William Reed are the people behind The World’s 50 Best brand, a suite of lists awarding the very best in restaurants, bars and hotels; they are the pros at keeping the industry on its toes. Each year, thousands of experts across the world are involved in curating these detailed and considered lists. The World’s 50 Best Vineyards list focuses specifically on food and wine tourism – these are the vineyards of the world that give visitors the most unforgettable experiences.

As Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at William Reed, comments: “This annual ranking recognises the unique experiences that these vineyards offer, from stunning landscapes and rich histories to extraordinary restaurants and vineyard tours. The top 50 vineyards exemplify excellence, innovation, and a commitment to quality, guiding wine enthusiasts to explore both hidden gems and renowned estates.”

You can explore some of the world’s best vineyards on many of our small group luxury journeys.

Topping The List

This year, the coveted top spot went to Bodegas de los Herederos del Marques de Riscal, which has been a force for greatness in Rioja, Spain for decades and came second in The World’s 50 Best Vineyards for the previous three years. It is where the first ever Rioja wines were bottled, with the then Marquis’ first vintage in 1862. These days it’s equally famous for the building its bodega lives in. Frank Gehry’s undulating red, gold and silver titanium ribbons are something to behold from afar, the Rioja landscapes stretching out around it, and the magic only intensifies up close.

The World’s 50 Best describes the 61-room hotel as having two contrasting wings which are “joined by a raised glass corridor which sunlight streams through, and views from the lounge terrace offer the winelands of Rioja to one side and the gastronomic promise of the Basque Country on the other”. In the restaurant, you can eat a six or nine course “Ideas Land” menu. The vineyards can be explored by foot, bike, or horse, with golf and padel on offer, too.

 

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Here are six more of our favorites from The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2024, all in Luxury Gold destinations.

VIK – Millahue, Chile

After a long search for the perfect terroir, Alex and Carrie Vik’s first concern here in the Cachapoal Valley was creating a state-of-the-art winery that blended into the unspoiled surroundings. There is more swirling titanium here, inspired by the Andes mountains in the background, the wind, and the work of Frank Gehry and Richard Serra, and yet this sculptural marvel sits so serenely on its hill. Guests staying in one of the 22 suites can bike between the vines, relax in the spa, swim in the infinity pool, or take a cooking or yoga class.

 

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Creation – Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa

In Walker Bay, 95 kilometers from Cape Town, the sky is wide and the maritime climate is breezy. Hemel-en Aarde literally translates as “heaven and earth” and Creation’s spot within it is described by The World’s 50 Best as having a “sheer, natural beauty that will truly blow you away”. Guests at Creation are encouraged to explore the art in the grounds, and to make use of local hiking and cycling safaris. In the restaurant, there are avocado or poached egg-based breakfasts requiring a chic Chardonnay companion, plus seasonal dinners with wine pairings, and tasting events.

Our Spectacular South Africa journey begins in Cape Town, discover more: Cape Expectations: How Travel Concierge Jameel Makes South Africa Sing

Ceretto – Langhe, Italy

In the north of Italy where the air smells of hazelnuts, truffles and pine, the Langhe is heaven for food and wine lovers. In the 1960s, the Ceretto brothers, Bruno and Marcello, pioneered the modern style of Barolo and Barbaresco wines. Now, the winery is run by the third generation, cousins Lisa, Roberta, Alessandro and Federico, who look after one of the world’s best vineyards with a casual conviviality that is infectious. In the winery shops, you can buy wines, chocolates, hazelnut tortes and the like from the family’s Relanghe brand. Lots of different wine tasting options are available by appointment.

 

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You may also enjoy reading: The Luxury Gold Guide to Private Wine Tasting in Italy

Champagne Bollinger – Champagne, France

Visitors to this iconic winery are welcome, and The World’s 50 Best says, “any visitor to Champagne should seize the opportunity to wander the cellars and courtyard and drink in the atmosphere of this incredible domain”. On a tour, you’ll hear the history of La Maison, see the workshop of Champagne’s last in-house cooper, behold the two plots that have never succumbed to phylloxera, the disease which ravaged most of the region in the early 20th century, ramble the cellars and try lots of champagnes.

Champagne is just two hours from Paris, an easy extension to our new Ultimate France journey.

Gusbourne – Kent, England

The only UK vineyard on the list, Gusbourne’s welcoming tasting room was described by The World’s 50 Best as “a place for wine lovers to treat themselves and enjoy gorgeous bottles of fizz alongside freshly prepared, seasonal menus”. For visitors, there is much focus not just on estate tours and tasting flights, but on very British picnics – visitors can collect a hamper of locally sourced cheeses and charcuterie, and homemade bread, and eat among the vines.

