We’ll drink to that! Vineyard accommodation for Global Drink Wine Day

What’ll it be? Classic French Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux or a crisp Chardonnay from Burgundy? Champagne or award-winning English sparkling wine? Delicate German Riesling or full-bodied Californian Syrah? Whatever your taste, all wine tastes better when you know more about the vines on which the grapes grew, how the wine was made and the winemaker who made it.

A visit to the vineyard and winery is a great way to learn. Even better though is staying the night, soaking up the atmosphere and waking up with a view of the vines. The good news is that plenty of vineyards offer accommodation. We’ve rounded up some of the best from the most talked about classic and emerging wine regions.

The 265 acre Denbies estate is one of England’s largest vineyards, and grapes were first planted here back in 1986. Since then Denbies have honed their expertise producing the sparkling wines for which England is rapidly building an international reputation, and a range of impressive still wines too. Hospitality has for a long time been a part of the estate’s offer, and following recent expansion Denbies is now home to a luxury 17 room luxury hotel and 3 excellent restaurants. Guests can enjoy a meal or a glass of wine in the glass-walled dining room, or al fresco on the terrace.

Something to celebrate? Champagne adds to any occasion, and where better to enjoy it than in Champagne itself? On the Montagne de Reims, Champagne Francart has been in the same family for 5 generations. Here they grow the three classic Champagne varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier – and craft them into a range of delicious Champagnes, including their Prestige bottling with an impressive 7 years ageing. Four spacious and comfortable double and twin rooms make this property an ideal stopping-off point on the Champagne Wine Route .   

The village of St-Estèphe is one that will be familiar to all lovers of fine wines, home as it is to some of Bordeaux’s biggest names. Within this esteemed appellation, Chateau Ormes de Pez has gained a very high reputation for its refined and velvety reds.  Admirers from across the world can enjoy a glass or two at the vineyard’s guest house. Surrounded by mature gardens, this 18th century property is a haven of peace which has 5 elegant rooms, stylish antique furnishings, original artworks and wonderful views across the venerated vines of Bordeaux. 

Any fan of Chardonnay (and even a few who aren’t) will know Chablis, the village in the north of France’s Burgundy region that is the grape’s spiritual home. One of Chablis’s best producers, Jean Marc Brocard, has been making wines here since 1973 and all of the vines are carefully tended according to organic or biodynamic principles. From Petit Chablis to outstanding Grand Cru wines, every bottling captures the essence of the Chablis terroir. To understand more, stay in one of the domaine’s charming apartments in and around the village.

Even wine experts are often confused by the complexity and intricacies of German wine regulation and labelling. In reality, it’s simple. All you need to know is that Germany, and the steep sided Mosel valley in particular, produces the world’s finest expression of the Reisling grape. At Tiliahof, guests can stay in 4 modern rooms, each with a magnificent panoramic view over the vineyards, and taste their way through the winery’s extensive range of white and red wines, or pick up a picnic backpack and head off to explore the areas vineyards and hiking trails.

Weingut Pawis is a member of Germany’s prestigious VDP, an association of around 200 of the country’s best wine producers, who make their wines according the strictest of quality requirements. Located in the most northerly of Germany’s wine regions, Weingut Pawis have 5 thoughtfully furnished modern apartments, in a restored 16th century former farm building. The sun terrace overlooking their vines is the ideal spot to taste the vineyard’s wines.

While the west coast is where most wine buyers look for fine examples of US wine, it is in fact produced in all US states, including Illinois which has a winemaking history dating back to 1691! Many of the grape varieties grown are specially adapted to the state’s climate and Von Jakob grow many less familiar names that are sure to interest even the most jaded of palates. On the Shawnee Wine Trail, they have 2 beautiful cottages – The Wine House and The Port House – with 5 spacious suites featuring whirlpool baths and kingsize beds.

California is the 4^th largest wine producer in the world, after Italy, France and Spain, so it’s no wonder that the quality and variety available is excellent, or that a sophisticated wine tourism industry exists to serve the many visitors attracted to the region. Guests staying in the 24 spacious suites at the luxurious Inn at Churon Valley, in the Temecula Valley area between LA and San Diego, can enjoy the views of the vineyard and mountains beyond, well-tended gardens, tastings of award-winning wines and a well-stocked winery gift shop.

All of these leading wineries use eviivo Suite to manage their accomodation as part of an important wine tourism element of their business. eviivo Suite’s features include: Channel Manager, which allows owners to automatically update rates, content and availability on all major OTAs; Guest Manager, which enables reviews to be managed in one place; and Promo Manager, which helps drive direct bookings with web-exclusive promos.