Sauvignon Blanc around the world

Cantina Tramin ★ 4.9

Founded in 1898 in Tramin, the homeland village of Gewurztraminer. The cooperative's roughly 300 members farm 260 hectares across Tramin, Auer, Montan and Neumarkt; cellar master Willi Sturz produces the Nussbaumer and Terminum Gewurztraminer cuvées.

Tasting: Guided cellar tours and tastings on reservation at the contemporary cellar building on the Wine Road.

Signature wines: nussbaumer-gewurztraminer, terminum-gewurztraminer, epokale-gewurztraminer, stoan, freisinger-pinot-grigio

Tip: Book ahead in harvest season; the Gewuerztraminer-themed tasting compares Classic, Nussbaumer and Terminum side by side.

Cantina Terlano ★ 4.9

Founded in 1893 by 24 growers on Terlano's quartz-porphyry slopes. Today around 143 members and 190 hectares produce 1.5 million bottles a year under winemaker Rudi Kofler, including Vorberg Pinot Bianco Riserva and the Rarita library releases that demonstrate Pinot Bianco's 20 to 40 year ageing potential.

Tasting: Reservation tastings include vertical flights of Vorberg Pinot Bianco Riserva and access to the Rarita library releases (10-plus years on lees).

Signature wines: terlaner-i-grande-cuvee, rarita-pinot-bianco, vorberg-pinot-bianco-riserva, nova-domus-riserva, quarz-sauvignon-blanc

Tip: Ask about the Rarita library tasting: late-disgorged Pinot Bianco from the 1970s and 1980s, released annually in small allocations.

Cantina Bolzano ★ 4.8

Bolzano's anchor cooperative, formed in 2001 by the merger of the historic Gries (1908) and Santa Maddalena (1930) cellars. Roughly 224 members farm 350 hectares across Gries, Santa Maddalena, Renon and Settequerce; chief winemaker Stephan Filippi has overseen the Gries Lagrein programme for over three decades.

Tasting: ClimateHouse-certified cellar at the gateway to Bolzano; reservation tastings include Taber Lagrein Riserva and Mock Lagrein verticals.

Signature wines: taber-lagrein-riserva, mock-lagrein, huck-am-bach-santa-maddalena, moeg-pinot-bianco, perl-pinot-noir-riserva

Tip: Taber Lagrein Riserva is the city's flagship red; ask for a Gries vineyard tour to see the sandy alluvial fan where Lagrein thrives.

Cantina Andrian ★ 4.6

Founded in 1893 in Andriano, allied with Cantina Terlano since 2008 while preserving its own vineyards. Around 50 members farm 90 hectares on calcareous-clay soils; the Andrius Pinot Bianco and Tor di Lupo Lagrein Riserva are the flagship cuvees.

Tasting: Cellar tastings on reservation; small-scale producer (1893-founded) with a Pinot Bianco focus.

Signature wines: andrius-pinot-bianco, floreado-sauvignon, tor-di-lupo-lagrein-riserva, anderle-cabernet-merlot

Tip: The Terlano alliance means you can buy Andrian and Terlano wines from the same cellar; the small Andrian operation focuses on single-vineyard expression.

Cantina St. Michael-Eppan ★ 4.8

Founded in 1907 in Appiano, named Cooperative Winery of the Year 2021 by Gambero Rosso. Around 320 grower families farm 390 hectares between 250 and 900 metres; production is 80 percent white.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the cellar in Appiano; flagship Sanct Valentin range and the Appius cuvee headline.

Signature wines: sanct-valentin-pinot-bianco, sanct-valentin-sauvignon, sanct-valentin-pinot-nero-riserva, appius, sanct-valentin-gewurztraminer

Tip: Appius is a small-allocation prestige release; check the schedule and book the focused Sanct Valentin tasting.

Cantina Colterenzio ★ 4.7

Founded in 1960 in Cornaiano under co-founder Luis Raifer, whose initials live on in the LR cuvee. The 300-member cooperative farms 300 hectares; the Lafoa line (Cabernet, Sauvignon, Pinot Nero) is the historic quality flagship, with Gran Lafoa the top tier.

Tasting: Reservation tastings include the Lafoa, Cornell and Gran Lafoa selection ranges.

Signature wines: lafoa-cabernet, lafoa-sauvignon, cornell-chardonnay, gran-lafoa-cabernet, lafoa-pinot-noir

Tip: Lafoa Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the first Alto Adige reds to demonstrate that the region could ripen Cabernet seriously; the vertical tasting is worth the appointment.

Cantina Girlan ★ 4.7

Founded in 1923 in a 16th-century farmstead, 200 members farm 230 hectares across Ueberetsch and Bassa Atesina under winemaker Gerhard Kofler.

Tasting: Vinotheque tastings on reservation in a 16th-century farmstead in Cornaiano.

Signature wines: trattmann-pinot-nero-riserva, vigna-ganger-pinot-nero, gschleier-vernatsch-alte-reben, flora-pinot-bianco, fass-9-lagrein-riserva

Tip: Gschleier is one of the few serious old-vine Schiavas in Italy; pair it with Schluetzkrapfen at a Stube in Cornaiano.

Cantina Kurtatsch ★ 4.6

Founded in 1900 in Cortaccia, the southernmost Wine Road commune. 190 members farm 190 hectares from 220 to 900 metres altitude; the Brenntal vineyards (warm valley floor) yield Merlot and Gewuerztraminer Riserva, while the higher Penon and Kofl crus give precise Sauvignon and Pinot Bianco.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the historic cellar in Cortaccia, including the Brenntal and Penon-Kofl cru ranges.

Signature wines: brenntal-merlot-riserva, brenntal-gewurztraminer-riserva, sonntaler-alte-reben-vernatsch, penon-kofl-sauvignon, penon-hofstatt-weissburgunder

Tip: Cortaccia Rossa is the village's Cabernet collective; ask which Cortaccia producers participate.

Cantina St. Pauls ★ 4.5

Founded in 1907 in St. Pauls, a hamlet of Eppan/Appiano on the Ueberetsch ridge. Around 150 grower families farm 175 hectares (one hectare per family on average) on dolomite-limestone slopes; the Exclusiv and Passion selection ranges anchor the portfolio.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the cellar in the hamlet of St. Pauls / San Paolo.

Signature wines: exclusiv-pinot-bianco, passion-sauvignon, exclusiv-pinot-noir, pulpo-bianco

Tip: Smaller-scale and quieter than the big-name cooperative neighbours; the St. Pauls hamlet itself is a postcard-perfect stop on the Wine Road.

Cantina Kaltern ★ 4.6

Founded in 1900 around Lake Caldaro, the warmest lake in the Alps. Around 530 grower families farm 420 hectares; the Quintessenz selection line includes the Kalterersee Classico Superiore.

Tasting: Cellar tastings on reservation; the Quintessenz Kalterersee Classico Superiore is a long-standing cooperative Schiava expression.

