Sweet wine around the world

Maison Trimbach ★ 5.0

Thirteen-generation Ribeauville house founded in 1626, source of Clos Sainte-Hune Riesling from the Rosacker Grand Cru and a long-standing reference for bone-dry Alsace Riesling.

Tasting: Cellar visits and seated tastings by appointment at the Ribeauville maison; reservations through the family website.

Signature wines: clos-sainte-hune, frederic-emile, reserve-personnelle

Tip: Tastings are by appointment; allow time to walk up to the Rosacker hill above Hunawihr where Clos Sainte-Hune sits.

Famille Hugel ★ 4.9

Founded in 1639, the 13th-generation Riquewihr house that led the 1984 reform giving Alsace its Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles laws.

Tasting: Cellar tours and seated tastings at the Riquewihr house; appointments preferred.

Signature wines: schoenenbourg, vendanges-tardives-gewurztraminer, gentil

Tip: The Hugel Schoenenbourg Riesling sits below the family's cellars; the village walking route passes the foot of the Grand Cru.

Domaines Schlumberger ★ 4.8

Guebwiller estate spanning 130 hectares including 70 hectares of Grand Cru terraces on Kitterle, Kessler, Saering and Spiegel, a substantial Grand Cru holding under single ownership.

Tasting: Daily cellar visits and tastings at the Guebwiller estate; bookings via the website.

Signature wines: kitterle-riesling, kessler-gewurztraminer, saering-riesling

Tip: The Kitterle terraces above the cellar climb at angles up to 50 percent; the cellar visit walks part of the slope before tasting.

Domaine Weinbach ★ 4.9

The Faller family's Clos des Capucins at the foot of Schlossberg in Kaysersberg, biodynamic since the 2000s and one of the touchstones for Alsace Riesling and Pinot Gris.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the Clos des Capucins; cellar visits run through the year.

Signature wines: schlossberg-riesling-cuvee-sainte-catherine, furstentum-gewurztraminer, altenbourg-pinot-gris

Tip: The walled Clos des Capucins surrounds the cellar; visits typically include a walk through the clos before tasting.

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.

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.

Castel Sallegg ★ 4.5

An historic estate above Lake Caldaro, owned by the Counts of Kuenburg since 1851. The 30 hectares span three vineyards (Preyhof, Leisenhof, Seehof); the Moscato Rosa is a regional speciality and the Bischofsleiten Lagrein Riserva the structured red flagship.

Tasting: Reservation tastings at the historic castle estate above Lake Caldaro; also hotel + event venue.

Signature wines: bischofsleiten-lagrein-riserva, moscato-rosa, kalterersee-classico, imperial-cabernet-merlot

Tip: Stay overnight at the Castel Sallegg estate hotel; the Moscato Rosa makes an unusual after-dinner pairing with apple strudel.

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.

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 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 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)

Russiz Superiore ★ 4.8

Acquired by Marco Felluga in 1967 as the higher-elevation contiguous extension of the Marco Felluga estate at Capriva del Friuli. The 65 hectares climb the south-facing ponca slope behind the Russiz palace, with parcels between 100 and 200 metres feeding the Col Disôre and single-cru Riserva bottlings. Roberto Felluga leads the operation today.

Tasting: Estate visit at the Russiz hilltop by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Collio parcels and a flight of the Friulano Riserva, Sauvignon Riserva and the Col Disôre Bianco. The Tavernetta al Castello restaurant nearby pairs estate wines with regional plates.

Signature wines: russiz-superiore-col-disore, russiz-superiore-friulano-riserva, russiz-superiore-sauvignon-riserva

Tip: Col Disôre (Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla) is the cellar's Collio bianco icon; ask for a back vintage if the cellar has one open.

Livio Felluga ★ 4.9

Founded in 1956 by Livio Felluga at Brazzano (Cormons), and now run by Livio's four children Maurizio, Filippo, Elda and Andrea Felluga. The estate farms approximately 165 hectares across the Colli Orientali, the Rosazzo ridge and the Collio. Terre Alte, the DOCG Rosazzo blend of Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon, is the Friulian icon; the Picolit DOCG and the Sossó Refosco anchor the sweet and red ranges. The estate has been certified organic since the 2020s.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Brazzano by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Rosazzo and Brazzano parcels, a Terre Alte flight (the iconic DOCG Rosazzo blend) and a tasting of the Picolit DOCG when bottled. The Friuli wine resort on-site offers extended stays.

Signature wines: livio-felluga-terre-alte, livio-felluga-illivio, livio-felluga-friulano, livio-felluga-picolit, livio-felluga-sossó-refosco

Tip: The Friuli wine resort at the estate doubles as the visit base; book a vertical Terre Alte tasting paired with frico at the resort restaurant.

Le Vigne di Zamò ★ 4.7

Founded in 1924 by Vittorio Zamò and run today by Pierluigi and Silvano Zamò alongside daughter Annamaria. The 60 hectares span the Rosazzo ridge, Vigne dal Leon parcel and Abbazia di Rosazzo plots in the Colli Orientali. The cellar bottles a single-parcel Pignolo (one of the region's revival reds) and the Vigne dal Leon Refosco alongside the Picolit DOCG.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Rocca Bernarda by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Vigne dal Leon and Abbazia di Rosazzo parcels and a flight of the Tullio Zamò Bianco, Vigne dal Leon Refosco and the Picolit DOCG.

Signature wines: le-vigne-di-zamo-tullio-zamo, le-vigne-di-zamo-vigne-dal-leon-refosco, le-vigne-di-zamo-pignolo, le-vigne-di-zamo-picolit

Tip: Ask for the Pignolo back-vintages; the cellar holds library stock of one of Friuli's near-extinct revival reds.

Rocca Bernarda ★ 4.7

Rocca Bernarda traces to 1559 when the Valvason family planted the first vineyards on the ridge above Premariacco. The estate was bequeathed to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 1977 and the Order continues to operate it. The 26 hectares anchor one of the historical reference programmes for DOCG Picolit, with the recovered 19th-century plantings credited as one of the bases for the modern Picolit revival.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Premariacco by appointment with a tour of the 16th-century villa and the historic Picolit cellars, a vineyard walk through the Rocca Bernarda parcels and a flight including the Picolit DOCG.

Signature wines: rocca-bernarda-picolit, rocca-bernarda-friulano, rocca-bernarda-refosco, rocca-bernarda-verduzzo

Tip: The Picolit cellar walk at the villa is the most direct way to understand DOCG Picolit's tiny yields and the history of the grape's near-extinction.

Ronchi di Cialla ★ 4.7

Paolo and Dina Rapuzzi bought the abandoned Cialla parcels in 1970 and replanted Schioppettino from heritage cuttings, working with the Prepotto growers' association to add the variety back to the permitted Friulian list. The cellar is the historical anchor of the Schioppettino-revival narrative and the namesake of the Schioppettino di Prepotto sub-denomination formalised in 2008. Sons Pierpaolo and Ivan Rapuzzi now run the operation.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Cialla by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Schioppettino parcels in the Prepotto valley and a flight of the Schioppettino di Cialla, Refosco, Verduzzo and Picolit. The cellar holds back-vintage library bottles for special visits.

Signature wines: ronchi-di-cialla-schioppettino, ronchi-di-cialla-refosco, ronchi-di-cialla-verduzzo, ronchi-di-cialla-picolit

Tip: Ask for a Schioppettino di Cialla vertical; the cellar holds library stock and the variety ages 10 to 20 years.

