World’s Best Vineyards announced this week the top wine destinations of 2023 at an event in Rioja attended by over 125 VIPs. The list highlights the best in wine tourism and highlights the world’s most diverse and finest vineyards. Catena Zapata, from Argentina, topped the list and also won the overall South American vineyard. Rioja’s Bodegas De Los Herederos Del Marques de Riscal, with its futuristic architecture and impressive location, came in second and took the top spot in Europe. VIK, a Chilean vineyard, jumped up one spot to third place. South African vineyard Creation took fourth place, and was named the overall African winner.
Three vineyards from Argentina made the list this year, including Catena Zapata at number one (founded in 1902) and known as the pioneer of Malbec. Bodegas Salentein was ranked nine and described as the soul of the Uco Valley. El Enemigo Wines was ranked ten and celebrates both innovation and tradition. Finca Victoria, owned by the Durigutti Family in Mendoza, is this year’s most notable new entry. It ranks at number 13.
The list featured 23 vineyards in Europe, and France had the most wineries in the top 50, including Maison Ruinart and Bollinger. Billecart Salmon and Veuve Clicquot are Champagne houses. The 2023 list saw more first-time entries than ever before. This included entries from Hungary and Georgia.
The winners of the continent category included Chateau Mercian in Japan, Rippon, located in Central Otago in New Zealand, and Jordan Vineyard and Winery, nestled in the hills of Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley.
This year, Antinori nel Chianti Classico, Best Vineyard in the World, 2022 has been inducted into the World’s Best Vineyards Hall of Fame. This is reserved for the vineyards who have topped the list of winners.
The Top 50 list of sustainable wineries was announced in front of media from around the world, at Bodegas Beronia located in Rioja Alta. This winery is regarded as one of Europe’s most sustainable. Rioja, Spain‘s finest wine region, and the host of the event, holds the two places of Spain’s four positions in the Top 50 List, with Bodegas Muga at number 49, and Bodegas de Los Herederos del marques de Riscal at number two.
Bodegas de los Herederos del Marques de Riscal in Rioja took second place, and Best Vineyard in Europe.
Andrew Reed, Managing director Wine and Exhibitions, William Reed, commented: “The World’s Best Vineyards continue to highlight wine tourism destination around the globe and, with an impressive new list of entries this year, its more important than ever.” We’ve found local and international tourists looking for experiences with a wide range of activities. Our host Rioja fits the bill, with its stunning scenery, delicious cuisine and of course, amazing wine”.
Fernando Ezquerro (President of Denominacion de Origen Calificada Rioja), Chairman of the QDO Rioja Regulatory Board, says: “It’s an honour to host this prestigious World’s Best Vineyards event and a wonderful opportunity to show the rest of the world why Rioja has become Spain’s best wine region. We are proud that four Rioja wineries made the list, and two were in the Top 50. Rioja’s rich history and traditions have made it the most popular wine-producing region in Spain. It has also become the top destination for wine tourism in Spain. Rioja is a special destination because of our passion for hospitality and winemaking.
The Top 51-100 vineyards list can be found on www.worldsbestvineyards.com and on social @worldsbestvineyards on Facebook and Instagram and @wbestvineyards on Twitter.
Read More @ georgiatoday.ge