Signature wines: quintessenz-kalterersee, quintessenz-pinot-bianco, saltner-lagrein-riserva, punkt-rosato

Tip: Combine the cellar tasting with a swim in Lake Caldaro and lunch in Kaltern village; the lake-side vineyards are walking distance from the cellar.

Cantina Nals Margreid ★ 4.5

Formed by the 1985 merger of the Nals (1932) and Margreid cooperatives. 138 grower families farm 160 hectares across 14 vineyard parcels between Nals in the central Adige valley and Magre in the south, giving an unusually wide altitude and exposure spread.

Tasting: Cellar tastings on reservation, including the Baron Salvadori Pinot Bianco and Sirmian crus.

Signature wines: sirmian-pinot-bianco, baron-salvadori-pinot-bianco-riserva, mantele-sauvignon, berg-cassiano-pinot-nero-riserva

Tip: Berg Cassiano Pinot Nero from the southern Magre vineyards is a value alternative to the Mazon icons.

Cantina Meran Burggraefler ★ 4.6

Formed in 2010 by the merger of Cantina Vini Merano (1952) and Cantina Burggraefler (1901). Around 400 grower families farm 260 hectares of vineyard on the porphyry slopes around Merano, producing about 1 million bottles annually; the panoramic cellar at Marlengo is a marquee Wine Road visit.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the Marlengo panoramic Enoteca; second tasting point at the Merano City.Vinothek under the Portici arcades.

Signature wines: festival-pinot-bianco, graf-von-meran-pinot-bianco, schickenburg-schiava, graf-von-meran-pinot-grigio

Tip: The panoramic Enoteca at Marlengo has a roof terrace with full Texel-range views; pair the Schickenburg Schiava with Speck and local apple cake.

Tiefenbrunner ★ 4.8

A castle estate in Entiklar (Cortaccia) run by the Tiefenbrunner family for 5 to 6 generations on grounds dating back over 800 years. 77 hectares of vineyard culminate in the Feldmarschall von Fenner Mueller-Thurgau, planted on the high Penon-Fennberg plateau at around 1000 metres.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at Castel Turmhof in Entiklar, including the Linticlarus and Vigna ranges and the high-altitude Feldmarschall.

Signature wines: feldmarschall-von-fenner, linticlarus-cabernet-riserva, linticlarus-pinot-nero-riserva, vigna-rachtl-sauvignon, linticlarus-chardonnay

Tip: Castel Turmhof has a restaurant and Wein-Stube; book lunch alongside the tasting for the full Cortaccia experience.

J. Hofstaetter ★ 4.9

Founded in 1907 in Tramin and run by Martin Foradori Hofstaetter, the family produces Italian Pinot Noir from the Mazon plateau. Vigna S. Urbano is the single-vineyard flagship; the estate also bottles Gewurztraminer from the Kolbenhof vineyard.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the historic cellar in Tramin's main square; Pinot Noir verticals featuring Mazon and Vigna S. Urbano are the headline.

Signature wines: barthenau-vigna-s-urbano-pinot-nero, mazon-pinot-nero-riserva, kolbenhof-gewurztraminer, yngram-pinot-bianco-riserva, barthenau-vigna-roccolo-pinot-bianco

Tip: Hofstaetter introduced the Vigna single-vineyard designation to Alto Adige in 1987; their Mazon and Vigna S. Urbano verticals are an essential tasting.

Alois Lageder ★ 4.9

Founded in 1823 in Bolzano and based at Toer Loewengang in Magre since 1934. The Lageder family farms 55 hectares biodynamically (Demeter-certified since 2008) and sources additional Demeter and organic grapes from around 60 partner growers across 85 hectares. Cor Roemigberg Cabernet and Krafuss Pinot Nero are the flagship reds; Porer Pinot Grigio brought skin-contact orange-style winemaking into the regional mainstream.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at Toer Loewengang in Magre; the Paradeis bistro adjacent to the cellar pairs the wines with seasonal cuisine.

Signature wines: krafuss-pinot-nero, cor-romigberg-cabernet, lehenhof-sauvignon, porer-pinot-grigio, beta-delta-cuvee

Tip: The Paradeis bistro shares the cellar building and is open for lunch most days; book the biodynamic-focused vineyard walk that visits the Loewengang vineyard.

Elena Walch ★ 4.8

Founded in 1869 and modernised by Elena Walch from 1985 onward. The family farms 65 hectares between Tramin and Castel Ringberg on Lake Caldaro, including the famous Kastelaz vineyard (63 degree slope) for Gewuerztraminer and Vigna Castel Ringberg for Chardonnay Riserva. VIVA sustainability-certified since 2024.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the 17th-century cellar in Tramin; the Castel Ringberg estate on Lake Caldaro adds a second visit point.

Signature wines: beyond-the-clouds, kastelaz-gewurztraminer, castel-ringberg-chardonnay-riserva, aton-pinot-nero-riserva, 20-anniversarium-cabernet

Tip: Castel Ringberg is the single-vineyard monopole; book the dual-cellar tasting that includes Kastelaz Gewuerztraminer and the Beyond the Clouds white blend.

Manincor ★ 4.9

Founded in 1608 by Hieronymus Manincor Ehrenhausen; the residence and 50 hectares of vineyards above Lake Caldaro have been farmed biodynamically since 2005 and certified biodynamic under respekt-BIODYN since 2009 by the Goess-Enzenberg family. Lieben Aich Sauvignon Blanc and Mason Pinot Nero are the cellar's defining cuvees. Count Michael Goess-Enzenberg founded the respekt-BIODYN biodynamic association in 2007.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the 1608 Manincor Residence above Lake Caldaro; the cellar is partly carved into the rock.

Signature wines: lieben-aich-sauvignon, mason-pinot-nero, reserve-della-contessa, castel-campan-cabernet-merlot, moscato-rosa-le-petit

Tip: The cellar is partly underground; combine the tour with a swim in the lake just below the residence.

Muri-Gries ★ 4.7

The Benedictine monastery cellar in Gries (Bolzano), continuously operating since the monks of Muri (Switzerland) relocated to Gries in 1845. 35 hectares in the best Bolzano sites yield the Lagrein Abtei Muri Riserva, alongside Cantina Bolzano Taber a regional Gries Lagrein.

Tasting: Reservation tastings inside the Benedictine monastery complex in Gries.

Signature wines: lagrein-abtei-muri-riserva, lagrein-gries, klosteranger-pinot-nero, lagrein-rosato

Tip: The monastery courtyard tasting feels nothing like a commercial winery; book early in the day before the religious community's afternoon hours.

Falkenstein ★ 4.8

Founded in 1995 in Naturno on the threshold of Val Venosta when Franz and Bernadette Pratzner gave up apple cultivation for wine. 12 hectares between 550 and 900 metres are planted to Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco, Gewuerztraminer and Pinot Noir; the Riesling is widely cited as the best south of Germany.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the Naturno estate; the ageing cellars are dug into the rock.