Dario Coos ★ 4.5

Dario Coos founded the cellar in 1979 in the Ramandolo zone above Nimis and built it into one of the appellation's most-cited sweet-wine producers. Daughter Federica Coos now works in the cellar.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Ramandolo by appointment with a vineyard walk through the steep Monte Bernadia slopes and a flight of the Ramandolo DOCG, the Picolit DOCG and the Friulano Colli Orientali. The cellar's sweet-wine focus makes it a strong base for understanding the late-harvest tradition.

Signature wines: dario-coos-ramandolo-il-longhino, dario-coos-picolit, dario-coos-friulano

Tip: Il Longhino Ramandolo is the cellar's flagship; pair it with the local Montasio cheese at the end of a Colli Orientali day trip.

Ronchi di Manzano ★ 4.5

Ronchi di Manzano was founded in 1969 by Giovanni Borghese and is now led by his daughter Roberta Borghese. The 50 hectares on Colli Orientali ponca around Manzano and Orsaria feed varietal whites, Schioppettino and Picolit DOCG. The on-site agriturismo doubles as a Colli Orientali base.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Orsaria by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Manzano parcels and a flight of the Friulano, Sauvignon, Schioppettino and Picolit DOCG. On-site agriturismo with farmhouse rooms.

Signature wines: ronchi-di-manzano-friulano, ronchi-di-manzano-schioppettino, ronchi-di-manzano-picolit

Tip: The Schioppettino is among the cellar's library cuvées; ask for a back-vintage tasting paired with the agriturismo dinner.

Bressan Mastri Vinai ★ 4.5

Bressan Mastri Vinai is one of Friuli's oldest continuous wine families, with documented activity at Farra d'Isonzo since 1726. Fulvio Bressan runs the cellar in its modern form.

Tasting: Cellar visit at Farra d'Isonzo by appointment with a vineyard walk through the Bressan parcels (a Friuli holding documented since 1726) and a flight of the Pinot Grigio, Schioppettino, Pignolo and Verduzzo. Reservation required.

Signature wines: bressan-pinot-grigio, bressan-schioppettino, bressan-pignolo, bressan-verduzzo

Tip: The Pignolo is the cellar's library red and one of Friuli's revival varietals; ask for a back-vintage tasting alongside the Schioppettino.

Domaine Huet ★ 5.0

The reference Vouvray producer, 30 hectares of Demeter-biodynamic Chenin Blanc across three lieux-dits (Le Haut-Lieu, Le Mont, Clos du Bourg) in dry, off-dry, sweet and sparkling styles.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment in central Vouvray

Signature wines: huet-le-mont-sec, huet-le-haut-lieu, huet-clos-du-bourg

Tip: Top Huet moelleux reserve bottlings from great vintages (1947, 1989, 1990) age for half a century. Drink the secs young, hold the moelleux.

Domaine du Clos Naudin (Philippe Foreau) ★ 4.9

Philippe Foreau's 12-hectare Vouvray on the Premiere Cote next door to Huet, with the Goutte d'Or moelleux made only in exceptional vintages.

Tasting: By appointment, Monday-Saturday 9-12, 14-18

Signature wines: foreau-vouvray-sec, foreau-moelleux-reserve, foreau-goutte-dor

Tip: Foreau picks parcel by parcel multiple times each harvest; the Sec is a dry-Chenin masterclass.

Domaine des Baumard ★ 4.7

Rochefort-sur-Loire family domaine farming key plots in Savennieres (Clos du Papillon) and Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, with bottlings going back five centuries of family history.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Rochefort-sur-Loire cellar

Signature wines: baumard-clos-du-papillon, baumard-quarts-de-chaume, baumard-clos-sainte-catherine

Tip: Quarts de Chaume from Baumard, drunk after 20-30 years, is honey, quince and chalk in a glass.

Chateau Pierre-Bise ★ 4.7

Beaulieu-sur-Layon family estate of 53 hectares across Coteaux du Layon, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru and Savennieres, with the Les Rouannieres moelleux as the flagship.

Tasting: Monday-Saturday 10-12, 14-16:45, closed Sundays

Signature wines: pierre-bise-les-rouannieres, pierre-bise-quarts-de-chaume, pierre-bise-clos-de-coulaine

Tip: Les Rouannieres is the estate's flagship Coteaux du Layon Beaulieu cuvée from the south-facing schist slopes above the Layon tributary.

Domaine Patrick Baudouin ★ 4.6

Chaudefonds-sur-Layon estate centred on the schist-and-volcanic Prince site, with dry Chenin and old-vine Coteaux du Layon plus Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Prince cellar

Signature wines: baudouin-anjou-le-cornillard, baudouin-coteaux-du-layon, baudouin-quarts-de-chaume

Tip: Patrick was one of the first growers to push Anjou's dry Chenin into grand-cru territory; the Le Cornillard parcel is the reference.

Domaine Ogereau ★ 4.6

Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay five-generation family estate of 25 hectares biodynamic (Biodyvin) and organic (Ecocert), with parcels in Anjou, Coteaux du Layon and Savennieres.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay cellar

Signature wines: ogereau-clos-le-grand-beaupreau, ogereau-cote-de-la-houssaye, ogereau-coteaux-du-layon-saint-lambert

Tip: Clos le Grand Beaupreau (Savennieres) and Cote de la Houssaye (Anjou-Villages) are the high-end parcels worth seeking.

Chateau du Hureau ★ 4.6

Dampierre-sur-Loire Saumur-Champigny estate of 18.5 hectares, certified organic since 2007, with cellars dug into the tuffeau cliffs above the Loire.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the troglodyte cellars by appointment

Signature wines: hureau-fevettes, hureau-lisagathe, hureau-tuffe

Tip: Lisagathe, from the two best old-vine parcels, is the long-ageing flagship; book the troglodyte cellar visit.

Weingut Dr. Loosen ★ 4.8

Ernst Loosen's estate holds parcels of ungrafted old vines in many of the Mittelmosel's grand crus, from Wehlener Sonnenuhr to Erdener Pralat and the Bernkasteler Lay. A leading global ambassador for Mosel Riesling.

Tasting: Wine tastings and cellar-door sales Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment at St. Johannishof.

Weingut Egon Muller - Scharzhof ★ 5.0

Saar estate at the Scharzhof in Wiltingen, in the Mueller family since 1797 and a VDP member. Holdings in the Scharzhofberg (VDP Grosse Lage) yield Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese and Auslese sold primarily through the VDP autumn auctions in Trier.

Tasting: Visits by appointment only; the estate sells primarily through auction and allocation.

Weingut Joh. Jos. Prum ★ 4.9

Wehlen estate founded by Johann Josef Pruem in 1911, today run by Katharina Pruem. VDP member with holdings in the Wehlener Sonnenuhr (VDP Grosse Lage).

Tasting: Tastings by prior appointment only; contact the estate office by email to arrange a visit.

Weingut Fritz Haag ★ 4.8

VDP estate on the south-facing Brauneberger Juffer and Juffer-Sonnenuhr (both VDP Grosse Lage), run by Oliver Haag. Haag family ownership documented since 1605, producing racy Rieslings.

Tasting: Tastings and sales by appointment at the Dusemonder Hof estate in Brauneberg.

Weingut Selbach-Oster ★ 4.6

A long-established family estate working steep parcels in Zeltingen, Wehlen, Graach and Bernkastel. Known for old-vine, hand-harvested Rieslings and characterful dry and off-dry bottlings.

