Ten Great International Wine Destinations

Visited by well over 3 million tourists a year, Napa can be a hassle, with crowded tasting rooms, near-standstill traffic on Highway 29 and a paucity of dinner reservations (call the French Laundry two months in advance, to the day, but you'll probably get a busy tone).

To be sure, Napa practically invented high-quality wine tourism. But wineries in other regions around the world have followed its lead and stepped up their game, offering a personal touch, not to mention high-quality hotels, restaurants and tasting rooms that provide connections to their regions' history and lifestyle. Oh, and they have some great-tasting wines, too.

In Depth: 10 Great International Wine Destinations

Weekend Wines: Visit A Winery

The challenge is deciding among the many attractive options, from Chile to South Africa to Australia. Each, says George Taber, author of the forthcoming book In Search of Bacchus: Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism, offers a unique experience.

To research his book, Taber spent eight months on the road and visited 12 different countries. Along the way, he discovered that some regions offer great luxury and service, while others are worth visiting for the peace, quiet and spectacular views.

When it comes to the full package,Taber says there are few better places than Castello Banfi in Tuscany. The estate, started by American wine importer John Mariani, is housed in a spectacular castle, with two restaurants, a tasting room and a fun, informative cellar tour.

It's a similar experience, minus the pretty views, at Chateau Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux. This is the world's most heralded wine region, yet it's notoriously short on good experiences for tourists. Fancy-looking chateaus, yes; welcoming tasting rooms, tours, pretty views, nice hotels and friendly, warm restaurants, not so much. But the owners of Lynch-Bages have built a tourist-friendly destination on the grounds of the wine estate, including a hotel, more than one restaurant, stores, a tasting class and art exhibits.

When it comes to tranquil atmosphere and stunning scenery, two destinations top Taber's list: Quinta do Portal in Portugal's Douro Valley and Peter Jakob Kühn in Germany's Rheingau. Both offer incredible views and some of the best wines in their respective regions, says Taber.

By contrast, Felton Road in New Zealand's Central Otago region, is not particularly pretty. The drive from Queenstown through the Gibbston Valley to this isolated spot offers nice views of the mountains along twisting, winding roads, but the scenery once you get to Felton Road is a bit raw, says Taber (I can attest, having spent a month living a couple miles away at a nearby vineyard; it's dry and light on vegetation.).

However, the pinot noirs from this part of the world--and from Felton Road in particular--have begun to turn the heads of critics and consumers alike over the past few years, as they appreciate the wines' balance of herbal, fruity and acidic flavors.

"There's nothing sexy about it, just the wines," says Taber of Felton Road.

In Depth: 10 Great International Wine Destinations

Weekend Wines: Visit A Winery