Signature wines: riesling, riesling-alte-reben, riesling-anaduron, sauvignon-blanc, pinot-noir

Tip: Anaduron and Alte Reben Riesling are the limited Riesling library bottlings; buy what is available at the cellar door.

Franz Haas ★ 4.8

Founded in 1880 in Montagna; Pinot Nero is the focus, with the Schweizer single-vineyard cuvée from Mazzon-area vineyards and Pondedrei from higher elevations.

Tasting: Reservation tours and tastings at the Montagna cellar, including the Manna and Schweizer cuvees.

Signature wines: schweizer-pinot-nero, manna, pinot-nero-pondedrei, moscato-rosa, lagrein

Tip: The Schweizer Pinot Nero from the Mazzon zone is the cellar's headline red; ask for the side-by-side with Pondedrei.

Tenuta Pfitscher ★ 4.6

Three generations of the Pfitscher family have made wine in Montagna since 1861, with current production led by Klaus Pfitscher across 12 organic hectares. Matan Pinot Nero Riserva is the flagship; the Sauvignon Mathias rounds out the white range.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the contemporary cellar in Montagna; the Matan Pinot Nero Riserva is the flagship flight.

Signature wines: matan-pinot-nero-riserva, fuxleiten-pinot-nero, mathias-sauvignon, stoffhof-gewurztraminer, saxum-pinot-bianco

Tip: The cellar building itself is a ClimateHouse-certified showcase of low-impact winery design; book the cellar architecture tour alongside the tasting.

Peter Dipoli ★ 4.7

Founded in 1987 by Peter Dipoli, the Laives-born Laimburg-trained pioneer who replanted a 1.2-hectare parcel in Penon (Cortaccia) to Sauvignon Blanc and bottled the first Voglar in 1990. The estate now farms 7 hectares across Egna, Magre, Termeno and Cortaccia, producing only three wines: Voglar (Sauvignon Blanc), Iugum (Merlot-Cabernet) and Fihl (Merlot).

Tasting: Tastings by appointment with the founder; small-allocation cellar in Egna.

Signature wines: voglar-sauvignon-blanc, iugum, fihl-merlot

Tip: Voglar (first vintage 1990) was the wine Peter Dipoli built the estate around; ask about the 1.2-hectare Penon parcel and the 1988-1991 replant from Schiava to Sauvignon Blanc.

Hans Rottensteiner ★ 4.5

Founded in 1956 in Bolzano and now run by the third-generation Hannes Rottensteiner. The estate's Lagrein and St. Magdalener bottlings, especially the Select Lagrein Gries Riserva, are the cellar's signature.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the cellar on Via Sarentino in Bolzano; focused Lagrein and Santa Maddalena flights.

Signature wines: select-lagrein-gries-riserva, lagrein-riserva, premstallerhof-santa-maddalena, cresta-pinot-bianco

Tip: Easy walking distance from central Bolzano; pair the tasting with a Lagrein-and-Speck Stube lunch in Gries.

Loacker Schwarhof ★ 4.6

Established in 1979 by Rainer Loacker on the Schwarhof and Kohlerhof estates at 500 to 550 metres in the Santa Maddalena zone above Bolzano.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at Schwarhof above Bolzano in the Santa Maddalena zone.

Signature wines: gran-lareyn-lagrein-riserva, morit-santa-maddalena, atagis-gewurztraminer, tasnim-sauvignon

Tip: The Loacker family also farms in Montalcino and Maremma; ask about the trans-estate vertical tastings when visiting Schwarhof.

Pranzegg ★ 4.5

Martin and Marion Gojer run a 4-hectare biodynamic natural-wine estate on steep slopes around the Bolzano valley basin. Manual harvest, spontaneous fermentation, extended lees contact, no fining or filtration and minimal sulphur define the cellar; old vines of Schiava, Lagrein and Gewuerztraminer drive the range.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the small estate above Bolzano; natural-wine focus.

Signature wines: tonsur, caroline, miau, vernatsch

Tip: Pranzegg is a well-known natural-wine grower in Alto Adige; the Miau and Tonsur cuvees punch well above their tiny allocation.

Tenuta Lieselehof ★ 4.5

Werner Morandell's organic estate in Caldaro has been producing wine since 1993 across vineyards rising from 250 metres at Lake Caldaro to 1250 metres in the Dolomites.

Tasting: Reservation tastings and apartments at the Caldaro estate; the South Tyrolean Vine Museum educational trail with 350 grape varieties runs through the property.

Signature wines: julian-orange, lieselehof-pinot-bianco, solaris, schiava

Tip: The vine educational trail is a viable rainy-day visit and uniquely informative on disease-resistant Piwi varieties.

Ignaz Niedrist ★ 4.6

Ignaz Niedrist's family has been growing grapes since 1870; he started home-pressing in 1989. 12 organic hectares between 450 and 650 metres across Girlan, Eppan Berg, Caldaro and Gries supply Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Schiava, Merlot, Syrah and Lagrein for a low-intervention small-production range.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the Hof in Rungg above Cornaiano.

Signature wines: berger-gei-pinot-nero, berger-gei-sauvignon, ries-lagrein, lago-di-caldaro-superiore

Tip: The Berger Gei single-vineyard cuvees show what 600 metres of altitude does to Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc; book the comparison flight.

Tenuta Kornell ★ 4.5

An estate documented since 1325, owned by the Brigl family at the foot of Greifenstein castle in Settequerce. 12 hectares across porphyry and limestone slopes for Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc and Lagrein; the Patricia and Florianus single-vineyard ranges anchor the portfolio.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the Kornellhof in Settequerce, just outside Bolzano.

Signature wines: patricia-pinot-bianco, florianus-lagrein-riserva, kerin-sauvignon, patricia-pinot-nero

Tip: Easy day-trip from Bolzano (about 10 minutes north); pair with a hike to the Greifenstein castle ruins above the vineyards.

Weingut Plonerhof ★ 4.4

Erhart Tutzer and Herta Schaefer converted a fruit farm above Marlengo into a 4-hectare vineyard estate, with slopes up to 40 percent gradient.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the steep-slope estate above Marling; sparkling wine specialism alongside the still range.

Signature wines: weisscuvee-sauvignon-pinot, schiava, pinot-bianco, riesling

Tip: The estate doubles as a viewpoint over the Adige valley; book the tasting before lunch and stay for the Meranese Schiava with Speck.

Tenuta Ritterhof ★ 4.4

An estate winery on the Wine Road in Caldaro, founded 1986 and run by the Roner family. 15 hectares around Lake Caldaro produce Schiava-led whites and reds with a strong restaurant programme attached.

Tasting: Reservation tastings and shop on the Wine Road in Caldaro; also a vineyard restaurant.

Signature wines: lago-di-caldaro-classico-superiore, ritterhof-paratus-sauvignon, rierhof-pinot-bianco, ritterhof-manus-lagrein-riserva

Tip: The Wine Road location makes Ritterhof a logical lunch stop between Tramin and Caldaro; the restaurant pairs Schiava with locally-cured Speck.

