The celebration of this event - the second Sunday in November - brings to light the ancient and diverse wine culture, spread across several regions of the world.

The creation of World Wine Tourism Day arose in 2009, thanks to the European initiative of the European Network of Wine Cities (RECEVIN), with the aim of promoting wine tourism, as well as promoting and highlighting the importance of wine regions from an economic and cultural point of view.

This type of tourism not only connects you with the wine production process, but also encourages sustainable development, supporting local economies, preserving traditional techniques and promoting ecological practices.

Have you ever visited a vineyard to learn how each bottle of wine tells a story?

Wine tourism is much more than enjoying a good glass of wine. It's an immersion into the culture, land, and climate of each wine region. Each of the routes reveals the unique terroir and stories of each region, inviting tourists to immerse themselves in the local wine culture.

These iconic destinations offer a variety of activities for wine lovers:

• La Rioja, Spain: Here you can do wine tastings in century-old wineries, visit vineyards, and learn about the production of the region's renowned reds. In addition, touring the Rioja Alavesa Wine Route allows you to enjoy wine gastronomy and architecture.
• Mendoza, Argentina: The Mendoza valley offers tours of renowned wineries and walks among vineyards at the foot of the Andes. You can also do tastings in boutique, organic, and traditional wineries and pair them with local dishes.
• Napa Valley, USA: Famous for its premium wines, you can participate in exclusive tastings and visits to wineries with modern architecture. The Valley also offers vineyard bike tours and outdoor dinners among the vineyards. Tuscany, Italy: Famous for its Chianti wines, it offers vineyard routes between medieval villages, tastings and food tours.
• Douro Valley, Portugal: Birthplace of Port wine, it allows tours along the Douro River in traditional boats and visits to wineries that are more than a century old.
• Stellenbosch, South Africa: With stunning views and quality wines, it is ideal for tastings and pairings along with safaris.
• Hunter Valley, Australia: One of the oldest, it offers winery tours, tastings and wine festivals throughout the year.

Wine tourism is rapidly evolving to satisfy increasingly curious and demanding travelers. Technology has transformed the experience with applications and virtual tastings that make it easy to learn the history and characteristics of each wine before tasting it.

At the same time, there is growing interest in organic wines - which avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers - and biodynamic wines - which, in addition to being organic, follow the principles of biodynamic agriculture, which considers the vineyard as a self-sufficient organism and applies practices according to lunar cycles, with a focus on the integral health of the soil and plants - favoring sustainable cultivation methods that attract an audience aware of their environmental impact.

In addition, luxury in wine tourism is booming, with resorts, private tastings and exclusive experiences in high-end vineyards, ideal for 5-star tourism. We can mention:

• The Vineyard Hotel & Spa (Berkshire, United Kingdom): Offers wine tastings with expert sommeliers and dinners paired with exclusive wines.
• Auberge du Soleil (Napa Valley, California, USA): With views of vineyards, it includes personalized tasting and pairing experiences.
• Cavas Wine Lodge (Mendoza, Argentina): This resort offers vineyard tours, tastings, and wine-based spa treatments.
• Castello Banfi Il Borgo (Tuscany, Italy): In the heart of Tuscany, it combines wine tastings with visits to its historic winery.
• Six Senses Douro Valley (Douro, Portugal): It provides tastings, pairing classes, and spa treatments in a dream location.

As every year, the Wine Lover's Index ranks the best wine tourism destinations based on factors such as wine production, consumption, vineyard size, and affordability. According to the latest data, Portugal ranked first, followed by Moldova and Italy, known for their quality wines and rich traditions. France and Spain remain a must-visit, while destinations such as New Zealand and Chile represent the best non-European options for wine enthusiasts. Greece, Argentina, and Australia join the list of the 10 countries as the best destination for wine tourism.

To plan an ideal wine tour, it's important to choose the right time and wineries. The grape harvest season is ideal for exploring the vineyards and varies by region: August to October in the northern hemisphere and February to April in the south. During these times, many wineries offer exclusive tours, seasonal tastings and special events.

Which wineries to choose?

Some wineries specialize in interactive experiences and guided tastings, others in tours of historic vineyards or wine pairing classes. Do your research beforehand and make reservations, especially in popular destinations where spaces are limited. Additionally, many wineries have picnic areas or restaurants in the middle of the vineyards, perfect for enjoying a complete experience.

To make the most of your trip, it's helpful to choose a wine route, which allows you to combine several wineries in the region in one itinerary and makes it easier to learn about different styles and production methods. And then there's the chance to explore the towns and cities near the vineyards, where you can enjoy an immersion in the local culture, architecture, gastronomy and traditions of each wine region. Each wine tourism destination offers not only exceptional wines, but also a complete experience that connects with the history, art and unique atmosphere of each region.

Visiting a winery is an experience that goes beyond simply tasting wines. The connection with the environment, the knowledge of the production processes, and the bond with the land and the people who work it create an enriching and profound experience.