Founded in 2016, The World's Best Vineyards honors and celebrates the hard work and enthusiasm behind the vineyards, as well as their hospitality towards visitors. As part of its 100 top vineyard destinations from around the world, World's Best Vineyards released its list in October 2022. A winery's inclusion on the list reflects its importance both as a producer of fine wines and as an attraction. It ranks based on the ability of its visitors to taste great wines and learn about the winemaking process. A lot of them also have on-site hotels and restaurants, along with breathtaking views. Among the vineyards, some are among the most iconic in the world, some are architectural marvels, some have Michelin-starred restaurants, and others are small, family-run wineries where the owners conduct tours.
A variety of wineries on the list offer a little something different – from horse-drawn carriage tours into the vineyard to wine tastings and pairings with a collection of beautifully restored classic cars, to Picasso-inspired art and open-fire cooking lessons. Zuccardi Valle de Uco, the three-time winner, will be joined by all winners from 2023 onwards in the inaugural hall of fame.
The following list shows the vineyards in order of their ranks:
Antinori Nel Chianti Classico (Marchesi Antinori), Italy
World’s And Europe’s Best No.1 Vineyard 2022
https://www.cataloghi.antinori.it
Founded in 1385, Giovanni di Piero Antinori is the sixth generation of the Antinori family to make wine. In the Tuscan heartland, more than six centuries and 26 generations later, Marchesi Antinori has evolved into a cutting-edge winery that celebrates its heritage and expertise, while setting a new standard for modern winemaking. Designed by Marco Casamonti and built on the family's own concept, the Antinori nel Chianti Classico winery opened in 2012. A combination of wood, glass, terracotta, and COR-TEN steel, it blends both visually and environmentally into the landscape. Surrounded by olive groves and oak trees, the building resembles two graceful slits in the hillside, its roof covered in vineyards; gravity-flow vinification and naturally cool cellars reduce energy consumption inside. Marchesi Antinori's headquarters encompasses other estates (such as the trendsetting Tenuta Tignanello, loved by world leaders like Barack Obama and Meghan Markle).
Wine Style: A vineyard of 4.6 hectares mainly planted to Sangiovese, the estate also grows a small amount of international Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, as well as traditional local varieties such as Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Malvasia Nera, and Mammolo. Wines made in gravity-driven wineries have a pure fruit aroma and a supple tannin structure, which is achieved due to the gentle handling of the grapes.
Bodegas De Los Herederos Del Marqués De Riscal, Spain
World’s Best No.2 Vineyard 2022
https://www.marquesderiscal.com
With the first vintage of Rioja wines produced by the then Marquis in 1862, this was the first winery to produce Rioja wines. The estate's wines became so popular by the early twentieth century that they required some form of seal to ensure authenticity, which led to the trend of covering bottles of Rioja in the golden mesh. Moreover, he introduced white wines to the nearby province of Rueda, assisting its elevation to DO status in the 1970s. This winery is an adventure land of learning and discovery. As the Spanish sunlight gleams off the twisted aluminum ribbons covering the hotel Marqués de Riscal, their purple, gold, and silver hues mirrored those of the wines and bottles made below. With its futuristic aesthetic belying the history it encloses, the Frank Gehry masterpiece has become a familiar sight in Rioja.
Wine Style: Red wines are primarily made from the Tempranillo grape, but rosés are also made from Graciano and others. There is also a stronger rosé from Castilla y León and whites from the family's Rueda vineyards, made from Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Each is designed to be original, fresh, and easy to consume.
Montes Colchagua Valley, Chile
World’s Best No.3 Vineyard 2022
The idea of making Chilean wines to a higher level than the world had ever seen was first conceived by four friends in the late 1980s. Montes has unquestionably accomplished that goal by selling their wine in more than 100 countries and being known as a pioneer of high-end Chilean wine (especially Syrah). It seems the angels have embellished every corner of the winery - even the labels - adding to the winery's decidedly mystical atmosphere. As the first feng shui winery in the world, Sylvia Gallegillo's winery combines gravitational technology, sustainability, and a feng shui design. To find a deeper union with its surroundings and, ultimately, wines, it highlights the elements of metal, wood, earth, fire, and water.
