Wine aficionados need look no further than these ultra-luxe accommodations located in the heart of vineyard environs. We’ve scoured the globe to showcase 10 of the world’s best, ranging in style from minimalist to medieval. Some are located on wine estates, boasting views of the vines from the rooms, on-site samplings, and “vinotherapy” treatments at the spa, while others offer an opulent base for exploring the best of a region’s vineyards. Cheers!
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
- Courtesy of the Farm at Cape Kidnappers
- Where: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is a 6,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm located in the legendary Hawke’s Bay. The 22 suites feature rustic New Zealand elements and modern twists, with breathtaking views of the Pacific. When not sampling the area’s best wine, guests can unwind at the 18-hole championship golf course, take a quad bike tour of the property, or test their skill at clay target shooting. The lodge has its own vegetable garden and menus feature New Zealand beef and lamb. Hawke’s Bay has over 70 wineries, but don’t miss a stroll in downtown Napier, which is one of the best-preserved Art Deco towns in the world.
Meadowood
- Courtesy of Meadowood Napa Valley
- Where: St. Helena, California
Those looking for the full-blown resort experience in Napa should book a stay at Meadowood. This 250-acre property has 85 guest rooms tucked into cottages dotted around the grounds. Meadowood is a place to indulge both the body and the brain. The Restaurant, helmed by Christopher Kostow, has earned three Michelin stars and Kostow is a James Beard-award winner. Sampling wine is a major part of anyone’s stay here, but the hotel helps visitors learn more about it through its numerous Wine Experiences. Seven Stones Winery is located right above the Meadowood resort and is available to visit by appointment only. Its inaugural release, the 2005 Seven Stones Cabernet Sauvignon, received plenty of praise and the tiny winery produces only a few hundred cases a year.
Grace Cafayate
- Courtesy of Grace Hotels
- Where: Cafayate, Argentina
Grace Cafayate is tucked inside La Estancia de Cafayate wine estate in the Calchaqui Valley. The area is known for its Torrontes, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Grace Cafayate has 52 guest rooms along with 20 villas, and the color palette is muted, giving way to stunning views of the Andes and the vineyards. There’s a swimming pool and spa that incorporates local ingredients such as aloe and grape seed oil into treatments, as well as a championship golf club. Nearby Bodega Colome is one of the oldest vineyards in Argentina and claims to be the highest, with an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet above sea level.
Le Quartier Francais
- Courtesy of Le Quartier Francais
- Where: Franschhoek, South Africa
A member of Relais & Châteaux, this hotel is located in Franschhoek, a popular weekend gateway for Capetonians. Le Quartier Français has just 21 rooms tucked around a courtyard. Bright pops of color are used throughout the hotel and unexpected touches include a cinema, contemporary art gallery, and an “Indigenous and Unusual Herb and Sculpture Garden.” There are around 40 wineries to visit in the area, while Franschhoek itself boasts plenty of antique shops and restaurants.
Hotel Marqués De Riscal
- Courtesy of Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel
- Where: Elciego, Spain
This Frank Gehry-designed hotel looks like a pile of unspooling ribbons that have been plunked down in the middle of a vineyard. The Marqués de Riscal, part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, is located in Elciego, one of Spain’s top wine producing areas (come here for the Rioja). If you’d like to do more than just drink wine, the in-house Spa Vinothérapie Caudalie uses local wines in its Red Vine Bath and Crushed Cabernet Scrub treatments. A short drive from the hotel brings you to Bodegas Vivanco, a combination winery and museum.
BY: BY CHRISTINA VALHOULI
***Grabbed from: http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/worlds-most-luxurious-wine-country-hotels#!1-intro