It may be second nature to take a private jet wine tour to Sonoma or Napa Valley to sip on the harvested fruits of the gods. What you may not know is that there are hidden gems around the world that that produce vinos as fine as those found in Bordeaux. Get your jet ready for your global wine tasting tour!
England’s South East Vineyards
The next time that you find yourself in the “Land of Angels,” make your way over to Surrey, Kent and West Sussex to tour the local wine region. One of the best times of year to visit is during the English Wine Week at the end of May or the beginning of June—when the spring rains have begun to subside and the weather is ideal for outdoor tours. Or call during any time of the year to schedule your own private tasting! Add the Denbies Wine Estate to your list of must-visit vineyards. In addition to featuring art exhibits, award-winning vintages and gourmet restaurants, Denbies is also the country’s largest vineyard.
North Georgia, USA
The northern end of the Peach State is starting to prove itself as prime wine country. Areas like Helen have soil, terrain and elevation that mimic those of the Piedmont region in Italy. One of the most notable vineyards is Habersham Winery in Helen, right off the Appalachian Trail. It’s one of the state’s oldest and largest wineries, and has won over 150 medals in national and international competitions. For a special private jet wine tour and wine-tasting weekend, make your way to Dahlonega where there is no shortage of vineyards offering tours and the best Southern comforts.
Ukraine
As political trouble brewed, wine makers kept pressing. Winemaking began as early as the year 4 BC along the southern coast of the Crimea and monks began the tradition in the northern part of the country during the 11th century. The Ukraine is also home to prince Lev Golitsyn, the founder of the sparkling wine Sovetskoye Shampanskoye (“Soviet Champagne”). To experience the best of the Ukraine, embark on a cruise along the Black Sea that takes guests on tours of the Massandra Winery, which is the former palace of Tsars and the oldest winery in the country.
Thailand
Add to your collection of new latitude wines a bottle from Thailand. As one of the latest trends to emerge in the Thai hospitality industry, luxe private tours of the northeast part of the country as well as Khao Yai, Samut Sakhon, Bangkok and Chiang Rai are starting to replace shopping tours. For one of the most unique experiences in the world, visit the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard for a tour and lesson in viticulture on the back of an elephant.
Israel
Once known for its candy-sweet vintages because of the country’s warm weather, the wines now produced in the historic land are receiving prizes and accolades from international connoisseurs and industry publications. The country’s wine regions include Galilee, Samson region, Judean Hills, Shomron region and the Negev desert region. The Golan Heights of Galilee and Negev, however, are some of the most popular among those seeking an internationally renown boutique vineyard experience and a taste of Israeli Merlot.
While wines from classic regions are always a excellent choice, adding a bottle from an unlikely country or region to your wine cellar will give you and your friends something to talk about all night. What unique vintages have you enjoyed?
About Solairus Aviation:
Solairus is a full-service aviation asset management company that provides clients with expertise in acquiring and operating a wide range of private aircraft.
Solairus Aviation is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and has over twenty-five base locations across the United States and Europe. Solairus is an Aviation Research Group/US Platinum-rated charter operator with a fleet of over 50 managed aircraft. After completion of an intense operations and safety systems audit, the ARG/US Platinum rating has only been awarded to 5% of the world’s charter operators that have demonstrated that their procedures meet or exceed industry “Best Practices” in all phases. Solairus has also received the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award and is an IS-BAO certified company. Solairus offers a full range of services in addition to aircraft management, which includes aircraft charter sales, aviation support services, and consulting. For more information about Solairus Aviation, visit www.solairusaviation.com or call 800-359-7861.