Category: Wine Investment

The Best Hotel Wine Cellars in North America according to MICHELIN Guide

Wine has long been intertwined with the art of hospitality, yet a select number of hotels elevate the experience to the highest level by curating world-class cellars that rival esteemed restaurants and private collections. According to MICHELIN Guide, these properties redefine the concept of luxury lodging, offering immersive oenological journeys that appeal to both seasoned connoisseurs and aspiring enthusiasts.

At these destinations, wine is not simply an accompaniment to a fine meal; it is the foundation of the entire stay. Guests may encounter sommeliers who serve as personal guides, expansive cellars that read like encyclopedias of viticulture, and opportunities to pair rest with rare vintages.

From California’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon estates to the refined lakeside retreats of Québec, these hotels embody the essence of wine tourism in North America. They serve as cultural crossroads, blending terroir, tradition, and innovation into an experience that extends beyond the bottle.

Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito, California

This Two-MICHELIN-Key resort looks and feels like a posh summer home. It’s fitting then that Caruso’s isn’t just a MICHELIN-Starred and Green Star restaurant with an ocean view—it’s also home to one of Southern California’s most extravagant wine cellars, stocked with 22,000+ bottles and a serious Burgundy collection. The sommelier team is armed with rare verticals and white gloves, and you’ll find that most guests here dress for dinner, even if they’re just heading downstairs, or opting to enjoy from their suite. Also located at Rosewood Miramar Beach? AMA Sushi with edomae-style sushi, available à la carte or as an omakase.

Rosewood Miramar Beach Wine Cellar, Napa Valley, California

A 15,000-bottle cellar. Lunch overlooking the Rutherford vines. And a wine list that reads like the Napa Valley Book of Genesis. This Three-MICHELIN-Key resort with a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant of the same name doesn’t shout — it purrs, in silky Bordeaux and well-structured Chardonnay. Whether you’re toasting at the bar or reclining in a vineyard-view suite, every sip is a reminder that heaven might just be spelled C-A-B.

SingleThread Inn, Sonoma, California

SingleThread is a unicorn; it’s a Three-MICHELIN-Key hotel with a Three-MICHELIN-Star and Green Star restaurant tucked inside. Here in this culinary sanctuary, dinner unfolds like a symphony, and the wine pairings are its most delicate movement. Located in California’s Wine Country, the inn’s cellar is both impressive and intimate; designed not just to dazzle, but to deepen your understanding of the bottle in front of you. Expect somm-led education, rare local vintages and a breakfast that might just come with a splash of Pét-Nat.

The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado

Come for the snow, stay for the Pinot Noir. The One-MICHELIN-Key Little Nell may be best known for ski-in, ski-out luxury and its Element 47 restaurant, but oenophiles know it for its award–winning wine cellar: over 20,000 bottles deep, with verticals that rival some European royalty. Prefer your wine with altitude? Book a sommelier-led ski tour, complete with slope-side sabrage. Yes, really.

The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, D.C.

This spot is in a sleepy little town outside of Washington, D.C., but just happens to be home to the region’s only Three-MICHELIN-Star and Green Star restaurant. The dining room is like a Versailles fever dream, and the wine cellar could double as a museum. At Patrick O’Connell’s countryside fantasy, the wine program is an experience unto itself, with deep French and American verticals, pairing flights that border on spiritual and tours that feel like a pilgrimage. You’ll sleep well—but not before a Château d’Yquem nightcap.

Post Hotel & Spa, Lake Louise, Canada

You’ll come for the glacial views and stay for the cellar, which spans more than 22,000 bottles. Discover rare vintages, winemaker dinners and private tastings—all housed in this MICHELIN-Key alpine lodge. It’s the kind of place where après-ski means Amarone, and the wine cellar is deeper than the snowpack.

Manoir Hovey, Québec

Québec’s most refined country escape comes with a serious side of vin. The Two-MICHELIN-Key Manoir Hovey houses a 15,000-bottle cellar and leans proudly into local pairings, offering Québécois wines you won’t find at your downtown wine bar. Book a table at Le Hatley for fine dining or Le Tap Room for a more casual setting. It’s as much about terroir as it is about taste—and yes, there’s foie gras involved.

