when “in” is this peaceful property. Ana and her family have also made every effort to bring wine to the guests so that they really don’t need to venture far to experience all that Mendoza has to offer for oenophiles, like food and wine, art – including pieces from Susana Balbo's private collection, and even wine-based spa products, all of which not only offer relaxation but also tell the storied legacy of winemaking within her family.
“We wanted to set [ourselves] apart from other wine hotels. So we thought of this concept of the winemaker’s house,” says Lovaglio Balbo. “Our signature product here when people come and stay is called ‘Be My Guest.’ I used to live in this house – not as it is today but the garden and the main house. So, we want people to feel that this is an extended house and to feel like our personal guest somehow.”
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites is so named for the fully integrated spa facilities in each of the seven suites. Deep soaking tubs, saunas, and steam showers, private terraces, and plenty of space for in-room spa treatments centered around wine-based touches like grapeseed exfoliants and hydration wraps with red wine and raisin cream are just some of the details that truly tempt guests never to leave their room.
Dining at the hotel’s Michelin-recommended restaurant La VidA is already a treat, but the Chef’s table experience is not to be missed. Here diners can sit back and enjoy a dizzying fourteen course extravaganza, dreamed up by the incredibly talented Chef Flavia Amad, artistically presented and cleverly paired with Susana Balbo’s wines. Of course, in true wine hotel fashion, guests can also indulge in wine blending experiences, interactive pairing exercises, and guided tastings on site.
Lodging like this has cropped up in wine regions throughout the world, where wine has graduated from being merely a player on an extensive wine list to becoming the centerpiece of an exciting hospitality trend. Like the SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, these hotels aren’t just offering wine, but weaving an entire world of wine into every aspect of the experience, promising an exploration that is as educational as it is sensory. As we traverse the globe in this roundup, we uncover some of the world's top hotels where wine is not just a drink, but a destination in itself, offering guests a passage into the heart of the region's heritage, culture, and viticultural way of life. Much like a wine that leaves an indelible mark on our memories, these are not just places to stay; they are experiences to be savored.
Courtesy of Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese
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Set in a meticulously restored 19th-century Roman palazzo, Sofitel Villa Borghese provides an escape that marries classical architecture with modern luxury and stands as the quintessential hub for wine aficionados looking to immerse themselves in Italy’s rich viniculture. At the top of the list is the hotel’s new partnership with Italy4Golf. This dream links-meets-clinks collaboration offers an exclusive five-night luxury golf and wine vacation that includes instruction and play with a member of the 2023 European Ryder Cup championship team, helicopter transport, wine-tastings, and rounds of golf at some of Italy’s most prestigious courses, like Marco Simone Golf Club and Royal Golf La Bagnaia, among other wine-soaked perks.
Beyond the greens, the hotel amps up the wine journey with a diverse lineup of activities, including Master Sommelier-led blind wine tasting sessions and deep-dive tours into the heritage of local vineyards, like the storied Tenuta Di Fiorano. Sofitel also offers extended stay packages with robust and exclusive pre-planned itineraries for those looking to experience the best from Rome to Abruzzo. With its plush comforts and strategic locale, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese delivers a stylish, wine-focused retreat.
Courtesy of Montage Healdsburg
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Few places boast a more idyllic setting in which to experience the ultimate wine country getaway than the 5-star Montage Healdsburg. Located in the heart of Sonoma, this sanctuary, surrounded by 15.5 acres of estate vineyards and heritage oaks, has wine at the heart of everything it offers. “The vision for Montage Healdsburg has always been to create an authentic wine country experience for our guests, which is why vineyards were woven into the fabric of the property’s design from the very beginning,” says general manager Allen Highfield. “These are working vineyards so guests will see the full lifecycle – from pruning, maintenance, and eventual harvesting of the grapes.”
