From California to Kent, wine tourism has become big business. I've been sampling a few of the most visitable wineries. Plus: what I've been drinking this week
Belated birthday wishes. I would mention that what Sideways did was open people's eyes to the Santa Barbara region. Napa, Sonoma and all that have had a strong enotourism flow for some time before the film. I was working for what is now Inglenook back in 1998 (lord that's a long time ago...) and the visitor presence was so massive and shitshow-y back then than in 2003 they'd already shifted to an only by appointment model.
Happy Birthday! Wine Society Champagne is such a dependable fizz! In terms of wineries, I would also mention Rioja Alta in Haro for a tour - great history and lovely wines (including a 904)
Glad you had a good birthday, the biggest 60 perk for me is the Oyster card and free travel across London! I'm not a seasoned wine tourist but I do enjoy visiting - a couple of my observations.
The Tio Pepe tour is truly outstanding and Jerez is an interesting place. Great tasting too of 4 key sherry types.
I went to the Douro last year and found the tours at the port houses slightly superficial, essentially a quick look round before getting to the tasting. In Pinhao I went to Symingtons, which of course owns half the brands I recall from my pre-gout love of port, and although there was no tour available at the time we arrived you could wander round taking pictures and enjoy a pleasant (but paid by the glass) tasting, which I enjoyed.
Bordeaux does have La Cite du Vin which is interesting but the quite pricey ticket only includes one glass.
Chapeldown is a very good tour and a rather generous tasting, definitely a train and taxi not a driving tour!
I’d mention a couple of places in Bordeaux which take this approach, chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey in Sauternes and Chateau Troplong Mondot in St Emilion. They both have gorgeous rooms and great restaurants. The latter with one and the former with two stars. And the wine is not bad either….
Belated birthday wishes. I would mention that what Sideways did was open people's eyes to the Santa Barbara region. Napa, Sonoma and all that have had a strong enotourism flow for some time before the film. I was working for what is now Inglenook back in 1998 (lord that's a long time ago...) and the visitor presence was so massive and shitshow-y back then than in 2003 they'd already shifted to an only by appointment model.
Thanks!
Loved my visit to Kent and Sussex last year. It was Camel Valley in Cornwall that caught our fancy.
Happy Birthday! Wine Society Champagne is such a dependable fizz! In terms of wineries, I would also mention Rioja Alta in Haro for a tour - great history and lovely wines (including a 904)
60! You don't look a day over 57.
You say the nicest things, Henry
In Jerez, I also recommend Lustau and Diéz-Mérito for bodegas visits.
Well Happy 60th to you Andy! Sounds like you celebrated in style.
Thanks Alison!
Glad you had a good birthday, the biggest 60 perk for me is the Oyster card and free travel across London! I'm not a seasoned wine tourist but I do enjoy visiting - a couple of my observations.
The Tio Pepe tour is truly outstanding and Jerez is an interesting place. Great tasting too of 4 key sherry types.
I went to the Douro last year and found the tours at the port houses slightly superficial, essentially a quick look round before getting to the tasting. In Pinhao I went to Symingtons, which of course owns half the brands I recall from my pre-gout love of port, and although there was no tour available at the time we arrived you could wander round taking pictures and enjoy a pleasant (but paid by the glass) tasting, which I enjoyed.
Bordeaux does have La Cite du Vin which is interesting but the quite pricey ticket only includes one glass.
Chapeldown is a very good tour and a rather generous tasting, definitely a train and taxi not a driving tour!
Thanks John!
I’d mention a couple of places in Bordeaux which take this approach, chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey in Sauternes and Chateau Troplong Mondot in St Emilion. They both have gorgeous rooms and great restaurants. The latter with one and the former with two stars. And the wine is not bad either….
Thanks Owain!