As wine tourism continues to flourish globally, the MICHELIN Guide’s recognition of these hotels underscores a growing trend: travellers no longer seek only a destination, but a holistic experience that marries luxury, culture, and vinous discovery.

Source:  MICHELIN Guide

EU wine, spirits to face 15% US tariff starting August 1

European wine and spirits will face a 15% U.S. import tariff until a different deal is agreed in talks expected to continue in the autumn, the European Commission and EU diplomats said on Thursday, dashing producers’ hopes of an immediate reprieve.

A framework trade deal between Brussels and Washington on Sunday agreed a 15% tariff for most EU imports into the United States, although some sectors were expected to be exempted.

The U.S. tariff on European wine and spirits is currently 10%. Brussels is keen to reduce that to zero or, for wine at least, to the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rates that are set on a fixed cost per litre basis, rather than in percentage terms.

“The Commission remains determined to achieve and secure the maximum number of carve-outs, including … wine and spirits,” Commission spokesperson for trade Olof Gill said.

“It is not our expectation that wine and spirits will be included as an exemption in the first group announced by the U.S. tomorrow. And therefore that sector will be captured by the 15% ceiling,” he said.

Winemakers said the tariff, even if temporary, would hurt the sector, especially when combined with the stronger euro.

“The 15% duty on EU wines, even if applied for some months until the negotiations are closed, would cause significant economic losses not only for EU wine producers but also for U.S. businesses involved throughout the supply chain,” said Ignacio Sanchez Recarte, secretary general of European wine producers group CEEV.

“When combined with the currency shift in the dollar/euro exchange rate, the overall financial burden on the sector could reach 30%. Investments will be halted and export volumes will decline while waiting for the final agreement,” he said.

U.S. Distilled Spirits Council President and CEO Chris Swonger also urged a quick deal to bring tariffs down to zero.

“It is extremely disappointing and utterly exasperating that the U.S. and EU have not yet come to an agreement on spirits, which is an easy win for the United States that will help secure our economic vitality during this challenging time for the hospitality industry,” Swonger said.

“It is critical for our great American distilleries, farmers and hospitality workers across the country that President Trump secure a permanent return to zero-for-zero tariffs on spirits with the European Union,” he said in a statement.

The U.S. is to publish an executive order on Friday, implementing the framework trade deal that was agreed on Sunday between U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Separately, the EU and the U.S. are to publish a joint statement spelling out the details of the framework deal.

A senior diplomat said that talks on wine and spirits tariffs would continue after the joint statement. “(This will take place) probably in the autumn,” the diplomat said.

Until recently, spirits had benefited from zero tariffs between the U.S. and EU following an agreement in 1997 that also included other countries such as Canada and Japan.

That lasted until 2018, when the EU response to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs included increased duties on U.S. bourbon and other spirits. These were suspended in 2021.

U.S. MFN rates for wine are 19.8 cents per litre for sparkling and 6.3 cents per litre for most other wines, which equates to very low rates in most cases.

Source:  Reuters

Rioja Wine Tourism Surges to €197 Million in 2024

Spain’s most important wine region, DOCa Rioja, witnessed unprecedented growth in wine tourism, setting new records in both visitor numbers and economic impact. According to the annual Wine Tourism Monitor presented by the Regulatory Council of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin, prepared in collaboration with Dinamiza Asesores, presented May 27 2025, the sector generated nearly €200 million, marking a pivotal moment in Rioja’s evolution as a global wine tourism destination.

The Results

In 2024, a total of 912,438 people visited one of the 214 wineries open to wine tourism in the region. This figure represents a 3.54% increase compared to 2023, with positive growth recorded in all three subzones of the designation. Rioja Oriental saw the largest rise in visitors at 10.61%, followed by Rioja Alta with a 4.36% increase. Rioja Alavesa remained stable with a slight growth of 0.82%. The seasonal pattern of tourism persisted, with September and October as the busiest months. August also saw significant visitor numbers, while March experienced a notable surge of 35.78% over the previous year, driven by Easter celebrations. Despite some growth during off-peak months, the data highlights an ongoing need to reduce seasonality.

