10 Wine Regions Around the World Worth Exploring

Have you ever experienced the joie de vivre that accompanies wine tourism? The experience can be a heady one as you drink in the sense of well-being that comes with savouring one of life’s truly simple, yet luxurious pleasures: a glass of wine in the tranquil beauty of a vineyard. Late September and early October is a wonderful time of year to witness the grape harvest in the Northern Hemisphere, while South Africa, Argentina and Australia are busy harvesting in February and March.

The world’s wine regions are disparate and diverse; so no matter where you travel, wine tourism is a great way to learn about the people, culture, heritage, and customs of an area. Some of the most famous wine producing regions in the world have been producing wine for centuries, making the production and consumption an integral part of the local culture. Wine growers are farmers and artisans, and their perspective on the local area tends to be different from other locals typically encountered while traveling.

So take the leap! Pick a wine-growing region, search out some of the smaller, boutique wineries and get off the beaten tourist trail. You’ll meet local wine producers who care deeply about the area, and can give you refreshing insight into their part of the world. The guides on ToursByLocals can help you access the local viticulture in Europe, North and South America, Australia/New Zealand and South Africa. Below are a select few examples of fabulous wine tours available on ToursByLocals. Have fun choosing your favourite!

Ten Unforgettable Wine Tours

Colchagua, Chile

A couple hours drive from Santiago, enjoy exploring the Ruta del Vino in Chile's most renowned wine region, Colchagua with Chilean guide, Juan: Chilean Wine Tour.

Chianti, Italy

Visit the ancient wine cellars and drink in the stunning landscapes of Italy’s Chianti region on a day touring with Massimo: Chianti Wine Tour.

Valpolicella, Italy

Also in Italy, not far from Verona, lies Valpolicella, a legendary Italian grape-growing area. With your guide Valeria, explore these green valleys covered with vines and spotted by small, family run wineries: Valpolicella Wine Tour.

Hvar, Croatia

In the 4th century BC, the Ancient Greeks brought grape vines to what is now Hvar, Croatia. Sample the fruits of these ancient labours with Sinisa: Croatia Wine Tour.

Alsace, France

Straying close to the French/German border, a visit to the wine growing regions of Alsace-Lorraine is a must. Sip some fine pinot noir in the company of local guide Pieter: Alsace-Lorraine Wine Tour.

Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, South Africa

The Stellenboch and Franschoek wine region in South Africa offers almost impossibly romantic vistas of lush vineyards and endless blue skies set against the majestic Cape Mountains, just a short drive from Cape Town: South Africa Wine Tour.

Mendoza, Argentina

The Mendoza wine region of Argentina is world-renowned for the plump, dark fruit flavours and smoky finish of its Malbec wines. Sip a glass of it on a sun-warmed terrace with the jagged peaks of the Andes rising in the distance, and you may never want to leave: Mendoza hidden gems wine tour.

Napier, New Zealand

On New Zealand's North Island, you can visit some of the southernmost wineries in the world! Sitting at 45 degrees south, the vineyards around Napier produce exceptional vintages in character-ful locations. Experience the local viticulture with Chris: North Island of New Zealand wine tour.

Napa Valley, United States

Explore the richness of sunny Napa Valley with a seasoned oenophile who can help you sample the best of California’s big red wines: Napa Valley Wine Tour.

Cognac, France

And finally, Marie in France offers guests the chance to visit something a little bit different than a traditional winery: the independent, family-run Cognac vineyards in Charente: Cognac tour.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the World's Wine Regions?

There's something special about visiting a wine region during harvest season. Vineyards are busy, grapes are being picked, and there's a sense of anticipation as winemakers begin turning the year's crop into wine.

In much of Europe and North America, grape harvests typically take place between August and October, depending on the region and the weather. In the Southern Hemisphere, including Argentina, Chile, South Africa and New Zealand, harvest season generally falls between February and April.

But there's no need to plan your trip around the harvest. Spring brings fresh green vines and pleasant weather for exploring, while autumn offers colourful landscapes and opportunities to learn about the winemaking process. Even winter can be a wonderful time to visit, particularly in regions where cosy tasting rooms and hearty regional cuisine are part of the appeal.

Discover Wine Country with a Local Guide

Wine is about much more than what's in your glass. It reflects a region's geography, climate, history and traditions, and exploring wine country with someone who knows it well can bring all those connections to life.

A knowledgeable local guide can introduce you to family-run vineyards, help you understand the differences between regional wines, and share recommendations for the food, villages and cultural experiences that make each destination distinctive.

Explore private wine tours around the world with ToursByLocals, and discover how much there is to enjoy beyond the tasting room.