Gump Hof - Markus Prackwieser ★ 4.6

Markus Prackwieser farms 6 hectares around Fie allo Sciliar between 450 and 700 metres, on the dolomite slopes east of Bolzano. The Praesulis range showcases Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Nero from one of Alto Adige's higher producing zones; the Renaissance Pinot Grigio is the cellar's signature white.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the Hof above Voels am Schlern; high-altitude focus.

Signature wines: praesulis-sauvignon, praesulis-pinot-nero, renaissance-pinot-grigio, freres-pinot-nero

Tip: Combine the tasting with a hike at Alpe di Siusi above the estate; very few wineries operate at this Dolomites altitude.

Tenuta Egger-Ramer ★ 4.5

Small Bolzano private cellar with over a century of Lagrein winemaking. Lagrein Kristan Riserva is the cellar's flagship; vineyards sit on the Guntschnaberg above the city.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the historic Guntschnaberg cellar in Bolzano, with Lagrein Kristan as the flagship flight.

Signature wines: kristan-lagrein-riserva, lagrein-gries, sauvignon-buchholz, weissburgunder

Tip: Walk from central Bolzano up the Guntschnaberg vineyards on the Oswaldpromenade path before the cellar tasting.

Erbhof Unterganzner Josephus Mayr ★ 4.7

The Mayr family has cultivated grapes at this 17th-century Hof since 1629, at 285 metres on the porphyry rocks where the Eggentaler joins the Eisack east of Bolzano. Lamarein Lagrein Riserva is the flagship.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the 17th-century Hof in Cardano; the Lamarein Lagrein Riserva is the flight headliner.

Signature wines: lamarein-lagrein-riserva, santa-maddalena, sauvignon-blanc, kerner

Tip: One of Alto Adige's most respected traditional Lagrein producers; reservations book ahead and the family hosts the tastings in person.

Stroblhof ★ 4.5

A 1664-founded estate in Pigeno (Appiano) run by the Nicolussi-Leck family across vineyards, restaurant and a 4-star hotel. 14 hectares for Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc; the Pigeno Pinot Nero Riserva is the cellar's calling card.

Tasting: Tastings + hotel + restaurant at the Ueberetsch estate in Appiano; combined wine + hospitality stays.

Signature wines: sepp-hanni-pinot-nero-riserva, stroblhof-strahler-pinot-bianco, weissburgunder-riserva, sauvignon

Tip: Multi-day stays at the Stroblhof hotel give you full access to the cellar plus a vineyard pool; book the Pigeno cellar visit on arrival.

Cantina Tramin Wine Shop and Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Cooperative tasting room and wine shop at Cantina Tramin in the Werner Tscholl-designed vine-branch building, pouring Gewurztraminer, Pinot Bianco and the Epokale and Nussbaumer crus from the Termeno terraces.

Cantina Kaltern Winecenter ★ 4.6

Cooperative winecenter and elevated winelounge at Cantina Kaltern in Caldaro, pouring Kalterersee Schiava and the Quintessenz and Saltner lines from 420 hectares across 530 grower families.

Cantina Colterenzio Schreckbichl Vinotheque ★ 4.6

Cantina Colterenzio's renovated vinotheque in Cornaiano with a panoramic tasting terrace, pouring the cooperative's Lafoa line and the Gran Lafoa Sauvignon Riserva that took Gambero Rosso's Bianco dell'Anno 2025.

Manincor Wine Shop and Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Manincor's gravity-fed underground tasting cellar at Castel Campan above Lake Caldaro, pouring biodynamic Goess-Enzenberg wines from 50 hectares including the Reserve della Contessa Sauvignon Blanc.

Tenuta Loacker Schwarhof SkyWine Pavilion ★ 4.6

Biodynamic tasting pavilion above Bolzano at Loacker's 1334-founded Schwarhof estate, pouring the Loacker family's homeopathic-led wines from steep Santa Giustina terraces with Rosengarten views.

Castel Ringberg Elena Walch Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Tasting room at Elena Walch's 1620-built Castel Ringberg above Lake Caldaro, pouring the single-vineyard Castel Ringberg Riserva line and the Beyond the Clouds white from 20 hectares.

Castel Rametz Vinotheque ★ 4.4

Vinotheque and 18th-century porphyry cellars at Castel Rametz on the Maia Alta moraine hill, planted with the first Pinot Noir vine in South Tyrol in 1860 and pouring five estate wines with house Kaiserspeck.

Vinothek Ansitz Pillhof ★ 4.5

Restored Renaissance manor vinotheque at Ansitz Pillhof in Frangart near Bolzano, with a walk-in climate cabinet pouring top Alto Adige labels alongside Italian and international references in a Mediterranean courtyard.

Pur Sudtirol Bolzano Vinothek ★ 4.4

Pur Sudtirol's flagship Bolzano gourmet market and wine bar near Walther-Platz, pouring 600+ Alto Adige references from 500 producers and farms with paired regional speck, cheese and apple boards.

Tenute Loacker Schwarhof ★ 4.8

Biodynamic St Magdalena estate above Bolzano, Schwarhof farmhouse from 1334, biodynamic since 1979. Lagrein and Schiava are the Alto Adige core.

Tip: The Loacker family also runs Corte Pavone (Brunello di Montalcino) and Valdifalco (Maremma); Schwarhof tastings sometimes include cross-property comparison flights. Booking ahead recommended.

Chateau Margaux ★ 4.9

Premier Cru Classe Bordeaux at Margaux AOC, estate founded 1572, now owned by the Mentzelopoulos family. Cabernet-dominant blends with 18 to 24 months in new oak barrel ageing.

Tasting: By appointment only, Monday to Friday; closed weekends, August, public holidays and harvest. Tasting for professionals only.

Signature wines: chateau-margaux-grand-vin, pavillon-rouge-du-chateau-margaux, pavillon-blanc-du-chateau-margaux

Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2016), Wine Advocate 100 (2015)

Chateau Haut-Brion ★ 4.9

The only non-Medoc first-growth in the 1855 classification, estate since 1521 in Pessac. Merlot-driven blends from iron-rich gravelly soils; Domaine Clarence Dillon owner.

Tasting: Visits by appointment only for professionals.

Signature wines: chateau-haut-brion-rouge, haut-brion-blanc, le-clarence-de-haut-brion

Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2009), Wine Advocate 100 (1989)

Chateau d'Yquem ★ 5.0

The only Sauternes Premier Cru Superieur, producing botrytised Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc of extraordinary longevity. LVMH-owned; Sandrine Garbay winemaker; average 10 hl/ha yield.

Tasting: Tours and tastings available by appointment; booking through official site.

Signature wines: chateau-dyquem, y-de-yquem

Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2001), Wine Spectator 100 (2001)

Chateau Cos d'Estournel ★ 4.8

Saint-Estephe second growth with 91 hectares, famous for pagoda-adorned winery. Fully organic since 2024; Michel Reybier owner; produces red, second wine, and a white Sauvignon-Semillon blend.

