restaurant terrace – Chateau St Martin – French Riviera

December 14, 2020

Wine Holidays to Soothe the Soul and Delight the Palate

Senior Travel Designer

Savouring a glass (or two) of wine is special at the best of times.

But relaxing on a terrace, sipping your favourite tipple to a soundtrack of birdsong, with rows of emerald green vines stretching before you… Well, that’s an experience to relish.

Wine holidays are more popular than ever. You get the opportunity to take your love of wine to a new level. Discover more about its fascinating history, expand your knowledge of wines from around the world, improve your palate – and top up your collection, of course!

But you also get the opportunity to delve into the heart and soul of a destination. To drink in the local culture, pair award-winning vintages with the region’s delectable gastronomy. And indulge your passion in some of the world’s most picturesque locations.

Whether you’re a serious oenophile or a casual vino drinker, whatever wine style you prefer, there’s a wine region waiting to be explored. And after the challenging year we’ve experienced in 2020, we all deserve a little treat. So we’ve gathered together some inspiration for a wine holiday in 2021. Here are three of our most popular luxury wine experiences.

French Luxury Collection: Bordeaux to Arcachon Bay

This luxurious French wine experience pairs a stylish stay in a vinotherapy spa hotel in the vineyards of prestigious Château Smith Haut Lafitte, with a romantic getaway overlooking the Bay of Arcachon.

The Bordeaux element is the ultimate in chateau chic: two-starred Michelin cuisine with accompanying wines and private wine tours around some of the region’s finest wineries, topped off with luxurious grape-based treatments in the spa hotel.

Then it’s time for a little seaside sophistication. Backed by wild sand dunes, with dreamy views, the glittering infinity pool merging into the big blue seas of the Atlantic. Discover oyster beds and bird life on a pinasse boat trip, before feasting on seafood platters and local oysters – all paired with sublime wines, naturally.

Ready to start planning?

SmoothRed offers a wonderful array of year-round experiences for all kinds of travellers. Let’s design your tailored memories together.

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California’s Sonoma and Napa Valley: Gourmet Wine Experience

This luxury wine holiday in California takes to you to two of the state’s finest regions: Sonoma County, the birthplace of California’s wine industry, and Napa Valley, its undisputed star.

With four tastings in each region, you’ll sample exquisite Pinot Noirs in Sonoma and sip the finest Cabernet Sauvignons, Petite Sirahs and Zinfandels in Napa. But it’s not just the premium wines that will have your taste buds tingling with anticipation; this famed wine country is also a food lover’s paradise. Among the treats in store are two Michelin-starred meals, complete with perfectly paired wines.

Away from the epicurean delights, there’s sublime coastline, verdant forests and charming towns to explore – and two exceptional hotels to relax in after a busy day’s tasting.

Florence to Chianti Wine Experience

Discover the flavours of Tuscany on this luxurious Italian wine experience. From the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance to the hills of Italy’s oldest wine region, you’ll experience la dulce vita with a perfect blend of world-class wines, sensational slow food, lyrical landscapes, and fascinating art and history.

This wine holiday is packed with memorable food and wine experiences, from a wine tasting in a Florentine gallery, to a five-course Michelin-starred lunch at the Antinori Vineyards, and an unforgettable day’s wine tasting via helicopter.

Along the way, you’ll feast on world-class art and architecture in Florence, discover picturesque medieval towns in the Chianti Hills, meet local wine and olive oil producers, and sample plenty of Tuscan gourmet delights.

All our luxury wine holidays can be adapted to suit your requirements. To find out more about any of our wine holidays or to make a booking, contact sales@www.smoothred.com or call +44 208 877 4940 for more information.