Tasting: Tastings at the Selbach Vinothek, Gansfelder Strasse 20; Saturday 11:00 to 17:00 and Sundays and holidays by appointment.

Weingut Schloss Lieser ★ 4.7

Thomas Haag's estate at the castle village of Lieser, with parcels in the Brauneberger Juffer, Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Niederberg Helden. Multiple-time German winery of the year for its precise Rieslings.

Tasting: Vinothek tastings and sales at the estate in Lieser; visits by arrangement.

Weingut Markus Molitor ★ 4.7

An ambitious estate spanning the Mosel and Saar with one of the largest collections of top sites in the region, plus serious Mosel Pinot Noir. Famous for its star-coded labelling of dry, off-dry and sweet styles.

Tasting: Vinothek open Monday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00, weekends and holidays by appointment.

Weingut Vollenweider ★ 4.5

A boutique estate founded by Swiss-born Daniel Vollenweider and centred on the steep old-vine Wolfer Goldgrube, now led by Moritz Hoffmann. Concentrated, classically fruity Mosel Riesling from the Traben-Trarbach area.

Tasting: Small estate; tastings and sales by appointment in Traben-Trarbach.

Weingut Dr. Hermann ★ 4.4

An Erden family estate with prime holdings in the steep Erdener Pralat and Treppchen and the Urziger Wurzgarten. Classic fruity-style Mosel Riesling across the Pradikat ladder.

Tasting: Tastings and sales by appointment at the riverside estate in Erden.

Weingut Max Ferd. Richter ★ 4.4

A ninth-generation estate at Mulheim with parcels across the Mittelmosel including the Brauneberger Juffer and a Mulheimer Helenenkloster site noted for Eiswein. Wide range of fruity and dry Riesling.

Tasting: Tastings and sales at the Mulheim estate; visits by arrangement.

Weingut Muller-Catoir ★ 4.9

A 1744-founded Haardt estate now in the ninth Catoir generation under Philipp David Catoir; 23.3 ha across Burgergarten Im Breumel monopole, Eselshaut, Mandelgarten and Vogelsang Grosse Lage sites.

Tasting: Vinothek at Mandelring 25; estate tastings by appointment with a focus on Haardter Burgergarten and Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten GGs and the Scheurebe and Rieslaner specialties.

Weingut Frey ★ 4.3

An Essingen estate in the southern Pfalz, long-standing specialist in nobly sweet Pradikat wines from Auslese to Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein on a roughly 12 ha vineyard footprint.

Tasting: Vinothek by appointment at Essingen; the estate is a long-established Pfalz specialist in nobly sweet Auslese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein.

Weingut Kurt Darting ★ 4.4

A 25 ha Bad Durkheim estate under Helmut Darting, long-time Pfalz benchmark for off-dry Spatlese and Auslese Riesling and Scheurebe from Durkheimer Michelsberg and Spielberg.

Tasting: Vinothek at An der Hochbenn 2 by appointment; tastings cover Durkheimer Michelsberg and Spielberg Rieslings and the Scheurebe Auslese line.

Cooperativa Falset Marca (Etim) ★ 4.2

Founded in 1920, this Falset cooperative is the region's largest producer under the Etim brand, covering DO Montsant and DOQ Priorat with a wide range from everyday to premium.

Tasting: Open cellar-door shop and tasting room; tasting packs available on site.

Signature wines: etim-negre, etim-garnatxa-vermella, etim-dolc-natural

Schloss Johannisberg ★ 4.9

Hilltop Schloss Johannisberg above Geisenheim documents a 1720 Riesling replanting and a 1775 Spatlese courier story; 51.5 ha of Riesling-only quartzite.

Tasting: Wine tastings, cellar tours and group programmes by appointment; restaurant and Vinothek on the hillside above Johannisberg.

Weingut Robert Weil ★ 4.9

An 1875-founded Kiedrich Riesling estate run by Wilhelm Weil with Suntory as majority partner from 1988; 78 ha all Riesling, flagship Kiedricher Graefenberg.

Tasting: Tasting room open Mon-Fri 08:00 to 17:30, Sat 10:00 to 17:00, Sun 11:00 to 17:00; private tastings and Gräfenberg vineyard walks by appointment.

Weingut Gunderloch ★ 4.9

An 1890-founded Nackenheim estate under Johannes Hasselbach, 23.2 ha EU-Bio certified, with Roter Hang Rothenberg, Pettenthal and Hipping Grosse Lage Riesling parcels. The Rothenberg Wurzelecht ungrafted-vines bottling is a Roter Hang historical reference.

Tasting: Vinothek and cellar tours at Carl-Gunderloch-Platz 1 by appointment; vineyard walks on the Nackenheimer Rothenberg and Pettenthal slopes on the Roter Hang seasonally.

Signature wines: Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Grosses Gewaechs, Pettenthal Riesling Grosses Gewaechs, Hipping Riesling Grosses Gewaechs, Roter Hang Riesling, Drei Sterne Riesling Trocken, Jean-Baptiste Riesling Kabinett, Gunderloch Riesling Ortswein, Rothenberg Auslese Goldkapsel

Domaine Francois Villard ★ 4.5

Saint-Michel-sur-Rhone domaine producing ambitious Northern Rhone whites and reds with low-intervention and site-specific focus.

Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the domaine

Signature wines: villard-condrieu-le-grand-vallon, villard-saint-joseph-le-grand-pompee

Domaine Sigalas ★ 4.9

Paris Sigalas's 1991 foundation at Oia, anchor of the northern half of Santorini and a centrepiece of the Mavrotragano red-grape revival. Now part of the Kir-Yianni group (Boutaris family) since the December 2025 acquisition, with Stelios Boutaris as CEO.

Tasting: Year-round; tastings by reservation, Monday to Sunday 11:00 to 18:00. Multi-flight options including a Mavrotragano deep-dive and a Vinsanto vertical.

Signature wines: sigalas-santorini-assyrtiko, sigalas-kavalieros, sigalas-mavrotragano, sigalas-vinsanto

Tip: Kavalieros, the single-vineyard Assyrtiko from a parcel near the village, is the flagship and benefits from 4 to 6 years of bottle age.

Estate Argyros ★ 4.9

Argyros family estate at Episkopi Gonia, founded 1903 and now in its fourth generation. The estate farms more than 120 hectares of own-rooted kouloura Assyrtiko; average vine age exceeds 70 years with some parcels over two centuries.

Tasting: Year-round tasting room at the Episkopi Gonia winery; bookable flights covering PDO Santorini, Cuvée Monsignori, Mavrotragano and a Vinsanto vertical (Vinsanto bottlings of 20 and 40 years are routinely poured).

Signature wines: argyros-santorini-assyrtiko, argyros-cuvee-monsignori, argyros-mavrotragano, argyros-vinsanto-20-years

Tip: The Vinsanto 20 Years carries 20 years of barrel ageing under the PDO Vinsanto regime; the standard PDO Assyrtiko sits at the EUR 25-35 retail band.

Santo Wines (Union of Santorini Cooperatives) ★ 4.6

The cooperative of Santorini grape-growers, founded 1947 and based at Pyrgos on the central ridge of the island. A major purchaser of island fruit, with a caldera-rim tasting terrace that is a busy cellar-door stop on Santorini.

Tasting: Year-round caldera-rim tasting terrace at Pyrgos; walk-in flights with structured wine and food pairings, plus reservation-only deeper visits. A high-volume cellar-door operation with terraces seating hundreds at peak.

