The best honeymoon retreats for wine lovers

Food & drink

The best honeymoon retreats for wine lovers

Celebrate sickness and health at these luxury hotels for wine-obsessed newlyweds

Natacha Tonissoo

BY Natacha Tonissoo8 August 2016

Ready to go to the moon? Or rather, your honeymoon, we should say. If you love a glass of vino nearly as much as you adore your betrothed, why not coast into wedded bliss with a glass in hand? From the Luberon to Mendoza, we take a look at the hottest hotels with a vineyard in view. Here’s how to ensure your honeymoon (and marriage) will be filled with good times and good wine.

CASA DE UCO, MENDOZA
For absolute seclusion amid the vine-clad fields of Mendoza, look no further than Casa de Uco. This vanguard concrete and steel wine resort sits on a vast estate in the remote Uco Valley – home to some of the best Malbec vineyards in the world. Feast on local farm-to-table delicacies from the estate’s garden and enjoy a glass of red against the backdrop of snowy Andean peaks. For total wine immersion, take to the Uco Spa for some indulgent vinotherapy treatments.

HERDADE DA MALHADINXHA NOVA, ALENTEJO
The spotlight is finally shining on Alentejo: Portugal’s sleepy countryside is being tipped as the new Tuscany and fast becoming one of the top wine destinations in the world. For a slice of the action, stay at Malhadinha Nova – a working winery and rustic-chic hotel with just 10 stylish guestrooms. Learn all about traditional winemaking with a local wine-tasting and guided tour of the on-site cellars. There’s also a superb restaurant offering typical Alentejo fare with a modern twist.

LA RESIDENCE, FRANSCHHOEK
In a nod to Franschhoek’s French roots, La Residence brings the flamboyance of Versailles to this culinary hub in the Cape Winelands. On a private 30-acre estate, ringed by mountains and vineyards, the property feels more like your own palace with its opulent suites featuring crystal chandeliers, rich silks and antiques. Wine-lovers can check out the vineyards around Franschhoek, but you don’t need to go far to try some of the  very best wines, as the estate itself produces delicious cabernet sauvignon and shiraz.

CASTELLO DI CASOLE, TUSCANY
On a sprawling Tuscan estate, a cypress-lined lane leads to a beautifully renovated castle. With a wealth of history, it dates back to the 10th century and once served as the home to the some of the most powerful aristocratic families of Siena. Today, the estate is home to luxury hotel rooms as well as villas and farmhouses for extra privacy. The style is classic and traditional – perfect for Italian oenophiles, with more than 100 acres of vineyards and the estate’s signature blend, Dodici, made completely organically. What’s more, this special blend is only available to guests of the Castello.

HACIENDA DE SAN RAFAEL, SEVILLE
Halfway between Seville and Jerez, you’ll find this meticulously restored Andalucian finca, set among manicured gardens, olive groves and vineyards. Guests dine alfresco in a romantic bougainvillea-filled courtyard and sleep in the hacienda’s rustic casitas, which come with private gardens and dedicated ‘siesta zones’. Aside from being in a prime spot from discovering Andalucia’s pueblos blancos (white towns), the hacienda also arranges tours of local sherry bodegas and brandy tastings.

KINGSFORD HOMESTEAD, BAROSSA VALLEY
Time slows down at this intimate retreat with sweeping vistas over the famous Barossa wine valley in South Australia. Originally a 19th-century sheep station, the 225-acre property has a farm-to-table restaurant and only seven suites including the detached Stonemason’s Cottage – ideal for honeymooners. This is the perfect spot to get away from it all and take in the views from a veranda, or better yet, try its signature experience of the ‘outdoor bush bath’ where guests can enjoy a relaxing alfresco soak with a glass of Barossa shiraz in hand.

DOMAINE LES ROULLETS, VAUCLUSE
Raise a glass at this bucolic B&B, surrounded by lavender gardens, olive groves and cypress trees in the heart of Provence’s Luberon. Just a short hop from the hilltop villages of Gordes, Bonnieux, Ménerbes and Roussillon, it is the perfect base for exploring the region’s most hilltop towns, who scenic beauty has inspired artists throughout the ages. The domaine arranges tours and tastings in its own vineyard, where they produce organic red and rosé wines, ideal for pairing with a local cheese and charcuterie board served in the blissful gardens.

THE FARM AT CAPE KIDNAPPERS, HAWKE’S BAY
On the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Hawke’s Bay is hailed for its award-winning wines and unspoilt natural landscape. At its heart, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is the place to stay for a stylish back-to-nature getaway, where top-notch dining takes centre stage. On 6,000 acres of working farmland with dramatic views of the Pacific, the property is made up of a cluster of luxe lodges and has a spa, a wine cellar and a gourmet restaurant serving seasonal New Zealand food. The farm also hosts wine appreciation dinners and tastings with visiting chefs and wine experts. Beyond the bottle, guests can tour nearby nature trails, go river kayaking, air ballooning or simply stay put and retreat to the serene spa.

Thirsty for more? Our cup runneth over with these boutique and luxury honeymoon hotels