The report shows that 63.73% of visitors were from Spain, though international demand grew by more than three points to reach 36.27%. Among foreign markets, the United States accounted for 29% of international visitors, followed by the United Kingdom at 17.75% and France at 14.67%. Mexico registered the highest percentage growth among global markets in 2024.

Visitor behaviour data indicates that 80% made reservations for their visits, and 82.37% booked directly without intermediaries. The most common visitor profile was someone interested or enthusiastic about wine (79.27%), followed by passionate wine lovers (69.51%) and food tourists (40.24%).

From the supply side, Rioja wineries offered a broad and diverse range of experiences. Winery tours with tastings and wine sales remain nearly universal services among wineries. Wine and local product tastings, corporate events, and premium experiences are also widely available. Half of the wineries offer dining services upon request, while 14.58% have restaurants open to the public.

Regarding pricing, the average cost for a basic visit with tasting was €22.29, up 7.61% from 2023. Premium visits averaged €40.40, while visits including meals reached €70.21, reflecting a trend toward higher-value offerings.

Wine tourism experiences continue to expand: 61.46% of wineries offer special tastings, and 45.83% provide gastronomic activities such as pairing menus or cooking workshops. Seasonal experiences like grape harvests or grape stomping are available at more than a third of wineries. However, there was a decline in sports-related activities and games such as escape rooms.

Wine tourism events gained prominence in 2024, with more than 60 events hosted at wineries attracting over 30,000 attendees. These included themed tastings, concerts, special pairings, and festivals like Villabuena Wine Fest and Noches de San Lorenzo. Half of the surveyed wineries participated in wine-related events; 40.48% took part in music events; and 21.43% joined gastronomic activities.

Organizationally, 63.83% of wineries have a dedicated wine tourism department staffed by professionals with an average of over nine years of experience. English is spoken at 85.11% of wineries; French at 26.60%; Basque at 13.83%. Surveyed wineries reported a total of 344 direct jobs linked to wine tourism. An additional 65 external collaborators provide services such as guiding or sommelier work.

Profitability was rated positively by 78.48% of wineries; most consider wine tourism already profitable or expect improved results soon. Wineries sold an average of 9.5% of their wine through wine tourism channels; for some, this share exceeded 75%. Nearly all surveyed wineries (97.47%) plan improvements to their tourism projects. Other planned actions include enhancing guided tours, updating promotional materials, staff training, and creating new spaces like shops or tasting areas.

Investment in wine tourism surpassed €3.5 million in 2024—a rise of over 70% from the previous year and more than triple that invested in 2022.

Economically, wine tourism generated €65.74 million for Rioja’s wineries in 2024, a rise of just over six percent from the previous year, with €45.43 million coming from visits and shop sales; €20.3 million from other activities such as events or restaurant services; business events alone contributed more than €2.5 million.

The average spend per visitor in winery shops reached €40.05; basic winery visits averaged €22.29.

Across the entire destination [including spending on accommodation, dining, transport, shopping and other services], the economic impact of wine tourism reached €197.2 million in 2024: an increase of more than €11 million over last year.

The report also profiles visitors: according to a national survey, nearly three-quarters had visited Rioja within the past three years; main travel motivations were interest in wine culture followed by gastronomy and enjoyment of landscape or heritage sites; most traveled as couples or with friends using private cars for both arrival and local travel; average stay was just under three nights with hotels and rural guesthouses preferred; Haro, Logroño and Laguardia were top destinations within Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa subzones.

Average daily spending per visitor was estimated at €155, with winery visits as the most popular activity, followed by tastings, paired meals and vineyard walks.

The 2024 Wine Tourism Monitor affirms DOCa Rioja’s stature as a benchmark for sustainable, high-value wine tourism. With continued investment, professional development, and a strong push toward premium and international markets, Rioja is well-positioned to lead the next chapter of enotourism in Europe.

Historic British Wine Merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd to Launch First U.S. Flagship in Washington, D.C.

As part of a strategic international expansion, the venerable British wine institution Berry Bros. & Rudd has announced the opening of its first bricks-and-mortar retail outlet in the United States, to be located in Washington, D.C. This significant development reflects a broader transatlantic demand for luxury British heritage brands, particularly within the fine wine and spirit’s sector.

