THE WORLD’S 50 BEST VINEYARDS REVEALED

The inaugural list of The World’s 50 Best Vineyards has been revealed with Zuccardi Valle de Ucoin Argentina being named the Best Vineyard in the World.

Zuccardi Valle de Uco, located at the foot of the Andes in the Mendoza region, was awarded gold for the stunning architectural design of the wine complex complete with incredible views of the vineyards and mountains and terroir driven wines from wine maker Sabastian Zuccardi. Guests are treated to vineyard tours and wine tastings and the opportunity to dine at the vineyard’s restaurant Piedra Infinita Cocina, with a four-course seasonal menu matched with wines.

South American wineries boast half of the top ten places with other Argentinean producer, two from Chile and one from Uruguay. Europe also shows a strong presence with Spain, Portugal and Germany all represented in the top ten.

WHAT IS THE WORLD’S 50 BEST VINEYARDS?

The World’s Best Vineyards is a new award and comes from the same organisers as the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants and World’s 50 Best Bars awards.

The award is managed by an Academy of nearly 500 leading wine aficionados, sommeliers, and luxury travel correspondents from across the globe, divided into geographical regions who nominate their seven top vineyard experiences.

What is the judging criteria?

There’s no preset list of requirements but the Academy look beyond the wines at the “whole experience” including the “restaurant, tour, ambiance, staff, the view, the price, reputation, accessibility, everything that makes a vineyard visit a valuable and rewarding experience for visitors.”

See the list of the World’s 50 Best Vineyards below and click here for more details.

THE WORLD’S 50 BEST VINEYARDS

1 Zuccardi Valle de Uco, Argentina (continent winner – South America)

2 Bodega Garzón, Uruguay

3 R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, S.A, Spain (continent winner – Europe)

4 Quinta do Crasto, Portugal

5 Catena Zapata, Argentina

=6 Montes, Chile

=6 Clos Apalta Winery, Chile

8 Rippon, New Zealand (continent winner – Australasia)

9 Marqués de Riscal, Spain

10 Weingut Dr. Loosen, Germany

11 Craggy Range, New Zealand

12 Robert Mondavi Winery, USA (continent winner – North America)

13 Penfolds Magill Estate, Australia

14 Viña VIK, Chile

15 Weingut Tement, Austria

16 Château Smith Haut Lafitte, France

17 Viña Errázuriz, Chile

18 Antinori nel Chianti Classico, Italy

=19 Opus One Winery, USA

=19 Domäne Wachau eGen, Austria

21 Schloss Johannisberg, Germany

22 Château Margaux, France

23 Viu Manent SA, Chile

24 Vivanco. Bodega, Fundación, Experiencias, Spain

25 Bodega Colomé, Argentina

=26 Viña Santa Rita, Chile

=26 Bodegas Salentein, Argentina

28 Familia Torres – Pacs del Penedès, Spain

29 d’Arenberg, Australia

=30 Viña Casas del Bosque, Austria

=30 Schloss Gobelsburg, Chile

32 Bodegas RE, Chile

33 Schloss Vollrads, Germany

34 Vergelegen Estate, South Africa (continent winner – Africa)

35 Domaine Sigalas, Greece

36 Ridgeview, UK

37 Quinta do Bomfim, Portugal

38 Veuve Clicquot, France

=39 Delaire Graff Estate, South Africa

=39 Château Mouton Rothschild, France

41 El Enemigo Wines, Argentina

42 E.Guigal, France

43 Domaine Henri Bourgeois, France

44 Bodega Bouza, Uruguay

45 Creation Wines, South Africa

46 Ruinart, France

47 Seppeltsfield Barossa, Australia

48 Kir-Yianni, Greece

49 Château Heritage, Lebanon (continent winner – Asia)

50 Mission Hill Family Estate, Canada