The world’s best vineyards to visit chosen by globally acclaimed vinophiles and super consumers.
Celebrating the very best and most beautiful vineyards across the globe, the World’s Best Vineyards has revealed this year’s top wine destinations for 2022 at an event held in Argentina’s wine capital, Mendoza.
The annual list which highlights the world’s finest and most diverse vineyards across the globe announced the Top 50 with the innovative Antinori nel Chianti Classico in Tuscany, Italy, topping the list for the first time. Italy also celebrated the highest climber accolade with sparkling wine producer Ferrari Trento moving 50 places up the list to 11.
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Spain’s Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal with its longstanding history and breath-taking architecture took second place for two years in a row, whilst Chilean vineyards, Montes and VIK Winery, achieved third and fourth place.
In some brilliant news for wine lovers Down Under, two Australian vineyards have also earned themselves a place on the prestigious list.
Coming in at number 36 and also representing the overall continent winner for Australasia was Henschke with the stunning winery in the Eden Valley.
Recognised for its rich heritage, innovative spirit and commitment to handcrafting exceptional wines for many years, Henschke is a family-owned, 154-year-old Australian winery, located in Keyneton, South Australia in the Eden Valley wine region. It produces the ‘Hill of Grace’, one of Australia’s “cult wines”, and was considered Australia’s second best wine by James Halliday in 2009.
If you’re interested in visiting one of the world’s best, Henschke Cellar Door, housed in the farm’s 1950s Woolstore, featuring one of the remaining dry-stone walls of the original 1860s Grain Barn, opened in late 2018 to mark the winery’s 150th anniversary. The cellar door includes a spacious tasting area, courtyard, underground wine tanks, private tasting room and the Henschke Wine Room, which displays the full Henschke collection.
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Just sliding in at number 49, Penfolds Magill Estate was the second Aussie vineyard to be named on the list.
Nestled in the foothills of Adelaide and only 15 minutes from the CBD, Penfolds Magill Estate is the original home of Penfolds wines and of Australia’s most prized wine, the famous Grange.
Penfolds has attracted a strong international following, and regularly wins gold medals and gold class awards at Australian wine shows and world wine awards. As well as the accolades for Penfolds Grange, the Penfolds Chardonnay portfolio has enjoyed remarkable wine show success.
Penfolds’ Barossa Valley Winery and Cellar Door is the main site of Penfolds wine making. As testament to that focus, the winery facilities include the largest premium red wine barrel hall in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit the winery in the heart of the valley to sample a selection of Penfolds wines, including a rare taste of Grange.
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Montes also took continent winner for South America, with Robert Mondavi Winery which is described as the ‘soul of Napa Valley’ topping North America. The best in Africa was revealed as Creation in South Africa, whilst France and Portugal had the highest overall split of vineyards with each taking 11 spots on this year’s Top 100 list.
The 2022 list includes more countries than ever before with 20 from all six continents being featured. It also includes exciting first-time entrants from India, Bulgaria and Greece highlighting the recent growth in the industry. There were more English entries than ever before with Balfour Winery (78), Gusbourne (85) and Nyetimber (93) joining Ridgeview at number 73.
This year’s host, Zuccardi Valle de Uco has been promoted to the World’s Best Vineyard’s Hall of Fame after coming top of the list three years in a row. Going forward the new category will be formed of vineyards that top the annual vote of the World’s 50 Best Vineyards and are therefore no longer eligible to be voted for on new editions of the list.
Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at William Reed, commented that, “The World’s Best Vineyards highlights wine tourism destinations around the globe and now that travel is back on the cards, this year’s list is more important than ever for raising profiles with tourists and those looking for authentic and unique trips. We are so pleased to have been able to travel to Mendoza for this year’s event. It is a place of extraordinary beauty and of course, lots of amazing vineyards – the perfect wine tourism destination. Gracias!”
Well, we now know which vineyards are on our bucket list.
Find out more here.