Signature wines: santo-wines-assyrtiko, santo-wines-nykteri, santo-wines-vinsanto-12-years

Tip: Book the sunset slot on the caldera terrace and order the food-and-wine pairing flight; the standard PDO Santorini at cooperative pricing is one of the better entry-level Assyrtiko bottles on the island.

Gaia Wines Santorini ★ 4.8

Founded 1994 by Yiannis Paraskevopoulos (wine scientist and Master of Wine candidate) and Leon Karatsalos. Gaia operates two estates: the Santorini cellar at Exo Gonia and a second at Koutsi in Nemea.

Tasting: Walk-in and bookable tastings at the Exo Gonia cellar, including flights focused on Thalassitis (the cuvée briefly aged on the seabed in the Wild Ferment programme), Wild Ferment Assyrtiko, and Mavrotragano.

Signature wines: gaia-thalassitis, gaia-wild-ferment, gaia-thalassitis-submerged

Tip: Thalassitis Submerged (aged in steel cages on the Aegean seabed) is the Gaia headline experience; the standard Thalassitis bottle is a long-running PDO Santorini bottling that pairs well with grilled fish.

Artemis Karamolegos Winery ★ 4.7

Exo Gonia estate built by Artemis Karamolegos in 2004 on family vineyard parcels, with cellar door and the Aroma Avlis restaurant on the same site.

Tasting: Walk-in and reserved tastings year-round; on-site Aroma Avlis Food and Wine restaurant pairs the estate's bottlings with farm-to-table Mediterranean cooking.

Signature wines: karamolegos-assyrtiko-34, karamolegos-nykteri, karamolegos-mavrotragano

Tip: Book a winery visit with lunch at Aroma Avlis on the cellar terrace; the Assyrtiko 34 (older-vines bottling) is the standout dry white.

Boutari Santorini Winery ★ 4.5

Boutari, the Macedonia-founded Greek wine house (1879), opened its Santorini facility in 1989 at Megalochori. The Santorini cellar contributed to the international launch of Assyrtiko through the 1990s; the Nykteri bottling is a long-running reference for the night-harvest style.

Tasting: Daily tasting flights at the Megalochori winery year-round; multi-wine flights pairing Boutari Santorini, Selladia and Nykteri with Greek cheeses and meze plates.

Signature wines: boutari-kallisti, boutari-nykteri, boutari-vinsanto

Tip: Boutari Nykteri is widely distributed in export markets and ages well at 5 to 8 years from vintage; the standard Boutari Santorini is the budget-friendly entry into the PDO.

Venetsanos Winery ★ 4.7

Cliff-cut winery on the caldera above Athinios port, founded 1947 by the Venetsanos family. The gravity-flow design uses the cliff face to move must downhill through pressing and fermentation; restored and reopened to visitors as a working cellar plus tasting terrace.

Tasting: Daily 11:00 to 20:00 from May to October, reduced hours November to April. Sunset Terrace (May to September, 18:00 to 22:00) is the dedicated evening tasting space. Last tasting at 18:30.

Signature wines: venetsanos-assyrtiko, venetsanos-nykteri, venetsanos-vinsanto

Tip: Time a sunset visit on the cliffside terrace; the gravity-flow press built into the rock face is a striking wine-tourism space.

Canava Roussos ★ 4.5

Founded 1836 by the Roussos family at Mesa Gonia and continuously operating from the historic family canava since the 19th century. The stone-vaulted cellar houses a small museum of pre-industrial Santorini winemaking tools alongside the working tasting room.

Tasting: Daily 11:00 to 19:00 (seasonal); bookable tasting flights at the historic canava (cellar) at Mesa Gonia, including the family's long-aged Vinsanto and Mavrotragano-Mandilaria reds.

Signature wines: canava-roussos-vinsanto, canava-roussos-vinsanto, canava-roussos-caldera

Tip: The Vinsanto here is sometimes available in 20 and 25 year aged bottlings; the Caldera (red) blend of Mavrotragano and Mandilaria is a distinctive heritage red.

Gavalas Winery ★ 4.6

Five-generation Gavalas family canava in the centre of Megalochori, producing roughly 90,000 bottles a year across 11 wines. The range includes monovarietal bottlings of Katsano (white) and Voudomato (red), two heritage island grapes seldom seen as single varieties elsewhere on Santorini.

Tasting: Year-round; intimate tasting room at the family canava in central Megalochori. Tasting flights include monovarietal bottlings of the rare indigenous Katsano (white) and Voudomato (red), seldom vinified as single varieties on Santorini.

Signature wines: gavalas-santorini, gavalas-katsano, gavalas-voudomato, gavalas-vinsanto

Tip: Visit specifically for the Katsano and Voudomato; monovarietal bottlings of these heritage island grapes are uncommon at other Santorini cellar doors.

Antoniou Winery ★ 4.4

Historic Megalochori cellar of the Antoniou family, founded 1903, with a multi-level rock-cut layout running down the caldera escarpment. The traditional canava is a working stop on most island wine tours.

Tasting: Year-round; bookable tasting visits at the restored historic cellar on the caldera side of Megalochori. Programme emphasises the multi-level gravity cellar layout and the Vinsanto-ageing chamber cut into the rock.

Signature wines: antoniou-santorini, antoniou-nykteri, antoniou-vinsanto

Tip: The rock-cut Vinsanto barrel chamber is an atmospheric tasting space; pair the visit with a stroll through central Megalochori afterwards.

Koutsoyannopoulos Winery (Volcan Wines) ★ 4.4

Koutsoyannopoulos family canava at Vothonas (between Fira and Kamari), founded 1870 and operating since the 1990s with the on-site Wine Museum, an 8-room cave display covering 300 years of Santorini viticulture.

Tasting: Daily year-round; the visit combines the working winery, the underground Wine Museum (an 8-room cave tracing 300 years of Santorini wine history), and a tasting flight of the estate's Volcan Wines bottlings.

Signature wines: volcan-wines-assyrtiko, volcan-wines-nykteri, volcan-wines-vinsanto

Tip: The cave Wine Museum is the most child-friendly wine attraction on Santorini and one of the few rainy-day options on the island; the tasting flight afterwards is solid value.

Art Space Santorini ★ 4.3

Dual gallery and winery opened by Antonis Argyros in 1999 inside the 1861 family canava at Exo Gonia. Small production (a few thousand bottles) of estate-grown Assyrtiko, Aidani and Mavrotragano alongside rotating contemporary art exhibitions.

Tasting: Year-round; tastings combined with the on-site sculpture and painting gallery. The space is built into the 1861 Argyros family canava at Exo Gonia.

Signature wines: art-space-santorini-assyrtiko, art-space-mavrotragano

Tip: Lesser-known than the Argyros family's larger Estate Argyros; a quieter alternative for visitors who want to combine wine with art in a working historic cellar.

Tasca d'Almerita Capofaro (Salina) ★ 4.7

Tasca d'Almerita's Capofaro estate on the island of Salina in the Aeolian Islands produces Malvasia delle Lipari DOC within a boutique hotel and winery.

Tasting: Boutique hotel and wine resort on Salina with tasting experiences among the Malvasia vines overlooking the Tyrrhenian.

Signature wines: capofaro-malvasia

Caravaglio (Salina / Malvasia) ★ 4.5

A second-generation family estate on Salina producing organic Malvasia delle Lipari DOC wines alongside a Nero d'Avola-based red. Caravaglio's minimal-intervention passito is made from sun-dried Malvasia di Lipari on terraced volcanic soils.

Tasting: Seasonal tastings on Salina. Contact via the Caravaglio website.

