For me, wine travel is about so much more than just the wine—it's the people, the food, the culture, the history, the scenery, and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make each region so special.

As a wine blogger and content creator, I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world and explore some incredible wine destinations over the past few years. What fascinates me most is how deeply wine is woven into the fabric of local life—it’s tied to centuries-old traditions, regional cuisine, and the stories of the people who make it.

From hunting for truffles in northern Italy, to touring ancient Champagne caves carved by the Romans, to learning how to make fresh pasta from scratch in the rolling hills of Tuscany, these are the kinds of immersive, bucket-list-worthy experiences that make wine travel so magical.

5 Unforgettable Winery Experiences to Add to Your Wine Travel Bucket List

Traveling the world through the lens of wine is one of the best ways to see the world, in my opinion. Wine regions can take you on a tour through local cultures, food, history, and more. So whether you’re a wine lover, history buff, foodie, or all of the above, you’re going to love this list of unforgettable experiences.

By the way, three out of these five unique winery experiences are included in my next Wine Retreat in Tuscany coming up in October 2025. Be sure to fill out this quick form to get your name on the list for more information on this curated wine tour through Tuscany.

Keep reading for a list of the best winery experiences in Europe that you must add to your bucket list.

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1. Picnic at Finca Garbet Vineyard – Catalonia, Spain

I have to say, this is definitely the most jaw-dropping vineyard I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. This picnic experience was hosted by Celler Perelada, a stunning winery and hotel in Catalonia’s Costa Brava. If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend in the countryside of Spain, check out Perelada’s wine country golf resort (did I mention they also have a Michelin Star restaurant located inside a historic castle?)

Located in the heart of Spain’s Empordà DO, Finca Garbet stretches 12 hectares along the Mediterranean coast. It’s a mountainous terrain of slate composition, which requires the vines to be cultivated on terraces and carefully farmed.

Planted in 1997, this Perelada vineyard is composed of Garnaxta, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. And there are a few contributing factors that lend to the incredibly beautiful wines produced from this vineyard, which we learned about while enjoying fresh croissants, local cheeses, and jamón:

Organic farming and hand harvesting
Slate soils that stress the vines, providing for low yields of high quality grapes
Reflection of the sun off the Mediterranean Sea, which allows the grapes to fully ripen
Tramontana wind - this infamously strong wind adds more stress to the vines, resulting in greater intensity of flavor in the grapes
Temperature regulation from the Mediterranean (this can also add a characteristic saline note in the wines)

This experience reminded me that wine is a sense of place and a representation of where it comes from. Opening a bottle of wine means so much more than just drinking a wine - it can transport you to a memory, a place, a group of people. I’ll always go back to this moment when enjoying future bottles of Perelada from Finca Garbet, and I hope you get to experience this too.

The Costa Brava is located just outside of Barcelona but often overlooked as a must visit destination. Take this as your sign to see this stunning region on your next trip to Spain and check out these Costa Brava tours from Barcelona.

2. Explore the Ancient Caves of Champagne – France

Whether you're a history buff, a wine lover, or both, exploring the caves of Champagne is a must for any wine travel bucket list. The chalk caves—or crayères—that run beneath the region are some of the most fascinating and historic wine cellars in the world. Some of these underground tunnels date back to 80 BCE, originally dug as quarries to extract chalk stone used for building.

These naturally cool, dark, and humid environments are ideal for aging champagne, a crucial process for quality bubbles. Not only do the wines gain complexity over time, they also undergo a secondary fermentation during which the iconic champagne bubbles are formed, and complex aromas like unbaked bread or yeast develop.

But these caves are more than just functional—they’re a journey through time. During World War II, many of them were used as shelters. Walking through them feels like stepping into a quiet, candlelit history book—each tunnel lined with thousands of bottles, surrounded by stories.

Only a 45-minute train ride from Paris, the region of Champagne makes for the perfect day trip. Simply hop on the train from Paris to Reims and book a few wine tours within walking distance (you can also book a cab to take you to any wineries outside of the city center). Or spend a few days in this sparkling region at one of the most iconic wine country hotels.

Pro tip: When visiting Reims, stop for lunch at Sacré Burger for a delicious burger paired with an impressive champagne list. Visit the caption of this post for more of my tips on how to plan the perfect day trip from Paris to Champagne.

The caves pictured above are under Champagne Laurent-Perrier, and many other iconic producers offer cave tours as part of their wine tasting experience—check out some amazing Champagne cave tours and wine tasting experiences below.

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winery pasta making class in tuscany italy

3. Take a Cooking Class in Tuscany – Italy

There is nothing quite as immersive as a pasta-making class in the heart of Tuscany. Complete with plenty of wine, an authentic Italian cooking class is one of my favorite experiences to date. In fact, Tuscany is the place I first fell in love with food and wine during my study abroad trip to Florence in 2015. I took a wine and food pairing class that, needless to say, shaped my life. We learned how to make local and historic recipes, paired with Italian wines that complemented each dish perfectly.

