A stay in wine country might lead you anywhere from North America to Europe, South Africa, Australia or South America. Whichever destination you choose, you’re likely to discover great vintages, savor seasonal cuisine, and soak up local culture. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, an outdoor adventure, or a getaway with friends and family, these Marriott Bonvoy properties rank among the best wine country hotels in the world, pairing vineyard adventures with comfort, culture, and connection.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
United States
Sonoma County, California — New World Icon
An hour north of San Francisco, Sonoma County is huge, with 1,768 square miles, 19 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), and 425 wineries, so don’t try to see it all in one trip. Instead, pick one or two famous wine valleys, such as Russian River, Sonoma, or Dry Creek, to explore at your leisure. You don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy sipping world-renowned pinot noir, chardonnay, and cabernet sauvignon, plus dozens of other varietals. You can also explore the Pacific Coast, two rivers, and redwood forests.
Where to Stay: The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, Autograph Collection
This upscale spa resort is a mile from leafy Sonoma Plaza and its two dozen winery tasting rooms, long-beloved restaurants, boutiques, and historic landmarks. Many more Sonoma Valley wineries are within a 15-minute drive. The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, Autograph Collection offers guest rooms, cottages, and suites, as well as an outdoor heated pool, a full-service spa, and loaner bicycles. And on-site, celebrity chef Michael Mina’s Wit & Wisdom restaurant serves California cuisine accompanied by Sonoma County wines.
Woodinville, Washington — Established Region
Woodinville Wine Country is centered on the town of Woodinville, 20 miles northeast of Seattle in the agricultural Sammamish (pronounced “sam-AM-mish”) River Valley. The area’s roughly 130 wineries are grouped into four distinct districts of small-lot producers, big-name labels (like the local Chateau Ste. Michelle), or a mix of both, so it’s easy to navigate. Sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and chenin blanc are common, as is merlot, both on its own and in blends. Destination dining includes The Herbfarm, with a nine-course seasonal chef’s menu.
Where to Stay: The SOMM Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
Set in the Hollywood District, within blocks of about 40 wineries, The SOMM Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection features a “blending room,” where you can blend your own signature wine. The two on-site restaurants include Bin 47, with a menu and wine list sourced from the Pacific Northwest, and complimentary wine education for each guest. The full-service Vin de Spa features hot tubs, saunas, and a cold plunge.
Willamette Valley, Oregon — New World Icon
An hour outside of Portland, the Willamette (pronounced “will-AM-met”) Valley is best known for top-notch pinot noir. The region’s two mountain ranges, the Coast and Cascades, not only provide a stunning backdrop, but also enable the perfect climate for a long wine-growing season, allowing grapes to fully ripen. In addition, Oregon’s iron-rich, volcanic soil nurtures complexity. Winery experiences range from laid-back to in-depth, so both newbies and experts can find their groove.
Where to Stay: Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Portland Newberg
There are few hotels in the wine country town of Newberg, and fewer still that won’t break the bank — making the sleek Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Portland Newberg a wise choice. Set just off Route 99W, the hotel is within a few miles of top wineries like Rex Hill and Argyle. On-site, there’s a seasonal outdoor pool and a wine bar serving area vintages, and nearby dining includes local favorite The Newbergundian Bistro.
Charlottesville, Virginia — Emerging Region
About two hours south of Washington, D.C., Charlottesville, Virginia, is the center of the Monticello AVA. Wine grapes were first planted here in the 1770s at the direction of Thomas Jefferson, and today there are about 40 wineries on the surrounding Monticello Wine Trail. Look for cabernet franc, viognier, and Bordeaux blends from longtime producers like Gabriele Rausse and Michael Shaps. The nearby Blue Ridge Mountains attract hikers and bikers, while Charlottesville itself is known for American Revolution–era history and is home to the University of Virginia.