Tasting: Visits and tastings available through La Maison d'Estournel hotel.

Signature wines: cos-destournel-rouge, les-pagodes-de-cos, cos-destournel-blanc

Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2003), James Suckling 100 (2016)

Chateau Pape Clement ★ 4.6

Pessac-Leognan Cru Classe de Graves with origins traced to 1300. 32 hectares; Bernard Magrez owner; truffle-enhanced restaurant and botanical gardens featuring a 1,000-year-old olive tree.

Tasting: Hotel and restaurant on-site; visits and tastings available.

Signature wines: pape-clement-rouge, pape-clement-blanc

Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2016), James Suckling 97 (2018)

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte ★ 4.7

Pessac-Leognan Cru Classe de Graves owned by the Cathiards since 1990. 67 hectares including white wine production; Les Sources de Caudalie luxury spa resort on-site.

Tasting: Les Sources de Caudalie hotel with Vinothérapie Spa and Michelin-starred restaurant; open to hotel guests and visitors.

Signature wines: smith-haut-lafitte-rouge, smith-haut-lafitte-blanc

Scores: Wine Advocate 97 (2018), James Suckling 98 (2019)

Chateau Rieussec ★ 4.6

Sauternes Premier Cru adjacent to d'Yquem, owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild since 1984. 93 hectares of Semillon-dominant botrytised dessert wine production.

Tasting: Visits and tastings available by appointment.

Signature wines: chateau-rieussec-sauternes, r-de-rieussec

Scores: Wine Advocate 98 (2001), Wine Spectator 98 (2009)

Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey ★ 4.7

Sauternes Premier Cru within a fairytale 1618 castle; 18 hectares of enclosed vineyard. Lalique luxury hotel with two-Michelin-starred restaurant and 350,000-bottle cellar.

Tasting: Lalique hotel with two Michelin-starred restaurant; open to hotel guests.

Signature wines: chateau-lafaurie-peyraguey, la-chapelle-de-lafaurie-peyraguey

Scores: Wine Advocate 98 (2017), Decanter 97 (2019)

Chateau Bauduc ★ 4.2

English-owned Entre-Deux-Mers estate known for crisp whites and reliable Bordeaux reds. 40 hectares; farmhouse accommodation; award-winning wines at accessible price points.

Tasting: Farmhouse accommodation; vineyard visits; winery tours by arrangement.

Signature wines: bauduc-bordeaux-superieur, bauduc-les-trois-hectares-rouge, bauduc-les-trois-hectares-blanc, bauduc-sauvignon-blanc

Scores: Decanter 91 (2020), Wine Spectator 89 (2021)

Bordeaux Wine School Tasting Bar ★ 4.4

CIVB-affiliated Bordeaux Wine School city tasting bar next to the tourist office. Guided flights through appellations with bilingual sommeliers; retail purchasing available.

L'Intendant Tasting Room ★ 4.5

Bordeaux's iconic spiral-staircase wine tower with 15,000 references. Daily by-the-glass tastings span Medoc, Pessac-Leognan, Sauternes; vertical flights from EUR 35.

Le Wine Bar de la Cite du Vin ★ 4.3

The 8th-floor Belvedere tasting bar at the Cite du Vin offers 360-degree Garonne panorama with rotating global wine flights, including a strong Bordeaux selections by the glass.

Chateau d'Yquem Tasting Experience ★ 4.9

Guided estate tours at Chateau d'Yquem, the sole Premier Cru Superieur in the 1855 Sauternes classification. Visits include the botrytised vineyard parcels, historic chai and structured tasting of Yquem plus Y (dry white).

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Tasting Salon ★ 4.7

The tasting salon at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, combining Graves Cru Classe red and white flights with access to the Caudalie spa estate grounds. Premier Cuvee and white vertical programmes available.

Chateau Bauduc Blanc Sec ★ 4.0

Gavin Quinney's Entre-Deux-Mers blanc, English family owned since 1999: citrussy, grassy Sauvignon Blanc-led with a Semillon mid-palate weight. Excellent value for classic Bordeaux blanc.

Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard ★ 4.4

Major Chablis grower around Prehy, organic and partly biodynamic, also bottling Saint-Bris Sauvignon and Irancy reds from the Grand Auxerrois.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Sainte-Claire estate by Prehy church; large organic and biodynamic holdings.

Domaine l'Aigueliere ★ 4.4

Montpeyroux estate created in 1987 by the Teissedre and Commeyras families at the foot of the Larzac foothills, 18 hectares across 22 parcels worked in organic agriculture.

Tasting: Cellar tastings at Montpeyroux by appointment

Signature wines: aigueliere-velours, aigueliere-cote-doree, aigueliere-l-esprit

Tip: Velours (named for the silkiness of the wine) is the upper-tier Terrasses du Larzac; L'Esprit is the regular cuvee.

Gerard Bertrand 'Domaine de Cigalus' blanc ★ 4.4

Domaine de Cigalus is one of Gerard Bertrand's flagship biodynamic estates at Bizanet near Narbonne (Demeter certified since 2009). The Cigalus blanc is a Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc-Viognier blend at the upper end of the budget range (~EUR22), and is the white-wine showcase of Bertrand's biodynamic portfolio. The estate's red Cigalus is similarly priced.

Tip: Cigalus visits combine a biodynamic farm tour with a producer-led tasting at the Chateau l'Hospitalet hotel and restaurant complex. The white sits at the budget ceiling; pair with grilled sea bass or langoustines.

Domaine Vacheron ★ 4.9

Reference Sancerre domaine on the town's caillottes and silex soils, biodynamic since 2003 and a benchmark for both Sauvignon Blanc and single-vineyard Pinot Noir.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the family cellar in central Sancerre

Signature wines: vacheron-sancerre-blanc, vacheron-belle-dame

Tip: Belle Dame, the old-vine Pinot Noir from a single silex parcel, is the appellation's reference single-vineyard red.

Domaine Henri Bourgeois (Famille Bourgeois) ★ 4.8

Ten-generation Chavignol family domaine farming 72 hectares across Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume, with the Mont Damne and Etienne Henri cuvees as flagships.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings in Chavignol; on-site wine bar (La Cote des Monts Damnes restaurant)

Signature wines: bourgeois-mont-damne, bourgeois-etienne-henri

Tip: Their Mont Damne white from the iconic Chavignol vineyard slope is a textbook Kimmeridgian-marl Sauvignon Blanc.

Alphonse Mellot ★ 4.8

Records of the Mellot family in Sancerre go back to 1513, with the 19th generation now running 50 hectares of organic and biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment in central Sancerre

Signature wines: mellot-la-moussiere, mellot-generation-xix, mellot-en-grands-champs

Tip: The single-vineyard En Grands Champs Pinot Noir is one of Sancerre's deepest reds.

Domaine Francois Cotat ★ 5.0

Cult Chavignol grower farming tiny parcels of the Monts Damnes, La Grande Cote and Les Culs de Beaujeu, vinified slowly in old wood with no fining or filtration.

