Halfwine Travel Reports
So many places, so little time...
We've been lucky enough to travel to many of the very best wine regions in the world over the years, and firmly believe it's one of the best ways to taste wine and to understand terroir (the characteristic taste and flavour imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced). We've also found that some wines only really reveal themselves when paired with the foods from the same region - looking at you, Chianti of Tuscany!
That said, every trip requires planning and money and precious vacation time and so, much as we'd love to return to every area visited (with France so close, we've managed to do that to some extent there) it's been a while since we were last in some regions. We can't vouch for every place mentioned in the trip reports below - especially after the economic ravages of COVID-19 - but they're still a useful guide to the wineries of the region, suggested itineraries, possible restaurants, and our travel methodology (why we made the choices we made about accommodation, restaurants, tastings, etc.).
Enjoy armchair travelling with halfwine.com and, as always, please feel free to Contact Us.
2017
Napa, Sonoma, and Anderson Valley, California, USAChampagne and Alsace, France
2016
Puglia, ItalyThailand
2015
Bordeaux, Sancerre, Chablis and Champagne, France2014
Catalunya, SpainRhône, Burgundy and Champagne, France
Plus: a weekend in Provence, France
Paarl, South Africa
2013
Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USARioja, Spain
Loire and Champagne, France
2012
PortugalBali
Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne, France
South African Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
Plus: a weekend in Franschhoek, South Africa
2011
ArgentinaGraves, Medoc, and St-Emilion; Sauternes; Loire, France
Plus: Corsica, and a weekend in Champagne, France
Stellenbosch, Elgin, Constantia & Noordhoek, South Africa
Plus: a weekend in Robertson, South Africa
2010
New Zealand
Mallorca, Spain
Burgundy, Loire, and Champagne, France
Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Darling & Durbanville, South Africa