Tag: Wine Tourism

Dievole Wine Resort: A Benchmark in Tuscan Wine Tourism Excellence

During my recent visit to Dievole Wine Resort, I conducted an in-depth exploration of the estate’s integrated wine tourism program, encompassing guided vineyard tours, curated gastronomic experiences, and a structured tasting of the estate’s wine portfolio. Here are my findings.

The Dievole Wine Resort exemplifies an exceptional model of integrated wine tourism, where viticulture, gastronomy, and heritage converge in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico region. Encompassing over 600 hectares of vineyards, olive groves, woods, and gardens, the estate is not merely a destination, but a deeply immersive cultural experience rooted in centuries of winemaking tradition.

At the core of Dievole’s enotourism strategy is its commitment to educating and engaging visitors through meticulously curated experiences. The Dievole Grand Tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the estate’s unique terroir and its state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, including the visually striking circular Fidelio vineyard, cellar tours, and tutored tastings of flagship wines paired with regional specialties. For the oenologically curious, the Novecento Vertical Tasting delivers an analytical lens through which to examine vintage variation and the aging trajectory of Dievole’s iconic Chianti Classico Riserva Novecento, a wine steeped in historical significance and viticultural precision.

Complementing these in-depth offerings is the Classic Wine Tour, which provides a balanced introduction to Dievole’s core wines and acclaimed extra virgin olive oils. This dual focus on wine and oil underscores the estate’s broader philosophy of sustainable and diversified agriculture. These tastings are frequently followed by meals at the Novecento Restaurant, where seasonal Tuscan cuisine is prepared with elegant simplicity and paired with Dievole’s wines in a refined, rustic setting.

A Distinctive Hospitality Offering

Accommodation at Dievole is housed within beautifully restored 18th-century stone buildings. The suites, featuring traditional Tuscan textiles, exposed wooden beams, and terracotta floors, are designed to merge rustic authenticity with modern luxury. Each suite opens to expansive views of the vineyard and surrounding olive groves, reinforcing the immersive nature of the stay.

Mornings begin with a farm-to-table breakfast, showcasing honey harvested on-site, artisanal cheeses, and freshly baked pastries, a tranquil prelude to a day of tastings, exploration, or relaxation by the pool. Evenings are reserved for gastronomic indulgence, with menu highlights such as hand-rolled pici pasta with wild boar ragù and the classic bistecca alla fiorentina.

Winemaking Excellence: Novecento Riserva 2019

Among the estate’s standout wines, the Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 emerges as a timeless representation of Sangiovese expression. First released in 1990 to commemorate Dievole’s millennium, its history traces back to a lease document dated May 1090; Novecento continues to honour its legacy with each vintage. The 2019 edition, marking its 30th harvest, offers an intricate portrait of the estate’s terroir: balsamic notes, licorice, black cherry, and violet dominate the aromatic profile, supported by firm structure and age-worthy elegance (10–15 years).

Vinified in large, tulip-shaped concrete vats and matured for 24 months in untoasted French oak, the wine balances tradition with innovation. A small percentage of Canaiolo and Colorino complements the Sangiovese core, creating layered complexity and refined restraint. With a limited production of approximately 30,000 bottles, the 2019 vintage exemplifies Dievole’s enduring pursuit of excellence.

Recommended Wines:

  • Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva, 2019
  • Vigna Sessina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, 2020
  • Catignano Chianti Classico, 2021
  • Casanova Chianti Classico, 2021
  • Chianti Classico Petrignano, 2021
  • Chianti Classico, 2022

Tasting Highlights:
Novecento Riserva 2019

This Chianti Classico Riserva opens with a vibrant bouquet of black cherry, violet, and balsamic, with subtle tobacco notes. On the palate, it shows refined structure with ripe red currant and black cherry layered over hints of leather, anise, with some herbal notes. The oak is well-integrated without overpowering the fruit. With firm yet elegant tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish, this wine offers both immediate appeal and aging potential. A poised and expressive Riserva that captures the essence of Chianti Classico with clarity and finesse.

Score: 94/100
Liz Palmer

Aging potential: 10–15 years

Dievole Wine Resort transcends the conventional winery visit by offering a deeply holistic encounter with Tuscan culture. It is a compelling model of how wine estates can integrate storytelling, sustainability, and sensory engagement into a unified, enriching visitor experience. I found through our curated tastings, vineyard walks, gastronomic immersion, and luxurious Tuscan-style accommodations that Dievole stands as a benchmark for premium wine tourism in the Tuscany region.

Temecula Valley Reports Historic Growth in Tourism: 3.4 Million Visitors and $1.1 Billion Economic Impact in 2024

Visit Temecula Valley released its 2024 Economic Impact of Travel report this week, revealing substantial growth in tourism-related activity for the region. According to data compiled by Dean Runyan Associates, the region welcomed a record-setting 3.4 million visitors, a 2.1% increase over 2023 and an 8.7% increase from pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The report underscores the expanding role of tourism in the local economy, with visitor-related spending generating $1.1 billion in economic output. Key metrics analyzed include visitation, expenditures, employment, labour income, and tax revenue, all of which reflect sustained post-pandemic recovery and economic resilience.

“While the broader tourism landscape faced challenges, Temecula Valley proudly surpassed all previous visitor number records, demonstrating exceptional growth,” said Scott A. Wilson, CEO of Visit Temecula Valley. “This achievement is a direct reflection of our tourism partners’ unwavering commitment to elevating Temecula Valley as a premium tourism destination and expanding our appeal to visitors from California, the wider U.S., and increasingly, the world.”

