Nothing is quite as enchanting as a private jet wine tour vacation. There’s something to be said for the connections you make when you travel in the world’s best winemaking regions. Just a whiff of luscious merlot can instantly take you back to Médoc region of France. As you travel the globe in a private jet, be sure to take the time to let the vintages at traditional and new destinations shape your memories.
Umbria, Italy
Bordered by Lazio, Marche and Tuscany, Umbria is the only landlocked region in central Italy. The captivating “Green Heart of Italy” is off the tourist grid, so its rolling hills of olive groves, vineyards and valleys are seemingly unchanged by time. If you want to explore regional attractions such as Lago Trasimeno or the cathedrals of Orvieto, visit Umbria in June to August. To catch the harvest, book a private jet wine tour in September or October.
When you visit Umbria, make a stop in Mentefalco for a guided tour and tasting at the Arnaldo Caprai estate, which introduced the world to Sagratino di Montefalco. As you sample the elixirs made from sagrantino grapes, don’t miss out on the Tenuta Castelbuono estate in Bevagna. Owned by the Lunelli family, which popularized Ferrari Spumante sparkling wines, you can’t miss the dome-shaped estate designed by Arnaldo Pomodoro.
To get a sample of regional favorites all at once, visit L’Alchimista, a downtown Montefalco tasting room with over 400 selections. Other favorite Umbria tasting rooms include Decugnano dei Barbi in Orvieto and Falesco in Montecchio.
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Set against majestic mountains, the historic architecture and oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch are an idyllic way to start a private jet wine retreat along the Stellenbosch Wine Route. The wine tour is the oldest in the country and features dozens of the region’s best signature pinotage and chenin blanc. Visitors often consider February to April, the fall season, to be the best time to visit Stellenbosch because of the cooler temperatures.
As you hop from vineyards to tasting rooms, pop into Reyneke Wines, South Africa’s only certified biodynamic winery. DeMorgenzon plays Baroque music throughout its vineyards and estate to positively influence the ripening process. If you’re looking for innovation, sample the vintages at the Warwick Wine Estate, a family-run enterprise that had a vital role in developing the country’s wine culture and businesses.
Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Book an air charter in San Francisco and arrive in Oregon’s Willamette Valley within a couple of hours. Since the lush, green region is over 5,200 square miles, hire a car service to take you to Yamhill County, where there are no shortages of vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms. With fertile lands said to mimic those found in France, the rural towns of Newberg, Dundee, Dayton, Carlton and the surrounding area are home to more world class, award-winning vintages than you can consume in a single private jet wine tour vacation. Enjoy Yamhill County’s beauty in the summer, particularly June, when the roses are in full-bloom. If you’re a fan of fall colors and turning leaves, October is also a charming time of year.
As you drive through Newberg’s country roads, head up Calkins Lane toward Adelsheim. Take in the sweeping views of the Chehalem Mountains to the north and the surrounding vineyards as you enjoy wines exclusively offered at the winery. When venturing up the hill on Calkins Lane, you’ll come upon the biodynamic Bergström Vineyard among orchards of hazelnut and walnut trees. A few miles west, in Dundee, Sokol Blosser boasts the perfect view of Mount Hood on a clear day. To save time and mileage, visit one of the many rural downtown tasting rooms to sample the best that the region offers.