Our properties among the vineyards

There are some destinations you merely visit, and others you savor. For centuries, the world's great vineyards have shaped not only the terrain, but also the cultures, cuisines and traditions that surround them. To stay among the vines is to truly appreciate their sensorial richness: from walking through the vineyards at sunrise, to meeting the winemakers behind each vintage, then gathering around a table where every ingredient finds its perfect match in the glass. From our homeland of France to Chile, South Africa and beyond, each of these Relais & Châteaux properties occupies a unique terroir and embodies its own distinctive vision of l’art de vivre.

Clos Apalta Residence, Santa Cruz, Chile

Some 125 miles south of Santiago, the Apalta Valley is a truly blessed microclimate. Abundant sunshine is tempered by cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean, while the surrounding hills form a natural amphitheater beneath the majestic Andes. When the Bournet Lapostolle family discovered the area in the 1990s, they immediately recognized its extraordinary potential and created Clos Apalta, now one of Chile's most iconic wine estates.

Nestled within 500 acres of vineyards and surrounded by a 1,000-acre private native forest reserve, Clos Apalta Residence extends this philosophy through ten villas and casitas overlooking vineyards where the Carménère grape reigns supreme. From exploring the spectacular gravity-flow winery carved into the rock to tasting the estate's acclaimed wines and enjoying cuisine that beautifully blends Chilean inspiration with French culinary expertise, every stay offers an unforgettable immersion into one of South America's finest wine regions. Simply unmissable.

What should you taste?
A glass of Clos Apalta 2016, the estate's flagship wine, renowned for its rich, black fruit aromas.

Villa Florentine, Lyon, France

Italian Renaissance charm in the heart of France's gastronomic capital: this is the promise of Villa Florentine. Originally built in the 17th-century as a convent, the property reflects the influence of Italian artists and merchants who settled in Old Lyon following the marriage of King Henry IV to Marie de' Medici. Today, as one of Lyon's most iconic destinations, the hotel has undergone a complete transformation led by interior designer and art curator Joséphine Fossey. The result is nothing short of spectacular.

Perched majestically atop Fourvière Hill, Villa Florentine offers breathtaking views over Lyon's historic center from its lush terraces. It also provides the perfect base for exploring nearby wine regions, from the celebrated crus of Beaujolais to the northern Rhône Valley. In the evening, La Table de la Villa Florentine showcases Lyonnais cuisine alongside the region's finest wines, celebrating the inseparable bond between gastronomy and viticulture.

What should you taste?
A glass of Côte-Rôtie from M. CHAPOUTIER, one of Relais & Châteaux’s oenological partners and a biodynamic producer since 1808. Enjoy it while taking in the panoramic views over Lyon.

Echaurren, Ezcaray, Spain

In 1898, Pedro Echaurren and Andrea García transformed the former railway station in the village of Ezcaray into an inn, creating Echaurren as a welcoming stop for travelers exploring the mountainous wine region of Rioja. Five generations later, their descendants, Francis and José Félix Paniego, continue the family legacy.

Under Francis, the inn has become one of Spain's leading gastronomic destinations. His cuisine reinvents the recipes of his childhood with remarkable creativity, earning the highest culinary accolades. Meanwhile, his brother José Félix welcomes guests with exceptional warmth while introducing them to the hidden gems of Rioja's wine scene. The perfect place to end a day exploring the region's celebrated bodegas.

What should you taste?
A glass of Muga 2021, perfectly paired with cuisine deeply rooted in the traditions of Rioja.

Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Douro, Portugal

Long before the Douro Valley was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, traditional rabelo boats sailed the river carrying barrels of Port wine downstream. The valley’s dramatic schist terraces, patiently sculpted over centuries, remain among Europe’s most spectacular vineyard landscapes.

Clinging to the hillside above the Douro River, Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is one of the region’s historic wine estates. Once owned by the Portuguese Royal House and documented since the Douro’s first official demarcation in 1756, the estate extends across 120 hectares, including 85 hectares of vineyard divided into 41 distinct plots.

Wine has been produced in the estate’s historic winery since 1764. Today, it stands alongside a contemporary cellar designed to reveal the diversity and identity of each vineyard plot.