Tasting: No public visits. Wines sold on allocation through importers.

Signature wines: cotat-monts-damnes, cotat-grande-cote, cotat-culs-de-beaujeu

Tip: Wines are released late and bottled with very low sulphur; some vintages historically went out as Vin de France when judged 'atypical'.

Domaine Pascal Cotat ★ 4.9

Pascal Cotat's parallel domaine in Sancerre, sister estate to cousin Francois in Chavignol, farming old-vine parcels on the Monts Damnes, Grande Cote and Culs de Beaujeu.

Tasting: No public visits. Allocation only.

Signature wines: pascal-cotat-monts-damnes, pascal-cotat-grande-cote, pascal-cotat-culs-de-beaujeu

Tip: Pascal and Francois share the same hillside but vinify separately; Pascal's wines are often slightly sweeter and richer in profile.

Domaine Vincent Pinard ★ 4.7

Bue-based Sancerre estate of 17 hectares, organically certified and farming biodynamically, known for layered cuvees such as Nuance, Harmonie and the Charlouise Pinot Noir.

Tasting: By appointment at the domaine in Bue

Signature wines: pinard-nuance, pinard-harmonie, pinard-charlouise

Tip: The Charlouise Pinot Noir, from a single old-vine parcel, is one of Sancerre's most age-worthy reds.

Maison Pascal Jolivet ★ 4.6

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume estate of 120 hectares between the two appellations, with a 60-hectare Touraine outpost, certified organic and known for the Le Chene Marchand single-vineyard.

Tasting: Visits and tastings on appointment at the Route de Chavignol cellar

Signature wines: jolivet-sancerre, jolivet-pouilly-fume, jolivet-le-chene-marchand

Tip: Le Chene Marchand from Bue is the appellation's iconic caillottes site; Jolivet farms a key plot here.

Domaine Claude Riffault ★ 4.7

Sury-en-Vaux family domaine farmed biodynamically by Stephane Riffault, with cuvees parcel-bottled across Sancerre's three soil types (caillottes, terres blanches, silex).

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment in Sury-en-Vaux

Signature wines: riffault-les-boucauds, riffault-les-chasseignes, riffault-les-denisottes

Tip: Stephane bottles parcel by parcel: Les Boucauds (terres blanches), Les Chasseignes (caillottes), Les Denisottes (silex) is the trio to taste.

Domaine Didier Dagueneau ★ 5.0

Saint-Andelain Pouilly-Fume estate farming around 12 hectares biodynamically since the 1980s, with single-vineyard cuvees from flint (Silex) and clay (Pur Sang) parcels.

Tasting: No regular public visits. Allocation only.

Signature wines: dagueneau-silex, dagueneau-pur-sang, dagueneau-buisson-renard

Tip: Silex (flint) and Pur Sang (clay) are the two single-vineyard reference cuvees; Asteroide, from ungrafted vines, is the unicorn.

Domaine Henry Pelle ★ 4.6

Reference Menetou-Salon domaine in Morogues, farming 40 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir on Kimmeridgian limestone, with a Sancerre outpost on terres blanches.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Morogues cellar; the family also operates La Closerie de Morogues table d'hote

Signature wines: pelle-clos-des-blanchais, pelle-morogues, pelle-cromois

Tip: Clos des Blanchais is a monopole Menetou-Salon that drinks like a top Sancerre at half the price.

Domaine Henry Marionnet ★ 4.6

Soings-en-Sologne family estate of 58 hectares mainly Gamay and Sauvignon, with 5.5 hectares of franc-de-pied (ungrafted) plantings and the 200-year-old Provignage Romorantin vine.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Domaine de la Charmoise; one of the few growers with ungrafted parcels

Signature wines: marionnet-premiere-vendange, marionnet-vinifera, marionnet-provignage

Tip: Provignage is bottled from a 200-year-old plot of ungrafted pre-phylloxera Romorantin vines at Domaine de la Charmoise (one of the few documented pre-phylloxera plots in France).

Domaine Joseph Mellot ★ 4.3

Centre-Loire negociant-domaine with 100 hectares spanning all eight Central Loire AOCs, including sub-domaines in Quincy, Reuilly, Pouilly-Fume and Chateaumeillant.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Sancerre cellar, including museum of family history

Signature wines: joseph-mellot-la-chatellenie, joseph-mellot-le-rabault, joseph-mellot-le-troncsec

Tip: Their portfolio is the most efficient way to taste all eight Central Loire appellations in one cellar visit.

Langlois-Chateau ★ 4.5

Saumur Cremant de Loire house founded in 1885, part of the Bollinger group since 1973. Terra Vitis-certified 71-hectare estate at Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent cellars

Signature wines: langlois-brut-reserve, langlois-brut-rose, langlois-cadence-extra-brut

Tip: Brut Reserve ages a minimum of 24 months on the lees, double the appellation minimum; Cadence Extra Brut spends five years on lees.

Maison des Sancerre ★ 4.4

Sancerre Wine Council interpretation centre on the medieval esplanade with a Kimmeridgian-flint-limestone exhibit and tasting bar pouring from 50 estates.

Domaine Vincent Pinard Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Reference Sancerre estate run by Florent and Clement Pinard in Bue, focused on single-parcel Chene Marchand and Nuance Sauvignon Blanc cuvees.

Domaine des Huards (Cour-Cheverny) ★ 4.7

Demeter-certified Cour-Cheverny estate working Romorantin, the unique white grape of this tiny Loire AOC. The Francois 1er cuvee is the appellation reference.

Tip: Cour-Cheverny AOC permits only Romorantin (per INAO decree, 1993); the appellation covers roughly 50 hectares planted in total. Book a tasting with Michel Gendrier and ask for a vertical of the Francois 1er cuvee.

Francois Cazin (Le Petit Chambord) ★ 4.6

Family estate working old-vine Romorantin in Cour-Cheverny. Le Petit Chambord is the other essential Romorantin name alongside Domaine des Huards.

Tip: The old-vine Renaissance cuvee Cour-Cheverny is the wine to taste. Cazin's range also includes a deceptively age-worthy Cheverny rouge from Pinot Noir and Gamay.

Domaine Claude Lafond (Reuilly) ★ 4.5

Reuilly's modern reference estate, working Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris on Kimmeridgian limestone at a fraction of Sancerre prices. Now in the second generation under Nathalie Lafond.

Tip: Reuilly is the value Sancerre substitute; the Lafond estate offers walk-in tastings at Reuilly village. The Pinot Gris rose is the curiosity of the range, almost impossible to find outside the appellation.

Domaine Henry Pelle Menetou-Salon 'Morogues' ★ 4.6

Menetou-Salon, a short drive west of Sancerre, shares the Kimmeridgian limestone geology and the Sauvignon Blanc varietal at a routinely lower price.

