Photo Courtesy of Six Senses
While the perfect winter vacation may have some people dreaming of days spent curled up next to a fire after hitting the slopes, we tend to gravitate towards warmer Wine Country regions around the world. And, after a long day of exploring and wine tasting, there’s no better place to unwind than at a plush retreat. We’ve rounded up 10 luxurious Wine Country resorts to escape to this winter — all offering a taste of the good life without a single snowflake in sight.
This 50-room Napa Valley luxury getaway sits on 157 acres in a private canyon, just minutes from the town of Calistoga. The pristine setting, complete with ancient oak trees, streams, and a lake, sets the tone for the resort’s natural environment, which seemingly blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Rustic, private lodges are decorated with soothing color schemes, while expansive decks with indoor/outdoor fireplaces and hot tubs encourage guests to enjoy the natural surroundings. True to Calistoga’s tradition as a destination for R&R, The Auberge Spa is a restorative sanctuary, where therapeutic treatments, private soaking pools, and complimentary yoga classes provide numerous opportunities to relax the body and mind. You may just never want to leave.
580 Lommel Rd, Calistoga, CA 94515, (888) 947-6442
Located on a private, 30-acre estate surrounded by vineyards, plum orchards, and breathtaking views of the Franschhoek Valley, La Residence exudes French-style elegance and grandeur in South Africa’s Wine Country. The space is plush and stylish, with large chandeliers that hang from vaulted ceilings, black and white marble floors, and ornate furniture throughout. The hotel’s 11 suites and five Vineyard Suites further display the hotel’s air of sophistication, each room adorned with its own color scheme and design elements for an added taste of personalized luxury. Expect five-star dining experiences from morning to night, including the lavish buffet breakfasts and seasonally-driven dinners with wine pairings; there’s a reason the Franschhoek Valley is known as the gourmet capital of South Africa.
Elandskloof Road, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa, +27 021 671 7068
Striking a balance between rustic and elegant, modern and comfortable, The Vines Resort & Spa is a luxury Wine Country destination with an extraordinary backdrop of the Andes Mountains. The 21 private villas are contemporary and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows, indoor/outdoor fireplaces, and a select few with private decks featuring tubs or plunge pools. Whether you come to relax and unwind or to fulfill the explorer in you, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied at The Vines. From sunrise horseback rides with local gauchos to yoga in the vineyard, restorative spa treatments, and custom wine-blending sessions, it’s easy to fill every waking moment with some type of adventurous, educational, or relaxing activity. At the end of the day, head to legendary Argentine Chef Francis Mallmann’s on-site restaurant, Siete Fuegos, to savor regional fare inspired by the open-flame cooking he’s become known for, including Argentine beef and vegetables from the resort’s gardens.
Ruta Provincial 94, km 11, M5565, Mendoza, Argentina, +54 261 461 3900
Situated high on a hill overlooking the terraced vines of the majestic Douro Valley and river below, this modernized, 19th-century manor house is a treat to the senses — all six, to be exact. Expect to be eating well, drinking well, feeling well, and living well during a stay here, thanks to the hotel’s many indulgent features and amenities. Head to the spa to enjoy a treatment that incorporates local lemons and olive oil, or enjoy a leisurely swim in one of the indoor or outdoor pools. You can also take a seat at the intimate Chef’s Table to taste food that gets prepared in front of you, utilizing ingredients grown in the on-site, organic garden. Or, perhaps you’d prefer an interactive, guided tasting of top Portuguese wine in the Wine Library, featuring over 700 bottles. The options are seemingly endless at this Portuguese hideaway.
Quinta Vale de Abrão, 5100-758 Samodães, Lamego, Portugal, +351 254 660 600
Food, wine, and luxury amenities await at this idyllic vineyard retreat in Australia’s famed Barossa Valley. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of vineyards, the 15 well-appointed suites offer deluxe linens, fireplaces, and private terraces with outdoor rain showers. While it’d be easy to spend the days relaxing on the property, enjoying an in-room massage, or playing a game of Bocce, The Louise also offers a range of exclusive excursions, including hot air ballooning, breakfast with the kangaroos, and private lunch and wine tastings with top artisan winemakers. At night, don’t miss eating at the hotel’s restaurant, Appellation, recognized as one of South Australia’s top dining destinations. Here, you can enjoy seasonally-focused fare and wine from the extensive list, served in the intimate, elegant space.
