A new chapter in Burgundy’s wine world
#1 Château La Commaraine, Pommard, Burgundy (France)
Once the residence of the Dukes of Burgundy, this wine château and its walled vineyard parcels, known as clos, later remained in the hands of discreet winemaking families for generations. In 2017, the estate was acquired by an American couple. Their first step was converting the Premier Cru vineyards to biodynamic farming. They then transformed the property into an elegant, understated hotel retreat featuring 37 guestrooms (from approximately CHF 580 per night), two restaurants, and an underground spa. For General Manager Jean-Luc Vitoux, however, these amenities are merely the foundation, not the essence, of the project. “We do not offer luxury for luxury’s sake,” he explains. “Our primary audience is wine enthusiasts with whom we can share our passion.” Whenever possible, guests are invited to participate in vineyard and winery activities, gaining firsthand insight into the estate’s terroir and the winemaking process in its state-of-the-art cellar. The goal is for visitors to take home something more meaningful than memories of a fairy-tale setting: a deeper connection to the place itself. “Purpose and pleasure are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, they belong together,” says Vitoux. “I believe that is exactly what many people are looking for today.” For anyone who loves Burgundy, its wines, landscapes, and relaxed pace of life, Château La Commaraine, which opened in spring 2026, is far more than a hotel. It may be the most rewarding way to immerse yourself in this unique culture.

Nearest airport: Geneva (approximately 2 hours 15 minutes by car)

Where Provence becomes an art gallery
#2 Auberge La Coste, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Luberon (France)
Set amid the organic vineyards of Château La Coste and surrounded by pine forests and olive groves, Irish entrepreneur and art patron Patrick McKillen has brought his vision of a contemporary country estate to life. Conceived as a living, evolving project, La Coste is designed to grow organically and become richer over time. More than two dozen world-renowned architects, including Jean Nouvel, Tadao Ando, and Frank Gehry, have left their mark on the property. Nestled among vineyards and woodlands, the sculpture park could easily rival a Museum of Modern Art. Yet McKillen avoids describing it as a “collection.” Instead, he says he invited “friends from the art world to create objects or places that inspire wonder.” La Coste, he insists, is not a commercially driven venture but rather one grand act of passion. The luxury hotel Villa La Coste, which appears to rise organically from the landscape and overlooks the sprawling estate, has been attracting sophisticated travelers since 2017. Those who appreciate wine and art but prefer a simpler and significantly more affordable stay (double rooms from around CHF 220) will find an appealing alternative in the new Auberge La Coste, located in the lower section of the estate.

Nearest airports: Marseille (approximately 45 minutes by car) and Nice (approximately 2 hours by car)

A tuscan retreat in the heart of Chianti
#3 La Darbia in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Tuscany (Italy)
La Darbia occupies exactly the kind of setting most people imagine when dreaming of the Tuscan countryside. Located about 20 miles south of Florence and 25 miles north of Siena, it sits among rolling hills surrounded by olive groves, lavender fields, vineyards, and Mediterranean vegetation. A pine-lined drive leads to a collection of historic stone buildings that now form this intimate hideaway. The estate remains a working farm, producing premium olive oil and honey. Its 17 suites (from approximately CHF 550 per night), including four designed specifically for families, are spread across three lovingly restored buildings. Extensive renovations employed traditional construction techniques to preserve the property's original character, while Studio Primatesta brought a refined sense of understated elegance to the interiors. Every window frames a picture-postcard Chianti landscape, a view that makes everyday concerns instantly disappear. Despite its intimate scale, the hotel offers ample privacy and tranquility without sacrificing warmth or attentive service. An authentic Tuscan restaurant, inviting communal spaces, a thoughtfully curated library, and two outdoor pools complete the experience. The result is a place where, with each passing vacation day, guests feel less inclined to leave and follow through on the carefully planned sightseeing itinerary they arrived with.

Nearest airport: Florence (approximately 45 minutes by car)

The essence of Piedmont’s langhe region
#4 Dai Grésy in Langa, Treiso, Piedmont (Italy)
In today’s relentlessly busy world, many travelers find it difficult to truly disconnect. We rush from one destination to another, accumulating experiences while our minds remain tethered to the noise we hoped to escape. Yet occasionally, you discover a place where the world seems to quiet down. A place where the air feels clearer, nature sets the rhythm, and a few deep breaths are enough to restore your energy. Dai Grésy is one such place. When the historic family residence at the heart of the Marchesi di Grésy wine estate began to deteriorate, winemaker Ludovica di Grésy and her brother Alessandro decided against restoring it solely for private use. Instead, they opened the estate, home to the renowned Martinenga single vineyard since 1797, to guests and created a refined agriturismo retreat. Outside, the property presents itself as a traditional Piedmontese farmhouse. Inside, nine guest rooms (from approximately CHF 360 per night) combine minimalist elegance with contemporary comfort. Each evening, guests enjoy an authentic dinner prepared exclusively with local ingredients. From the small wellness area and outdoor pool, views extend across the sea of vineyards covering Monte Aribaldo, which connects the wine-growing communities of Barbaresco and Treiso. Only Nebbiolo is grown here, the grape responsible for some of Italy’s most celebrated red wines.

