Looking at the golden-yellow shades of the trees, we know that autumn is around the corner. While some of us are still longing for the summer, the wine producers are impatiently waiting for the grape harvest season.
For all wine enthusiasts, autumn is the best time of the year to visit a winery. In autumn, winemakers are eagerly awaiting to collect the fruits of the hard labour from the previous year and celebrate the success of another yield.
Autumn is also the most festive season in wine regions around the world. Almost all viticulture regions organise wine tasting festivals, barefoot grape crushing events and many more entertaining activities. Here you will find a selection of top-tier wineries with amazing landscapes and memorable wine tasting experiences.
Top 3 Wineries for Autumn 2022
Taking into account reviews and google ratings, we selected the top 3 wineries in Europe. You don’t have to be a wine lover to experience the delight when visiting some of the following wineries:
1. La Roja Alta, Spain
Founded in 1890, La Rioja Alta is highly rated among the best traditional wine producers in Spain. The website shows La Rioja Alta, S.A. is the fourth most popular wine name for 2022.
Apart from wine, Rioja is rich in several historical and natural treasures that one should see. From mediaeval castles to magnificent churches and amazing landscapes, visiting Rioja offers an unforgettable experience.
If you intend to visit the Spanish fields of wine, you should plan your trip around the middle of September and participate in Rioja Wine Harvest Festival. Fiestas de San Mateo takes place in Logrono and offers many fun activities, including barefoot grape crushing, float tours, and a food bazaar.
La Rioja Alta winery is located in Haro, a beautiful town with old churches and architecture. Moreover, the place is popularly known as the wine capital of Rioja. The wine estate owns over 300 hectares of vines across Rioja Alta. They apply organic practices with a strong accent on quality and tradition.
2. Querciabella Winery, Italy
Located in Tuscany, Querciabella winery was founded in 1974 by Giuseppe Castiglioni. Starting with a single vineyard, the wine enthusiast and producer created a high-quality wine brand with high international status.
The wine estate owner dreamed big about creating a high-quality wine by blending the indigenous Sangiovese grapes and the world-famous Burgundy and Bordeaux varieties. Here we can list Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and similar.
Giuseppe`s son inherited the business and was the first to implement organic grape farming in Italy. By the end of the 20th century, Querciabella became the leading wine producer in the country and worldwide.
If you intend to visit Tuscany in September, you will be lucky to be a part of Expo Chianti Classico. The event takes place from the 8th to the 11th of September where wine lovers can have the exclusive chance to taste Chianti Classico. Also, you can enjoy plenty of artistic and cultural events, and close meetings with wine producers.
November may sound cold, but the Tuscan soil is still warm and you can have a great time at the Merano Wine Festival. It is regarded as the best wine festival in Italy where you can taste top-quality Italian wines. The event has a 30-year-long tradition and will last from the 4th to the 8th of November. The festival has a specially organised program with entertaining activities.
3. Chateau Purcari, Moldova
This is one of the most beautiful wineries in Eastern Europe. With a winemaking history dating back from the 12th century, Moldovian viticulture is the flagship of the Southeastern Europe market and economy.
The Purcari estate lies on extremely fertile soil, great climate conditions, and exceptional terroir for producing top-notch wines. The winery was founded in 1827 by the Emperor of Russia Nicholas I who proclaimed Purcari the first official wine estate in Bessarabia.
Chateau Purcari owns 250 hectares of vineyards with high-quality grapes grown according to the latest “state-of-the-art” technologies. Purcari wine estate is nestled in the marvellous countryside between the Black Sea and Dniester River.
Apart from tasting the award-winning wines, visitors will enjoy the picturesque landscapes and various excursions by foot or boat.
Best Wine Regions to Visit at Least Once in a Lifetime
Whether you are a wine enthusiast or you are simply a thrill-seeker, some wine regions in the world can give you the most educational experiences. From historical monuments to beautiful natural wealth and heaven views, some wine regions offer centuries-long traditions and a lifetime experience. If you are looking for the best multisensory experience, you should consider visiting the following wine regions in the upcoming fall season.
Bordeaux- The leading figure in the world of wine, Bordeaux is the most prominent wine region in the world.
Burgundy– Another French region with a centuries-long winemaking tradition. In 2015 the area gained UNESCO world heritage status.
Douro Valley– The birthplace of the famous Port wine, Douro Valley is the oldest officially accredited wine region. With viticulture dating back to Roman times, Douro Valley offers a rich history and magnificent nature.
Sicily– Home to the iconic active volcano Mount Etna, Sicily has much more to offer than words can describe. The grapes grown near Etna have unique and distinctive mineral notes, with elegant taste and aroma.
Santorini- A true masterpiece of nature, Santorini was shaped by a volcanic eruption, creating a unique landscape that attracts thousands of tourists from around the world. Santorini wines are one of a kind, with Assyrtiko wearing the crown of wines.
For more details visit 8wines.com and find the best premium wines from the best wineries worldwide.
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All imagery courtesy of the vineyards featured.