Established in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd holds the distinction of being Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant and is internationally renowned for its longstanding affiliation with the British Royal Family. It has served as the official wine supplier to the Royal Household since the reign of King George III in 1760, a heritage that continues to enhance the brand’s reputation for excellence and tradition.

While Berry Bros. & Rudd currently maintains international offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, and its historic headquarters in St. James’s, London, the U.S. retail launch represents the firm’s first physical retail presence in North America. This move aligns with a noticeable uptick in American consumer interest in authentic British luxury products, paralleling similar expansions by iconic British brands such as Fortnum & Mason.

“This marks a key milestone in our international growth, and we look forward to serving a wider community of customers across the US” said a company spokesperson.

The Washington, D.C. location will provide curated selections of fine wines and rare spirits, underpinned by centuries of expertise and Royal endorsement, positioning the store as a premier destination for discerning American oenophiles.

The Wine Market Journal Announces the Top Appreciating Wines of 2024

The Wine Market Journal, the world’s top resource for rare wine valuation, has released its list of the top appreciating wines for 2024.

“2024 was a challenging year for much of the alcohol industry, but high-end wines provided a bright spot, as they generally do, with good strength.  The Wine Market Journal has been tracking the values of wines at the world’s auction houses since 1997 and this year we decided to release our list of the top appreciating wines,” says David A. Parker, Publisher and Owner of The Wine Market Journal.  “With wine collecting proving to be one of the most popular hobbies in the country and a large portion of high-net-worth families listing a wine collection as a part of their investment portfolio, we thought this very eventful year would be ideal to start our Top 10 list of appreciating wines. Looking at these provides a glimpse into the fascination and the potential return the hobby brings.”

“Putting this list together took substantial thought and analysis”, said Peter Gibson, Editor and head data analyst of The Wine Market Journal.  “Since rare wines trade less frequently than stocks, we had to first be sure there were enough trades in both 2023 and 2024 to get consistent averages.  For wines less than 25 years old, we made sure a wine had at least 6 trades in each of 2023 and 2024 and an average price of at least $50.  For those more than 25 years old, we only looked at wines that had at least four trades each in 2023 and 2024 and an average value of at least $75.  All of our top 10 wines appreciated at more than twice the rate of the stock market this year. Here are the winners.”

Number 10

Vietti Barolo Ravera 2013.  Average auction hammer in 2023: $177, in 2024: $295.  Average appreciation: 67%.  Scored a perfect 100 points by Vinous magazine, this wine demonstrates the overall demand that Italian wine has enjoyed in the US this year.  Italian wines were the best-appreciating market segment tracked by The Wine Market Journal’s exclusive regional indices. As with the Chave Blanc above and as the youngest red wine on the top 10 list, this also has plenty of time to develop further and appreciate in value.

Number 9

Cos d’Estournel 1978.  Average auction hammer in 2023: $81, in 2024: $136.  Average appreciation: 69%.  This may seem a puzzle as 1978 was not initially heralded as a great vintage in Bordeaux and this wine has “only” garnered scores in the 93–94-point range.  However, as the sole Bordeaux on our Top 10 list, it demonstrates the popularity of second-growth Bordeaux, which performed better as a class than the more highly celebrated First Growths, according to The Wine Market Journal’s market indices.  1978 is also receiving more recognition as a soft but complex vintage, demonstrating the trend of collectors enjoying lighter, lower-alcohol reds. And, even at its appreciated price, it is still a relative bargain among highly recognized reds.  Finally, it is participating in a resurgence in popularity of wines from the 70’s.  Indeed 6 of the wines on our top 10 list are from that decade.

Number 8

Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve 1979.  Average auction hammer in 2023: $1247, in 2024: $2125.  Average appreciation: 71%.  This is the most highly valued wine on our top 10 list, due to its rarity and acclaim.  With the bare minimum four trades each in 2023 and 2024 to be considered for inclusion, and a reputation as consistently one of the greatest wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this can fairly be called a “unicorn”:  legendary but very rarely seen. Again, part of the trend of drinking lighter, more complex reds with lower alcohol, this and other imported wines may also be appreciating due to the perceived potential for tariffs to go into place for wine originating outside the U.S.

