3 Underrated Wine Regions Worth Traveling For (And Where to Stay)
If you’ve already done Napa, Tuscany, and Bordeaux, it’s time to level up your wine wanderlust. These lesser-known wine regions offer the same sensory pleasure, rolling vineyards, boutique bottles, and food-paired perfection without the crowds.
Here are three destinations where the terroir is just as rich, but the vibe is refreshingly under-the-radar. Bonus: each one comes with a gorgeous place to stay.
Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico: Baja’s Best-Kept Wine Secret
Where to Stay: Casa 8 at Bruma Winery or Mira Earth Studios
Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe is a wildly creative wine region just two hours south of San Diego and it’s giving Napa Valley a run for its money. With over 100 wineries, farm-to-table dining, and striking desert-meets-vineyard landscapes, this is a wine lover’s dream with none of the pretension. Here’s my recap of my recent visit that left me only wanting more.
Stay Smart:
Casa 8 at Bruma Winery offers architecturally stunning suites nestled directly in the vines, plus on-site tastings and the revered Fauna restaurant.
Mira Earth Studios is a boutique eco-hideaway with dramatic views, ideal for unwinding between tastings. Each suite is its own oasis with your own terrace with a hot tub and projector for the perfect movie night in with wine.
Spain’s Cava Corridor: Bubbly Beyond Barcelona
Where to Stay: Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno
Just an hour outside Barcelona lies Spain’s answer to Champagne: the Cava region. Centered around Penedès, it’s a land of sparkling wines, family-run bodegas, and rich Catalan culinary traditions. Get acclimated in Barcelona with tapas and touring, then immediately retreat to this area to slow down and drink all the wine.
Stay Smart:
Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno in Priorat (a region also famous for bold reds) is a stunning 5-star escape in a restored farmhouse, complete with a wine cave, spa, and sweeping vineyard views. It's the perfect base to explore both Cava and Priorat varietals.
Carmelo, Uruguay: South America’s Hidden Wine Gem
Where to Stay: Vik Retreats – Estancia Vik or Playa Vik
Uruguay might not be top of mind when thinking of wine, but Carmelo is a coastal town that’s quietly producing award-winning Tannat and Albariño wines. The pace is slow, the pours are generous, and the sunsets over the Río de la Plata? Divine.
Stay Smart: Best of both worlds with Vik beach & countryside
Estancia Vik offers a luxe ranch-style retreat where you can sip under the stars.
Playa Vik gives coastal views and avant-garde architecture with curated art and wine experiences.
If you're looking to travel differently and sip smarter, skip the usual suspects and go where the wine (and the crowds) are still pleasantly uncorked. Each of these regions pairs exceptional bottles with design-forward, boutique accommodations for a perfect sip-and-stay experience.