Wine Style: Besides the Apalta vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, Montes has vineyards in the Aconcagua, Curicó, Itata, and Maule Valleys, producing wines of diverse styles and prices. Among the company's flagship wines are the 'Alpha M,' an intense red blend aged for 18 months in new French oak, and the Montes 'Folly,' the first ultra-premium Syrah in Chile made from the steepest slopes of the Apalta vineyards and decorated with Ralph Steadman's artwork.
VIK Cachapoal Valley, Chile
World’s Best No.4 Vineyard 2022
This winery is located in the foothills of the Andes and is one of the most advanced, artistic, and holistic wineries in the world. It started out as nearly 4,500 hectares of virgin land in 2004 and is now producing red blends that are raising the bar for South American wines and simultaneously capturing the ecotourism zeitgeist. This hotel rests on a crest overlooking expansive valleys and a lake, with its undulating titanium and bronze roof designed by Marcelo Daglio. A crisscrossed path leads from the entrance to the plaza below, where the sun's brilliant rays are reflected like water rippling across the gently sloping plaza below. An enviable contemporary art collection, a wine spa (you bathe in wine!), and, of course, the winery make up this wilderness retreat.
Wine Style: From the beginning, the Viks worked with Bordeaux experts to find the best grape varieties for the soils and only planted in prime locations, despite the estate's vastness. Hand-harvested grapes are handled at low temperatures at night for purity and fermented in stainless steel tanks with native yeasts. To maintain nuance, texture, and complexity, the maturation takes place in a combination of old and new French oak. It is the result of a small but powerful collection of red blends and rosés that is changing the face of Chilean wine.
Schloss Johannisberg Rheingau, Germany
World’s Best No.5 Vineyard 2022
https://schloss-johannisberg.de
Schloss Johannisberg was planted with vineyards by Charlemagne in 817. Schloss Johannisberg has been cultivating wine for 1200 years, exclusively Riesling since 1720. One of the oldest and noblest grape varieties in the world was born here. Schloss Johannisberg's long history is full of passion, responsibility, and pride, enabling the production of outstanding Riesling and inspiring people to make it. Overlooking the Rhine Valley from its hilltop location, the Neoclassical palace of Schloss Johannisberg sits with appropriate majesty. History fans and Riesling fans aren't the only ones catered to here; foodies and music fans are as well.
Wine Style: Vineyards are planted on a quartzite hill of 50 hectares, smack bang on the 50th parallel of latitude. As a result of the drastic temperature differences during the day and night, the grapes are able to ripen fully while retraining high acidity, resulting in phenomenal aging potential due to their aromatic concentration.
González Byass – Bodegas Tío Pepe,Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Spain
World’s Best No.6 Vineyard 2022
Tope Pepe was originally created in 1841 as a dry white Fino by the founder of González Byass and was named after his uncle Joe. Today it includes a full range of sherries, brandies, vermouths, and aged vinegar. Almost all of them are produced in Andalucia's Jerez de la Frontera, its birthplace and namesake. Its bodegas are famous for accessorizing its bottles with red bolero hats, Cordovan hats, and guitars to evoke a sense of fun and frivolity that makes a visit irresistible. The miniature red train takes you between the cellars, and you can also spy the fabled - but certainly real - drunken mice climbing appropriately sized ladders, savoring Pedro Ximenez from traditional 'copita' sherry glasses as they climb appropriately sized step ladders.
Wine Style: Tío Pepe produces a wide range of sherries, ranging from dry to lusciously sweet (the Pedro Ximénez is known as Nectar, and those mice may agree), as well as a number of historical ranges, including 'Vors' (matured for up to 30 years) and 'Finite' (made from barrels long forgotten in cellars). There is a distinctive character to the brandies, vermouths, and aged vinegar.
Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley, United States
World’s Best No.7 Vineyard 2022
https://robertmondaviwinery.com
Mondavi's claims to fame were varied, but it's his creation of the Fumé Blanc style of wine and placing his eponymous winery alongside To Kalon, one of California's most cherished vineyards, that affirms his status as a bona fide legend of American winemaking. Walking through the estate he founded in 1966 is like walking through history. It is an incredible experience to taste the To Kalon Reserve range on the patio with views out over the Mayacamas Mountains while enjoying selections personalized to each guest. First planted in 1868 and widely regarded as one of America's First Growth sites, it is known for producing outstanding Bordeaux varietals, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine Style: Californian Sauvignon Blancs weren't particularly popular before Robert Mondavi came along. Mondavi created a Sauvignon Blanc aged in oak barrels inspired by those produced in the Loire, where oak maturation is commonplace. It is a blend of Californian concentration and French finesse. There is no standard for the exact type and degree of oak influence among producers today, but the Fumé Blanc moniker is internationally known, and what better place to sample it than where it was born in 1968, and from some of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines in America? A great balance between fruit and power is also found in the Cabernet Sauvignons produced by Robert Mondavi Winery.
Quinta Do Crasto Douro Valley, Portugal
World’s Best No.8 Vineyard 2022
The Roquette family has owned Quinta do Crasto in Northern Portugal for more than a century, located in the Douro Demarcated Region. They renovated and expanded the vineyards with their sons. Additionally, Quinta do Crasto began producing Douro DOC wines that are now renowned both domestically and abroad. As such, they are the fourth generation to manage this emblematic estate, which seduces all with its exquisite quality. Quinta do Crasto is a great Douro estate that dates back to ancient times like all the others. Historically, the Quinta do Crasto winery has been mentioned since 1615. Together with other noteworthy estates of the Douro Valley, it received Feitoria status (the highest vineyard classification at the time). Three hundred and thirty-five granite markers were installed between 1758 and 1761 by the Marquis of Pombal to delineate the world's first Demarcated Region. The stone pillar at Quinta do Crasto, or "Marcos Pombalinos" in Portuguese, dates back to 1758 and can still be seen today. Each marker was inventoried and declared property of national interest in the 1940s.
Wine Style: The barrel cellar was renovated in 2013 to improve temperature and humidity controls, and the OXOline barrel management system was installed for the first time in Portugal: the barrels can be stacked higher to maximize space, and they can be rotated on rollers, allowing them to be stirred without opening up and allowing oxygen to enter. From white and red Douro wines to premium Port wines and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Quinta do Crasto offers a full range of products. Premium and super-premium products are available at different prices. A growing number of critics and the general public have praised Quinta do Crasto wines in recent years. Year after year, Quinta do Crasto is proud that their clients and partners honor their brand with their preferences.
Catena Zapata Mendoza, Argentina
World’s Best No.9 Vineyard 2022
Catena Zapata is today a center of detailed viticultural study, with vineyards that are considered the country's Grand Crus, founded by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena in 1902. The grandson of Nicola, Nicolás, is one of the most decorated winemakers alive and has steered Argentine winemaking to new heights. His daughter Laura is currently managing the estate. Her initiative is the Catena Institute of Wine, which develops Argentina's sustainability code and collaborates with world-class universities to maximize the potential of her own vineyards and, more broadly, the potential of Argentinian wines.
Wine Style: Catena Zapata is the key to understanding Argentinian Malbec. A floral, pretty, and surprisingly light-colored flower, it is a result of the higher altitude. There are also excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnays produced at the estate, along with a range of indigenous grape varieties, some in a natural style.