So if you’re looking for a life-changing experience, I would say a cooking class in Tuscany qualifies…

My favorite wine and food pairing saying states, “What grows together, goes together,” and a cooking class using local ingredients in the heart of wine country is the epitome of this rule. Your guide will teach you how to make pasta from scratch (it’s easier than you think), all while sipping wines from the surrounding vineyards and learning how each variety matches with the dishes you're creating.

The class I attended was hosted at Villa Le Corti, a historic estate in Chianti Classico that’s been producing wine and olive oil for over 600 years. There, we cooked with ingredients fresh from the garden, learned traditional Tuscan techniques passed down through generations, and sat down to enjoy the fruits of our labor in the historic (and likely haunted) kitchen. It felt like stepping into a postcard—and the wine pairing made it all the more memorable.

This isn’t just a cooking class—it’s a sensory deep dive into the soul of Tuscany—it’s something you’ll remember forever.

By the way, this wine country cooking class experience is included in my Tuscany Wine Retreat. If you're dreaming of slow mornings, vineyard views, hands-on cooking, and curated wine pairings, get your name on the list for my October trip. We only have one room left!

And if you can’t make it in October, I’ve put together a Farm Cooking Lesson in collaboration with my local tour guide partners. This private, customizable experience includes a pasta-making class and lunch at a family-owned agriturismo, where you'll forage fresh herbs and vegetables straight from the garden to complement your pasta. We’ll even arrange your round-trip transportation from Florence, so all you have to do is show up hungry.

4. Dine in a Vineyard in Chianti Classico – Italy

Talk about immersing yourself in wine country… there’s truly nothing like dinner in a vineyard. Picture long communal tables set between the vines, twinkle lights strung overhead, golden hour casting a glow over the rolling hills, and the alluring scent of freshly cooked Italian recipes drifting through the air. It’s the kind of magic only Tuscany can deliver.

The vineyard dinner pictured above was hosted by Querceto di Castellina, one of my favorite family-owned wineries in the heart of Chianti Classico. Located just under an hour’s drive from Florence, this retreat feels like a secret garden tucked into the countryside. The family behind it is warm and welcoming, and the wines are incredible.

Dinners at Querceto di Castellina are paired with seasonal, locally sourced dishes that highlight the flavors of Tuscany. Think handmade pici pasta with wild boar ragù, grilled vegetables from the garden, and olive oil that was pressed right on the estate. Each course is paired with a different wine, and the winemaker or chef often joins to share the story behind each pairing, adding a personal touch to the experience.

If you’re craving the full wine country escape, Querceto di Castellina also offers overnight stays in their cozy, B&B-style accommodations—perfect for a romantic getaway or a peaceful solo retreat.

By the way, my upcoming Tuscany Wine Retreat kicks off with a vineyard welcome dinner that’s just as dreamy. We’ll be dining under the stars on the property of our villa, overlooking Lago Trasimeno in Umbria. It’s hands-down one of my favorite sunset spots in Italy—and the meal, made by our private chef, paired with wines made from the vineyard on property, sets the tone for the whole week. There’s one room left for the October 2025 retreat, so inquire here for more info.

And if you’re planning your own trip, check out my full travel guide to Tuscany here, including my suggested list of wineries, restaurants, and hotels, as well as a free downloadable map for easy navigating.

5. Go Truffle Hunting in Piedmont – Italy

Truffle hunting has been on my bucket list ever since I first saw this experience on some travel show as a kid, and it did not disappoint.

As a fan of truffle dishes and an even bigger dog lover, I was mesmerized by how hardworking and talented our guide, Cicchi, was. She works 8+ hour days with her owner, sniffing out truffles and digging them up to be collected and sold to local restaurants.

Our truffle hunt took place at Fontanafredda, a historic winery and estate known for its Barolo and connection to Italy’s royal family. The setting? Rolling hills, crisp air, and a peaceful forest. Once Cicchi signaled she’d found a truffle, her trainer gently dug it out, brushed off the soil, and handed it to us. The fresh truffle aromas were intoxicating and begging to be paired with a glass of local wine.

And you guessed it…this experience is also included in my October Tuscany Wine Retreat. You’ll get to join a real truffle hunt with local experts and their dogs and be rewarded with wine at the end of our excursion.

Whether you’re a foodie, nature lover, or someone who just wants to hang out with dogs in any setting (hi, it’s me), truffle hunting in Italy is a must.

I hope these European winery experiences inspire you to book that trip you’ve been dreaming of. Whether it’s sipping bubbly in an ancient Champagne cave, making fresh pasta in Tuscany, or bonding with a truffle dog in the Italian countryside, these moments are what make wine travel so special.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more wine travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes moments from my adventures. And if you ever have a question about a wine region or want help planning a wine-focused getaway, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to help.

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