Hotel Marques de Riscal

This Is The Best Vineyard In The World For 2024

2 weeks ago

Oenophiles: here’s your travel bucket list

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more

This Is The Best Vineyard In The World For 2024

Hotel Marques de Riscal

After coming in second place for three years in a row, Spanish vineyard Marqués de Riscal has finally claimed the top spot in the World’s Best Vineyard awards for 2024.

World’s 50 Best Vineyards Revealed

This year’s 50 top wine destinations around the globe were announced in a ceremony at the Nyetimber Estate in Sussex. The winning venue is located in Rioja, established in 1858 and renowned not only for its top-class wines, but also its impressive architecture. Home to a luxurious hotel (designed by Frank Gehry) and a Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by chef Francis Paniego, it’s the ultimate destination for wine lovers.

Tim Atkin MW, who hosted the ceremony, described Marqués de Riscal as ‘a unique world of pleasure involving all the senses, and a vinous paradise’.

VIK

In second place was VIK, a unique winery perched at the top of the Millahue Valley in Chile. This one is also home to an esteemed hotel known for its futuristic design and unparalleled views of the Andes mountains. Here, guests can embark on vineyard tours, explore the grounds on horseback, relax in the zen garden and dine in the glass-walled Milla Milla restaurant.

This was followed by Creation, a high-altitude winery in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, South Africa, famed for its environmental practices and gourmet menus (alongside the excellent wines, of course).

Other spots to make the top 10 this year included champagne house Maison Ruinart; and Bodegas Ysios, nestled at the base of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains in Spain – which climbed 67 places from last year.

Spain put on a particularly strong showing, with three vineyards in the top 10 and eight in the top 50. France, Germany and Argentina also performed well.

Gusbourne

One English winery made the list: Gusbourne, which took the 50th spot. Spread across two plots of land – one in Appledore, Kent, and the other near the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, the English sparkling wine brand uses a low-intervention approach, spearheaded by vineyard manager Jon Pollard.

‘This annual ranking recognises the unique experiences that these vineyards offer, from stunning landscapes and rich histories to extraordinary restaurants and vineyard tours,’ said Andrew Reed, managing director of wine and exhibitions at William Reed, which organised the event.

The full list is below.