Bodega Garzón Maldonado, Uruguay
World’s Best No.10 Vineyard 2022
While the Bodega Garzón winery only opened in 2016, it's already spearheading Uruguay's wine scene near the 'Riviera' of Punta del Este and the fashionable fishing village of José Ignacio. The estate covers 2,200 hectares and is blessed with some of the world's oldest granitic soils (dating back 2,500 million years). Its biodiversity includes untouched native forests and palm trees. Ancient rocks adorn the underground cellars and are an integral part of the architecture. The entire estate is LEED Silver certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), ensuring sustainability. Tannat is Uruguay's emblematic grape, famous for its unique, velvety flavor and innumerable international awards. Aside from its greater production, it also presents unique characteristics that set it apart from the native regions of the vine, in the southwest of France. Its winemakers are meticulous and evolutionary, making this activity traditional and deeply rooted. Through generations of perfecting their trade, the wineries have cultivated a culture that defines the region and identifies it with Europeans.
Wine Style: Bodega Garzón sits at the same latitude as Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand's best wineries, so you might not have considered Uruguayan wine before. Each plot of the 240 hectares under vines has its own microclimate, orientation, humidity, sunlight exposure, and soil composition. The winery's chief concern is conveying this to consumers, and Italian oenologist Alberto Antonini strives to do this by gently handling the fruits and using minimal oak. It is the standout grape of Uruguay, not just of Bodega Garzón, in particular; it gains freshness and nuance from the moderating influence of the Atlantic down south, particularly its Antarctic currents. White varieties, including the Spanish Albarino, are proving extremely successful.
Ferrari Trento Trento, Italy
World’s Best No.11 Vineyard 2022
The legend of Ferrari began with Giulio Ferrari's dream of making Trentino wine rivaling French Champagne. First to realize the extraordinary potential of his area, and first, to plant Chardonnay in substantial quantities in Italy, he was a pioneer. With an obsession for quality, he began producing a few highly selected bottles. Due to the fact that Giulio Ferrari did not have children, he began searching for a successor. He chose Bruno Lunelli, owner of a Trento wine shop. As a result of his passion and entrepreneurial talent, Bruno Lunelli increased production without compromising on quality. Ferrari became the nation's celebratory wine par excellence under the leadership of Franco, Gino, and Mauro Lunelli. During this period, some of Giulio Ferrari's greatest wines were created: Ferrari Rosé, Ferrari Perlé, and Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore.
Wine Style: The vineyards are primarily planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Blanc, in accordance with its commitment to traditional method fizz. Over 500 families of growers adhere to the same sustainable ethos as Ferrari, which means acquiring grapes from their vineyards as well. A variety of cuvées are available in the Classic range, including dry, off-dry, and rosé ones, as well as single vintages in the Perlé range. For a satisfyingly rich, complex, and yet finely refined expression of this Italian landscape, Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore is made with 100% Chardonnay and aged for 10 years on the lees.
Champagne Billecart-Salmon Champagne, France
World’s Best No.12 Vineyard 2022
https://www.champagne-billecart.fr
It’s all in the name of Billecart-Salmon, the Champagne house founded in 1818 by newlyweds Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon. Their legacy of winemaking was passed down and, despite the tumults of history, seventh-generation Mathieu is continuing it today. It is the pristine gardens that surround the main house, both of which were redesigned in the 1920s, that are regarded as a family pride, but underground and in the vineyards, there is plenty to see as well. It includes the one-hectare prestigious Clos Saint Hilaire where Pinot Noir is grown exclusively in order to produce the highly coveted Blanc de Noirs cuvée (all bottles are numbered individually). This patch epitomizes Billecart-Salmon’s commitment to environmental sustainability and, with most of their practices now certified as organic or sustainable, they hope to attain certification for 100% of their land by 2025. By paying attention to terroirs, the house is also able to produce graceful and pure wines.
