Wine tourism has experienced an unprecedented boom, with the global market more than tripling to an astounding $358.6 billion, ranging from $108.3 billion to $358.6 billion over the next decade.
In addition to impressive growth, the sector is experiencing a significant renaissance as wine routes around the world change traditional products and move far beyond traditional tasting room models.
“The era of simple cellar door tasting is gone,” says Antoinette Turner, GM at South Africa's flight centre. “Today's estate is creating experiences and excursions that combine adventure and appreciation. The result is a fierce competition to create the most memorable wine experience on the planet.”
And wine lovers pay attention. This is a small selection of top wine experiences for 2025, both iconic and off-the-beate track locations around the world.
Mendoza, Argentina
Argentina's Malbec Trail literally takes wine tourism to astronomical heights. At Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards, visitors can combine Argentina's world-famous Malbec with some of the Earth's clearest night sky. The exclusive wine and starry experience combines a private astronomy session with local experts along with a moonlight tasting between the grapes, featuring artisan cheese platters and a star canopy.
There are no direct flights from South Africa to Argentina, but SAA's new direct flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil makes connections to Buenos Aires quite easy and there is no visa required, but wine lovers can freely explore not only Mendoza but Larioja's historic region.
Kotor, Montenegro
More and more South Africans are awakening to the wonders of Montenegro. Located on Europe's beautiful Balkans, Montenegro offers a quieter, budget-friendly experience compared to Croatia.
“Montenegro is known for its stunning coastline, warm waters, charming villages, food, history and culture,” Turner says. “If you're looking for summer vacation in Europe, subtract the price tag – Montenegro needs to be on your list.”
And if you're looking for a very different wine experience, head to Kotor in 2021, where Montenegro's first and only underwater wine cellar began aging wines at the bottom. The underwater aging process accelerates the maturation of the wine, giving the bottle a distinctive appearance (when marine life on the seabed is attached to the seabed). sea!
Tuscany in Italy
Tenota Torciano near Sangimignano has a magical pairing of wine and truffles on the plate. Perfect for foodies, this property offers a real truffle hunting experience (think truffles dogs, olive trees, vineyards, and a rolling countryside), followed by wine tasting. There, visitors will learn more about the ancient truffle-hunting traditions and winemaking while enjoying the fruits of labor! In fact, Tenuta Torciano offers 45 different experiences. This means you can choose from horse riding adventures to pasta making classes.
Napa Valley, California, USA
Just like Franschhoek's famous wine tram, Napa Valley wine trolleys lead the Trondre during a selection of award-winning wineries in the Valley. Experience scenic views from the open-side trolley (a reused San Francisco cable car), commentary from the guide and top of the gourmet picnic lunch. This is Napa on a plate and lucky travelers can taste the wines, olive oils and other artisan products from the region!
Swan Valley, Western Australia
Australia's wine regions are legendary of Barossa Valley, Margaret River, McLaren Barre, Clare Valley, Hunter Valley, Adelaide Hills, Koonawarra and Yarra Valley.
But Swan Valley (about 30 minutes northeast of Perth) is not only Washington's oldest wine region, but it is also the only place where you can enjoy “bushtucker tasting.” It is wine paired with storytelling and with local ingredients foraging on Nougirl land.
“Qantas will launch a new direct route between Johannesburg and Perth in December,” Turner says. “And it's easier than ever to travel 'down' as South African aviation already flies nonstop five times a week. ”
South Africa, Bonier Valle
Chardonnay lovers, note: Weltevrede Wine Estate's 2-hour guided Chardonnay Walk takes you deep underground to experience real estate history, art and wine on a unique candle cellar tour. This unforgettable tasting journey explores the region's unique terroirs. And that's why Weltevrede is dedicated to producing world-class Chardonnay. It is perfect for both Chardonnay followers (you want to understand why this grape variety captured the heart and taste of the world, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you
When it comes to wine tourism, Turner believes South Africa holds its own against Argentina, Chile, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the United States, and more.
“South Africa is most famous for its Western Cape winelands, and it goes all the way up the garden route from Constantia, but there are also incredible estates in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal,” says Turner. “Domestic travelers should discover the Bezalel wine and brandy estates between Woodington and Kyamos Woody towns of Kalahari, or between the Highgate Wine Estate, Highgate Wine Estate, Abingdon Wine Estate and Peak Wine Estate in the Cathedral.
