Fall Wine Harvest Tours: Discover the Best Vineyards and Wineries
As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, there’s no better time to embark on a wine harvest tour. Fall is the season when vineyards come alive with the hustle and bustle of grape picking and wine making. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a curious beginner, a fall wine harvest tour offers a unique opportunity to savor the season’s finest flavors while witnessing the artistry behind each bottle. Here’s our guide to the best vineyards and wineries to visit this autumn.
Why Fall is the Best Time for Wine Tours
The fall season is synonymous with the grape harvest, making it the ideal time to visit vineyards. During this period, you can experience the vibrant atmosphere of the harvest, participate in grape picking, and even see the winemaking process in action. The cool autumn weather also enhances the tasting experience, allowing you to fully appreciate the nuances of each wine.
Top Vineyards and Wineries to Visit This Fall
Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley is a world-renowned wine region, and its fall harvest season is nothing short of spectacular. Visit iconic wineries like Domaine Carneros and Robert Mondavi Winery to sample exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. Don’t miss the chance to participate in harvest events, where you can stomp grapes and learn from expert winemakers.
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany’s rolling hills and medieval towns provide a picturesque backdrop for a fall wine tour. Explore famous vineyards such as Castello di Ama and Antinori nel Chianti Classico. Indulge in Sangiovese wines and enjoy a guided tour through centuries-old cellars. The harvest season here is also an opportunity to enjoy local festivals celebrating wine, food, and music.
Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is synonymous with fine wine, and the fall harvest is a prime time to explore this prestigious region. Visit renowned estates like Château Margaux and Château Lafite Rothschild to taste exquisite blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Take a scenic drive through the vineyards and enjoy guided tastings paired with regional cuisine.
Douro Valley, Portugal
Portugal’s Douro Valley is famed for its Port wine, and the fall harvest is a magical time to visit. Explore vineyards like Quinta do Crasto and Quinta do Vallado. Witness the traditional foot-treading of grapes in granite “lagares” and sample rich, full-bodied Ports and red wines. The autumn colors in the valley add to the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Yarra Valley, Australia
For those looking to travel down under, Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia, offers a unique fall wine experience. Visit Yering Station and De Bortoli Wines to discover cool-climate wines such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The harvest season here is a great time to enjoy wine tastings paired with gourmet local produce, surrounded by stunning vineyard landscapes.
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is Argentina’s premier wine region, famous for its Malbec wines. The fall season here, which occurs in March and April, is a vibrant time when vineyards like Bodega Catena Zapata and Bodega Norton are bustling with harvest activities. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Andes as you tour the vineyards, participate in grape picking, and indulge in tastings of bold Malbecs and crisp Torrontés. The region’s annual wine festival, Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, adds an extra layer of cultural richness to your visit.
Tips for Planning Your Fall Wine Harvest Tour
- Book in Advance: Fall is a popular time for wine tours, so make sure to book your tours and accommodations early.
- Dress Comfortably: Wear layers to stay comfortable in varying temperatures, and bring a hat and sunscreen for outdoor vineyard tours.
- Consider a Guided Tour: To make the most of your experience, consider joining a guided wine tour. These tours often include transportation, tastings, and behind-the-scenes access.
- Learn the Lingo: Familiarize yourself with basic wine terminology to enhance your tasting experience and appreciation for the wines.
A fall wine harvest tour is more than just a tasting experience; it’s an immersion into the rich culture and traditions of winemaking. Whether you’re exploring the legendary vineyards of Napa Valley or the historic estates of Bordeaux, this is the perfect season to indulge your senses and create lasting memories. Cheers to discovering the best vineyards and wineries this fall! Contact your Kemp Travel Advisor or fill in the form below to start planning your unforgettable fall wine harvest tour and experience the most delightful autumn getaway yet!
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By Joanne Sasvari
Forget the harried crowds and joyless chore of holiday shopping at the mall. Instead, revel in all that makes the festive season magical at one of northwestern Europe’s Christmas markets. With winter’s smaller crowds, lower prices, and merry mood, December can be the best time to travel to Europe, and it’s easy to visit the best Christmas market destinations by rail. Just be sure to bring an extra suitcase – you’ll need it for all the treasures you’ll find.
They say the Germans invented Christmas: The Christmas tree, Kris Kringle, Silent Night, the Advent calendar, Christmas gifts and even the Christmas card all hail from the snowy forests of northwestern Europe. So, too, the Christmas market, which is the best possible way to spend a wintry evening.
For centuries, the open-air markets known as Weihnactsmarkt or Christkindlmarkt have popped up in communities all over Germany during the four weeks of Advent that lead up to Christmas Day. They’re usually held in the main town square, where vendors set up stalls to sell handicrafts, ornaments, food and the fragrant hot spiced wine known as glühwein. There’s often live entertainment and sometimes a nativity scene, a visit from the Three Wise Men or the arrival of the ‘Christkind’, played by an angelic-looking local child.
The earliest winter markets date back to the 12th Century – with some of the oldest in Munich, Frankfurt and Dresden – and weren’t specifically religious. Rather, they were an opportunity for townspeople to stock up on food and other household goods before the worst of winter arrived. Gradually, they became opportunities for artists and artisans to sell their wares. Then, in the early 1500s, around the time of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther established December 24 as the country’s official gift-giving day, and the markets became a place to shop for presents.
Germany is still home to some of the world’s biggest and best Christmas markets. The ones in Nuremberg and Dresden draw about two million visitors a year; the ones in Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Dortmund attract about three million; and the most visited market, which is in Cologne, features hundreds of stalls and is visited by four million people a year. Indeed, the whole city of Cologne becomes a sparkling seasonal spectacle
But the tradition has spread beyond Germany’s borders, right across Europe, and a rail pass is a great way to visit the markets.
The one in Strasbourg in eastern France, for instance, dates back to 1570, has 10 locations, 300 stalls and a towering Great Christmas Tree. Vienna’s market is even older, dating back to 1298, and is one of the most traditionally festive in Europe with a huge skating rink, reindeer rides and a traditional (and very boozy) hot rum punsch.
In Budapest, Vörösmarty Square is transformed into a magical winter wonderland, where the façade of the famous Gerbeaud Coffee House is transformed into a giant Advent calendar with a window display opening every day before Christmas Eve. Prague, in the Czech Republic, has two markets just a short stroll from each other, one on Old Town Square and the other in Wenceslas Square, featuring wooden huts selling local crafts and foodstuffs. In Poland, Krakow’s market is the place to go for hand-painted ornaments and quirky antiques.
In Scandinavia, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens burst with light shows and fireworks displays. Meanwhile, in Stockholm, Sweden, Skansen’s Christmas Market is as traditional as can be, with dancing around the Christmas tree and a small zoo where you can hang out with real live reindeer.
Today, Europe’s Christmas markets are more popular than ever. Whatever faith you follow – even if it’s no faith at all – the markets evoke an old-fashioned sense of community, with great food and unique one-of-a-kind gifts. Most of all, they are festively social, with people of all ages and walks of life gathering happily together.
It may be chilly outside, but here at Europe’s Christmas markets, the joyful goodwill will keep you warm all over.
There are also tons of amazing river cruising options that will take you to see the christmas markets including Avalon Waterways and AMA Waterways. If you’re looking to book a trip to see European Christmas markets, whether it be by land or river cruise, we can help! Fill out our request a quote form and tell us more about your trip and one of our advisors will be in touch!