Wine Style: The estate itself spans 100 hectares with fruit acquired from a broader range covering 40 crus, mostly around Epernay. Wines are produced according to the village and variety of grapes they come from, then fermented slowly at low temperatures to ensure nuance and delicacy. One of the most well-known bottles is Brut Rosé, and the house collection includes special editions named after its founders: the 'Cuvée Nicolas François' comes from Grand Cru sites, while the 'Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon' is a rich blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from selected Grand Cru sites.
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Bordeaux, France
World’s Best No.13 Vineyard 2022
https://www.smith-haut-lafitte.com/en/home
Château Smith Haut Lafitte dates back to the fourteenth century, but it has been making a lasting mark in the last three decades. A quintessential Bordeaux winery has been transformed into a luxury destination with the acquisition of the estate in 1990 by former French Olympic skier Daniel Cathiard and his wife Florence. Their hospitality is infused with a certain je ne sais quoi derived from biodynamic farming. In the end, everything comes from the soil. Nature and biodiversity are respected at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Their vine nursery on Ile de Lalande allows Château Smith Haut Lafitte to plant vines propagated from their own vineyards. With this island-protected ecosystem, they can maintain both the vine's genetic diversity and its wine's complexity.
Wine Style: With a little technological aid, the château produces red and white blends using seven Bordeaux grape varieties. Satellite images, for example, are used to pinpoint when to hand-harvest the grapes. Rather than imposing one set date on the whole, the grapes are picked in batches according to each plot's progress. Daniel designed ergonomic hoods based on Himalayan Sherpas to protect the grapes as they travel back to the winery. By cooperating, the team can control oak impact to the last detail.
Weingut Dr. Loosen Mosel, Germany
World’s Best No.14 Vineyard 2022
In 1988, Ernst F. Loosen took over management of the winery, which has been in his family for over 200 years. His view is that great wines are the result of the perfect combination of soil, climate, and grape variety. Using ungrafted, old vines from historic Grand Cru sites of the Middle Mosel, he produced independent, complex wines of international repute. In modern times, Dr. Loosen has become an international figurehead for the rediscovered German Riesling culture. In the Mosel Valley, the famously sheer hills tower over a meandering river from such an incline that harvesting must be done by hand. The terrain is perfect for hiking and biking, and you must visit the steepest vineyard in the world, Dr. Loosen's Bremmer Calmont Vineyard. There are several prestigious plots worth exploring in Wehlener Sonnenur, Ürziger Würzgarten, and Erdener Prälat. There is a guest house on site, as well as the winery itself, which is perched down on the edge of the water. There are no walk-in tastings, so booking ahead ensures a warm welcome and a bespoke experience, and the surrounding village of Bernkastel, with its cobblestoned streets and traditional half-timbered houses, is picture-perfect.
Wine Style: The Riesling grape has been used by Ernie to make wines of all styles, from dry to sweet, inexpensive to premium. He creates acidic, concentrated wines from the stony slate of the Mosel because of his interest in soil, which borders on the ferocious. There are vines at the Dr. Loosen vineyards that are over 130 years old that produce low yields, allowing Ernie to experiment with even more intense flavors. He has experimented with oak to add richness to his Rieslings despite keeping them in inert containers, such as stainless steel. There is no reason why this widely underestimated grape variety has become his global ambassador.
Champagne Taittinger Champagne, France
World’s Best No.15 Vineyard 2022
Built-in 1734, Château de la Marquetterie was once owned by French author Jacques Cazotte, who hosted Voltaire and André Chénier during harvest. In the 1930s, Pierre Taittinger acquired the estate, and today his great-granddaughter Vitalie and her brother Clovis run it. Under the remains of the Saint-Nicaise Abbey, built by Benedictine monks in 1229 to honor Nicasius, patron saint of Reims, are labyrinthine cellars dug deep into fourth-century chalk quarries. It is believed that Thibaut IV, known as the Comtes de Champagne, brought both the Chardonnay grape and the Damask rose back to France with him in the thirteenth century. Those who embody the Taittinger brand today are the foundation for its vitality and reach. The Champagne House inherited these values from its founders. Over the past three generations, various people have shaped Taittinger's history, spirit, and style, as well as Champagne's image. All of these factors contributed to permanently shaping the future of the family and the reputation of the Champagne House, including vision, inspiration, strategy, development, and influence.