Tip: Menetou-Salon is a strong Sancerre alternative under EUR25, with shared Kimmeridgian geology. Pelle's higher-cuvee Clos des Blanchais and La Croix au Garde are at the next price tier; the village Morogues is the value entry.

Domaine Vacheron Sancerre blanc ★ 4.7

The Vacheron family's village Sancerre is a benchmark biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc at the appellation's entry tier. Combination of Kimmeridgian, Caillottes (flint) and Terres Blanches (clay-limestone) parcels produces a multi-soil cuvee with citrus, white-flower and flint character.

Tip: Vacheron's single-vineyard Sancerre cuvees (Les Romains, Le Paradis, Belle Dame) are several tiers higher in price. The village blend sits at the EUR25 budget ceiling and shows the biodynamic farming clearly.

Weingut von Winning ★ 4.9

An 1849-founded Deidesheim estate, since 2007 part of the Niederberger group with the Dr. Deinhard line under the same roof, working 93 ha across Forster and Deidesheimer Grosse Lage sites under Stephan Attmann.

Tasting: Vinothek and shop at Weinstrasse 10, Monday-Friday 08:00-18:00, weekends and holidays 10:00-18:00; group cellar tours bookable in advance.

Weingut Knipser ★ 4.8

A 99.7 ha Laumersheim estate under Werner, Volker and Stephan Knipser, VDP member since 1993, and the German barrique-pioneer estate for Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir from the 1980s onward.

Tasting: Estate Vinothek at Hauptstrasse 47-49 by appointment; tastings cover Kirschgarten, Mandelpfad and Steinbuckel GGs and the Knipser Bordeaux-blend reds that pioneered the category in Germany from the 1980s.

Weingut Philipp Kuhn ★ 4.7

A 61 ha north-Mittelhaardt and Zellertal estate at Laumersheim under Philipp Kuhn, VDP member since 2008, with Grosse Lage parcels at Kirschgarten, Steinbuckel, Im Grossen Garten, Schwarzer Herrgott and Kallstadter Saumagen.

Tasting: Vinothek at Grosskarlbacher Strasse 20 by appointment; estate tastings cover the Laumersheimer Kirschgarten and Steinbuckel GGs and the Zellertaler Schwarzer Herrgott and Kreuzberg Rieslings.

Weingut Kranz ★ 4.6

A 27.6 ha Sudliche Weinstrasse estate at Ilbesheim under Boris Kranz, VDP member since 2012; Grosse Lage Riesling and Pinot Blanc from Ilbesheimer Kalmit and Kirchberg and a share of Birkweiler Kastanienbusch.

Tasting: Vinothek at Morzheimer Strasse 2 with views over Kalmit; tastings of Kalmit, Kirchberg and Kastanienbusch GGs by appointment.

Weingut Wageck Pfaffmann ★ 4.5

A 58 ha Bissersheim estate in the north Pfalz under brothers Frank and Thomas Pfaffmann; vineyards on Goldberg, Held, Orlenberg and Steig in Bissersheim, Steinacker in Kirchheim and Burgweg and Osterberg in Grosskarlbach.

Tasting: Vinothek at Bissersheim by appointment; tastings cover Bissersheim Goldberg Sauvignon Blanc Fume Reserve and Bissersheim Kalkmergel Chardonnay Reserve.

Weingut Markus Schneider ★ 4.4

A 92 ha Ellerstadt estate founded by Markus Schneider in 1994 with one hectare; modern-label Pfalz red and white program around the Black Print Bordeaux-blend brand and the Kaitui Sauvignon Blanc.

Tasting: Vinothek at Am Hohen Weg 1 in Ellerstadt with regular tasting events; cellar tours and brand portfolio across Black Print, Kaitui and the Riesling line.

Weingut Borell-Diehl ★ 4.3

A 35 ha Hainfeld estate under Annette Borell and Thomas Diehl, with roots back to 1619; expanded from five hectares since the 1990 founding-by-marriage and known for Pfalz-priced everyday Sauvignon Blanc and traditional-method Chardonnay Sekt.

Tasting: Vinothek at Hainfeld with regular Saturday afternoon open hours; tastings of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and the methode-champenoise Chardonnay Sekt.

Weingut Mehling ★ 4.2

A 23 ha Hambach estate under Thomas Mehling, working calcareous and Buntsandstein parcels around Hambacher Schlossberg and Diedesfelder Olgassel for Riesling and Pinot Noir.

Tasting: Vinothek at Im Speyerer Tal 4 in Hambach by appointment; tastings of Hambacher Schlossberg and Diedesfelder single vineyards.

Weingut von Winning Vinothek ★ 4.6

Stylish tasting room of the 1849-founded von Winning estate on Deidesheim's central Weinstrasse. Tastings of Riesling from Forst Kirchenstueck and Pechstein sites alongside Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the estate Pinot range.

Gaja ★ 4.9

The Gaja family has made wine in Barbaresco since 1859. Angelo Gaja modernised the estate from the 1960s and pushed single-vineyard Nebbiolo onto the world stage; the house now also farms in Barolo and beyond.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings strictly by appointment in Barbaresco; book months ahead.

Signature wines: sori-san-lorenzo, sori-tildin, barbaresco-gaja

La Spinetta ★ 4.6

The Rivetti family began with Moscato in 1977 and moved into single-vineyard Barbaresco and Barolo, marking its top crus with the rhinoceros label. Known for a polished, modern style.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by reservation at Castagnole delle Lanze, usually mid-morning or afternoon.

Signature wines: barbaresco-vigneto-gallina, barbaresco-vigneto-starderi, barolo-campe

Marchesi di Gresy ★ 4.6

The Gresy family has owned the Martinenga monopole in Barbaresco since 1797 and has bottled its own wine since 1973, making elegant, perfumed Nebbiolo from this prized amphitheatre.

Tasting: Tastings and direct sales by appointment at the Martinenga estate in Barbaresco.

Signature wines: barbaresco-martinenga, barbaresco-camp-gros-riserva, barbaresco-gaiun

Domaines Bunan ★ 4.5

Three sister properties (Moulin des Costes, Mas de la Rouviere and Chateau La Rouviere) farmed by the Bunan family since 1961 across more than 60 hectares of organic-certified Bandol vineyard at La Cadiere-d'Azur.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings without appointment; check estate website for current hours

Signature wines: bunan-chateau-la-rouviere, bunan-mas-de-la-rouviere, bunan-moulin-des-costes

Tip: The Chateau La Rouviere cuvee is the family's top old-vine Mourvedre selection.

Domaine du Paternel ★ 4.4

Santini family estate at Cassis, four generations on the property since 1928, working organic vineyard across three appellations (Cassis, Cotes de Provence and Bandol). The Cassis Blanc de Blancs is the estate's flagship white.

Tasting: Open Monday to Sunday, 9:30am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm

Signature wines: paternel-cassis-blanc, paternel-cassis-blanc-de-blancs, paternel-cotes-de-provence-rose

Tip: Tasting room open without appointment most days; pair the Cassis Blanc with bourride at one of the harbourside restaurants.