With endless activities, Charlottesville is the ideal weekend destination for wine tasting and a cozy stay at The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel. (Top Photo: Marriott International; Bottom Photo: Getty Images)
Where to Stay: The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel
Right next to the University of Virginia campus, The Draftsman, Charlottesville, University, Autograph Collection Hotel is a pet-friendly hotel that’s a few blocks from Charlottesville’s compact, walkable downtown. Ridley’s, the hotel’s Southern restaurant, serves three meals daily of local farm-to-table fare, plus several Virginia wines. The hotel is within five miles of many Monticello Wine Trail wineries and Thomas Jefferson’s historic estate, Monticello.
Australia
Adelaide, South Australia — Bucket-List Experience
South Australia’s capital makes a convenient base for enjoying some of the Australia’s best wines. Note that driving here is done British style, so it’s common for visitors unused to driving on the left-hand side of the road to book winery tours and/or drivers. The Adelaide Hills are within 10 miles of Adelaide, home to the German-style village of Hahndorf and more than 40 wineries that focus on chardonnay, pinot noir, and sauvignon blanc. Farther afield, the McLaren Vale region (about 25 miles south of Adelaide) is known for Riesling, and the Barossa Valley (50 miles north of Adelaide) for ripe, powerful shiraz, often from century-old vines. A 30-minute flight across the Southern Ocean lies Kangaroo Island, with koalas and penguins, the aptly named Remarkable Rocks, and a local wine and food scene of its own.
Where to Stay: Adelaide Marriott Hotel
Found near Adelaide’s theater-rimmed Victoria Square and lively Rundle Mall, Adelaide Marriott Hotel is set in the historic General Post Office Building, originally built in 1872. The hotel’s contemporary Penny Blue restaurant serves Modern Australian cuisine paired with South Australian wines. There’s a stunning local art collection, a Presidential Suite, and an indoor swimming pool, plus winery tours where drivers pick you up right at the front door.
Canada
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia — Emerging Region
Home to more than 180 wineries, the Okanagan Valley is British Columbia’s largest wine region, but since the wines rarely leave Canada, you may not have heard of it. Located about 240 miles northeast of Vancouver, the valley is sandwiched between the Okanagan Range and the Monashee Mountains, centered on Lake Okanagan and the agricultural town of Kelowna. Vineyards and fruit orchards unfold along sunny slopes overlooking the lake, craggy peaks, and pine trees, and volcanic soils help produce merlot, pinot gris, and about 60 other varieties with minerality and acidity. This is as much a wine-lover’s destination as an outdoor enthusiast’s, popular for hiking, biking, paddling, and skiing.
Where to Stay: Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort
Set right on the Kelowna Boardwalk beside Waterfront Park in downtown Kelowna, the picturesque Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort has rooms and suites with city, lake, or mountain views, as well as the full-service Damara Day Spa and two swimming pools. The lakefront OAK + CRU Social Kitchen & Wine Bar features a locally sourced menu and huge wine list, including many area wines. Free loaner bikes are available, and 40 area wineries are within a 20-minute drive of the resort.
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario — Bucket-List Experience
Home to the epic Niagara Falls — one of the world’s top tourist attractions — the Niagara Peninsula is also Canada’s oldest wine-growing region. The first winery there was established in 1811. The massive Lake Ontario and glacial geology create a diverse mix of soils, and the peninsula’s roughly 100 wineries produce chardonnay, riesling , cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and more, known for age-worthy quality. Some Niagara wines are made from cold-hardy hybrid grapes like baco noir, and ice wine is a dessert wine made from white grapes harvested in winter. Niagara-on-the-Lake is the closest wine area to Niagara Falls, about 16 miles north, with about 40 wineries.
Where to Stay: Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa
All the guest rooms at Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa — the closest one to Niagara Falls — feature views of the falls, located just 100 yards away. An outpost of the Morton’s Grille steakhouse has a front-row seat to the spray and features wines from throughout the Niagara Peninsula. The full-service Burning Springs Spa & Thermal Pools has a hydrotherapy journey with three thermal pools, as well as a Himalayan salt sauna. It’s a 30-minute drive from the hotel to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Europe
Bordeaux, France — Classic Old World
This is one of France’s most important wine regions, famous for its age-worthy red blends and lavish châteaux (wineries), some dating as far back as the 13th century. Set in the country’s southwest, the Bordeaux region, centered on the city of Bordeaux and the confluence of two rivers, is divided into two growing areas. The Left Bank has limestone and gravelly soils and is known for cabernet sauvignon blends, while the Right Bank has clay and limestone soils and is known for merlot blends. The region also produces sauvignon blanc, sémillon, and the rich dessert wine Sauternes.