The hotel has partnered with wine phenom Jesse Katz, founder of California cult-status Aperture Cellars, to create the resort’s own private, estate-bottled wine label produced from fruit grown on the hotel’s vineyards. Named “Surveyor,” the first vintage—a 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2021 Sauvignon Blanc—is available only to Montage Healdsburg’s guests and residents. “The vineyards have long symbolized our dedication to providing visitors with experiences that embody the true spirit of Sonoma's wine culture, and we’re excited to debut this exclusive wine as a significant milestone in that mission,” adds Highfield.
When not sipping these exquisite wines, the resort excels in offering bespoke vineyard tours and tastings with prominent vintners as well as farm-to-table dining at the on-site restaurant Hazel Hill.
Courtesy of Quinta do Vallado
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Few wine experiences compare to a stay at Quinta do Vallado in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Built in the 18th century at one of the oldest wineries in the region, with several extensive additions and renovations over the years, this boutique hotel has been welcoming guests to its 13 rooms and suites that range from historic to modern since 2005. If the setting—which is something out of your wildest AI-generated fantasies of what lodging in a wine region could be like—doesn’t immediately blow your mind, the immersive wine experiences will.
“We aim to blend centuries-old traditions such as foot-pressing grapes in traditional granite tanks, with modern winemaking techniques,” says head of marketing João Alvares Ribeiro, noting that hotel guests can actually participate in these aspects of winemaking as well. “Our wine tourism experiences allow us to share our history and showcase our quality. We offer our guests harvest experiences where they can pick grapes, crush them by foot, blend their own wine, and enjoy the final product.”
Hotel guests preferring not to get so hands-on with their wine can still feel part of the process. The hotel has introduced virtual reality to wine offerings, inviting wine enthusiasts to experience the harvest without setting foot in a vineyard. Wine is also at the heart of dining and relaxation. “Our guest-exclusive restaurants feature seasonal ingredients paired with our wines,” says Ribeiro. “For the more active guests, we offer vineyard trails, jeep tours, bikes, and kayaks. Those looking to relax can enjoy our swimming pools and private spa.”
Courtesy of El Cielo Resort
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Those who have experienced the exciting wine travel scene in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe are likely fighting hard to keep it a best kept secret destination for food and wine lovers. The stunning architecture, exciting culinary movement, tasty wines, and welcoming culture make it impossible not to fall in love with the region. While there are plenty of places to stay in Baja, El Cielo Valle de Guadalupe is not only producing exceptional wines but also creating an immersive environment in which to stay and play among the vines.
Each villa and suite is designed with a nod to elegant comfort, providing guests with serene views of the surrounding vineyards and landscapes. For the wine aficionado, El Cielo offers an array of experiences that delve deep into the art and science of winemaking. Guests can partake in guided tours of the expansive vineyards, state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, and underground wine cellar, or experience winemaking firsthand by blending their own wine with El Cielo’s expert certified sommeliers and winemaking team.
“Our talented team here at El Cielo Valle de Guadalupe produces some of the most recognized wines in the region and we love to bring guests into the fold of the exciting winemaking process with our on-site blending experience,” says El Cielo Winery winemaker Jesús Rivera. “We grow a wide variety of grapes on-site, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Primitivo, Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Pinot Noir. Helping guests become winemakers themselves for the day and select their favorite blend of these varieties based on their palate preferences is always a fun adventure that leads to some delicious wines.”
Courtesy of Majestic Hotel & Spa
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This five-star luxury hotel opened its doors in 1918 and has been an icon of elevated hospitality on Barcelona’s Paseo de Gracia ever since. The Majestic Hotel owns its own winery, Alta Alella, and offers unique opportunities to visit either directly or as part of a cruise originating at Port Bell to the Maresme region, where vines are planted on steep slopes that offer sweeping views of Barcelona and the sea. Guests can taste native grape varieties and learn about the winemaking process for the exclusive Cau d’en Genís Cuvée Majestic, a wine produced specifically for the hotel using environmentally friendly viticulture.
Additionally, the hotel recently introduced a new culinary series, the Majestic Wine Dinners. Every two months, the hotel collaborates with like-minded wineries to craft a menu that complements the aromas, flavors, and textures of hand-selected wines. Departing from conventional dinner settings, each event is a culinary experience rooted in the featured winery's philosophy, vision, and values.
