Five Winery Escapes That Embrace The Slow Travel Trend

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Sip and stay put Harvest Hosts Slow travel means eschewing a jam-packed vacation itinerary and settling in at your destination of choice in order to really appreciate the place, the time spent there, and the people it’s spent with. There are no missed trains, no unexpectedly closed must-see sights, and no need for a post-trip vacation to recover from your vacation. What’s lost in variety is gained in a deeper appreciation for and understanding of a destination — and what better place to truly immerse yourself in the terroir than at a winery that boasts not only vineyards and vintages, but luxe accommodations and extras, too. Here are five stays to start dreaming about, stat. Six Senses Douro Valley Portugal’s wine-growing region thrives in the gently rolling hills along the banks of the Douro river, close enough to Porto for a day trip — but just try leaving behind the luxury of Six Senses. At the centre of the sprawling property is the Vale de Abraão villa, the former country estate of a wealthy Portuguese family. The hotel is equipped with a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a wine library with a list of 700 different bottles for tastings, and three dining options open year-round, plus three more al fresco options in the warmer months. The outdoor barbecue spot overlooks the organic garden where much of the kitchen’s ingredients are sourced. Beyond that are the vineyards, which encircle the property. If “relax” isn’t a part of your vocabulary, Six Senses can cater to that, too. The hotel runs a host of daily wellness activities ranging from aerial yoga and autumn grape-stomping to hiking and sommelier-led vineyard tours. The historic Douro Valley vineyards surround the Six Senses resort Six Senses Douro Valley Four Seasons Napa Valley Closer to home is the new Four Seasons Napa Valley, set to open early this spring. Perhaps surprisingly, the property will be the first and only resort in the vineyard-rich Valley situated on the grounds of a working winery — an organic vineyard under the purview of renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown (who will be on hand in the tasting room to guide guests through his selection of wines). The property is located in Calistoga, already known for its reputation as a wellness destination thanks to its natural hot springs and the on-site spa boasts treatments derived from local ingredients and a sprawling outdoor relaxation garden. The resort’s signature restaurant, TRUSS, will be led by Michelin-starred chef, Erik Anderson and is just one of several dining options available on site. Four Seasons Napa Valley will welcome guests in early 2021 Four Seasons Napa Valley Chaumette Vineyards and Winery Missouri might not be the first state that comes to mind when we think about U.S. wineries but a visit to Chaumette Vineyards will change that. Set amid rolling green hills that feature miles of hiking trails, the property offers two options for travellers looking to settle in and enjoy the historic environment. Chaumette has individual suites and larger guest villas (some of which are dog-friendly) that can accommodate groups both small and large. They’ve also partnered with Harvest Hosts, which provides RV enthusiasts the unique opportunity to stay onsite in their own RV while enjoying all that Chaumette has to offer (think: the winery, the hiking trails, beer distilleries, the full-service restaurant, the pool, and some incredibly romantic sunsets). Harvest Hosts’ service allows RV enthusiasts to set up camp at wineries like Chaumette Chaumette Winery and Harvest Hosts Pawis Winery Apartments Nestled in Germany’s smallest (but arguably most charming) wine-growing region, the Pawis Winery in Saale-Unstrut hosts travellers in their five spacious, stylish, well-equipped, and very well-priced apartments. Vineyards have thrived in the area for centuries and while Pawis is comparatively new (established in 1990) it will thrill history lovers — the winery, in its current iteration, sits on the grounds of a former Benedictine monastery where the local community has gone to great lengths to preserve some of the original buildings including the unique church, built in the late 11th century. The wine cellar itself is located in the carefully renovated historic manor and houses the vineyard’s reds, whites, and sparkling wines. Regular tastings and events take place from March to November and the surrounding wineries provide lots of opportunity for exploring this slice of German wine country. Kloster Zscheiplitz, Freyburg (Unstrut), Germany, Deutschland getty La Maison d’Estournel What winery list would be complete without a stop in France? Settle in at the former home of 18th-century vintner, Louis Gaspard d’Estournel where the brains behind this property (including designer Alex Michaelis of Soho House) have created a tranquil retreat where guests are encouraged to feel very much at home in wine mecca of Bordeaux’s storied Médoc region. Lounge in the library, stroll the vegetable garden, and help yourself to a snack from the pantry before sitting down to a meal at the property’s plush on-site restaurant where diners are welcomed to gather around a counter at the open kitchen to watch their meals being prepared. This is Bordeaux, so it’s only natural for every maison to house its own wine cellar but this one stands out for its vaulted stone ceiling and carved stone elephants that watch over guests as they partake in tastings. La Maison d’Estournel’s elegant terrace invites visitors to soak up the French countryside La Maison d’Estournel

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