Wine Style: This Chardonnay-dominated range includes Taittinger's flagship 'Comtes de Champagne,' a 10-year-old Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) produced from 288 hectares spread over 37 crus. A five-year-old bottle of 'Les Folies de la Marquetterie' is made from only first-press juice from the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir plots around the Château.
Soalheiro Vinho Verde, Portugal
World’s Best No.16 Vineyard 2022
Vinho Verde has traditionally been densely populated due to its fertile land, so the size of property per family has always been small. As in Monço and Melgaço, where the parcels of vineyards are still very small, this is still true. Families who grow grapes, in addition to having other professional occupations, tend to their vineyards at the end of the working day and on weekends. It is the story of one family that created lifelong partnerships with other families in the region - the story of one vineyard that is now a territory.
In 1974, during the Carnation Revolution in Portugal's Vinho Verde region, Alvarinho grapes were planted for the first time in Melgaço. In 1982, he started making wines under the Soalheiro name (instead of their old red Ford), including his first sparkling wine in 1995. Known for its intensity and brightness, this white grape has become Soalheiro's modus operandi. Joo's children have been running the estate since 2008, modernizing the winery to make it eco-friendly and creating an Innovation Room to generate new ideas. The Portuguese President praised their efforts. Wine, spirits, herbal teas, cured meats, organic vegetables, and more are produced by Soalheiro.
Wine Style: In Soalheiro, there are 14 hectares of organic vines and 150 grower families work in the vineyards. The wines are made naturally with minimal sulfites and without filtration. Alvarinho is available in many forms, including still, sparkling, and grappa. The wines of Alvarinho include whites, rosés, reds, and sparkling wines.
Trapiche Mendoza, Argentina
World’s Best No.17 Vineyard 2022
Trapiche is a pioneer in the Argentinian wine industry and has helped introduce Bordeaux grape varieties to the country's vineyards since its establishment in 1883. Recent years have seen Chapadmalal winery expand its winemaking out to the east coast, using French oak and citing micro-terroirs in its wines. Located just six kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean near Mar del Plata, it produces delicate cool climate wines that are infused with the first Albariño and, more recently, Assyrtiko grapes. The incessant search for innovation at Bodega Trapiche dates back to 1883. Trapiche is a winery that defies what we know because it understands the land as its most precious asset while using the latest technologies to venture into unexplored places. It Introduced French vines, imported French oak barrels, and introduced wines with micro-terroirs. Trapiche has established itself internationally not only as one of the leading export brands in Argentina but also as one of the most prestigious in the world of viticulture.
Wine Style: Buenos Aires and Mendoza have a combined 1,250 hectares of vineyards that produce wine. There are contrasting lines within the portfolio, such as the ‘Pure’ and ‘Impure’ bottles, where the same grapes, from the same vintage, are vinified separately in concrete vats or oak barrels, enabling you to compare the different results. Featuring hints of Malbec and Semillon, this Extra-Brut Espumante is a Chardonnay-based blend with unique texture. A biodynamic Malbec is only available to guests.
Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley, Chile
World’s Best No.18 Vineyard 2022
Many generations have dedicated themselves to producing high-quality spirits and wines in honor of Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle. The Bournet Lapostolle family cultivates both a rich and moral heritage by passing the baton onto the next generation. Bournet-Lapostolle winegrowers are storytellers. Great-granddaughter Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle ventured to Chile in 1994 to embark on a new adventure. In accordance with the demands of her family, she aimed to produce exceptional wine and contribute to the qualitative development of the country's wine industry. Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle managed to make Clos Apalta an iconic wine within a few years by hand-shaping this vineyard. As of today, another wine enthusiast has taken over the role. The seventh representative of the dynasty has been at the helm of the company since 2013, Charles-Henry De Bournet Marnier Lapostolle, Guardian and renovator. Clos Apalta production is personally overseen by Michel Rolland, Jacques Begarie's technical director, and Jacques Begarie.
