5 Essential Cities for Wine Enthusiasts

Every wine lover has dreamed of taking a trip around the world’s vineyards. Since we’re nice, we’ve put together a list of 5 cities that serve as starting points for wine tours offering a complete change of scenery. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, follow our guide!

Cape Town, a Mediterranean city in southern Africa:

Cape Town is a city in South Africa where you can study winemaking at the university. The region is home to many vineyards planted with French grape varieties. As the starting (or ending) point of the wine route, Cape Town is a creative and charming city worth exploring, whether you’re a wine lover or not.

Valparaiso, with its hillsides lined with colorful houses:

A “Valley of Paradise” overlooking the ocean and its massive port, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Colorful homes are built on the hillsides, while down below are scattered houses made mostly of corrugated iron—it’s actually quite a nice place to visit!

Mendoza, at the foot of the Andes:

How many cities do you know that promise you a breathtaking view of the Andes Mountains as soon as you wake up in the morning? A fun thing to do: rent a bike, spend the whole day riding through the vineyards, and stop at one winery after another to sample their Malbecs!

San Francisco: a little taste of Europe in the United States:

San Francisco, the most European of American cities, is just 45 minutes south of Napa Valley. If you’re looking to explore California’s vineyards, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme, this is the perfect starting point.

Bordeaux: From everyday wines to grand cru wines:

A wine capital that needs no introduction—everyone (or almost everyone) knows Bordeaux. Surrounded by vineyards and some of the finest appellations, Bordeaux is the perfect destination for wine lovers! The event not to be missed is the Fête du Vin, held every two years in June. Four days of tasting the region’s and France’s finest wines along the riverbanks—we can’t wait for 2016!