Sips and sweet dreams
Spend the night at these world-renowned wineries
Travel is on the rise, and so is wine tourism—the pursuit of wine-focused experiences around the globe. And while visiting vineyards is always good cause for a getaway, it only gets better when you can stay on such grounds—especially when they’re as thoughtfully appointed as every bottle and glass.
Thankfully, several venues are on the case, inviting guests to visit not only for tastings but for overnights, too—and oftentimes, in quarters fit for royalty. Beyond a more holistic experience onsite, guests lingering longer have the chance to meet the locals, discover the culture, and tap into traditions—all practices we’re happy to drink to.
From a Southern France seaside resort to a hillside Napa retreat, here are four wineries to visit now for exceptional sips and slumber alike.
Napa, California
It was a business trip that originally brought Cliff Lede to Napa Valley, but his love for its wines, culture, and community kept him there. After several visits, he decided to lay down roots in 2002 for a winery of his own, selecting the Stags Leap District for its nuanced, age-worthy wines. The property soon grew to include a vineyard above Silverado Trail that Lede called The Poetry Vineyard, which served as inspiration for another magical arrival: Poetry Inn, the winery’s secluded, luxury escape set amidst Cabernet Sauvignon vines, high atop the valley floor.
Photo: Poetry Inn
Designed by Howard Backen, each of the five rooms features details like a wood-burning fireplace and hand-hewn wood floors—and bathrooms that are equally impressive, built of marble and Beauharnais rose limestone. They also feature lounging furniture, a large soaking tub, and indoor-outdoor showers. Original art is a draw, too—each room is named after a beloved poet and features accompanying work by Michael Duté, who claimed the walls as canvas (just one example is a mural inspired by Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”).
In the morning, enjoy a seasonal, multi-course breakfast from chef Lynn Vita alongside vineyard views, and later on, look forward to a day of wine tasting—onsite, for starters. Head to the property’s Backstage Tasting Lounge to sip through single vineyard, appellation series, or platinum selections, all in the company of rotating art exhibits and music memorabilia. When you do venture out, check in with your personalized concierge service, who can offer expert tips for the area—and help you book some self-care at the property’s tranquil treatment room, too.
Narbonne, France
Photo: Chateau L’Hospitalet
“Sharing is everything,” notes winemaker Gérard Bertrand in his memoir Wine, Moon and Stars. This portion of the book discussed his 2002 acquisition of Chateau L’Hospitalet, the prized, historic winery situated near the captivating seaside town of Narbonne, France. Bertrand’s interest in L’Hospitalet was rooted in the hope of sharing a sense of art de vivre with others, and the promise this property held in offering that—especially with its 16th century buildings, 1,000 hectares, and neighboring Mediterranean Sea. In the decades that have since passed, Bertrand and his team have been honoring that ethos by way of a deep commitment to hospitality, culture, and place—with an emphasis, always, on the grapes themselves.
Today, the property stands as a sprawling 42-room retreat, comprised of tennis courts, a world-class spa, two pools, and multiple restaurants—including the new Moon Room (where chef Laurent Chabert and sommelier Pierre-Alexis Mengual employ the same biodynamic philosophies in their menus as Bertrand does in the vineyards). Settle into your suite before perusing the rest of the property, including the L’Hospitalet Beach and its canopy beds, or a trip to any of the four wine estates, growing everything from Grenache to Syrah. Between a putting green, pétanque court, and jogging paths, there’s no shortage of activities here—and then, there’s the venue’s renowned summer draw: Jazz à l’Hospitalet, an annual, weeks-long jazz festival bringing together musicians, wine, and mingling under the stars. Consider it all part of Bertrand’s efforts towards that enjoyment of life spirit the region so naturally claims—and that L’Hospitalet so readily carries (in its name alone).
Photo: Quinta do Vallado
Vilarinho dos Freires, Peso da Régua, Portugal
The Douro is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, and Quinta do Vallado, founded in 1716, is one of its longest-running and best-known estates. Recognizing the growing interest in visitors to the winery, the team began offering onsite lodging in 2005, opening the five-suite “Traditional House” (once home to founder Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira), and later, an eight-room modern building. Bookings at either location carry their comforts, from garden landscaping and a wood stove to private balconies (complete with Corgo River views).
Enjoy plenty of amenities onsite, including wine tours or an evening at the restaurant, and for guidance beyond the property, consult the concierge—they can advise on a number of local experiences, from boat and Jeep tours to cycling and canoeing. Start refreshed the next day with a visit to the pool or spa, where you’ll find a jacuzzi, sauna, and Turkish baths alongside a picturesque orange grove. Just when you thought your morning couldn’t get any better, indulge in a massage or facial here on the house—an hour-long treatment is included for guests staying two nights or more.
Photo: Abeja Winery & Inn
Walla Walla, Washington
Meet the winemakers, stroll the vineyards, and experience crush firsthand during fall months at this winery-meets-inn, situated in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. When Ken and Ginger Harrison bought the property and reimagined it in 2000, they still wanted to maintain much of the original wheat farm and inn’s look and feel. Today, the 38-acre property reflects that charm alongside modern details throughout its seven rooms. It incorporates features like claw foot tubs, semi-private
porches, vaulted ceilings, and heated basalt floors. Larger groups will do well by a stay in the Farmhouse, comprised of five bedrooms, attached, luxe bathrooms, and a large kitchen perfect for prepping big meals—which are best enjoyed on the wrap-around porch. Come morning, enjoy an upscale breakfast, and later on, the chance to taste the team’s wine (both experiences included in your stay). Those wines make their way to the restaurant’s dinner menu, too, serving as thoughtful pairings to chef Jake Crenshaw’s Pacific Northwest cuisine.
—
Want even more One Adventures? Read our other issues: Issue 01; Issue 02; Issue 03; Issue 04; Issue 05; Issue 06.
Berkley One is a Berkley Company.