Bordeaux’s more than 6,000 wineries and complex labelling could seem daunting to a wine newcomer. However, a visit to La Cité du Vin, a modern wine museum in downtown Bordeaux, can help paint a clearer picture. (Plus, they serve wine in their eighth-floor tasting room.)
Where to Stay: Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel and Moxy Bordeaux
In Bordeaux’s formerly industrial Bassins à Flots district, these two hotels sit side by side, near La Cité du Vin, the Halles de Bacalan food market, and the Garonne River. The sophisticated Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel features a swimming pool on the city’s highest rooftop, and Gina Restaurant & Bar, which serves Italian cuisine and offers cooking classes.
The hip Moxy Bordeaux features a terrace garden with lounging couches and a mini forest, and the on-site bar serves regional wines. Both hotels share France’s tallest climbing wall, set on former silos. Public trams stop nearby and travel to the two closest wine areas, the Right Bank’s Pessac-Léognan and the Left Bank’s Médoc.
Tuscany, Italy — Classic Old World
Soak in the beauty of Tuscany’s rolling vineyards with a stay at Renaissance Tuscany II Ciocco Resort & Spa. (Photo 1: Marriott International; Photo 2: Getty Images)
Stretching west, south, and north of Florence, the Tuscan landscape is all about golden light over rolling vineyards, winding roads, medieval villages, and groves of cypress and olive trees. Sangiovese is the region’s most planted red grape, found in sought-after wines like Chianti, Montepulciano, and brunello di Montalcino. With more than 400 cantinas (wineries) to explore, you might hire a guide to get the sprawling lay of the land, or simply wander between tastings and enotecas, sipping and pairing as you go.
Where to Stay: Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa
Located about 70 miles west of Florence in the Tuscan province of Lucca, this luxury hilltop estate is surrounded by 1,700 acre of landscaped grounds. In addition to Tuscan-inspired rooms, a full-service spa, and two swimming pools, Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa offers Tuscan cooking classes, cuisine, and wines. The closest cantina, Podere Cóncori (one of Tuscany’s few certified biodynamic wineries) is 3.5 winding miles away.
Puglia, Italy — Emerging Region
In the heel of the Italian boot, the province of Puglia, long been known for quality olive oil and whitewashed cone-shaped buildings called trulli, is now on the radar for its value wines. Lots of sunshine, iron-rich volcanic soils, and cooling winds off the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas enable rich, fruit-forward red negroamaro and primitivo (aka zinfandel) and flinty, high-acid white blends with regional verdeca. Puglia’s best-regarded wines are from its far-southern Salento region.
Where to Stay: Palazzo Daniele, a Member of Design Hotels
Located in the town of Gagliano del Capo, the 11-suite Palazzo Daniele, a Member of Design Hotels is set in an almost 200-year-old palazzo with original frescoes, mosaic floors, an outdoor pool, and a courtyard garden. Local farmers and winemakers supply the on-site restaurant and open kitchen, where Apulian (of Puglia) cooking classes are taught by local chefs. The 19th-century winery Castel di Salve is nine miles north.
Rioja, Spain — Classic Old World
Stretching 75 miles west across the northwestern desert, the sunny, arid Rioja region is bisected by the Ebro River and known for tannic, barrel-aged red wines. Tempranillo is the star here, but garnacha, graciano, and mazuelo also play roles; crisp, tropical-fruit-forward whites are made with viura (aka macabeo). Wine is always paired with food here. Local tomatoes, piquillo red peppers, pork, and lamb are popular ingredients in hearty Riojan cuisine.
