The Best Cities for Wine Lovers in the World

As any wine lover will tell you, wine is far more than what is in your glass. It’s a complex blend of culture, history, regional geography and hundreds of years of perfecting recipes to become the drink you know and love today.

Some areas across the globe are more renowned for wine than others, and as such, they make for fantastic city breaks for wine enthusiasts. The reason that these cities stand out from others is that none of them is a huge, sprawling metropolis, but rather smaller, often walkable cities, surrounded by stunning natural geography such as rivers, mountains or coastlines, all of which have contributed to their world-renowned wines. Here are the best cities for wine lovers.

Which Cities Are a Must-Visit for Wine Lovers?

1. Bordeaux – France

If any city is synonymous with wine, it’s Bordeaux. Found in southwest France, Bordeaux has been a world-leader in high-quality wines for centuries, and with good reason: the surrounding region and soil are perfect for growing some of the tastiest grapes, which in turn make delicious wines.

Set on the banks of the Garonne River, Bordeaux’s riverbank is home to some of the country’s most scenic wine bars – and where better to enjoy golden hour in the summer months than with a glass of wine overlooking the calm waters of the Garonne?

Naturally, the city itself is home to wine cellars which have been in operation for hundreds of years, and many of these can be toured. However, for a fully immersive wine experience, there are plenty of château and vineyard tours outside the city, which offer you a real insight into the production of Bordeaux’s incredible wines, from the moment the grapes are planted to when you ultimately sample them in your glass.

If you’re a serious wine lover, then Bordeaux is a must-visit.

Best time to visit: May–June or September (harvest season)

2. Mendoza – Argentina

Few cities have a more dramatic backdrop than Mendoza in Argentina, which is set against the mighty Andes Mountains, offering one of the most spectacular views from any wine city in the world.

While Chilean wines may be more commercially available than Argentinian wines, some of the best Malbec in the world comes from Mendoza. This high-altitude wine, from sun-ripened grapes in the vineyards underneath the snow-capped Andean peaks, creates a flavour like no other.

The city itself is perfect for a short break, too. It is known for being leafy and airy, giving it a relaxed feel, where life moves just a little bit slower. So what better way to enjoy the city than by enjoying a glass of red in one of the city’s many cafes or bars?

Many neighbouring vineyards on the outskirts of the city offer tours as well as food pairing experiences, and few countries are more famed for their steak than Argentina. So if you’re fancying a steak and wine lunch, then a visit to a vineyard outside of Mendoza is a must. And if you want to keep up with your fitness routine, then there are plenty of hiking trails in and around the surrounding Andean Mountains to burn off the calories!

Best time to visit: October–November or March (harvest season)

3. Marlborough – New Zealand

While Mendoza may be known for its red wines, if you’re a white wine enthusiast, then you should definitely pay a visit to Marlborough, found at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island.

If you’re a crisp white wine lover, then you’re in the right place. Marlborough is known to produce some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc, especially if you enjoy the citrus notes and tropical flavours which shine through the wine.

The vineyards outside of the city are also some of the most picturesque in the world, set on rolling hills between the rugged coastline and the snow-capped mountains. This blend of cool, salty air off the sea and icy cold mountain water creates flavour in the grapes which can seldom be found anywhere else on earth.

New Zealanders are also famed for their love of seafood, so where better to combine a seafood and white wine tasting experience than in some of Marlborough’s unique vineyards? Marlborough is also easily accessible from other South Island towns and cities, so a road trip to this wine-lover’s paradise is definitely not out of the question if you’re planning a visit to the South Island any time.

Best time to visit: December–March

4. Heraklion – Greece

One of the lesser-known wine destinations in the world, Heraklion is quickly becoming a global favourite – so we recommend heading over there before it becomes too well known!

The ‘capital’ of the Greek island of Crete, Heraklion, is steeped in rich history and myth, but is also home to some of Europe’s most pristine vineyards.

Despite being a lesser-known area for wine production across the globe, wine has been produced in Heraklion for over 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest wine-producing cities in the world. This, combined with its indigenous grape varieties and fertile volcanic soil, has made Heraklion one of the best cities to visit for wine lovers.