Number 7

Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 1974.  Average auction hammer in 2023: $150, in 2024: $256.  Average appreciation: 71%.  The first of three 1974 Napa Cabernets on our top 10 list, this is a classic from that acclaimed vintage.  While the Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1974 may be the single most famous California wine ever made, this longstanding producer has always had a reputation for great wines and clearly made one in this, the Golden State’s best vintage of the. The fact that this is a 50-year-old wine also likely figures into the increased popularity as it certainly was part of gifting and pouring decisions for those with major reasons to celebrate in 2024.

Number 6

Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve 1974.  Average auction hammer in 2023: $158, in 2024: $277.  Average appreciation: 75%.  This classic California Cabernet from BV also benefited from the renewed desire to drink older, lighter wines – and the celebration of the great 1974 vintage in its 50th year.  The fact that about four times as many auction trades occurred in 2023 and 2024 for this wine as for the Clos du Val, and appreciation was slightly higher, this seemingly became “the wine to drink” at 50th birthday parties and anniversaries during the year.

Number 5

Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons 1996. Average auction hammer in 2023: $120, in 2024: $222.  Average appreciation: 85%.  The sole Burgundy to make the Top 10 list demonstrates that wines from this region, which had been the fastest appreciating category for more than a decade but suffered a correction since spring of 2022, are coming back. A relative bargain for a Grand Cru red Burgundy with appreciable bottle age, this wine may be getting snatched up in preparation for celebrations in 2026, in anticipation of possible tariffs, or just because it’s hitting its peak of consumability right now,

Number 4

Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 1990. Average auction hammer in 2023: $287, in 2024: $546.  Average appreciation: 90%.  Receiving 100 points from Wine Advocate qualifies this as “perfect” to many people, and this Syrah-dominant wine from the northern Rhone by one of the most famed producers reconfirms interest the Northern Rhône category was strong in 2024.  Here again, we are seeing ready–to–drink wines from the best producers drawing the greatest increase in attention from collectors.  To paraphrase a noted wine personality: “I don’t have the time to age wine for 35 more years, but I can buy those years.”  Increased interest in this wine may also be heightened by the upcoming 35th anniversary in 2025 and the potential for tariffs for wine coming in from outside the US.

Number 3

Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley 1974. Average auction hammer in 2023: $157, in 2024: $302.  Average appreciation: 92%. The third classic Napa Cabernet from the acclaimed 1974 vintage to make our list, this was the rarest, with only 4 trades at auction in 2024.  Here again, we are seeing the perfect confluence of factors for appreciation: a classic producer, a classic vintage, the resurgence of interest in the time period, and an anniversary year.  A savvy investment indeed.

Number 2

Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Cask 1978. Average auction hammer in 2023: $92, in 2024: $183.  Average appreciation: 99%.  Surprisingly, the fastest-appreciating California Cabernet for 2024 is not from the hallowed 1974 vintage and won’t be an anniversary wine for three years, but unsurprisingly, it is from a legendary producer and the newly rediscovered 70’s. One of the “big 4 producers” of the era, this is further confirmation that reasonably priced, perfectly-aged California Cabernets are gaining increased attention by investors and connoisseurs alike.

Number 1

Sandeman Vintage Port 1963.  Average auction hammer in 2023: $88, in 2024: $184.  Average appreciation: 108%.  Appreciating almost as much as BitCoin during this period, is this classic fortified wine from Portugal.  Long the “sleeper” in terms of appreciation, Vintage Ports have received renewed interest and have often been the fastest appreciating category tracked by The Wine Market Journal’s market indices.  Top Vintage Ports are garnering more recognition by top bars and restaurants as wines that last after opening and short pours have become popular. While the 1963 vintage is a classic and Ports are known to age effortlessly for the better part of a century, Sandeman is regarded as a mid-tier producer, so perhaps this appreciation can be best equated to the Cos d’Estournel, with second-tier, reasonably priced wines garnering the strongest appreciation in this market.

There were some trends in 2024 with anniversary wines, and Napa Cabs from the 70’s being notably strong.  And 100-point wines are popular for collectors.  But the joy of collecting wine goes beyond the profit motive, to the unique social and artistic aspects of the product. A top collector states:  “Some wines go up in value. Some go down my throat.  They both bring pleasure.”