Where to Stay: Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Elciego
Set in a striking metal and stone building designed by Frank Gehry, Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Elciego in Rioja’s Alavesa wine region is part of the 19th-century Marqués de Riscal winery. An on-site bar offers guests the opportunity to sample many of their wines. The luxury hotel’s eponymous restaurant has a regional menu designed by chef Francis Paniego, holder of two MICHELIN Stars, and overlooks the Cantabrian Mountains, area vineyards, and the historic town of Elciego. The hotel’s spa even uses local wine in their treatments.
Porto, Portugal — Classic Old World
Set in northwest Portugal about 200 miles from Lisbon, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto is the hub of the Douro Valley, designated the world’s first wine region in 1756. Compact, hilly, and vibrantly tiled, Porto is perched on the Douro River, separated by the Dom Luís I walking bridge from Vila Nova de Gaia, an upscale village of famous port wine cellars like Sandeman and Fonseca.
Port is the city’s namesake fortified wine, a blend of five Portuguese grapes that includes touriga nacional and tinto roriz (tempranillo) and is either ruby (red, fruity, and fresh) or tawny (honey-brown and nutty from long barrel-aging). White port is also a local specialty, designed for cocktails and made from various Portuguese white grapes. Visit the WOW Porto Cultural District, a cluster of museums, restaurants, and bars, to sip different kinds of port and learn how it’s made.
Where to Stay: Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, the chic riverside Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel blends modern and antique decor with both Portuguese and French touches. There’s a casual restaurant, a gym, and a Champagne bar, and most guest rooms have a view across the river to Porto and its lively waterfront. Port cellars are within a few blocks of the hotel, and the center of Douro Valley wine country is about 80 miles east.
Alentejo, Portugal — Established Region
East of Lisbon, Portugal’s huge, arid Alentejo (pronounced “al-en-TAY-jho”) region covers about a third of the mainland country, known for cork trees and quality wines made in both barrels and large clay amphoras. A car or driver are necessary in this sprawling region, but a deep knowledge of wine is optional.
Most of Alentejo’s subregions are found in its center, with wide open plains, rolling hills, and diverse soils; the lone northern subregion, the Portalegre, has granite soils amid the São Mamede mountains. Throughout the Alentejo, red wines and rosés are made from aragonez (tempranillo), trincadeira, and Alicante Bouschet, as well as other native grapes. The signature white grape is antão vaz, and the regional fortified wine is the honeyed, velvety Moscatel de Setúbal.
Where to Stay: Torre de Palma Wine Hotel, Monforte, a Member of Design Hotels
Set high on a hill in the Portalegre town of Monforte, Torre de Palma Wine Hotel, Monforte, a Member of Design Hotels, with just 18 rooms, was built from the ruins of a 14th-century villa with its own vineyard, wine cellar and horse stables. You can take a wine-tasting class, learn how to ride a Lusitano horse (one of Portugal’s oldest breeds), or relax at the on-site spa. Palma restaurant serves updated spins on Alentejo cuisine, as well as regional wines.
South America
Mendoza Region, Argentina — New World Icon
Set in central-western Argentina, just east of the Chilean border and the Andes Mountains, the landlocked Mendoza Province is the country’s largest wine region, with 75 percent of its vineyards and more than 1,000 wineries. The main focus is on ripe, powerful red wines, namely malbec, bonarda, and cabernet sauvignon, often paired with hearty beef dishes. The region’s stunning landscape includes forests, high plains, lakes, and snowcapped peaks.
A 3.5-hour flight from Buenos Aires, the busy, cultural city of Mendoza is near popular wine subregions like Maipú and Lujan de Cuyo, known for the floral white torrontés. The famous Valle de Uco subregion lies south of Mendoza and is known for high-altitude vineyards and big-name wineries like Zuccardi and Catena Zapata. The Valle’s northernmost town, Tupungato (pronounced “too-pun-GAH-toe”), lies beside its eponymous volcano, one of the highest in the Americas at 21,555 feet. Home to dozens of wineries, Tupungato is also a ski destination in winter.