The estate is two hours from London, making it a fine choice to add to our British Royale or Castles & Kingdoms journeys.

 

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98WINEs – Yamanashi, Japan

Winemaker Yuki Hirayama opened his dream winery aged 60, with a lifetime of knowledge gained from his work in Burgundy and Japan. Just 100 kilometers from Tokyo (where our Majestic Japan Luxury Tour begins and ends), Hirayama’s farmhouse-like wooden haven sits high in the hills, with views of Mount Fuji, best enjoyed from one of the winery’s hammocks. The name 98wines refers to good but imperfect wines which score below 100 points in competition. The winery’s ethos is that “by making new friends and finding new ways, the imperfect 98 can become a perfect 100”.

You may also enjoy reading: Fushimi Inari to Miyajima: The Most Famous Torii Gates in Japan

For further travel inspiration, take a look at our collection of small group luxury journeys.

Expertly curated for the discerning traveler, our journeys offer an unparalleled travel experience, with every detail taken care of. Above and beyond iconic landmarks and sublime destinations, you may be wondering what exactly does a Luxury Gold journey include before you sign on the dotted line. To help you out, here’s everything you need to know.

You may be interested to read: How Luxury Gold Journeys Go Above and Beyond with Expert Karen Gower

Magnificent Stays

When we say luxurious accommodations, we’re not just meaning somewhere to rest your head. We’re talking about a carefully curated selection of boutique properties, historic gems and 5-star hotels in select locations that you will be talking about long after you return home.

A true immersion in each destination, enjoy superior service from partners like Belmond, JW Marriott, Intercontinental, and Red Carnation Hotels, along with a sensational array of one-of-a-kind boutique stays.

Guests enjoy the 5-star Marriot Mena House Hotel in Cairo, as featured on Elegance of the Nile.

At the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Peru, you’re invited into a storybook world. This exceptional retreat is set high in the Cloud Forest, in its own intimate Andean village. In the heart of Old Québec, Canada Fairmont Le Château Frontenac  is an iconic property that has been standing for over a century overlooking the mighty St. Lawrence River. Sleep like a movie star at the exquisite  Hotel Quisisana on Italy’s glamorous Isle of Capri, a favorite of nobility and celebrities, while the 11th century Ashford Castle in Ireland once home to the Guinness family will leave you feeling like royalty.

In Ireland, the magnificent Ashford Castle stands proud on Loch Corrib, a featured stay on Ultimate Ireland.

Read more about one of our exceptional hotels Step inside Peru’s blissful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Exceptional Dining

A daily breakfast and many of your dinners are included on your Luxury Gold journey. Thoughtfully chosen, these culinary experiences are more than nourishment, they are highlights.

We integrate the best fine dining and local gastronomic tours into our itineraries, for the perfect blend of curated meals and foodie experiences, along with the freedom to also explore your palate as you choose.

Dinner is served at the Hotel D’Angleterre in Geneva, as featured on Majestic Switzerland.

Michelin Star and Acclaimed Restaurants – Skip the waiting lists and dine in Michelin-starred and acclaimed restaurants. Enjoy delicious menus from top rated chefs, some sensational locations and experience the pinnacle of sustainable dining.

Some of our favorite restaurants include the Michelin-starred L’Antic Moli in Spain, a hidden gem where Head Chef Vincent Guimerà places local produce at the center of his menus and Fotografiska in Stockholm, a bastion of Swedish cuisine that holds a Michelin Green Star for its focus on reducing waste. Showcasing Peruvian gastronomy at its finest, MAP Café in Cusco delights with a surprise filled menu, and in South Africa, dining on the freshest catch in Cape Town’s award-winning Salsify, alongside the Atlantic Ocean is something that you’ll be talking about long after you return home.

L’Antic Moli’s Head Chef puts finishing touched to plates, as featured on Spain & Portugal in Style. Image credit: @lanticmoli on Instagram

Gastronomic Variety – Variety is always on the menu, with local produce and traditional dishes always favored on our trips. Depending on which tour you choose, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn from local gourmands on foodie street tours, create delicious favorites with cookery masterclasses and indulge at winery picnics. These experiences often allow you to meet local characters with stories to tell, something you wouldn’t get when travelling alone.

In Room Breakfasts – On days with Relaxed Starts you can set your clock a little later and enjoy a continental breakfast in bed with complimentary room service.