Nearest airport: Milan Malpensa (approximately 2 hours by car)

Staying at a top Bordeaux wine estate
#5 Les Clefs de Troplong Mondot, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux (France)
A memorable Bordeaux wine-country getaway begins with choosing the right place to stay. Travelers focusing on the Right Bank, the area east of the Dordogne and Gironde rivers, will find the picturesque hilltop village of Saint-Émilion an ideal base. Overlooking the historic town sits the prestigious Château Troplong Mondot. Its appeal extends beyond wine lovers to anyone seeking a peaceful retreat with sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards. That promise comes to life at Les Clefs de Troplong Mondot, the estate’s exclusive guesthouse. It features two spacious double rooms (from approximately CHF 240 per night) and two suites, each with two bedrooms. With accommodations for no more than twelve guests, the atmosphere feels less like a hotel and more like a stay at a stylish country home owned by friends. E-bikes are available for exploring the surrounding vineyards, renowned for Merlot-dominant blends complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Guests can also request gourmet picnic baskets to enjoy among the estate’s vines. Owner Aymeric de Gironde often personally guides visitors through the property, sharing his enthusiasm for organic viticulture. Those eager for a deeper connection to the terroir can even help with vineyard work. In the evening, guests enjoy a gourmet dinner at Les Belles Perdrix, accompanied by one of the estate’s Premier Grand Cru wines. Critics may call it curated authenticity. Yet Château Troplong Mondot succeeds remarkably well in capturing and conveying the spirit of Saint-Émilion.

Nearest airport: Bordeaux (approximately 45 minutes by car)

Renaissance meets red wine: a palace reawakens in Ribera del Duero
#6 Castilla Termal Palacio de Avellaneda, Peñaranda de Duero (Spain)
Transforming historic buildings into hotels has evolved from an architectural trend into a highly successful business model. The appeal is obvious: places with history and distinctive architecture come with an instant narrative and a sense of character that new construction rarely achieves. A striking example is the Palacio de los Condes de Miranda in Ribera del Duero, the renowned wine region north of Madrid. Since summer 2026, the iconic Renaissance palace in the village of Peñaranda de Duero has welcomed guests as a stylish wellness hotel featuring thermal baths and wine-based spa treatments. Breakfast is served in the former chapel, while the restaurant occupies a glass-enclosed cloister. The property’s 80 contemporary guestrooms (from approximately CHF 210 per night) are distributed across several wings. The village itself is deeply rooted in winemaking and ranks among the most important stops along the official Ribera del Duero Wine Route. Beneath its narrow streets lies an extensive network of centuries-old underground wine cellars known as bodegas subterráneas. The surrounding vineyards sit on a rugged plateau more than 2,600 feet above sea level. Tempranillo is the dominant grape variety, producing powerful red wines known for their aging potential.

Nearest airport: Madrid (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by car)

Wine, wide-open spaces, and portuguese hospitality in the Alentejo
#7 Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Beja, Baixa Alentejo (Portugal)
Portugal remains one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations, yet the rural Alentejo region, a vast landscape of olive groves, cork oaks, and vineyards stretching between the Tagus River and the Algarve, is still largely undiscovered by international visitors. While most travelers head for Lisbon, Porto, or the Algarve, and wine tourism traditionally focuses on the Douro Valley, interest in Alentejo is steadily growing. A new generation of ambitious winemakers, chefs, and hoteliers is driving that transformation. Among the pioneers is Paulo Soares, CEO and co-founder of Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, a sprawling family-owned agricultural estate offering around two dozen guest rooms (from approximately CHF 340 per night) spread across several villas throughout the property. “Portugal is probably the only country that belongs to the Old World of wine while still being discovered by many visitors as if it were something entirely new,” says Soares. The amphorae found here are more than 2,000 years old, while the estate’s newest accommodation, Casa das Pedras, is thoroughly contemporary. This striking building features four suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private plunge pool, and Scandinavian design furnishings. Guests can explore the estate on guided horseback rides, but the true heart of Malhadinha Nova is its winery. Hotel guests are free to enter at any time, much like an open kitchen, and watch the winemaking team at work. The organically certified wines are best enjoyed afterward in the estate’s restaurant, which embraces a deeply sustainable farm-to-table philosophy.

Nearest airports: Lisbon (approximately 2 hours by car) and Faro (approximately 1 hour by car)