From historic châteaus in France to modern architecture gems in Spain, these hotels are a wine lover’s paradise
Hotel Marqués de Riscal (Spain)
Located in Basque Country’s famous La Rioja province, Marqués de Riscal is much more than just a hotel. It’s an architectural icon. This magnificent castle for the 21st century Cinderella was designed by the legendary Frank Gehry.
Spectacular architecture with swirling wave-like roof panels and unique 61 guestrooms and suites feature mesmerizing details and spectacular views over the Sierra de Cantabria mountains, the medieval town of Elciego, called the City of Wine, or picture-perfect vineyards.
You can enjoy a meal at the Michelin-star Marqués de Riscal Restaurant that is located inside the avant-garde hotel, or bask in the rich history of La Rioja’s oldest winery (1858). The vast cellar is home to eight million bottles of wine, some of which date back to 1862.
Vines Resort & Spa (Argentina)
Located in the heart of Argentina’s premium wine-growing region, south of Mendoza, the Vines Resort & Spa is a perfect combination of rustic and modern design, conceived as the ultimate refuge for food and wine lovers.
Surrounded by 1,500 hectares of private vineyards, the resort blends seamlessly with the perfectly lined up vineyards of the Uco Valley and the dramatic mountain backdrop of the Andes. Visitors can expect top-notch service at the SPA, spacious villas and restaurants managed by Francis Mallmann.
The legendary Argentine chef is known for the Siete Fuegos, or the ‘seven fires’ open-flame cooking technique, inspired by Argentine gauchos and European migrations, refined through hundreds of years of history. A glass of Malbec that you blended yourself will go great with the excellent food.
Domaine Les Crayères (France)
Les Crayères is a mythical property in the heart of Reims, a stone’s throw away from the most famous champagne houses, nestled discreetly in a seven-hectare park full of green vegetation between Lebanese cedars and hundred-year-old boxwood, beds of more than 3,000 bulbs and flowers renewed every season.
Formerly a château of the Polignac Family, the hotel has twenty rooms and suites, each named after the seat of the Empress, Queen or Princess of Europe, and decorated in the purest classic French style with its inherent luxury, elegance and intimacy.
Head chef Philippe Mille runs the two Michelin star Le Parc Restaurant, which is undoubtedly the highlight of the estate. The impressive wine list with over 600 types of champagne makes it a perfect starting point for exploring the Champagne Region.
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco (Italy)
An abandoned medieval village was turned into a resort celebrating the natural beauty and rich culinary heritage of Tuscany. The Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is a magical, 5,000-hectare estate in the Brunello di Montalcino wine-growing region.
It comprises a medieval castle and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, a winery, 42 suites and 11 17th- and 18th-century farmhouses restored as villas with antique furniture, original textiles and handmade products.
In addition to a private golf course with 18 holes, a SPA and cooking school, there are also two restaurants. One is the Michelin star Campo del Drago and the other the charming Osteria La Canonica, formerly a priest’s house. Each of the 240 winemakers from the Brunello Region is represented on the extensive wine list.
Les Sources de Caudalie (France)
Welcome to a place in the service of nature, taste and senses. Les Sources de Caudalie, lies in the middle of the vineyards of Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, just a few minutes outside of Bordeaux. This delightful retreat in the French countryside boasts 61 luxurious suites in an idyllic setting, and its refined restaurants please the palate with mouthwatering dishes and some of the world’s best wines.
The cult Vinothérapie Spa relaxes the soul and the body with treatments that combine the power of the naturally warm, mineral-rich spring water from the thermal spring on the property with the latest scientific discoveries on the benefits of the vine and its grapes.
Gastronomy lovers will find their personal paradise in the restaurant La Grande Vigne boasting two Michelin stars, and among the 1,200 precious bottles carefully stored in the basement of Paradox Bar.
Photos Hotel Marqués de Riscal / Adolfo Rancaño, The Vines Resort & Spa, Les Sources de Caudalie/ Marie-Pierre Morel, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco / Matteo Carassole & Domaine Les Crayères / Horizon Bleu