As the sun set behind the spectacular plant-roofed Bodegas Beronia in La Rioja, Spain, it was hard to believe this stunning and highly sustainable winery isn’t among the World’s Best Vineyards. But then Tim Atkins MW revealed the new Top 50.
Every one of them is spectacular. The extensive list showcases the very best of wine tourism, highlighting the world’s finest wine experiences across the globe. From Oregon to Central Otago, California to Tokaj, Bordeaux to the Bekaa Valley.
Taking the top spot on the list this year is Bodega Catena Zapata, a driving force in Argentine winemaking. A winery that played a pivotal role in resurrecting Malbec’s fortunes, pushing Mendoza’s vineyards higher into the Andean foothills, and delving deeply into the country’s many terroirs. The familyalso founded the Catena Institute of Wine to scientifically examine every aspect of the local soils, rocks and microorganisms and their effect on the vines.
The visionary qualities of Nicolás Catena Zapata and his daughter Laura (above, accepting the award last night) have seen them produce some of Argentina’s most acclaimed wines and establish what many consider to be a ‘grand cru’ of South America, the lofty Adrianna Vineyard over 5,000 feet above sea level.
The glorious Malbecs and scintillating Chardonnays steal the show at every tasting, but nothing can compare to trying them in the very place they are made, paired with music or with a perfectly paired meal at the new Angélica Cocina Maestra restaurant.
Rioja’s Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal – with its stunning, avant-garde architecture, historic cellar, and impressive setting – is second for the third year in a row and took the award for top vineyard in Europe.
Marqués de Riscal has been at the forefront of Rioja winemaking since its creation in 1858. In 1862, it was the very first Rioja estate to bottle its wines, and it won fame and awards in foreign markets as early as 1895 when it was the first non-French wine to win the prestigious Honorary Diploma at the Bordeaux Exhibition.
Today, it is also home to the City of Wine designed by the legendary architect Frank Gehry. This bold and striking landmark is a Spanish château for the 21st century, home to a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michelin-starred restaurant and Vinothérapie spa developed by cosmetic brand Caudalie.
Chile’s VIK Winery jumped one place to third and Creation Wines (above) in South Africa took fourth place and was named the best on the African continent for the third year running. Creation is named after both the favourable growing conditions that allow it to produce its world-class Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays and the majesty of its setting in the breathtaking Hemel-en-Aarde. It also offers seven unique pairing options!
Argentina populated this year’s list with three vineyards in the top 10: Catena Zapata at number one, Bodegas Salentein – with its vineyards, spectacular cellar chamber and winery, art exhibition hall, restaurant and lodge – at number nine, and El Enemigo Wines – a passion project by Adrianna Catena and Catena Zapata’s winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, at number 10.
Finca Victoria from the Durigutti family in Mendoza is this year’s highest new entry at number 13. At its restaurant, 5 Suelos - Cocina de Finca, chef Patricia Courtois tells the history of Argentine wine with a fully-paired 14-course tasting menu. Brothers Héctor and Pablo Durigutti (above) bought their first vineyard in 2007 and named it after their mother, Victoria. Since then, this family project has grown and developed to encompass wine production and regional tourism and hospitality; grounded in the principles of agro-ecological sustainability and the preservation of regional heritage.
There were 23 vineyards from Europe in this year’s list and France had the highest overall number of wineries with nine in the top 50 including four Champagne houses: Maison Ruinart and Billecart-Salmon, and new entries Bollinger and Veuve Clicquot (above).
Chile shows it has a great deal to offer wine tourists, with new entries Viñedos de Alcohuaz (25) and Viña Errázuriz (50) joining VIK (3), Montes (7), Viña Casas del Bosque (37), Clos Apalta (39), and Viu Manent (43).
With more first-time entrants than before, the 2023 list also welcomed two wineries from Hungary (Szepsy Winery at number 35 and Disznókő at 45), and Georgia’s Château Mukhrani (below) at 47.
Beginning life as a royal estate in the 16th century, Château Mukhrani has always been renowned for its splendid parks and gardens. Producing wines since 1876, it is now one of the oldest wine estates in Georgia. Abandoned during the Soviet era, the estate was resurrected in 2003, with international and local vines now covering 100ha around the winery, which was built in 2007.
