Wine Tourism

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

Taste the World, One Journey at a Time

Wine has a remarkable way of telling the story of a place—through its landscape, climate, history, food and the people who call it home. At Afar & Away Travel, you don't have to plan an entire vacation around wine to experience some of the world's great wine regions. A day among the vineyards of the Douro can complement a journey through Lisbon and Porto; Paso Robles can add a taste of the Old World and American West to a California adventure; Champagne can become an unforgettable addition to Paris, and even a pilgrimage to Lourdes can include time discovering the wines of France. Whether it's one afternoon, a day or two woven into a larger itinerary, or a complete wine-focused journey, we'll help you discover the world through the glass—sometimes in celebrated regions you've dreamed of visiting, and sometimes in places you never knew made extraordinary wine.

1/12

Explore some of our favorite wine destinations below—and imagine where your next journey might take you.

Its very unpredictability and refusal to conform to international norms are what makes Portugal such a gloriously fascinating wine country and yet such an infuriating one.

- Wine expert Oz Clarke

Portugal | Wine, Landscape & Centuries of Tradition

Portugal is one of Europe’s most fascinating wine destinations, with an extraordinary diversity of indigenous grapes and winemaking traditions shaped by centuries of history. The Douro Valley is home to the world’s oldest demarcated and regulated wine region, established in 1756, and its spectacular terraced vineyards remain the birthplace of Port as well as increasingly celebrated table wines. Across Portugal, more than 250 indigenous grape varieties are grown, giving the country a wine identity unlike anywhere else in Europe.

Among its signature grapes is Touriga Nacional, the intensely aromatic red variety at the heart of many of Portugal’s finest wines and prized for its structure, acidity and ability to thrive in warm conditions. For white wine lovers, Alvarinho produces beautifully fresh, aromatic wines, particularly in northern Portugal's Vinho Verde region. Portugal's native varieties have attracted attention well beyond its borders: both Touriga Nacional and Alvarinho are among the varieties authorized for limited use in Bordeaux as growers there adapt to a warmer climate.

And experiencing Portuguese wine doesn't require turning your entire vacation into a wine tour. Spending time in Porto? Add a day among the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, visit a quinta and taste Port where it is made. Exploring Lisbon? Spend a day discovering the vineyards, estates and coastal wine country surrounding the capital. Afar & Away Travel can weave one or two days of vineyard visits, private tastings and memorable meals into a larger journey through Portugal—giving you a deeper taste of the country without taking you away from everything else you came to experience.

Come to Paso, taste the world.

— Ian Adamo, sommelier and owner of Somm’s Kitchen, Paso Robles

California | The Central Coast — Old World Soul, California Spirit

California wine country extends far beyond the familiar names of Napa and Sonoma. Along the Central Coast, Paso Robles offers a remarkable meeting of Old World wine traditions and the unmistakable spirit of the American West. Rolling vineyards, oak-covered hills, historic ranchlands and a Mediterranean climate create a landscape that can feel surprisingly European—yet distinctly Californian. More than 60 wine-grape varieties are grown here, from Cabernet Sauvignon and heritage Zinfandel to Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and other Rhône varieties.

What makes Paso Robles especially compelling is everything surrounding the vineyards. A wine-country stay can become part of a larger journey along one of America's most beautiful coastlines: San Luis Obispo, its historic Spanish mission, Hearst Castle, Cambria and the Pacific Coast are all within reach. Spend the morning tasting among the vines, linger over a vineyard lunch, and finish the day along the California coast. It offers so much of what travelers love about Europe—wine, food, history, beautiful landscapes and a strong sense of place—without a passport, while retaining the relaxed, adventurous character of the American West.

And you don't need to plan an entire vacation around wine to experience it. Add a day or two in Paso Robles wine country to a larger California journey, with private tastings, boutique wineries, vineyard lunches and memorable culinary experiences woven naturally into your travels. While Paso Robles and California's Central Coast are a particular focus for Afar & Away, we can also create customized wine experiences throughout California, including Napa Valley, Sonoma and beyond.

Rioja is not a type of wine. It is a whole wine country.

— Pedro Ballesteros Torres, Master of Wine

Spain | Where Wine, History & Landscape Meet

Spain is a country where wine feels inseparable from the landscape, food and history. With more than 4,000 wineries, its wine culture stretches from the celebrated reds of Rioja and Ribera del Duero to the dramatic hillside vineyards of Priorat, the crisp Albariño wines of Rías Baixas, and the Sherry traditions of Andalucía. Tempranillo may be Spain's most recognizable red grape, but varieties such as Garnacha, Albariño, Verdejo, Godello and Monastrell reveal just how diverse Spanish wine can be.