Where to Stay: Sheraton Mendoza Hotel and Auberge Du Vin, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tupungato
Rising 17 floors above downtown Mendoza, Sheraton Mendoza Hotel has a spa with a rooftop deck, a casino, and an indoor pool, and more than a dozen wineries are within 10 miles. On-site restaurants include La Cabrera Mendoza, an outpost of chef Gastón Riveira’s popular Buenos Aires steakhouse, known for its roast beef and extensive Argentine wine list.
Set within the Tupungato beside a working vineyard, the boutique Auberge Du Vin, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tupungato features just 28 guest rooms, many with vineyard and volcano views. There’s a fitness center and glamorous outdoor pool, and the on-site Epic restaurant serves international cuisine and a long list of Mendoza wines. Several area wineries are within five miles.
Central Chile — Established Region
Experience oceanfront luxury at Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center and explore the rich vineyards of Chile. (Photo 1: Marriott International; Photo 2: Getty Images)
Bordered to the east by the Andes and to the west by the Pacific Ocean, Central Chile sees plenty of sunshine, cooling fog, and sea breezes — combined with soil complexity and high-elevation sites, it’s a perfect recipe for high-quality wines. The region is home to about 90 percent of Chile’s 1,200 wineries, so both wine nerds and newbies will find their niche. Top wines include carménère, a red variety unique to Chile, as well as Bordeaux blends, chardonnay, pinot noir, and sauvignon blanc.
Where to Stay: W Santiago and Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center
Set in Santiago’s stylish El Golf neighborhood, the posh W Santiago has a rooftop infinity pool and bar with views of the city skyline and the Andes. On-site dining includes the chic yet casual NoSo, which highlights Chilean produce and wines. Just south of the city, the Maipo (pronounced “MY-po”) Valley contains more than 20 wineries and is best known for rich, structured cabernet sauvignon and carménère.
Perched beside Valparaíso Bay in the coastal town of Viña del Mar, about 80 miles from Santiago, the striking Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center has spacious guest rooms with balconies and ocean views. On-site there’s a full-service spa, two pools, and an outdoor kids club, and the bay-view Travesia serves locally sourced seafood and wines from throughout Chile. The cool-climate Casablanca Valley is about 20 miles from the hotel, with a dozen or so wineries specializing in chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and pinot noir.
South Africa
Stellenbosch — New World Icon
The Stellenbosch Wine Route is the most famous of the Cape Winelands’ almost 20 wine routes, with a winemaking tradition that dates to the 17th century. Beginning 31 miles east of Cape Town, the route is centered on the leafy town of Stellenbosch (Afrikaans for “town of oaks”), surrounded by several mountain ranges, and home to more than 200 wineries. The region is best known for Bordeaux-style blends based on cabernet sauvignon, but the local Stellenbosch University, the nation’s most important wine research center, developed pinotage, South Africa’s signature red grape.
Where to Stay: Protea Hotel by Marriott Dorpshuis & Spa Stellenbosch
Set in the historic Cape Dutch town of Stellenbosch, Protea Hotel by Marriott Dorpshuis & Spa Stellenbosch is an intimate, Victorian-era hotel surrounded by vineyards and mountains and home to an upscale spa. The on-site Oak Leaf Restaurant serves traditional South African cuisine, including bobotie, a savory, curried minced-meat dish, and regional wines, and a cozy lounge features 19th-century antiques and a fireplace. The hotel is within two miles of a few wineries and a few blocks from a regional Vine Hopper tram station.
Franschhoek — Established Region
About 50 miles east of Cape Town and 19 miles from Stellenbosch, the Franschhoek (pronounced “FRAN-chuk”) Wine Route is dotted with 25 wineries. The region’s signature wine is the sparkling cap classique, but you’ll also find bold reds and floral whites, including sémillon. Historic downtown Franschhoek, settled in the 1680s by French Huguenots, is home to the main terminal for the Franschhoek Wine Tram, which has five routes and various onboard wine-pairing menus.
Where to Stay: Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek
Set a few blocks from the tram terminal in the heart of Franschhoek, the half-historic, half-modern Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek features not only guest rooms, but also 10 fully equipped apartments across the street. The on-site Hussar Grill is a smart-casual international steakhouse with South African bottles on its wine list. The closest wineries are within 1.5 miles of the hotel.
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