Step inside a Michelin-starred restaurant: Meet Michelin-star chef Vicent Guimerà of Spain’s L’Antic Molí restaurant

Concierge Services

Included on every Luxury Gold journey, our concierge services ensure a flawless personal service, tailored to you and always enjoyed in a small group setting. Features include:

Your Personal Travel Concierge – Taking care of every detail and at your service 24/7, your Travel Concierge is an expert on your destination and your happiness. They’ll get to know you, and then know what you need before you need it. No ask too great, their little black book of contacts and recommendations is second to none, whether you’re looking for a Ferrari ride in the Tuscan hills or a private dining experience in the gastronomic city of Bordeaux. Included within the price of your journey, they also take care of tips for services on trip by dining-room staff, chambermaids and porters at hotels, airports, docks and train stations.

A Luxury Gold Travel Concierge welcomes guests to their hotel.

Private Door-to-Door Transfer Service – Relax right from the start with an uninterrupted, seamless journey to your departure airport. At the end of your vacation, on arrival at your chosen airport, you will be greeted inside the terminal for a smooth and comfortable journey directly back home. The private door-to-door transfer service is available for guests in the UK, US and Australia, within a 50-mile radius of major international airports.

Full-Service Porterage – For your ease and comfort, full-service in-room porterage is always included. Your luggage will seamlessly be delivered from the coach into your hotel room, and on departure days, the porters will call your room to personally assist with the transport of your bags, so you won’t need to worry about your suitcase’

Personal Service within a small group setting – Always enjoy a bespoke experience within an intimate setting of an average of 20 guests, meaning a personal one-to-one experience. With our small groups, you benefit from more personalized service from your Travel Concierge and gain access to people and places that are closed to larger groups.

Bookmark for later: The 7 secret skills of every Luxury Gold Travel Concierge

Curated Experiences

Curated travel with VIP access and unique luxury experiences at your fingertips – each itinerary is thoughtfully crafted with the discerning traveler in mind to include:

Extraordinary VIP experiences – Front-of-the-queue priority, behind-the-scenes access, before and after-hours visits. We invite you to enjoy rare insights into majestic landmarks, with personal anecdotes from those in the know. Egypt’s Temple of Luxor is lit up for you, after hours and in England, enjoy exclusive access to the Tower of London before witnessing the ancient Ceremony of the Keys. Dine with a former All Black rugby player in New Zealand and learn about life on one of the most successful teams in the world, while in Italy enjoy a VIP visit to the magnificent Doges Palace in Venice.

On Elegance of the Nile, experience the Temple of Luxor after-hours, without the crowds.

Personalize Your Days with a Choice of Inclusions – On many days you can enjoy a choice of included experiences to personalize your journey. Plus, your personal Travel Concierge combines insider knowledge with a flair for knowing what guests want, to further customize your trip during your free time at your destinations.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences – Our sustainable travel experiences are included on all of our Limited-edition Small Group Journeys. Enlighten your senses, support local communities and enjoy exclusive invitations behind the scenes. Each experience supports up to 2 of 11 specific United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals​ and leaves a positive impact as you travel.

On Treasures of the Incas, meet Peruvian artisans protecting heritage crafts for future generations.

You may also enjoy reading: After Hours: Travel Like a VIP With These Exclusive Experiences

The Gold Standard in Travel

Setting the gold standard for travel, we want you to feel like a VIP every day of your Luxury Gold tour. Our first-class coaches ensure you arrive at each destination refreshed and entertained – your Luxury Gold coach is specially customized for smaller groups, with double the legroom and personal space. Complimentary wi-fi on board means you can stay in touch as you travel.

Guests relax on a private cruise in Capri, a feature on Ultimate Italy.

You can relax throughout your Luxury Gold journey knowing that you have 24/7 Support, with our on-the-road and remote support team available round the clock to assist you. Alongside your expert Travel Concierge, you’ll also benefit from highly skilled coach drivers and best-in-class Local Experts bringing each destination to life. This support also includes any queries before you leave and once you return.

Does a Luxury Gold journey sound like the vacation you’ve been dreaming of? Take a look at our full collection of Limited-edition Small Group Tours and choose from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas for your next luxurious getaway.

Distinct, stirring and evocative. The rousing sound of bagpipes is recognized all over the world. An exclusive audience with Highland Piper Andy Coulter is a highlight of our British Royale journey, so we sat down with him to learn more about this revered instrument and his royal connections.

Enjoy an exclusive audience with Andy on: British Royale

Piping through the generations

“I’m what you call an Ulster Scot, I was born in Northern Ireland and now live near Edinburgh,” says Andy. “My father was a piper, my grandfather and my great grandfather. I started when I was 10 years old.