AXA Millésimes, part of the French-based AXA Insurance Group, now has three estates in the World’s Best VineyardsTop 50 – with the large Disznókő estate in Tokaj, Hungary, joining Château Pichon Baron in France and Quinta do Noval in Portugal.
Japan’s Château Mercian Mariko (above) was heralded as the best in Asia, while Rippon in Central Otago, New Zealand (below), was named the best in Australasia, and family-run Jordan Vineyard and Winery in the hills of Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley was awarded the title of best in North America.
Andrew Reed, managing director of wine and exhibitions at organiser William Reed, commented: “The World’s Best Vineyards continues to highlight wine tourism destinations around the globe and with an impressive list of new entries this year, it’s more important than ever. We’ve found that holidaymakers are looking for trips that offer a whole host of activities and our host Rioja truly fits the bill with stunning scenery, delicious food and, of course, amazing wines.”
Fernando Ezquerro, president of Denominacion de Origen Calificada Rioja, said: “It is an honour to host the prestigious World’s Best Vineyards 2023 event and a great opportunity to show the world why Rioja is Spain’s finest wine region. We are proud to have two vineyards in this year’s Top 50 with Marqués de Riscal at number two and Bodega Muga, a new entry at number 49. Rioja’s history and traditions have led it to establish itself not only as the leading winemaking region in Spain, but also as the country’s go-to destination for wine tourism, which has had a driving effect on the recovery and diversification of tourism in Spain. Our passion for hospitality and winemaking makes Rioja such a special place to visit.”
Family-run Bodegas Muga, an emblematic winery at the heart of Haro since its founding in 1932, offers vineyards that can be explored by Segway or hot-air balloon. It is one of the few estates in the region that still makes its own barrels.
Last year’s winner, Antinori nel Chianti Classico, was inducted into the Hall of Fame – joining three-time winner Bodega Zuccardi Valle de Uco.
2023 Top 50
1 Catena Zapata, Argentina (also best in South America)
2 Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal, Spain (best in Europe)
3 VIK Winery, Chile
4 Creation, South Africa (best in Africa)
5 Château Smith Haut Lafitte, France
6 Bodega Garzón, Uruguay
7 Montes, Chile
8 Domäne Schloss Johannisberg, Germany
9 Bodegas Salentein, Argentina
10 El Enemigo Wines, Argentina
11 Rippon, New Zealand (best in Australasia)
12 Weingut Dr Loosen, Germany
13 Finca Victoria - Durigutti Family Winemakers, Argentina (highest new entry)
14 Domäne Wachau, Austria
15 Quinta do Crasto, Portugal
16 Quinta do Noval, Portugal
17 d’Arenberg, Australia
18 Château d’Yquem, France
19 Château Pape Clément, France
20 Jordan Vineyard & Winery, USA (best in North America)
21 González Byass – Bodegas Tio Pepe, Spain
22 Maison Ruinart, France
23 Champagne Bollinger, France (new entry)
24 Bodega Colomé, Argentina
25 Viñedos de Alcohuaz, Chile (new entry)
26 Henschke, Australia
27 Abadía Retuerta, Spain
28 Brooks Wine, USA (new entry)
29 Ceretto, Italy
30 Bodega Bouza, Uruguay (new entry)
31 Champagne Billecart-Salmon, France
32 Klein Constantia Winery, South Africa
33 Château Pichon Baron, France
34 Château de Beaucastel, France (new entry)
35 Szepsy Winery, Hungary (new entry)
36 Delaire Graff Estate, South Africa
37 Viña Casas del Bosque, Chile
38 Château Mercian Mariko Winery, Japan (best in Asia)
39 Clos Apalta, Chile
40 Graham’s Port Lodge, Portugal
41 Chateau Kefraya, Lebanon (new entry)
42 Quinta do Seixo (Sandeman), Portugal
43 Viu Manent, Chile
44 Penfolds Magill Estate, Australia
45 Disznókő, Hungary (new entry)
46 Veuve Clicquot, France (new entry)
47 Château Mukhrani, Georgia (new entry)
48 Bodega DiamAndes, Argentina (new entry)
49 Bodega Muga, Spain (new entry)
50 Viña Errázuriz, Chile (new entry)
The Top 50
The Top 51-100