The real pleasure is experiencing these wines in the places that created them. Visiting Madrid or the Basque Country? Add a day or two in Rioja or Ribera del Duero. Traveling through Barcelona and Catalonia? Venture into Priorat for mountain vineyards, tiny villages and remarkable wines. Heading to Santiago de Compostela or exploring Galicia? Discover Rías Baixas, where Albariño thrives in an Atlantic landscape of green vineyards, historic pazos and coastal cuisine. Spain's wine regions naturally combine tasting with architecture, history, gastronomy and beautiful countryside—making them an experience even for travelers who would never describe themselves as wine enthusiasts.

Afar & Away can weave one or two days of vineyard visits, private tastings, winery lunches and local culinary experiences into a larger Spanish journey—or create an itinerary where wine takes center stage. From Rioja and Ribera del Duero to Priorat, Rías Baixas, Jerez and beyond, the goal isn't simply to taste Spanish wine. It's to experience the landscape, traditions and people behind the bottle.

Burgundy makes you think of silly things, Bordeaux makes you talk about them, and Champagne makes you do them.

— Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, French gastronome

France | Where Terroir Became an Art

Few countries have shaped the world's understanding of wine as profoundly as France. Here, wine is not simply about the grape—it is about terroir, the relationship between soil, climate, landscape and generations of human craftsmanship. From Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Bordeaux to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy, Syrah and Grenache in the Rhône Valley, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc in the Loire, aromatic whites in Alsace, rosé in Provence, and the incomparable sparkling wines of Champagne, France offers an extraordinary mosaic of wine traditions.

The beauty of France is how naturally wine can become part of almost any journey. Visiting Paris? Add Champagne or the Loire Valley. Traveling between Paris and Lyon? Spend a night or two among the vineyards and villages of Burgundy. Exploring Provence? Pair its markets, hill towns and Mediterranean landscapes with an afternoon at a Provençal wine estate. Heading to Bordeaux? The vineyards of Saint-Émilion, Médoc and Graves are right at your doorstep. Even a pilgrimage to Lourdes can include a taste of French wine country, with vineyard visits and regional tastings incorporated before or after the pilgrimage experience. France's wine routes lead not only to cellars and tastings, but also to medieval villages, châteaux, abbeys, markets and some of the country's most beautiful countryside.

You don't need to build your entire French vacation around wine. Afar & Away can incorporate one or two days of vineyard visits, private tastings, cellar experiences and memorable meals into a larger journey through France—including a cultural tour or pilgrimage. For those who want more, we can also create a dedicated wine itinerary linking several regions. Whether it's Champagne before Paris, Burgundy en route to Lyon, vineyards alongside a pilgrimage to Lourdes, a wine estate in Provence or several days discovering Bordeaux, wine offers another way to understand France—through its landscape, its history and, above all, its sense of place.

Gloriously, rip-roaringly Australian.

— Jancis Robinson

Australia | World-Class Wine, Just Beyond the City

Australia's wine story is as expansive and varied as the country itself, with more than 60 designated wine regions stretching from Western Australia to Tasmania. Shiraz may be its most famous calling card, but Australian vineyards produce exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Semillon and an increasingly diverse range of Mediterranean varieties. From the historic vineyards of the Barossa Valley to Margaret River, McLaren Vale and Tasmania, Australian wine combines serious craftsmanship with something distinctly Australian: a relaxed, welcoming approach that makes exploring wine country as enjoyable as drinking the wine itself.

And some of Australia's most compelling vineyards are remarkably easy to incorporate into a city stay. Visiting Sydney? The Hunter Valley is only about two to three hours away, making it possible to add a day or overnight among vineyards famous for distinctive Semillon and Shiraz. Spending time in Melbourne? The Yarra Valley is roughly an hour from the city, where rolling vineyards, cellar doors and outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir offer a completely different side of Victoria. A day in wine country can fit naturally between Australia's other great experiences—Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mountains, Melbourne's food and arts scene, or a longer journey along the coast.

You don't have to travel to Australia specifically for wine to make it part of the experience. Afar & Away can incorporate one or two days of vineyard visits, private tastings, cellar-door experiences and memorable lunches into a larger Australian journey. Whether it's the Hunter Valley from Sydney, the Yarra Valley from Melbourne, or a more immersive stay in Barossa, McLaren Vale, Margaret River or Tasmania, Australia's wine regions make it remarkably easy to turn an already extraordinary trip into something even richer.

Unfortunately, Icewine has become our calling card around the world.
— Tony Aspler

Come discover what else Canada has been hiding.