In 2005, Quinta Nova became the first integrated wine tourism project in the Douro, bringing together vineyard, winery, hospitality and gastronomy. At the heart of the estate, the Winery House offers an intimate stay with the atmosphere of a family home, while Terraçu’s restaurant interprets the region through local produce and the estate’s wines, all overlooking one of the Douro’s most emblematic landscapes.

What should you taste?
A glass of Aeternus, one of the estate’s rarest wines, enjoyed overlooking the terraced vineyards and the Douro River below.

Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa, Stellenbosch, South Africa

East of Cape Town, the Helshoogte Pass mountain road reveals one of the Cape Winelands' most spectacular panoramas. The Simonsberg mountains rise on one side, while the vineyards of Stellenbosch stretch endlessly across the landscape. It is here, bathed in extraordinary light, that Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa sits at the heart of South Africa's premier wine region.

The estate offers a distinctive vision of hospitality. Its lodges open generously onto the vineyards and blend seamlessly into gardens filled with monumental sculptures and contemporary artworks. The restaurants celebrate local produce with the same dedication devoted to the estate's own wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and the estate's celebrated rosé complete this exceptional experience.

What should you taste?
The Estate's flagship wine, Laurence Graff Reserve, named in honour of owner and Graff Diamonds founder Laurence Graff, is crafted from fruit selected from just two rows of our finest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Produced in extremely limited quantities, it is the Estate's most highly awarded wine and perfectly embodies Delaire Graff Estate's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship.

Susana Balbo Winemaker's House, Mendoza, Argentina

In Mendoza, the snow-capped Andes provide a dramatic backdrop to one of the New World's most exciting wine regions. High altitude, dramatic day-to-night temperature variations and meltwater from the mountains have made this the kingdom of Malbec, the French grape variety that has arguably found its greatest expression in Argentina. It is also here that a new generation of winemakers is redefining Argentinian wine.

Among them, Susana Balbo stands apart. Argentina's first female oenologist has played a pioneering role in bringing the country's wines to international acclaim. Winemaker's House is the intimate extension of her remarkable journey: an elegant retreat with just seven suites, conceived as a refined private residence.

What should you taste?
A glass of Signature Barrel-Fermented Torrontes 2025, an indigenous Argentine grape variety reimagined by Susana Balbo.

Castello Banfi – Il Borgo, Montalcino, Italy

In Tuscany, rows of cypress trees always seem to lead somewhere magical. In Montalcino, they guide visitors to Castello Banfi, a magnificent medieval fortress built between the 8th and 13th centuries. Set atop a hill and surrounded by vineyards, the estate has played a major role in establishing the international reputation of the boldest Sangiovese wine, Brunello di Montalcino.

Beautifully restored, the 18th-century stone hamlet beneath Poggio alle Mura Castle now houses 12 spacious suites and 2 rooms, combining historic heritage with contemporary hospitality. The estate also features its own balsameria, where exceptional Condimento Balsamico Etrusco, a type of balsamic vinegar, is crafted using traditional Etruscan methods. Nearby Tuscan treasures such as San Gimignano and Volterra naturally extend the journey.

What should you taste?
Banfi SummuS, one of the estate’s outstanding Super Tuscans.

Meadowood Napa Valley, St. Helena California, United States

At Meadowood, rows of Cabernet Sauvignon vines alternate with the centuries-old oak trees that gave the estate its name. Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, the property perfectly captures the spirit of the region: welcoming, intimate and deeply connected to nature. Hidden within more than 250 acres of woodland, it offers an art of living where the outdoors is always center stage.

The estate's Wine Center offers personalized tastings and exclusive encounters with some of Napa Valley's most respected wine personalities. It’s the perfect introduction to the soul of America's most celebrated wine region before retreating to the tranquility of a woodland sanctuary. Perhaps this is what true indulgence really means.

What should you taste?
A glass of Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. Established in Napa Valley in 1967 and one of the pioneers of the region's rise to global fame, Relais & Châteaux partner Chappellet crafts an exceptional mountain wine that is even more enjoyable beneath the shade of an ancient oak.

By Arthur Jeanne
A journalist with a passion for food and wine, Arthur enjoys exploring new horizons. Driven by his curiosity, this regular contributor to Society magazine is convinced that food, just like wine, is the best way to discover cultures and regions, and to meet the people who live there.