Temecula Valley, also known as Southern California Wine Country, benefits from a strategic geographical advantage. Situated approximately equidistant from Los Angeles and San Diego, the region boasts a substantial drive market, with nearly 23 million residents residing within a two-hour radius.”

It is a popular Southern California destination that includes Temecula Valley Wine Country, Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort Casino. For further information: http://www.visittemeculavalley.com.

Charting the Future of Global Wine Tourism

Wine tourism has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, establishing itself as a profitable and dynamic sector of the global wine industry. As a driver of sustainable development, it also plays an important role in rural development, job creation, and the direct empowerment of local communities.

Despite its growing importance, both science and practice continue to face challenges due to a lack of reliable data and sound evidence. At the international level, a significant information gap exists in the field of wine tourism, making it challenging for policymakers and the industry to develop evidence-based strategies and business models.

To address this need, Geisenheim University, together with UN Tourism, the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV), the Great Wine Capitals Global Network (GWC), and WineTourism.com, has launched a global research initiative. Based on an annual international survey, this initiative provides current data and insights on wine tourism.

“Our shared goal is to provide wineries and tourism organizations with directly actionable insights through an annual report. This year’s survey focuses on innovations and emerging trends that have recently fundamentally changed the wine tourism experience,” emphasizes the initiator of the cooperation, Prof. Dr. Gergely Szolnoki, Geisenheim University.

The strength of this initiative lies in the collaboration between international organizations, academic institutions and industry representatives – a unique cooperation that combines diverse expertise and global perspectives.

The results of the study will be published as an open-access report and simultaneously presented at various events, including the UN Tourism Wine Tourism Conference in Bulgaria from 6 to 7 October 2025 and the Great Wine Capitals Annual Conference in Bordeaux from 2 to 6 November 2025.

Wineries across the globe are encouraged to participate in this survey, as their contribution is vital to developing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of global wine tourism.

Link to the study:   https://www.soscisurvey.de/winetourism2025/

Experience Wine Tourism in Bourgogne This Summer: From Cellar Doors to Wine Festivals

Throughout the summer, the Bourgogne wine region will come alive with a rich mix of heritage, culture, and vibrant wine celebrations. From Chablis to Mâcon, 252 wineries, estates, and cooperative cellars [all certified under the Vignobles & Découvertes label] will open their doors and invite visitors to step inside and experience the historic charm, quaint villages, and world‑renowned wines of the region.

To make planning easy, Vins du Bourgogne has published a digital Guide to Certified Wine Cellars, which offers all the practical information, including opening hours, tasting options, accommodation details, languages spoken, and environmental practices.

Link to Guide: https://tinyurl.com/4fh377s9

There also will be a lively lineup of wine festivals taking over the villages from concerts, vineyard tours and open‑cellar tastings to music, theatre, artisanal markets, and gourmet celebrations. Vins du Bourgogne has also published a Guide to Wine Festivals, which is another great resource.

Link to Guide: https://tinyurl.com/4fh377s9

Summer in Bourgogne is an invitation to slow down, explore, and experience the very heart of this historic winemaking region, where every tasting, walk, and gathering is rooted in its distinctive terroir and timeless traditions.

Exploring the Heritage and Hospitality of Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Joseph Phelps Vineyards stands as a benchmark of American winemaking excellence and visionary legacy. The wine estate was founded in 1973 by Joseph Phelps, a Colorado construction magnate turned vintner. Joseph Phelps Vineyards helped shape the identity of Napa Valley wines on the global stage, most notably through “Insignia” the first proprietary Bordeaux-style blend in California.

The estate manages and cultivates 425 acres of vineyards across nine proprietary sites located in premier Napa Valley appellations, including St. Helena, Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District, Carneros, and South Napa. In its ongoing pursuit of optimal terroir for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the estate acquired and planted an additional 100 acres in 1999 on the western slopes of the Sonoma Coast.  The estate is also a certified Napa Green Winery and a member of the Napa Valley Land Trust.

Joseph Phelps crafts wines from a diverse portfolio of grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Viognier, each selected to express the distinct characteristics of their respective terroirs.

Wine tourism is an integral aspect of the Joseph Phelps experience. Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed at their architecturally harmonious estate with a glass of the 2022 Chardonnay, Pastorale Vineyard, Sonoma. The estate offers a range of curated tastings that highlight both single-vineyard selections and flagship wines. I had the opportunity to participate in the “Vineyard Terrace Experience,” a member-only tasting, along with some long-time members. The terrace offered panoramic views of the Napa Valley, featuring vineyards, and provided a breathtaking backdrop that elevated the tasting experience with a sense of place.

Other wines tasted were the 2022 Pinot Noir Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard, 2021 Vin du Mistral, Central Coast, 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley and my favourite, the 2021 INSIGNIA, Napa Valley. I’m so thrilled to taste this one as this vintage is one of California’s most collectible Cabernet Sauvignons!

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2021

Tasting Notes:

This 2021 captivates the senses with vibrant aromas of black cherry, dark plum, and blackberry, subtly accented by wood and tobacco notes. On the palate, rich fruit and savoury undertones. Beautiful tannins, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length.  This wine will express beautifully for years to come.

98 Points
Liz Palmer

Today, Joseph Phelps Vineyards forms an integral part of the LVMH portfolio, reinforcing its stature as a globally recognized benchmark of viticultural excellence. The enduring legacy of Joseph Phelps is reflected not only in the wines themselves but also in the estate’s continued pursuit of innovation, precision in craftsmanship, and its steadfast commitment to sustainable land stewardship.