Domaine de la Ferme Blanche ★ 4.4

The same family has owned La Ferme Blanche at Cassis since 1714 (Francois Paret with his daughter Jeromine). Thirty hectares of organic-certified vineyard on the seaside hillsides facing the bay, with chalky and clay-limestone soils.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; contact the estate to arrange

Signature wines: ferme-blanche-cassis-blanc, ferme-blanche-excellence-blanc, ferme-blanche-cassis-rose

Tip: The Cassis Blanc Excellence cuvee, aged briefly in old oak, is the cellar candidate.

Chateau Calissanne ★ 4.5

Calissanne sits at Lancon-Provence overlooking the Etang de Berre with 110 hectares of vineyard plus 80 hectares of olive groves and farmland under organic certification.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings at the on-site shop; check website for current hours

Signature wines: calissanne-clos-victoire, calissanne-prestige, calissanne-cuvee-romain

Tip: Clos Victoire is the prestige red flagship from old-vine Cabernet and Syrah.

Chateau de Beaupre ★ 4.3

Owned by the Double barons descendants since 1855, the estate at Saint-Cannat (10 kilometres west of Aix-en-Provence) farms 43 of its 130 hectares to vine. Organic-certified since Phanette Double took over the vineyard work in 2013.

Tasting: Boutique open daily 10am to 7pm including public holidays; cellar tours by appointment

Signature wines: beaupre-collection, beaupre-tradition, beaupre-blanc

Tip: The boutique is open every day with broad opening hours, unusually walkable-in for the Coteaux d'Aix.

Chateau Margui ★ 4.4

17-hectare organic estate at Chateauvert in the Provence Verte, owned by the Famille Perrin (also of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Miraval joint venture). Ecocert-certified organic since the vines were replanted in 1999.

Tasting: Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm from April to October

Signature wines: margui-perle-de-margui, margui-rose, margui-blanc-de-blanc

Tip: Perle de Margui, the prestige red blend, is the estate's most layered wine.

Clos Sainte Magdeleine Tasting Room ★ 4.7

Sack family Cassis estate on the Cap Canaille cliffs above the harbour, pouring white Cassis AOC blends in a tasting room opening onto the Mediterranean.

Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Blanc ★ 4.3

Cassis Blanc from one of the appellation's reference estates, the cliff-edge Clos Sainte Magdeleine. Marsanne and Clairette make a dry, saline, citrus-driven white that drinks with grilled rouget and bouillabaisse for around twenty-five euros at the cellar.

Tip: The Cassis cellars sell at producer prices; for the best value, buy at the Clos Sainte Magdeleine domaine on the road out toward the corniche, where the view is the dividend.

Weingut Kunstler ★ 4.8

Gunter Kunstler's Hochheim estate, family-owned since 1648 and VDP member since 1994, working 68 ha across Hochheimer Holle, Domdechaney, Kirchenstuck and Stielweg.

Tasting: Vinothek open by appointment; estate tastings highlight Hochheimer Holle, Domdechaney, Kirchenstuck and Stielweg dry GG bottlings.

Weingut Joachim Flick ★ 4.5

Florsheim-Wicker family estate, 20 ha and 81% Riesling, with monopole sites Wickerer Nonnberg and Hochheimer Konigin Victoriaberg (British royal supplier 1850).

Tasting: Tastings and sales Mon-Fri 15:00 to 19:00 and Sat 10:00 to 14:00 at the Strassenmuhle estate; visits to the Hochheimer Konigin Victoriaberg monopole by appointment.

Weingut Jakob Jung ★ 4.4

Alexander Jung's 20 ha Erbach family estate, 80% Riesling with Spatburgunder, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Merlot; VDP member since 1997.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the Eberbacher Strasse estate; VDP.Grosse Lage focus on Erbacher Hohenrain and Siegelsberg.

Weingut Heinz Nikolai ★ 4.4

An Erbach family estate operating in the Rheingau since 1824, now fifth and sixth generation; 16 ha across Siegelsberg, Steinmorgen and Hallgartener Jungfer.

Tasting: Fifth- and sixth-generation Erbach family estate with tastings, direct sales and a Strausswirtschaft; Erbacher Siegelsberg and Steinmorgen the focus.

Weingut Crass ★ 4.3

Matthias Crass's family Erbach estate, working Steinmorgen, Hohenrain, Michelmark and Kiedricher Sandgrub; runs a restaurant in the historic Burg Crass since 2016.

Tasting: Burg Crass estate restaurant and Gutsausschank in the historic Erbach buildings; tastings, gardens and barrier-free Vinothek.

Weingut Weedenborn ★ 4.3

Monzernheim Wonnegau family estate run by Gesine Roll, with several varietal-specific Sauvignon Blanc cuvees alongside dry Riesling, Weissburgunder and Silvaner.

Tip: Try the Sauvignon Blanc Reserve next to the standard Sauvignon trocken; the side-by-side reads Wonnegau cool-climate Sauvignon in two registers at one address.

Tenuta Caparzo ★ 4.5

Founded 1970 in the cooler northern Montalcino. The Vigna La Casa single-vineyard Brunello has been bottled since 1977; estate has been organic since 2014.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by reservation; the Vigna La Casa cru is the historical flagship.

Signature wines: caparzo-la-casa-brunello, caparzo-brunello-di-montalcino, caparzo-le-grance

Scores: Wine Advocate 95 (2016), Vinous 93 (2016)

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia ★ 4.9

Bolgheri estate founded by Lodovico Antinori in 1981 and fully owned by Frescobaldi since 2005. Bordeaux-cloned reds with Masseto and Ornellaia as flagships; the estate is ICEA-organic certified.

Tasting: Cellar tours, vineyard walks and tutored tastings by appointment; the Vendemmia d'Artista label programme is on display at the cellar.

Signature wines: ornellaia, le-volte-dell-ornellaia, ornellaia-bianco, le-serre-nuove-dell-ornellaia

Scores: Wine Spectator 96 (1998), Wine Advocate 98 (2015)

Inama Azienda Agricola ★ 4.7

Founded by Giuseppe Inama in 1991, the estate spans Soave Classico hill vineyards and pioneered quality Carmenere in the Colli Berici DOC. The Vulcaia Soave from basalt soils is one of the appellation's most mineral expressions.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at San Bonifacio; Soave Classico and Colli Berici Carmenere tasting programmes.

Signature wines: inama-soave-classico-foscarino, inama-oratorio-san-lorenzo, inama-bradisismo

Weingut Höllmüller ★ 4.2

Multi-generation Joching estate evolving from grape production to quality self-marketing. 8 hectares across terraced Wachau sites; the attached Heurigen is popular with locals.

Tasting: Wine tavern (Heurigen) attached to the estate; walk-ins welcome.

Signature wines: hoellmueller-ried-pichl-gruner-smaragd, hoellmueller-sauvignon-blanc-wachau

Tip: The Sauvignon Blanc is a rarity in the Wachau and worth seeking out.