Wine hotels combine two amenities and have one advantage: after dignified tasting, you can spend the night on the spot. Here are tasty locations in Germany, Italy, France and Austria where you can sip and sleep.
There’s something practical about wine hotels: you can be sure that your own wine tastes are being looked after by the host, and that you can also spend the night in a beautiful ambience. I have given the title wine hotels to the following locations simply by myself, because I find that the joy of discovery and the check-in in a relaxed-classy accommodation go together cool. Some of the hosts are winemakers themselves, some have a good connection to winemakers, like to collect wines themselves or are located in the middle of vineyards. There’s always a little bit of dreaming involved, but with a little bit of saving, you can really afford a visit to these wine hotels – that’s the premise of my hotel recommendations. And now: pour a nice glass of wine and be inspired, hope there is something for you.
La Bastide de Marie, Provence, France
From the point of view of color theory, green and blue should not be combined. Why is that? When I see how the green of this location harmonizes with the light blue and turquoise of these charming pools, I want to beam myself straight there with a bottle of rosé and create a colorful work of vacation art on the relaxation canvas. Okay, they have the good rosé in Provence on site, but how nice would it be to chill there in the summer? The freshly hopped on my bucket list location hears on the name and is a farmhouse from the 18th century that was restored with sensitivity in a small wanderlust oasis.
The interior in the Bastide de Marie: with the typical French charm of Provence.
Located between Ménerbes and Bonnieux, it is reached by a path lined with cypresses, centuries-old olive trees and the scent of lavender. In the ambiance of a family home, La Bastide de Marie is decorated with the softest colors and finest fabrics. The atmosphere: between chic and rustic. A very vacation residence that combines all the charms of Provence with simplicity and refinement. One wants to take time directly, and inhale the way of life that surrounds this place.
Right next door at Domaine de Marie you can go on a wine discovery.
The highlight: With the Domaine de Marie, 26 hectares of vineyards belong to it – the in-house wine indulgence is also at the start here. I would then set off with them for a refreshing pool date tasting. And the Bastide has two of them. Plus private pools in the villas. Well, if green, blue and rosé don’t turn into red wanderlust hearts!
A wine cellar like an architectural adventure playground.
Who can resist with this pool flirt?
La Bastide de Marie, overnight stay starting at 460 Euros, more via labastidedemarie.com
Monaci delle Terre Nere (Sicily, Italy)
Garden party in Sicily, with a dream pool made of lava stones, lots of peace and direct access to local fruit salad: is it wanderlust day again? Anyway, I’m already dreaming up travel plans for next year. And if my piggy bank runs good, the travel plans should lead promptly to the Monaci delle Terre Nere. The name alone goes down like a cultivated crispy white wine from bella italia.
The boutique hotel Monaci delle Terre Nere was freshly admitted to the Association of the Relais & Chateau Hotels (an association of over 580 unique hotels and restaurants around the world, most of which have been run by families for many years and prefer sincere hospitality to steaks adorned with gold), is located at the foot of Mount Etna and was once a 19th-century estate. The owners have renovated it into a really charming hotel without any help from Tine Wittler. You can check into the well-designed 24 rooms and suites, from everywhere you have a view from the volcano to the sea.
Rustic stone meets modern furniture: there are the wanderlust sparks not only in the fireplace.
Hotel to check wine under Etna
Many products for the kitchen of the wine hotel are also produced here. So quickly buy two swim trunks in the sale, look for a princess and then bathe in the green in 2020. How cute would that be. The Monaci delle Terre Nere even has its own vineyard complete with wine press and grows its own fruit salad of all colors. Vineyards, practical, good. And where could you taste the fruit salads more dignified than directly at the pool, in the room or in the sunshine under the gnarled trees? On offer, for example, there are also offerings from the Carricante grape variety, which can only be found in the Etna region.
Keyword wine tasting: As guests you can book a wine tasting tour with the sommelier, which takes place at a historic wine production location, including a walk through the vineyards. And then, in the sense of a sensible enjoyment tour, of course, we also look into the Italian glass in a high-class and serious manner. I get directly liquid wanderlust. You too?
