Where To Go on a Southern Hemisphere Wine Vacation

For most people, a wine vacation brings thoughts of springtime bud break, summertime veraison, and early autumn harvest. But how do you enjoy a wine vacation in the middle of winter? Remember, when it’s winter in the northern hemisphere, it’s summer below the equator, so you can experience the same cycles of the vine on the other side of the calendar down under. Here are a few new world wine vacations in the southern hemisphere.

Australia

Australia is probably most well known for Shiraz, the country’s word for Syrah, but there is a lot more to wine country here than many may realize. You’ll find beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and more. 

The southern part of Australia, especially near Adelaide, is filled with the greatest concentration of vineyards. Major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth make great jumping off points for wine country exploration. Some of the best-known wine regions are: 

Barossa Valley: near Adelaide, the king of Australian Shiraz

Margaret River: near Perth, well known for its Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon wines

Hunter Valley: near Sydney, best known for its Semillion white wines

Yarra Valley: near Melbourne, famous for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines

Clare Valley: near Adelaide, best known for Riesling

For an off-the-beaten-path experience, venture off to the island of Tasmania where you’ll find some of the best cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. 

Chile

The lost French grape Carmenere is the wine most often associated with Chile, but the country also produces a number of other notable reds and whites. Santiago is a great base for Chilean wine vacations as there are a number of regions that can be explored, even on a day trip. 

Some areas in Chile to focus your wine vacation on include: 

Maipo Valley: Home to world-renowned red wines like Cabernet Sauvignons, Carmenere, and Syrah

Aconcagua Valley: You’ll find small and medium sized high-quality wineries, along with a variety of notable natural attractions like Temas de Jahuel Hot Springs

San Antonio Valley: San Antonio Valley is known for white wines like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Pinot Noir

Casablanca Valley: Cool climate white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay 

Colchagua Valley: More reds than whites

Argentina

Argentina’s Mendoza region is the most impressive spot if you’re looking to plan a wine vacation. Set at the foot of the Andes Mountains, the soil and climate here are ideal, showcasing Argentina’s signature grape, Malbec. You’ll also find great Cabernet Sauvignon and Torrontes, a white wine. 

New Zealand

The scenery of New Zealand makes for a stunning backdrop no matter what part of the country you visit. If you’re looking to try some of New Zealand’s best wines, venture along the “Classic New Zealand Wine Trail,” where you’ll find well over 100 wineries. Start in Hawkes Bay with bold Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah; venture down to Wairarapa for cool climate Pinot Noir; and finish off in Marlborough for stellar Sauvignon Blanc. 

South Africa

Cape Town is the best jumping off point to South Africa’s most noted wine trails. Stellenbosch is considered the center for wine production in South Africa with nearly 200 wine producers, and it’s also now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country.  You’ll find a variety of both high-quality red and white wines produced here. 

If you’re looking to explore some of South Africa’s other interesting wine routes, consider: 

Constantia Valley: where you’ll find some of the oldest and prestigious wineries; look for cool climate wines like Sauvignon Blanc 

Helderberg Wine Route: Lots of great whites, including Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay 

Franschhoek Wine Route: You’ll see a large French influence here and a Champagne-inspired sparkling wine route, or the “Cap Classique Route” 

Durbanville: Aside from great wines, you’ll get beautiful views back towards Table Mountain 

Tips for Visiting Wineries in the Southern Hemisphere

Check when the optimal season is for visiting. As the seasons are opposite from those of the Northern Hemisphere, the growing season is different. For example, Chilean vines grow from October to February and harvest season is typically around March and April. 

Always remember that losses resulting from drinking and driving are not covered under your RoamRight policy. It’s always best to book a tour or private driver when exploring wine country on vacation. It means you can enjoy sampling some of the wines without worrying about getting back and forth to your hotel. 

What happens if your flight is cancelled? Skip sleeping in the airport and learn about our Cancellation Insurance 

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.