Wine Vacations Around the World

Whether you’re interested in traveling within the U.S. or venturing abroad, these iconic wineries from Moet Hennessy’s stellar wine portfolio including leading wineries in Napa, New Zealand, Argentina and Spain, show the true craftsmanship and dedication of winemaking.

 Domestic Travel 

YarraValley-500x290

Chandon, Napa, California: A Keystone of the Napa Valley

Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Chandon is a California classic and true cornerstone of the region.

Founded in 1973 by Moët & Chandon, Chandon was the first American sparkling wine venture established by a French Champagne house in the U.S. With over 1,200 acres of prime vineyard holdings, Chandon grows the traditional French Champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) in three of California’s finest appellations: Yountville, Carneros and Mount Veeder.

From the charming vineyard gates, with a design inspired by the inside of a barrel, to the sweeping estates, every inch of Domaine Chandon boasts outstanding hospitality and rich history. étoile Restaurant – the only fine dining restaurant within a winery in Napa Valley – is a must-visit, epitomizing the very best that wine country dining has to offer. Innovative cuisine paired with award-winning wines and sophisticated surroundings set the stage for the ultimate wine and food experience.

  • Why visit? Domaine Chandon is the must-visit winery in Napa Valley, with rich history and deep-seeded routes in the region. Its Michelin-starred restaurant, etoile, is alone worth the trip, serving exquisite cuisine that pairs perfectly with Chandon’s wines and sparklings.
  • Tip: Domaine Chandon is home to rotating art exhibitions, which integrate the superb craftsmanship of local artists with the beauty of the winery and surroundings. The vineyard also offers exclusive varieties of Chandon that are not available anywhere else.
  • Best time to visit:Spring & Fall
  • Harvest time:September / October

Newton1

Newton Vineyards, Napa, California: An Oasis Away From It All

One of the most picturesque settings in California, Newton Vineyard’s Spring Mountain Estate, a pioneer in unfiltered winemaking, is famous for its exquisite gardens and spectacular views of Napa Valley.

Comprised of 120 acres plated at elevations ranging from valleys to peaks, the estate is set among the lush native vegetation to preserve the pristine ecosystem of the hillside. Designed to blend seamlessly into the mountain, the breathtaking estate features an elaborate cave system and rooftop parterre garden that double as a natural temperature control system.

Newton Vineyard also contains a secluded private residence with expansive manicured grounds outfitted with unique personal touches, such as an iconic red “Chinese Gate” and English and Zen gardens, which pay homage to the founders’ heritage. At the highest point of the vineyard lives a striking 100 foot tall lone pine, Pino Solo, which serves as the icon on Newton’s label. 

  • Why visit? Amongst the hundreds of vineyards in Napa, Newton Vineyards is tucked off the beaten path, perched atop Spring Mountain overlooking Napa Valley. Known to a select few, a visit to the private, intimate estate is the ideal way to experience a different side of Napa.
  • Tip: Have a casual picnic with a bottle of Newton on the terrace. Make the trek to Pino Solo at sunset for a stunning view.
  • Best time to visit: Spring & Fall
  • Harvest time: September / October

 Cloudy-Bay

International Travel 

Cloudy Bay –  Marlborough, New Zealand : A Picturesque Escape

Cloudy Bay is synonymous with the world’s finest sauvignon blanc and the icon of New Zealand wine, located in the Marlborough region of New Zealand (the northeast of the South Island). The Cloudy Bay winery offers expansive views of the Richmond Ranges to the north—whose main peak, Mount Riley, is featured on the Cloudy Bay label—and the equally dramatic valleys of the Wairau to the south.

While visiting the winery, guests can visit The Cellar Door to taste a large selection of wines, including exclusive offerings, back vintages and new releases, as well experience local, seasonal cuisine with the resident chef. For more information on Cloudy Bay, please visit : www.cloudybay.co.nz

In addition to Cloudy Bay activities, other activities include a helicopter tour with special stops to taste local fare, boat excursions to snorkel for local fish and seafood and specially crafted wine and food experiences.

Accommodations take place at Cloudy Bay’s “Shack” – which reopened in 2012 – and include stunning design and architectural components for a property that transcends both time and fashion – but still be reflective of the earthiness of New Zealand.

  • Why Visit? Cloudy Bay is one of the first wineries in Marlborough and is acknowledged as producing Marlborough’s and New Zealand’s benchmark sauvignon blanc
  • Best time to visit: New Zealand is beautiful no matter what time of the year or season you visit. The warmest months of the year are from September through to April
  • Harvest time: Typically from February to April

 

numanthia_duero-river 

Numanthia, Toro, Spain- Rioja Region: An Unexplored Terrain

Located in rugged, majestic Toro, Spain, Numanthia is the revival of a Spanish legend – a unique vineyard of ancient, ungrafted vines, some of which are over 100 years old.

This combination of a unique terroir, an exceptional vineyard and the quintessential expression of fruit places Numanthia as one of the cult wineries of the Toro region in Spain. Take the road less traveled and sample, Toro wines, known for their intensity and full-fruit flavor, as well as the ability to age well.

Don’t miss Numanthia Termanthia, one of the only nine Spanish wines to have been awarded a perfect 100 points by Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate.

  • Why visit? A trip to Numanthia is for the truly adventurous. This patchwork of century-old vines in extreme climate has rich history and craggy terrain begging to be explored.
  • Tip: A favorite moment is the harvest, when Winemaker Manuel Louzada and his team translate all the work done at the vineyard into the wines to reach their peak at harvest time, a balance of ripeness and flavor.
  • Best time to visit: Summer, early Fall
  • Harvest time: Fall

 

chaval-des-andes

Terrazas de los Andes & Cheval des Andes, Mendoza, Argentina

Terrazas de los Andes, the premium Argentinean winery and pioneer of high elevation vineyards in the area since the 1950’s, offers a range of wines, with the Reserva Malbec as its best-seller.

The winery offers accommodations to visitors within their six room guest house. The setting is a gaucho-chic style mixing local and contemporary design. The Terrazas guest house offers an extraordinary Argentine rough-luxe atmosphere where the spirit of the land and the brand’s passion for winemaking results in a unique, warm and elegant destination.

While visiting Terrazas, guests can participate in activities such as enjoying an Asado, a typical Argentine barbeque featuring handmade empanadas and their famous grass-fed beef slow-cooked over a wood fire, wine and barrel tastings, and horse riding through the vineyards. For more information on Terrazas de los Andes and the Guest House, please visit: www.terrazasdelosandes.com

Cheval des Andes is a super-premium wine from Argentina known as the “grand cru” of the Andes representing a groundbreaking blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and small quantities of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  The brand is a joint venture between the legendary Bordeaux estate, Cheval Blanc, and Terrazas de los Andes resulting in French finesse with Argentina’s fruit intensity. For more information on Cheval des Andes, please visit: www.chevaldesandes.com

  • Why visit? Mendoza = wine. The best thing to do in Mendoza Province is tour the many excellent wineries. The region is most famous for its Malbec, but other wines produced in Mendoza Province include the Torrontes (the white grape of Argentina) and Cabernet Sauvignon, which is “rising star” red grape of Argentina– behind Malbec – because of the ideal conditions that yield grapes with lush, fruity character and perfect ripeness of tannins
  • Tip: To get the full Argentine experience, plan to spend a few nights in Buenos Aires and a few nights in Mendoza, which is just a plane ride away and can often be an airline connection point.
  • Best time to visit: Located in Central Argentina, Mendoza offers a continental climate which can be visited year round.
  • Harvest time: Typically from February to April