Canada | Wine Country in Unexpected Places

Canada may be better known for dramatic landscapes than vineyards, but that is precisely what makes its wine country such a wonderful discovery. Ontario's Niagara Peninsula is Canada's largest wine-growing region, where the moderating influence of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment creates conditions for everything from elegant Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Cabernet Franc—and, of course, Canada's internationally celebrated Icewine. Across the country in British Columbia, the Okanagan Valley offers an entirely different experience: vineyards overlooking lakes, mountains and strikingly varied landscapes that can feel worlds away from the Canada many visitors expect.

Best of all, Canadian wine country can be remarkably easy to incorporate into a larger journey. Visiting Toronto or Niagara Falls? Add a day or two in Niagara-on-the-Lake, combining vineyard tastings and a leisurely winery lunch with one of Canada's prettiest historic towns. Traveling through Vancouver and British Columbia? Extend the journey into the Okanagan Valley, where wineries, farm-to-table dining and spectacular scenery make wine part of a broader exploration of western Canada. Wine doesn't have to be the reason for the trip—it can simply become one of its most memorable discoveries.

Afar & Away can incorporate one or two days of vineyard visits, private tastings and culinary experiences into a larger Canadian itinerary or build a more immersive wine journey for those who want one. From Niagara's cool-climate vineyards and legendary Icewine to the lakeside estates of the Okanagan, Canadian wine offers something particularly appealing: the chance to discover a serious wine culture in places you may already be planning to visit.

Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world.

— Ernest Hemingway

The World | Wine Is Everywhere

Some of the world's great wine destinations need little introduction. Italy alone could fill a lifetime of journeys, from the vineyards of Tuscany and Piedmont to Sicily, Veneto and beyond. But one of the pleasures of traveling with Afar & Away is discovering that wine culture extends far beyond the places we traditionally associate with it. Ancient vineyards and distinctive local varieties can be found across Hungary, Greece, Croatia, Georgia, Turkey and Israel, while exciting wine regions are also emerging or being rediscovered in places as varied as Mexico, India, South Africa, Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. In many cases, wine offers an unexpected window into a destination's history, agriculture, cuisine and culture.

That means a wine experience can become part of journeys you might never think of as “wine trips.” Exploring Budapest? Discover the historic wines of Hungary. Traveling through Turkey? Add a vineyard experience to an itinerary filled with ancient sites and extraordinary cuisine. Visiting Mexico? Spend a day discovering the country's increasingly celebrated wine regions. Traveling in India? Explore a vineyard alongside the cultural experiences that brought you there in the first place. Sometimes the most memorable tasting is the one you never expected to have.

Wherever Afar & Away takes you, ask us how wine can become part of the journey. We can incorporate a vineyard visit, private tasting, winemaker encounter, wine-paired meal or a day or two in the countryside into itineraries around the world. It doesn't have to become a wine vacation. Instead, it can be one more way to experience a destination—meeting its people, tasting its landscape and discovering something you may never have known was there.

Explore some of our favorite wine destinations below—and imagine where your next journey might take you.

Its very unpredictability and refusal to conform to international norms are what makes Portugal such a gloriously fascinating wine country and yet such an infuriating one.

- Wine expert Oz Clarke

Portugal | Wine, Landscape & Centuries of Tradition

Come to Paso, taste the world.

— Ian Adamo, sommelier and owner of Somm’s Kitchen, Paso Robles

California | The Central Coast — Old World Soul, California Spirit

Rioja is not a type of wine. It is a whole wine country.

— Pedro Ballesteros Torres, Master of Wine

Spain | Where Wine, History & Landscape Meet

Burgundy makes you think of silly things, Bordeaux makes you talk about them, and Champagne makes you do them.

— Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, French gastronome

France | Where Terroir Became an Art

Gloriously, rip-roaringly Australian.

— Jancis Robinson

Australia | World-Class Wine, Just Beyond the City

Unfortunately, Icewine has become our calling card around the world.
— Tony Aspler

Come discover what else Canada has been hiding.

Canada | Wine Country in Unexpected Places

Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world.

— Ernest Hemingway

The World | Wine Is Everywhere

+1-941-301-8709

info@afarandawaytravel.com

Explore some of our favorite wine destinations below—and imagine where your next journey might take you.

Its very unpredictability and refusal to conform to international norms are what makes Portugal such a gloriously fascinating wine country and yet such an infuriating one. - Wine expert Oz Clarke

Portugal | Wine, Landscape & Centuries of Tradition

+1-941-301-8709

info@afarandawaytravel.com

Its very unpredictability and refusal to conform to international norms are what makes Portugal such a gloriously fascinating wine country and yet such an infuriating one.

- Wine expert Oz Clarke