Monaci delle Terre Nere, accomodation starting at 140 Euro, more via www.monacidelleterrenere.it/
Burgunderhof, (Bodensee, Germany)
Relaxing with a pool in the midst of vines: switching off and pouring can be done wonderfully at the Burgunderhof in Hagnau.
Pool with a view: From the Burgunderhof you have wine and Lake Constance in view.
Wine indulgence with pool times not on the Mosel or the Rhine? Sure, you can also look beyond the edge of your plate, or in this case, cork edge. At Burgunderhof in Hagnau on Lake Constance, you can swim between 5 hectares of vineyards, orchards and vineyards, before diving into the liquid bottle offer of the winery and distillery. Especially Müller-Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are cultivated there in organic viticulture according to the organic model. In addition, head distiller Heiner Renn conjures up solid distillates from their own organic fruit, which are given the perfect finish in wooden barrels. Who has thus desire to taste before mad nature scenery times relaxed a few Weinne and noble brandies, writes the Burgunderhof times on the next location list. The gates are open from Easter to the end of October. Those who want to hang the grapes really high can even book a night in the fancy spa suite complete with whirlpool. That’s something, isn’t it?
By the way, you can enjoy the stay and the serious practice test pouring of wines with a clear conscience, because already since the summer of 2012, the Burgunderhof Hagnau has been awarded with various organic certificates.The products used in the food and beverages come from certified organic agriculture. Awarded with the golden seal of Bioland, the Burgunderhof Hagnau is committed to using organic products, which are subject to complete organic control from the product to consumption. Regional products, especially in Bioland quality, are preferred. The meals are prepared in a handmade and natural way, which is why microwave ovens are not used. Cosmetics: shampoo, soap, skin care creams, oils, etc. are certified natural cosmetics, and attention is also paid to the use of green electricity, as well as the exclusive use of recycled paper, or paper obtained from sustainable forestry. Fine move, cheers to that!
Weingut Burgunderhof, accomodation starting at 175 Euro for 2 persons, more via www.burgunderhof.de
Ratscher Landhaus (South Styria, Austria)
Wine indulgence with a water paradise in the middle of the vineyards: at the Ratscher Landhaus in Styria, you can recharge your batteries, empty your glasses and let all your worries go for a swim with a clear conscience. Thanks to the creative vision of hosts Michaela and Andreas Muster, the former inn has become an innovative and exclusive oasis of pleasure in the midst of the vineyards. In the modern vineyard restaurant with its contemporary design, the popular South Styrian cuisine is combined with culinary classics. Freshly served, the Ratscher Landhaus now also has a new infinity pool with a view of the surrounding vineyards to match the already delicious natural bathing pond. Bathing with a view of wine – in both senses – there my quirk is flirted with fiercely. In the fruit basket of the hosts Michaela and Andreas Muster, more than 600 South Styrian and Austrian wines are waiting to be uncorked, plus there are events such as the monthly Winzr-Table or wine tastings.
Panoramic enjoyment: the new vineyard restaurant of the Ratscher Landhaus. Wine hotels simply oblige.
Surrounded by vines, here you can hop from the pool into the natural bathing pond. And back again.
The small wine hotel combines stay and enjoyment with this unagitated feel-good flair without chic danger. Just try a few glasses of wine, jump into the pool or natural pond (very family-friendly, by the way, there’s a separate shallow section for kids), take a short hike and just be happy that a cool hotel experience doesn’t automatically have to empty your bank account. So you can book smart packages like the “Wine x 3”, which starts from 393 euros. Included in it are 3 nights including a rich breakfast, 3x Great Happiness – half board in 4 courses in the vineyard restaurant, 1x wine tasting with a tour of the cellar and vineyard and a tasting of “Zott’l” delicacies (highland beef) at the Masser winery in Fötschach, 1x wine tasting with a view into the cellar at the renowned Gross Winery, 1x tasting of wine and Katharina’s delicacies at the Schwarzl Estate as well as free use of the (500m² indoor and 1000m² outdoor) wellness area. So discovering wine and switching off is fun after all. Runs.
Package Wein x 3 with 3 stays at Ratscher Landhaus at 393 Euro, more via www.ratscher-landhaus.at
Gästehaus Weingut am Stein (Würzburg, Germany)
Hard shell, soft core: The elegant concrete cube is a wonderful place to spend the night. With Franconian wine right outside the door.