Signature wines: caravaglio-malvasia-passito, caravaglio-salina-bianco

Marco De Bartoli - Bukkuram (Pantelleria) ★ 4.8

Marco De Bartoli's Pantelleria estate at Bukkuram produces the Sole d'Agosto passito from Zibibbo vines trained in the alberello pantesco system. The wine is a benchmark of minimal-intervention Pantelleria passito style.

Tasting: Visits by appointment on Pantelleria. Contact via the Marco De Bartoli website.

Signature wines: de-bartoli-bukkuram-sole-d-agosto

Donnafugata Pantelleria ★ 4.8

Donnafugata's Pantelleria estate produces Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC from Zibibbo (Moscato d'Alessandria) vines trained in the alberello pantesco system on volcanic soils.

Tasting: Estate visits on Pantelleria. Bookable via the Donnafugata visit site.

Signature wines: donnafugata-ben-rye

Cantine Florio ★ 4.6

Founded by Vincenzo Florio in 1833, Cantine Florio is a leading Marsala house in Sicily. Its historic tuff-stone cellars, built from 1840 with 104 arches and 1,400 barrels, remain in production in western Marsala.

Tasting: Guided cellar tours of the historic 165-metre tuff-stone barrel chambers. Over 50,000 visitors annually. Bookable via the Cantine Florio website.

Signature wines: florio-targa-riserva, florio-morsi-di-luce

Hauner (Malvasia delle Lipari) ★ 4.6

Founded by Carlo Hauner in 1963 on Salina in the Aeolian Islands, Hauner produces Malvasia delle Lipari DOC across passito and naturale styles from Malvasia di Lipari vines on the island's terraced slopes.

Tasting: Tasting room at the estate on Salina. Open to visitors in the Aeolian Island season (April to October). Contact via the Hauner website.

Signature wines: hauner-malvasia-delle-lipari, hauner-malvasia-delle-lipari-passito

Maggio Vini ★ 4.2

Maggio Vini produces Noto DOC Nero d'Avola and Moscato di Noto from the Maccari contrada in the Syracuse province, one of the warmest and most sun-drenched zones in Sicily.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Noto estate. Contact via the winery.

Signature wines: maggio-vini-nero-davola, maggio-vini-moscato-di-noto

Cantine Pellegrino ★ 4.4

Established in 1880, sixth-generation family-owned Cantine Pellegrino built its reputation on Marsala and Pantelleria passito wines. Its historic Marsala cellars host regular cellar tours and tastings in western Sicily.

Tasting: Wine tourism at the historic Marsala cellars via the Pellegrino Ouverture booking platform. Guided tours, tastings and food pairings.

Signature wines: pellegrino-marsala-superiore-riserva, pellegrino-nes-passito

Serragghia (Pantelleria) ★ 4.7

Gabrio Bini's Serragghia on Pantelleria farms Zibibbo in the alberello pantesco system without sulphur. The Serragghia passito and natural Zibibbo whites are produced in small allocations and distributed largely through specialist natural-wine importers.

Tasting: Visits by appointment on Pantelleria. Contact via Gabrio Bini's Serragghia farm.

Signature wines: serragghia-passito-di-pantelleria

Royal Tokaji ★ 4.8

Founded in 1990 by Hugh Johnson and partners, Royal Tokaji pioneered the post-1989 private revival of single-vineyard Tokaj Aszú from Mád's historic dűlők.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment at the Mád winery; contact via website.

Signature wines: royal-tokaji-mezes-maly-aszu-6-puttonyos, royal-tokaji-nyulaszo-aszu-6-puttonyos, royal-tokaji-szt-tamas-aszu-6-puttonyos, royal-tokaji-aszu-5-puttonyos

Tip: The Mézes Mály single-vineyard Aszú is the estate's flagship sweet expression; book the cellar visit through the estate website.

Disznókő ★ 4.7

Acquired in 1992 by AXA Millésimes, Disznókő is the largest single contiguous vineyard estate in Tokaj, producing Aszú and the rare Eszencia from 104 hectares at Mezőzombor.

Tasting: Guided cellar tours and tastings by appointment; guesthouse on site for overnight stays.

Signature wines: disznoko-aszu-6-puttonyos, disznoko-aszu-5-puttonyos, disznoko-eszencia, disznoko-inspiracio-furmint

Tip: Book the cellar tour well in advance; the estate's guesthouse is an atmospheric overnight option in the region.

Tokaj Oremus ★ 4.7

Oremus was acquired by Tempos Vega Sicilia in 1993 and is based in Tolcsva, where ancient 13th-century cellars underpin a modern winery producing both dry Furmint and Tokaji Aszú.

Tasting: Cellar tours and tastings by appointment at Tolcsva.

Signature wines: oremus-mandolas-furmint, oremus-aszu-5-puttonyos, oremus-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: The Mandolás dry Furmint is the estate's flagship white and a key reference for the dry Furmint revival.

Szepsy ★ 4.9

The Szepsy family estate in Mád is the original force behind the single-vineyard Tokaj revival; meticulous work in the historic dűlők of Mád defines the dry Furmint movement.

Tasting: Visits by appointment only.

Signature wines: szepsy-furmint, szepsy-uradja-furmint, szepsy-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: Visits are strictly by prior arrangement; plan months ahead for harvest-season appointments.

Holdvölgy ★ 4.5

Set in central Mád in a 500-year-old cellar running almost 2 km underground, Holdvölgy produces precise single-vineyard dry Furmint and Aszú wines from the premier dűlők of the Mád basin.

Tasting: Open Sun-Thu 10:00-15:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-17:00; online booking via website.

Signature wines: holdvolgy-notabene-furmint, holdvolgy-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: The underground cellar tour is atmospheric; book the tasting package in advance.

Patricius Winery ★ 4.3

Founded in 2000 in Bodrogkisfalud, Patricius cultivates 68 hectares of traditional Tokaj varieties including the rare Kövérszőlő, producing the full range from dry Furmint to Aszú.

Tasting: Monday to Friday 08:00-16:00, year-round; advance booking recommended.

Signature wines: patricius-furmint-dry, patricius-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: One of the few estates that bottles Kövérszőlő as a varietal; a rare Tokaj style worth asking about during any visit.

Béres Vineyards and Winery ★ 4.4

Béres Vineyards and Winery occupies 45 hectares in the Bénye Basin at the geographical centre of Tokaj, producing single-vineyard dry whites and Aszú from terraced volcanic soils.

Tasting: Winery visits and tastings by appointment.

Signature wines: beres-locse-furmint, beres-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: The Lőcse single-vineyard Furmint is the estate's flagship expression of the volcanic rhyolite tuff terroir.

Kikelet Pince ★ 4.4

Founded in 2002 by Loire-trained winemaker Stéphanie Berecz and her husband Zsolt in Tarcal, Kikelet crafts mineral dry whites and late-harvest wines from volcanic-rock cellars carved into the village bedrock.

Tasting: Winery and cellar visits by appointment in Tarcal.

Signature wines: kikelet-furmint, kikelet-harslevelu, kikelet-late-harvest

Tip: Stéphanie Berecz was awarded Winemaker of Winemakers by her peers in 2014; the natural-rock cellar environment is a highlight of any visit.

Barta Winery ★ 4.4

Barta Winery in Mád crafts single-vineyard Furmint from the historic Öreg Király dűlő and structured Aszú from meticulously tended volcanic hillside plots above the village.

Tasting: Wine shop and cellar tastings at Rákóczi utca 83, Mád; book via email or phone.