“After school I joined the army and spent many years in the Drums and Pipes. So, I’ve been a Pipe Major a long time. When I left, I worked for Mohammad Al Fayed as close protection security, and he asked me to get a Harrods’s pipe band going. We piped in the store and for dignitaries, as well as at his castle in Scotland.”

You may also enjoy reading: The Ultimate Luxury Shopping Guide to Edinburgh

An instrument of war and heritage

“The pipes date back to the 14^th century are basically a war instrument, although they haven’t been played in combat now for over 40 years, since the Falklands War.” Andy tells us. “A lot of Clan chiefs had pipes or a personal piper to pipe them into battle. They would also pipe them into dinner and pipe them into the grave!

“I play the pipes at lots of funerals and lots of weddings, it’s a very traditional thing here. They are preserving Scottish and Gaelic music and heritage for future generations.”

My royal resume

“When I was in the army my ceremonial work consisted of The Trooping of the Colour and state occasions like the Queen’s Birthday parade,” Andy tells us. He has piped in military tattoos in Denmark, Canada, Germany and France, and at the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “I also piped at state banquets for Buckingham Palace and the British Royal Family. When a President, King or Queen from another country was visiting, pipers would play around the table.”

For more royal tales: Secret islands and snowy retreats: 5 hotspots loved by the British Royal family

Enduring connections

“I was piping at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for King Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife Queen Sofia, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II,” says Highland Piper Andy. “Following our traditional performance, I was asked to play a solo for the Queen Mother. It was a very unexpected and memorable occasion and I find that Luxury Gold guests love hearing all about this.

“I also met the Queen Mother on another occasion, whilst on guard duty at Windsor Castle. This is an amusing story that I share with guest when I meet them in Edinburgh. Suffice to say she left quite an impression on me.”

An exclusive audience for Luxury Gold guests

Andy delights in sharing the details of his encounters with the Queen Mother with Luxury Gold guests, after they dine at the exclusive Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. A grand finale to their time in the vibrant Scottish capital, Highland Piper Andy tells us “I go in and play a couple of tunes and introduce myself. We then talk, share a few stories and I answer any questions that guests might have. I’ll also get them to join in a bit with me. It is always lots of fun. I find that people are very interested in the bagpipes and piping, I think it resonates with everyone.”

Tantalize your tastebuds: The Luxury Gold guide to the finest Michelin star restaurants in Edinburgh

A cherished heirloom

“My pipes belonged to my great grandfather, and he bought them in 1888,” explains Andy, adding that they gain in value as they are handed down through the generations. “The bag itself is perishable and you also change the reeds when needed. But the pipes themselves are what you pay for. The wood is a very hard brittle wood called Mpingo. It is an African Blackwood, the best wood you can find and is worth around $20,000 a meter.

“When I first meet guests, they are often very intrigued and impressed by my uniform. The question I am asked most is how much does it weigh? It’s heavy because of the traditional Eight Yard kilt, the bonnet, shoes and pipes and comes in at 22 kilos which is about 45 lbs.”

Read how we make British Royale is exceptional: How Travel Concierge Michael Gives a Royal Welcome in the UK

A sound that resonates across the globe

“The Great Highland Pipes that I play originated in Scotland. But there are around 70 different types of bagpipes throughout the world,” says Andy. “There are Scottish Small Pipes and Scottish Parlor Pipes for example. There’s the Northumbrian Pipe and in Ireland the Uilleann Pipes. In Brittany in France, you have the Bretton pipers. They’re all Celtic nations. Pipers also played a similar looking pipe in Northern Spain, and even in Romania and places like that you can find pipes. They all have different styles of course.

“The Great Highland Bagpipes were the musical symbol of war; they were played in battle. My great grandfather played in battle in the Boer War, my grandfather played in the battle in the Somme and at Gallipoli.”

Related content: 7 of the world’s most luxurious train journeys

The next generation

“Pipes will never go out of fashion,” Highland Piper Andy says. “In Scotland the collieries all have pipe bands and that’s where they all stem back to. They are taught in school as well. Every Scottish High School in Scotland has a band or at least a few pipers. New Zealand has more pipers and pipe bands per population than anywhere else in the world and some of the best competition pipe bands can be found in Canada.

“With bagpipes found all over the world, they resonate for so many people. It’s also such a versatile instrument, associated with everything from weddings and dancing to military processions and funerals. Be it a highland fling or the haunting melody of Amazing Grace, when the pipes start playing, they always raise the hairs on the back of your neck.”

For the opportunity to meet Andy Coulter for yourself and hear the unforgettable sound of the Highland Bagpipes, take a look at our British Royale luxury tour.