375 Seppeltsfield Road, Marananga SA 5355, Australia, +61 8 8562 2722
Located on a hilltop in the middle of a remote 11,000-acre vineyard in Millahue, Chile, this design-forward hotel and winery occupies a spectacular setting, offering 360-degree views of the surrounding valley and Andes Mountains in the distance. Each of the 22 suites includes contemporary artwork by artists from around the world, Egyption cotton bed linens, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the stunning valley. Take a guided tour of the state-of-the-art winery and sample world-class wine, venture on horseback through the vineyard, or go on a mountain bike trek on a nearby trail — it’s all included with a stay here. After a day of adventure, you’ll love unwinding with a vinotherapy treatment at the spa, utilizing products made from VIK grapes, then treating yourself to a multi-course dining experience featuring Chilean inspired foods paired with house-made wines.
Millahue s/n, San Vincente de Tagua Tagua, VI Chile, +569 6193 1754
For those who enjoy gourmet food paired with New Zealand wine, Breckenridge Lodge in New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay wine region is the place to be. This intimate, high-end B&B is within close proximity to many of the area’s best wineries, and its five private rooms each offer views of the surrounding vineyards. With a special emphasis on exceptional food and wine experiences, owner and international Chef Malcolm Redmond creates breakfast and dinner options worthy of five stars. Cooking classes, meals that feature ingredients grown onsite, and optional wine pairings from Redmond’s own personal cellar add to the hospitable vibe of this quaint luxury lodge on the North Island.
1 Breckenridge Lane, Napier 4183, New Zealand, +64 6844 9411
Located on a mountain in the Valle de Guadalupe wine region of Mexico, Encuentro Guadalupe is a desert retreat like no other. The 22 bungalows are built around boulders on the mountainside, where the modern, minimalist structures evoke an otherworldly setting that will appeal to sci-fi junkies and design enthusiasts alike. The rooms may feature only the bare necessities, but all the more reason to get outside and enjoy the stunning desert landscape, take a dip in the pool, or venture out to taste wine. While there are plenty of places throughout the hotel to enjoy expansive views of the valley, the lobby terrace makes for an especially picturesque place to savor house-made merlot or nebbiolo as the sun goes down. Just be sure to leave the kids behind since this unique hotel is for adults only.
Km. 75, Carretera Tecate- Ensenada, Valle de Guadalupe, 22750 Ensenada, B.C., Mexico, +52 646 155 2775
Situated on a hillside in the heart of a private, biodynamic vineyard, surrounded by olive groves and lavender, is the serene Villa La Coste. Designed to be in harmony with the natural surroundings, Villa La Coste charms with its architectural beauty, spacious suites, impressive art collection, and lovely views of the Provencal landscape. The 28 contemporary suites are chic and understated, outfitted with mid-century furniture and a color palette of white and neutral earth tones — some even with private plunge pools — while modern luxuries like complimentary WiFi and 24-hour room service add to the Villa’s offerings. Louison, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, serves elevated regional cuisine without the pretense, and many of the ingredients are sourced directly from the hotel’s onsite gardens. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself plotting a permanent move to France after getting a taste of the Provençal lifestyle at this luxe hotel.
2750 Route de la Cride, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, France, +33 4 42 50 50 00
Located in the heart of Brazilian Wine Country, and reached via a long, tree-lined driveway, Hotel & Spa Do Vinho welcomes with its stately, Tuscan-styled lobby, complimentary local bubbly upon check-in, and gorgeous views of the surrounding valley — an area which is more reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside than what you might normally associate with Brazil. Each of the 128 regal, charming rooms offer a bit of European elegance, while the amenities make it easy to relax and unwind. Start the day with an invigorating vinotherapy treatment at the spa, which has a sauna and heated pool, then enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Head to the fitness center or play a game of tennis, savor the aromas of a local wine while taking in the sunset from one of the large terraces, and dine at one of the onsite restaurants, then get up and do it all again the next day.
Rodovia RS 444 Km 21 – Vale dos Vinhedos, Bento Gonçalves, RS, 95701-600, Brazil, +55 54 2102-7200