Signature wines: barta-oreg-kiraly-furmint, barta-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: The Rákóczi utca wine shop doubles as the tasting room; the Öreg Király (Old King) Furmint is the estate's signature white.

Sauska Tokaj ★ 4.3

The Sauska family's Tokaj winery, with a new Rátka facility opened in 2023, produces sparkling Furmint, dry whites and Aszú alongside the estate's Villány reds under the same family label.

Tasting: Winery tastings and visits at the Rátka facility, opened November 2023.

Signature wines: sauska-furmint, sauska-tokaj-aszu

Tip: The traditional-method sparkling Furmint is an unusual and rewarding expression of the grape's high natural acidity.

Tokaj Nobilis ★ 4.4

Tokaj Nobilis was founded in 2000 in Bodrogkeresztúr by winemaker Sarolta Bárdos and her husband Péter Molnár; the 7-hectare estate focuses on single-vineyard expressions and also offers guesthouse accommodation.

Tasting: Winery visits, tastings and accommodation in Bodrogkeresztúr; booking via website.

Signature wines: tokaj-nobilis-barakonyi-furmint, tokaj-nobilis-aszu

Tip: Sarolta Bárdos is one of the region's most compelling advocates for dry Furmint; the Barakonyi plot delivers notably saline minerality.

Pendits ★ 4.4

Pendits in Abaújszántó became Hungary's first Demeter-certified biodynamic winery in 2011 and the region's first certified organic estate in 2008, producing low-intervention Furmint and rare Aszú Essencia.

Tasting: Winery visits by appointment in Abaújszántó.

Signature wines: pendits-furmint, pendits-aszu-essencia

Tip: The first Hungarian winery to achieve both Demeter biodynamic and organic certification; a reference point for natural-leaning Tokaj.

Bott Pince ★ 4.3

Bott Pince is a 6-hectare family estate founded in 2005, farming six single vineyards across Tokaj with no herbicides, no enzymes and spontaneous fermentation from native yeasts.

Tasting: Visits by appointment only; contact via email.

Signature wines: bott-csontos-furmint, bott-teleki-furmint

Tip: With only 6 hectares split among six named plots, each bottling is genuinely single-site; the Csontos from Erdőbénye-Olaszliszka slopes is the most characteristic.

Erzsébet Pince ★ 4.2

Founded in 1989 on Tokaj's historic wine merchants' street by Erzsébet Prácser, one of the region's first female winemakers, this family cellar produces traditional dry and sweet Tokaj styles.

Tasting: Cellar tastings in Tokaj town; booking via website.

Signature wines: erzsebet-furmint-dry, erzsebet-aszu-5-puttonyos

Tip: The cellar sits on Bem Street, the historic wine trading street of Tokaj town; the family's personal history spans the transition from state to private winemaking.

Grand Tokaj ★ 3.9

Grand Tokaj, formerly Tokaj Kereskedőház, is the state-owned large-format producer, rebranded in 2016, producing the full range of Tokaj styles at commercial scale and widely distributed internationally.

Tasting: Winery visits and group tastings; contact via website.

Signature wines: grand-tokaj-aszu-5-puttonyos, grand-tokaj-furmint

Tip: Grand Tokaj's wines are widely available internationally and a practical entry point for exploring the region's principal styles.

Füleky Pince ★ 4.0

Füleky Pince is a family estate in Bodrogkeresztúr at the Bodrog-Tisza confluence, a village whose morning mists reliably stimulate noble rot; the estate produces Furmint and Aszú from these fog-prone slopes.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings in Bodrogkeresztúr by appointment.

Signature wines: fuleky-furmint, fuleky-aszu-5-puttonyos

Tip: Bodrogkeresztúr's autumn fogs produce some of the region's most consistently botrytised grapes; the village is a good base for understanding the geographical origins of Tokaji Aszú.

Demeter Zoltán ★ 4.3

Zoltán Demeter is a boutique Mád producer making concentrated single-vineyard Furmint and precise Aszú from tiny parcels on the volcanic slopes above the village.

Tasting: Visits by prior appointment only.

Signature wines: demeter-zoltan-furmint, demeter-zoltan-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: Production is very small; wines are primarily available through specialist importers and local Mád tasting rooms.

Zsirai Pince ★ 4.1

Zsirai Pince in Tarcal grows vines on the southern slopes of Kopasz-hegy including plots adjacent to the historic Mézes Mály dűlő, one of Tokaj's first-class classified vineyards, producing full-bodied dry Furmint and Aszú.

Tasting: Winery visits by appointment in Tarcal.

Signature wines: zsirai-mezes-maly-furmint, zsirai-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: Tarcal is the southernmost major wine village in Tokaj; its maximum sun exposure produces noticeably richer fruit than the cooler northern villages.

Balassa Pince ★ 4.0

Balassa Pince is based in Tolcsva, home village of Oremus, producing dry Furmint and textured Szamorodni from the rolling volcanic hillsides and ancient cellar tunnels of the Tolcsva valley.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings in Tolcsva by appointment.

Signature wines: balassa-furmint, balassa-szamorodni

Tip: Tolcsva's deep historic cellar network runs for hundreds of metres through volcanic tuff; an atmospheric location for any tasting.

Tokaj Hétszőlő ★ 4.1

Tokaj Hétszőlő, now part of the Grand Tokaj family, takes its name from one of Mád's historically documented vineyard sites, producing Aszú from clay-volcanic soils documented since the 17th century.

Tasting: Part of the Grand Tokaj group; visits by arrangement via Grand Tokaj.

Signature wines: tokaj-hetszolos-furmint, tokaj-hetszolos-aszu

Tip: The Hétszőlő name (seven vineyards) appears in historical Tokaj documents from the early 1600s; the estate carries the weight of the region's long documented viticultural history.

Szepsy Jr Pince ★ 4.7

István Szepsy Jr. continues the Szepsy family tradition at the Mád estate, producing single-vineyard Furmint and Aszú with the same rigorous approach to dűlő selection that defined the original Szepsy revival.

Tasting: Visits by appointment only in Mád.

Signature wines: szepsy-jr-furmint-nyulaszo, szepsy-jr-aszu-6-puttonyos

Tip: The father-and-son succession at Szepsy is one of the clearest examples of generational knowledge transfer in Tokaj winemaking.

Malatinszky Tokaj ★ 4.0

Malatinszky Tokaj produces mineral dry Furmint from Mád-area plots, complementing the same estate family known for reds from Villány; a rare dual-appellation Hungarian producer.

Tasting: Visits by appointment; estate also produces at Villány.

Signature wines: malatinszky-tokaj-furmint, malatinszky-tokaj-aszu

Tip: A useful comparative tasting when combined with Villány reds to understand the span of Hungarian wine from volcanic north to limestone south.

Harsányi Pince ★ 3.8

Harsányi Pince is a family producer in Sátoraljaújhely, the northernmost town of the Tokaj appellation bordering Slovakia, growing Furmint and Hárslevelű on sheltered south-facing terraces in the appellation's coolest zone.

Tasting: Family winery in Sátoraljaújhely; visits by prior arrangement.

Signature wines: harsanyi-pince-furmint-dry, harsanyi-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos

Tip: Sátoraljaújhely is the most northerly village of the appellation; wines from here show a more restrained, higher-acid profile than those from the sunnier Mád basin.

Papp Pince ★ 3.9

Papp Pince is a family producer in Tarcal growing Furmint, Hárslevelű and Sárga Muskotály on south-facing volcanic terraces that define this village's fuller, more concentrated style of wine.