The sun-soaked hills where the vineyards lie create the perfect atmosphere for grape growth, as well as the fermentation process. Getting an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s no wonder that the grapes grow so well here.

Vineyard tours are a popular excursion for wine lovers, but why not combine this with a Greek mythological experience in the city itself, or even throughout Crete – the home of the minotaur and Zeus himself, according to Greek myth. Learn about the rich history and mythological past of the island while sipping on an ice-cold white wine – bliss.

Best time to visit: May–June or September (harvest season)

5. Porto – Portugal

The namesake of port wine, Porto, is another excellent city to visit for wine lovers.

Portugal’s second-largest city is famed for its fortified wine all over the world, but it also produces some stunning whites and reds, too.

Set in the gorgeous Duoro River Valley, Porto is one of Europe’s – if not the world’s – most scenic wine cities, with its stone buildings cascading down into the valley, where the grapes enjoy the Portuguese sunshine year-round.

Porto is also famed for its many rooftop wine bars, perfect for sampling port and other wines after a long day of exploring vineyards or taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the Douro Valley.

After wine, Porto is perhaps best known for its successful football club, making a city break ideal for wine and sports enthusiasts, and with mild, pleasant weather year-round, it’s a great place to visit out of season.

Best time to visit: April–June or September (harvest season)

6. Stellenbosch – South Africa

On the outskirts of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is one of Africa’s greatest wine cities.

South African wine is revered around the world for its bold tastes, rich flavours, and moreish nature – and few places are better to experience it than in Stellenbosch.

With vineyards on rolling hills which lead up to mountainous backdrops, combined with the cool air from the Atlantic Ocean, the grapes in Stellenbosch’s vineyards experience a similar atmosphere to those in both Heraklion and Marlborough – helping to create unique tasting wine, simply based on the climate alone.

Stellenbosch is also a much more relaxed city experience than Cape Town, making it a perfect getaway for wine enthusiasts who want to spend their time sampling delicious South African wines, without the hustle and bustle of a major city.

While more expensive to visit than Cape Town, Stellenbosch makes for a perfect luxury wine escape, if you don’t mind spending that little bit extra for the ultimate South African wine experience.

Best time to visit: February–April

7. Florence – Italy 

It’s no secret that Italy produces some of the finest wine in the world, and nowhere does it better in Italy than in Florence.

Known as the gateway to the Chianti wine region, Florence is famed for its red wines, although the whites it produces are equally delicious.

The rolling Tuscan hills create the ultimate romantic backdrop to the Chianti wine region, making Florence perfect for a romantic wine-filled weekend for two. Enjoy the Renaissance-era history in the city before heading out to a local vineyard to sample some of the finest Italian wine you’ll ever have tasted, just minutes from the city’s outskirts.

Of course, Italian food is also just as famous, making wine and food pairing experiences in Florence some of the most sought-after anywhere across the globe. Think rich, tomato-based pastas paired with a rich, ruby red for dinner, or enjoy a light Italian salad with a crisp white wine at lunch time.

If you love the countryside as much as the city, then a trip to Florence is a must for wine lovers, as this Italian city can offer the best of both worlds – with some of the most unforgettable wines along the way.

Best time to visit: April–June or September–October (harvest season)

FAQs

Which city is best for first-time wine travellers?

Bordeaux and Florence both offer excellent tourism infrastructure as well as easily accessible vineyard tours, making them ideal for first-timers.

Are wine cities suitable for non-drinkers?

Yes, absolutely – the above cities have been chosen based on a multitude of factors such as scenery, tourism, food culture and history, making them great places to visit even if you don’t drink.

Do I need to book vineyard tours in advance?

Yes, you should book vineyard tours in advance, especially if you are planning to visit during either peak season or harvest season.

Which wine cities offer the best scenery?

This depends on what you want, but Mendoza’s Andean backdrop and Marlborough’s coastal and mountainous scenery are some of the most incredible anywhere in the world.

When is the harvest season in major wine cities?

This depends largely on the hemisphere the city is located in, but generally, in the Northern Hemisphere, this falls between August and October, and in the Southern Hemisphere, February to April.