Welcome to Franconia! Fancy some wine indulgence in Dirk Nowitzki’s hood? Then you should check out this wine playground in Würzburg. The Weingut am Stein not only has some really rough (self-tested, of course) wines, and a great location with the best views, but also a special accommodation on offer. In the guest house, which resembles a monolith of shell limestone, you can comfortably take a delicious look into the world of the winery. Not only, but especially friends of the cultivated white wine come here on discovery costs, the winery stands for the highest craftsmanship in wines such as crisp, fresh Silvaner or the noble matured Großes Gewächs. And everything in the middle of the vineyards, above the rooftops of the city. Three cosy rooms, an open living-dining kitchen and a bathroom are available.
In the “WeinWerk am Stein” (picture 1 above, left as well as motif 1 of the gallery) you can taste the wines from the cellar below in a stylish ambience. Hungry? How about a cooking class at the Küchenhaus? Or head to the adjoining restaurant: Bernhard Reiser’s “Restaurant Reisers” tempts you with Franconian cuisine that looks beyond the plate, and of course the wine bar has all the wines from the Stein and a selection of international red wines in its cupboard.
Gästehaus Weingut am Stein, Accommodation in an apartment for up to 6 people depending on occupancy 175 to 310 euros, more at www.weingut-am-stein.de
Weingut Hotel Mahorko (Austria)
Finally, we go back to Austria. Because in southern Styria, the water buffalo are on the loose. The animals can be found within walking distance of the Mohorko winery and hotel – and, of course, on the winegrowers’ labels. It’s just practical when winery and hotel merge in such a way. The wines can be tasted on site, of course, and there’s regional cuisine and specialties from the water buffalo plus: a “How cool is that please” pool with a view over the vineyards. I absolutely have to go there!
What a viewing platform: There you have to take the Fern glass with Sauvignon Blanc and Co. directly on site at the pool of the Mahorko Hotel to the hand.
The pool is of course heated. Those who want to switch off even more high-proof can book special packages such as the wine wellness – massage and small beauty treatment included after the tasting. Those who check into the Mahorko can also choose from special offers such as the “South Styrian Men’s Time Out.” Included are for 245 euros thereby 2 nights incl. Geniesser breakfast, 1 Willkommensachterl of the house-own wine (per person), boss and winegrower Helmut Mahorko grants exciting views of the house-own wine cellar as well as into current processing processes – wine tasting inclusive. In addition, a voucher worth € 10, – for beer tasting at the brewery Leutschach, a meal voucher worth € 30 and the use of the entire spa area including horizon pool.
Weingut Mahorko, 2 overnight accomodation in the wine Wellness package gives it already starting from 199 euro per person, more under www.mahorko.at
Loisium Resort Langenlois (Austria)
What rhymes with design? Wine. Woohoo. Not a flat joke, but a matter of honor and a feast for the eyes: At the Loisium Wine / Spa Hotel Langenlois in the Kamptal, cool architecture meets cool wines. 82 rooms with fresh interiors are ready to relax between bathing sessions and wine tasting. In this wine hotel, wine is a dinner companion and aperitif all-rounder, a highlight for special occasions and a day-drinking buddy in equal measure. The variety offers the right wine for every taste, vintages, locations & regions bring variety. At LOISIUM, the theme of wine runs through the architecture and design, and the central element of the vine characterizes the view and the spa area. The LOISIUM WeinWelt complements the hotel with a complete vinotheque and a unique cellar labyrinth – just a few meters away. Curious wine discoverers should therefore get their money’s worth here.
As refreshing as a sip of Grüner Veltliner: the natural bathing pond at the Loisium Hotel.
The attached Loisium wine world with vinotheque is also a small work of art.
Guests at the Loisium Hotel can always look forward to themed packages, such as “Wine.Spring” or “Wine.Summer”. Depending on the promotion, you get discounts on your stay or special food/wine arrangements. Cool promotion: In the attached LOISIUM Wine World, you can get hold of wines at farm-gate prices. Sweet!
Loisium Resort Langenlois, 3 nights in the package Wine.Spring from 219 euros per person, more at www.loisium.com