Tasting: Family winery; visits by prior arrangement in Tarcal.

Signature wines: papp-pince-furmint-dry, papp-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos

Tip: Tarcal's Mézes Mály (Honey Meadow) is among the historically classified first-class dűlők; ask which plots the family tends during any visit.

Dorógi Pince ★ 3.8

Dorógi Pince is a small family winery in Bodrogkisfalud producing dry Furmint and Aszú from clay-volcanic slopes bordering the Bodrog river, where autumn fog reliably creates botrytis conditions.

Tasting: Family winery; visits by appointment.

Signature wines: dorogi-pince-furmint-dry, dorogi-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos

Tip: A classic small-producer experience in a village that receives far fewer visitors than Mád or Tokaj town.

Várhelyi Pince ★ 3.9

Várhelyi Pince is a family cellar in central Tokaj town producing dry Furmint and sweet Aszú from volcanic plots across the region, with multigenerational roots in the historic wine-street quarter.

Tasting: Cellar tastings in Tokaj town; contact in advance.

Signature wines: varhelyi-pince-furmint-dry, varhelyi-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos

Tip: Located in the historic Bem Street wine quarter of Tokaj; an atmospheric traditional cellar tasting.

Avignonesi ★ 4.8

Montepulciano estate acquired by Belgian shipowner Virginie Saverys in 2009 and converted to Demeter-certified biodynamics. The Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo from Sangiovese remains a benchmark of the style.

Tasting: Cellar tours, Vin Santo vinsantaia tastings and estate lunches by reservation; certified biodynamic by Demeter.

Signature wines: avignonesi-vino-nobile, avignonesi-grandi-annate, avignonesi-occhio-di-pernice, avignonesi-50-50

Scores: Vinous 95 (2017)

Tenuta di Capezzana ★ 4.7

Contini Bonacossi family estate at Carmignano with vineyard records back to 804 AD on the property. Wine production formalised in 1920; certified organic and a Carmignano DOCG benchmark.

Tasting: Cellar tours, Vin Santo vinsantaia visits, vineyard walks and on-site agriturismo accommodation; certified organic.

Signature wines: capezzana-villa-di-capezzana, capezzana-trefiano-riserva, capezzana-vin-santo-di-carmignano-riserva

Scores: Wine Advocate 93 (2018), Vinous 93 (2018)

Fattoria Le Fonti ★ 4.4

Small Chianti Classico estate at Poggibonsi run by Vicky Schmitt-Vitali since 1999. Certified ICEA-organic; the Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is aged 10 years in caratelli.

Tasting: Small-group estate tastings and cellar visits by appointment; agriturismo rooms available; certified organic.

Signature wines: le-fonti-chianti-classico-riserva, le-fonti-vito-arturo, le-fonti-vin-santo

Scores: Vinous 92 (2019), Wine Advocate 91 (2019)

Giuseppe Quintarelli ★ 5.0

Negrar estate founded 1924 by Giuseppe Quintarelli, now run by his daughter Fiorenza Quintarelli and family. Quintarelli's Amarone and Recioto are long-aged expressions of dried-grape Valpolicella winemaking, released years after harvest.

Tasting: By appointment only; tastings at the historic cellar in Negrar. Very limited availability.

Signature wines: quintarelli-amarone-classico, quintarelli-alzero, quintarelli-recioto-classico

Dal Forno Romano ★ 5.0

Founded by Romano Dal Forno in 1983 in the Illasi valley, outside the Classico zone. Tiny production, very low yields and long maceration produce a deeply concentrated, oak-shaped style of Amarone.

Tasting: By appointment only; private estate visit at Cellore d'Illasi.

Signature wines: dal-forno-amarone-valpolicella, dal-forno-valpolicella-superiore

Allegrini ★ 4.8

Multi-generation family estate at Fumane at the heart of Valpolicella Classico. Allegrini pioneered single-vineyard bottlings in the zone and is widely credited with modernising Amarone's international profile in the 1980s under Giovanni Allegrini.

Tasting: Tasting visits at the Fumane estate and Villa della Torre; bookable via the estate website.

Signature wines: allegrini-amarone-classico, allegrini-la-poja, allegrini-palazzo-della-torre

Masi Agricola ★ 4.6

One of Valpolicella's oldest and most recognisable names, founded in 1772. The Boscaini family pioneered the ripasso technique. The historic Serego Alighieri property owned by Dante Alighieri's descendants is part of the Masi portfolio.

Tasting: Estate visits and tastings at Serego Alighieri guest property and the Gargagnago winery.

Signature wines: masi-costasera-amarone, masi-campolongo-di-torbe, masi-campofiorin

Bertani ★ 4.5

A founding force in Valpolicella winemaking since 1857, Bertani codified the long-maceration Amarone style. Owned by Tenimenti Angelini since 2021 and still operating from the historic Novare cellars.

Tasting: Cellar tours and tastings bookable at the Novare estate; group and trade visits by appointment.

Signature wines: bertani-amarone-classico, bertani-valpolicella-ripasso

Tommasi Viticoltori ★ 4.5

Family estate in San Pietro in Cariano producing Amarone, Valpolicella and Ripasso across multiple vineyard parcels in the Classico zone since 1902. Fourth-generation winemaker Giancarlo Tommasi oversees production.

Tasting: Wine tasting and cellar visits at the San Pietro in Cariano estate; bookable online.

Signature wines: tommasi-amarone-classico, tommasi-valpolicella-ripasso, tommasi-amarone-ca-florian

Zenato ★ 4.6

Founded by Sergio Zenato in 1960, this estate bridges two zones: the Valpolicella hillside estates east of Negrar produce Amarone, and the Lake Garda shoreline vineyards at Peschiera yield benchmark Lugana from Turbiana.

Tasting: Tasting visits at Peschiera del Garda; both Valpolicella and Lugana wines poured.

Signature wines: zenato-amarone-classico, zenato-valpolicella-ripassa

Speri Viticoltori ★ 4.7

Six-generation family estate on the Monte Masua and Sant'Urbano hillsides of Fumane. Among the most traditional producers in the Classico zone; Luca Speri is the current winemaker.

Tasting: Cellar visits and seated tastings by appointment at San Pietro in Cariano.

Signature wines: speri-amarone-classico, speri-amarone-monte-sant-urbano

Tedeschi Vini ★ 4.7

Founded in 1824, Tedeschi is one of the oldest family producers in Valpolicella Classico. The single-vineyard Amarone Capitel Monte Olmi is its flagship; sixth-generation Lorenzo Tedeschi manages the estate.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment; group tours of the historic cellar available.

Signature wines: tedeschi-amarone-capitel-monte-olmi, tedeschi-valpolicella-capitel-dei-nicalo

Tenuta Sant'Antonio ★ 4.6

The Castagnedi brothers established Tenuta Sant'Antonio in 1989 in the Mezzane valley east of the Classico zone. Their Campo dei Gigli Amarone from Oseleta and Corvina is a benchmark for the sub-zone style.

Tasting: Estate tasting visits by appointment at Mezzane di Sotto; full range of Valpolicella and Amarone poured.

Signature wines: tenuta-santantonio-amarone-campo-dei-gigli, tenuta-santantonio-valpolicella-superiore

Lorenzo Begali ★ 4.7

Small family estate at San Pietro in Cariano producing Amarone and Recioto from very old Corvina vines on the Ca'Bianca cru. Consistently high quality with a traditional approach to drying and long cellaring.

