DINING

Several places in the world produce amazing wines. Four stand out for producing some of the best vintages. We are highlighting Tuscany, Napa Sonoma, the Loire Valley, and Provence to give you an inkling of what’s available in these absolutely gorgeous destinations should you choose a holiday built around your love of the fruit of the vine.

Read on for a sojourn in words to help you make a decision on your next vacation with LVH:

The Charming Tuscan Countryside

Just the mention of Tuscany can spark that yearning for romance, sun, good food and fine wine.

Visit Castiglion del Bosco Winery

One of two Tuscan wineries owned by Massimo Ferragamo, Castiglion del Bosco can only be described as slick, fashionable and indulgent. The ancient hamlet of Montalcino is a designated Unesco World Heritage Site known for its awe-inspiring landscape. Ferragamo bought the estate in 2003, complete with a 13th-century church. A wine tour here takes you out to the vineyards to see the Campo del Drago plot – one of the most picturesque in the country. The barrel cellar and sample vintages will also be seen in a very avant-garde tasting room. You might also want to have a bite to eat in the elite restaurant. There are only Sangiovese grapes in Castiglion del Bosco’s vineyards, so the whole range is inspired by the two main denominations and the territory, from Rosso di Montalcino to three different interpretations of Brunello.

A must-try vintage: Brunello di Montalcino 2015. This vintage has an intense ruby red color with garnet inflections and wonderful aromas of flowers, plums, terracotta, and white pepper. It is intense yet ever so subtle. It is medium to full-bodied, with firm, silky tannins and a long, intense finish. It is best from 2023 to 2039. It pairs well with pork, rich, red, and spicy sauces, aged cheeses, and cured meats.

Wine and Dine at Enoteca Pinchiorri

The 2022 Michelin Guide includes 11 restaurants designated “worth the trip,” and three-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri is one of them. It’s cliché to say dining at so-and-so restaurant is an “experience,” but at Enoteca Pinchiorri, it truly is. Inside, you’ll find a mix of tourists and locals. The attentive staff ensures you’re well taken care of, and your meal will be simply stupendous. If you can, take a peek at their jaw-dropping wine cellar.

Our suggestion: The “Evolution” menu, where you will be treated to delicious Italian cuisines such as almond and celline olive soup, bergamot eggplant, and juniper lobster; green vineyard snails, slightly spicy turkey and avocado salad and coconut sauce; Mora Romagnola suckling pig on a spit, eel cream in carpione and purple cabbage leaf with pepper.

Villa Biondi

This charming country manor will elevate your luxury Tuscan holiday by leaps and bounds. Just four miles from extraordinary gastronomic experiences and picture-perfect medieval villages, Villa Biondi offers the utmost immersion into Italian living. An original fireplace sets the scene for cozy nights in or downtime between activities, while ultra-plush neutral sofas and wingback chairs with playful patterning add a modern edge to the timeless space. The natural wood veranda is a lovely extension of the authentic stone facade. Enjoy a dip in the heated pool while marveling at the lovely mountain views.

Charming Provence

Its mountains, fertile plains, and rivers make Provence magnetically beautiful. The region is known for its production of rosé wines, accounting for about 75% of wines turned out in the area.

Visit Domaine De La Navicelle

This biodynamic winery is in the heart of the Provençal winemaking area on the hill's northern slope called Colle Noire. Vine rows are terraced on heavy clay soils and a rocky subsoil of limestone, sandstone, and schists. The north orientation and proximity of the sea protect the vineyards from heat and allow winemakers at Domaine de la Navicelle to produce, without needing irrigation systems, generous and complex wines with a fine minerality and a real terroir identity. Grape varieties include Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Tibouren, Rolle, and Clairette.

A must-try vintage: Navicelle Rosé. Composed of Grenache, Cinsault, and Tibouren, this cuvée perfectly balances delicacy and freshness. The nose presents notes of fresh fruit, such as peach and citrus as well as aromas of white flowers. On the palate, this cuvée subtly combines complexity, finesse, and roundness. It is a perfect pairing for exotic, sweet-salty, and spicy cuisine.

If you plan to prolong your vacation in Provence, we highly recommend you stay at Chateau Avignon. Previously owned by the Knights of the Order of Malta, this luxury vacation rental dazzles with centuries-old grandeur and rural serenity. Lustrous interiors retain the home's historic integrity with traditional terracotta tiling and flower print upholstery that will make you feel like you are part of the beautiful history of Provence. Guests staying at this exclusive residence may enjoy various services, including a dedicated chef and butler, event coordination, a personal advisor to ensure every moment is perfect, luggage-carrying services, and daily maintenance of the enchanting garden and pool. 

Wine and Dine at La Villa Madie

Nestled in l’Anse de Corton, a well-known bay to the people of Cassis, La Villa Madie – with three Michelin stars – faces the Mediterranean Sea with an overhanging terrace. There is a true marriage between land and sea. It is in Cassis, a true Mediterranean village, that Marielle and Dimitri Droisneau decided to share their love for this wonderful terroir through their very diverse cooking.

Our suggestion: Start with sardines with lemon thyme, grilled almonds, and Sologne caviar, followed by John Dory and cuttlefish immersed in a garlic broth and sage tortellini. The dessert is Madagascar vanilla with pralines and rum.

The Luscious Loire Valley

Known for its delicious wines and many beautiful chateaux, the Loire Valley is only a short train or car ride from Paris (110 miles/175 kilometers). Known as “the garden of France,” it teems with vineyards and lush vegetation. It is also home to 22 divine castles.

Visit Cave des Producteurs Montlouis

Discover crisp white wines and a maze of aging bottles at Cave des Producteurs Montlouis. The winery and its vineyards are based on the territory of three communes throughout Montlouis-sur-Loire, Saint Martin le Beau, and Lussault-sur-Loire, covering 175 hectares. The cellar master and an oenologist supervise the winemaking process here. The vineyards are based on a limestone plateau consisting of sand, clay, and flint soil. Cave des Producteurs Montlouis uses a single grape variety, Chenin Blanc, to produce their crisp white wines. The grape variety benefits from the local fertile soils and climate.

A must-try vintage: 'Montlouis' Cuvee des Anges Brut. Pale yellow with refined bubbles. Floral nose with a fresh, clean palate and elegant substance. Well-balanced and is equally delicious as an appetizer or with fish in a light sauce.