Wine Style: The vineyards of Clos Apalta are organic and biodynamic and focus on promoting the natural potential of the ancient Cretaceous soils. Here, vines grow in a semi-dry Mediterranean climate, protected from extreme heat by hills to one side and the cooling Tinguiririca River below, allowing them to ripen for a longer period. As a result of the patchwork of soil compositions, altitudes, and aspects among Clos Apalta's vines, it produces blends that are complex and well-balanced. Bordeaux-style red blends dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère are made here.
Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde, Portugal
World’s Best No.19 Vineyard 2022
Quinta da Aveleda produced its first white wine 150 years ago, following the dream of its founder, Manoel Pedro Guedes. Critics at the time tasted this wine in Berlin and Paris, and it immediately received gold and silver medals for its quality. Since then, Aveleda has been producing a unique wine, of great quality, and has been distributed to more than 70 countries worldwide. The pride and motivation of Martim and António Guedes stem from being part of a generation that can celebrate 150 years of the company's history founded by their great-great-grandfather. Manoel Pedro Guedes established this house in order to sustain and uphold the dream he had and to ensure that the future of this house would be wine. Their vision of wine is that it represents the work of a whole group of people, from those who take care of vineyards, wineries, bottling lines, and gardens to those who ensure that their wines reach all corners of the world in the best possible condition, as well as those who tell their customers and consumers about their wines' history. People like these are making this house, their great-great-grandfather's dream, and all that followed a reality every day. In the future, they would like to leave their testimony to those generations who choose Aveleda as the wine on their table with family, friends, and co-workers, on their first date, for life celebrations, for accomplishments, for conversations reserved for intimacy, or for large parties. With this sharing of stories, projects, and wines, they want to mark this moment in time.
Wine Style: With vineyards dotted throughout the region, Quinta da Aveleda is well known for its classic Vinho Verde, but it also produces single-varietal wines to showcase local grape varieties, such as Alvarinho and Loureiro. Quinta da Aveleda's 'Icon' cuvée is dedicated to the estate's founding father and contains only grapes from the estate's finest parcels of land, all hand-harvested, and highlights the estate's 150th birthday. Providing quality whites, rosés, and reds, as well as ports and old brandies.
Domäne WachauWachau, Austria
World’s Best No. 20 Vineyard 2022
With an excellent range of Wachau wines that beautifully reflect origin, Domäne Wachau is regarded as one of the top wineries in Austria, led by Roman Horvath MW and Heinz Frischengruber. With their intensive manual labor, vintner families cultivate the small vineyard plots along the Danube river terraces. Vineyards managed by Domäne Wachau are characterized by craftsmanship, sustainability, and unique biodiversity. A number of these vineyards are world-famous, including Achleiten, Kellerberg, and Singerriedel. In addition to wine tourism, the winery offers many other services. In order to maintain the authenticity of their wines, they make sure that they reflect the true character of their origins. They are distinguished by their sparse gneiss soils and their characteristic cool & fresh Wachau acidity structure. Wachau's terroirs express the uniqueness of the region in a clear and precise manner. Their wines are captivating - and convincing - with their pure elegance, tension and grip on the palate, and animated drinkability.
Wine Style: Wines from single vineyards combine elegance and power (white, rosé, red, sparkling). For the sake of preserving the distinctive character of its wines, Domäne Wachau prefers a minimal level of intervention. According to the company, its wines are like ballet dancers - strong, expressive, and elegant at the same time.
By Rashmi Goel
