Drinks Travel Guide: Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries to Visit
Nothing teaches you more about a drink than standing in the vineyard, brewery or distillery where it is made. Here are some of the world's great drinks destinations — and how to enjoy them safely.
Great wine regions to visit
| Region | Country | Known for | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux | France | Château tours, Cabernet and Merlot blends, the Cité du Vin museum | May–June, September |
| Burgundy | France | Tiny family domaines, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the Route des Grands Crus | May–October |
| Champagne | France | Chalk cellars in Reims and Épernay | April–October |
| Tuscany | Italy | Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano; food and hill towns | April–June, September–October |
| Piedmont | Italy | Barolo, Barbaresco, truffles in autumn | September–November |
| Rioja | Spain | Historic bodegas and striking modern architecture | Spring, autumn |
| Douro Valley | Portugal | Terraced vineyards, Port lodges in Porto | May–October |
| Kakheti | Georgia | Ancient qvevri winemaking and legendary hospitality | September–October |
| Napa and Sonoma | USA | Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir; easy visits from San Francisco | Year-round; harvest Aug–Oct |
| Mendoza | Argentina | Malbec at the foot of the Andes | February–April (harvest) |
| Marlborough | New Zealand | Sauvignon Blanc and cycling between cellar doors | November–April |
| Barossa Valley | Australia | Old-vine Shiraz | March–May |
| Stellenbosch | South Africa | Beautiful estates near Cape Town | November–April |
Beer destinations
- Munich and Bavaria, Germany: beer halls, beer gardens, monastery breweries and Oktoberfest (late September to early October).
- Belgium: Trappist and abbey ales, lambic breweries around Brussels, Bruges beer cafés.
- Czech Republic: Plzeň, the birthplace of pilsner, and historic Prague pubs.
- UK and Ireland: traditional pubs, cask ale, and Dublin's famous stout brewery tour.
- USA: Portland (Oregon), San Diego, Denver and Asheville are craft beer capitals.
Spirits destinations
| Destination | Spirit | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Speyside and Islay, Scotland | Scotch whisky | Malt Whisky Trail; peaty island distilleries reached by ferry |
| Kentucky, USA | Bourbon | The Kentucky Bourbon Trail around Louisville and Bardstown |
| Tennessee, USA | Tennessee whiskey | Distilleries in and around Lynchburg |
| Cognac, France | Cognac | Historic houses along the Charente river |
| Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico | Tequila | Blue agave landscape (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and distillery towns |
| Oaxaca, Mexico | Mezcal | Family palenques and extraordinary food |
| Barbados and Jamaica | Rum | Some of the world's oldest rum distilleries |
| Martinique | Rhum agricole | Cane fields and French Caribbean distilleries |
| Japan | Whisky and sake | Distilleries near Kyoto, Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps; sake breweries in Fushimi and Nada |
| Jerez, Spain | Sherry and brandy | Bodegas in the "sherry triangle" |
How to plan a great visit
- Book ahead. Many wineries and distilleries only accept visitors by appointment, especially small producers.
- Limit visits to two or three a day. You will enjoy and remember more.
- Eat a proper meal — many estates have excellent restaurants.
- Check age rules. Tastings are for guests of legal drinking age; some tours welcome families for the non-tasting parts.
- Ask about shipping if you want to buy bottles, and check customs allowances for your home country.
Tasting samples add up quickly. Use spittoons (completely normal at tastings), book a tour with transport, hire a driver, or choose a designated driver who skips the tastings. Many regions have cycling tours — but cycling after drinking is also dangerous and illegal in many places.
Before you go, brush up on how to taste and tasting-room etiquette.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to book winery tours in advance?
Often yes, especially in Burgundy, Napa, Champagne and at small family estates. Larger wineries may accept walk-ins, but booking guarantees a spot.
Is it OK to spit at a winery tasting?
Yes. Spitting is completely normal and expected at wineries and distilleries. It lets you taste more and stay safe.