Tasting: Tastings and cellar tours by appointment; intimate family atmosphere.

Signature wines: begali-amarone-monte-ca-bianca, begali-recioto-classico

Zyme ★ 4.7

Founded in 2001 by former Quintarelli cellarmaster Celestino Gaspari. Zyme spans tradition and innovation: the Amarone Kairos uses classic drying methods, while the Harlequin IGT blends 15 native and international varieties.

Tasting: Private tastings by appointment at the San Pietro in Cariano cellar.

Signature wines: zyme-amarone-kairos, zyme-harlequin-veronese-igt

Brigaldara ★ 4.6

A Cesari family estate in Valpolicella Classico, known for precise, age-worthy Amarone and a careful approach to appassimento in the estate's traditional fruttai.

Tasting: Estate visits and tastings by appointment at San Pietro in Cariano.

Signature wines: brigaldara-amarone-classico, brigaldara-il-vegro-amarone

Ca' La Bionda ★ 4.5

Family-run estate at the top of the Marano valley producing structured, traditional Amarone and Valpolicella from old vineyards on volcanic soils.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment on the Marano hillside estate.

Signature wines: ca-la-bionda-amarone-classico, ca-la-bionda-valpolicella-classico

Corte Sant'Alda ★ 4.8

Marinella Camerani's biodynamic estate in the Mezzane valley has been Demeter-certified since 2003. The Mithas Amarone and Soraigo Valpolicella are made with minimal intervention and long ageing in large oak.

Tasting: Estate visits and tastings by appointment at Mezzane di Sotto; biodynamic vineyard tours available.

Signature wines: corte-santalda-amarone-mithas, corte-santalda-soraigo

Roberto Anselmi ★ 4.8

Roberto Anselmi famously resigned from the Soave Consorzio and declassified his wines to Veneto IGT as a protest against commercial dilution of the appellation.

Tasting: Tasting visits at Monteforte d'Alpone by appointment.

Signature wines: anselmi-san-vincenzo, anselmi-capitel-croce, anselmi-i-capitelli

Le Salette ★ 4.6

A high-altitude Fumane estate farmed by the Scamperle family since 1986 producing Amarone Pergole Vece from century-old Corvina vines at 450 metres elevation. Monica Scamperle is one of Valpolicella's few female winemakers.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment in Fumane.

Signature wines: le-salette-amarone-pergole-vece, le-salette-valpolicella-classico

Santa Sofia ★ 4.4

Operating from the 16th-century Villa Santa Sofia in Pedemonte, this producer has been bottling Valpolicella wines since 1811. The Begnoni family combination of history and good-value Amarone attracts steady wine tourism.

Tasting: Villa Santa Sofia open for visits and tastings; the historic loggia attributed to Palladio is part of the tour.

Signature wines: santa-sofia-amarone-classico, santa-sofia-valpolicella-classico

Valentina Cubi ★ 4.5

Valentina Cubi's certified organic estate on the Fumane hillsides produces small-production Amarone and Valpolicella with a focus on indigenous varieties and minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Fumane estate.

Signature wines: valentina-cubi-amarone-morar, valentina-cubi-valpolicella-classico

Nicolis Angelo e Figli ★ 4.5

The Nicolis family has farmed the Villa Girardi estate in San Pietro in Cariano since 1951. The Ambrosan single-vineyard Amarone from the oldest family vines is their prestige bottling.

Tasting: Wine visits and tastings at San Pietro in Cariano by appointment.

Signature wines: nicolis-amarone-classico, nicolis-ambrosan-amarone

Viviani ★ 4.7

Claudio Viviani farms old Corvina and Rondinella vines on the Mazzano ridge in Negrar, producing a tiny-production Amarone Campo Morar from the estate's highest plots with notable freshness and longevity.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Mazzano estate by appointment.

Signature wines: viviani-amarone-campo-morar, viviani-valpolicella-classico

Cantina Valpolicella Negrar ★ 4.3

Founded in 1933, this cooperative represents 230 family growers at the heart of Valpolicella Classico. The Domaso single-vineyard Amarone from a 14-hectare parcel on the Maternigo hill is the flagship. Open cellar door with no appointment needed.

Tasting: Shop and tasting room open to visitors in Negrar; walk-in friendly.

Signature wines: cantina-negrar-amarone-classico, cantina-negrar-domaso

Suavia ★ 4.7

Sisters Alessandra and Meri Tessari run this compact estate in the village of Soave producing Classico and the single-cru Monte Carbonare from centenarian Garganega vines on volcanic tufa soils.

Tasting: Tasting visits by appointment in the village of Soave.

Signature wines: suavia-soave-classico, suavia-monte-carbonare, suavia-amedeo

Pieropan ★ 4.9

Soave estate founded 1880, run by Andrea and Dario Pieropan. Pieropan produces single-vineyard bottlings La Rocca (volcanic tufa) and Calvarino (basalt and limestone), each from distinct soils inside the Soave Classico DOC. Certified organic by Suolo e Salute since 2012.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the historic Soave cellar; bookable via the website.

Signature wines: pieropan-soave-classico, pieropan-la-rocca, pieropan-calvarino

Guerrieri Rizzardi ★ 4.6

One of the oldest estates in Bardolino, with records dating to 1649, Guerrieri Rizzardi operates vineyards on both Lake Garda shores and in Valpolicella. The on-site Museo del Vino is one of Italy's leading wine museums.

Tasting: Wine museum Museo del Vino di Bardolino on-site; open daily including tasting flight.

Signature wines: guerrieri-rizzardi-bardolino-classico, guerrieri-rizzardi-tacchetto-chiaretto

Maculan ★ 4.8

Breganze DOC estate in Vicenza, founded by the Maculan family in 1947. Fausto Maculan revived the Torcolato dessert wine from dried Vespaiola in 1974; the Bordeaux-blend Fratta debuted in 1977. Both are flagship bottlings for the zone.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Breganze cellar; Torcolato dessert wine and Fratta flagship poured.

Signature wines: maculan-torcolato, maculan-fratta, maculan-acininobili

Vignalta ★ 4.5

Situated in the medieval village of Arqua Petrarca on the Euganean Hills, Vignalta is a benchmark producer for the Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio DOCG passito from Moscato Giallo and the red Gemola IGT.

Tasting: Visits and tasting at Arqua Petrarca; the Fior d'Arancio DOCG and Colli Euganei reds are the focus.

Signature wines: vignalta-fior-darancio-passito, vignalta-gemola

Cantine Campagnola ★ 4.3

Founded in 1889 at the Lake Garda waterfront in Bardolino, Cantine Campagnola is one of the appellation's oldest estates producing light, food-friendly Bardolino Superiore DOCG and a range of Valpolicella.

Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Bardolino cellar; daily opening.

Signature wines: campagnola-bardolino-classico, campagnola-valpolicella-classico

Monte Tondo ★ 4.4

The Magnabosco family's estate on the volcanic hillsides east of Soave Classico produces well-structured Soave Superiore DOCG from the Casette Foscarin vineyard on high-elevation basalt terraces.

Tasting: Tasting visits at the Soave estate by appointment.

Signature wines: monte-tondo-casette-foscarin

Fasoli Gino ★ 4.5

ICEA-certified organic estate at Colognola ai Colli producing Soave Classico and Valpolicella from certified-organic vineyards. A pioneer of organic viticulture in the Soave zone.

Tasting: Organic estate visits and tastings by appointment at Colognola ai Colli.

Signature wines: fasoli-gino-soave-classico-mael