We at Tubber have some more boat-friendly wine regions to show you. Let’s dive in and explore this list of the best wine regions in Europe to visit by boat! We hope you can get some inspiration for your next sailing holiday…
Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is an outstanding example of the beautiful Mediterranean landscape that is also a wine region. It’s also a memorable destination that has become well known for its high-quality wines. The numerous vineyards, scattered along the steep slopes create an unforgettable backdrop. You can witness this beauty in the best way possible from a private boat or yacht.
Furthermore, you can best enjoy the local wines during an afternoon’s stop at an alluring coastal town such as Positano. We guarantee the waterfall of colorful houses and photo-worthy streets will amaze you. Make sure you also don’t miss to try the distinguished wines of Furore and Ravello. Then you can head out to the glamorous island of Capri, famous for its red and white varieties.
Sicily
People used to consider Sicilian wines as mass-produced and used primarily for blending. However, in the last few years, passionate wine producers from Sicily have proven everyone wrong. They have been working hard in the past decade to reintroduce and promote indigenous grape varieties. Fortunately, the world has recognized their efforts. Nowadays, many people consider Sicily to be one of the most exciting new wine sailing regions.
Furthermore, what we can add is that Sicily is also a great wine destination to visit by boat. The vineyards of Sicily are spread throughout the island; therefore there are plenty of opportunities to make a stop and enjoy the island’s wines. We recommend you try a glass of Nero d’Avola on this sailing trip around the Italian Island of Sicily.
Southern Dalmatian Islands, Croatia
No wine list is complete without the award-winning wines of Southern Dalmatia. More than that, our list of best wine destinations to explore by boat could not be complete without Croatia. As one of our favorite destinations for island hopping in Europe, this is also a great place to try some of the best wines in the world.
In addition to fantastic wines, the Dalmatian Islands offer a significant number of breathtaking beaches, hidden coves and nature reserves. There you can enjoy the refreshing water and cool down after a tour of sun-drenched vineyards. Furthermore, this is the home of many charming towns, historic sites, delicious seafood and some of the Mediterranean’s best clubs. All of this makes Southern Dalmatia one of the most dynamic wine regions in Europe that you can explore by boat.
Social distancing in the Dalmatian islands is possible only before the high touristic summertime! In order to avoid the crowds, it is recommended to sail there and explore before the middle of July.
In case you’re not convinced you can check out Wine Bar Hvar and get some ideas for wine clubbing in Croatia.
Crete, Greece
This is a place filled with history, rich culture and unsurprisingly the home of some fantastic wines. As the birthplace of the first European civilization, Crete is the largest island in Greece and one of the oldest wine-producing areas in Europe that are still flourishing. Enjoying Crete’s exquisite wines while dining on traditional Greek cuisine and being surrounded by the beauty of the island is a dream come true. We advise you to order a glass of Vilana or Kotsifali. These are some of the island’s incredible indigenous varieties you shouldn’t miss on your next sailing holiday in Greece.
Ionian Islands, Greece
The Ionian Islands, famous for their beautiful beaches, ancient monuments, and gorgeous vineyards are undeniably best reached by your own private yacht. The island hopping experience there allows you to explore the area and its vineyards in the most comfortable and easy way. On the southern coast of the island of Lefkada, you will find many vineyards that offer award-winning whites, reds, and rosés in the villages of Athani, Agios, and Petros.
The major wine producers of the region are scattered along the coast of many other Greek Islands such as Corfu, Paxi, Kefalonia, Ithaca, and Zante. The winemaking traditions are deeply rooted in these islands and were brought to the region by the Venetians. Despite being so great already, the wines are also experiencing a revival, because of the adoption of new winemaking methods, an increase of organic and natural wine production.
Balearic Islands, Spain
Here we have another destination widely known for its stunning beaches, rich culture, and vibrant party scene. However, something you probably don’t know is that the Balearic Islands also offer some incredible wines, many of which are very rare. For example, Mallorca has over 1200 acres of vineyards, and over the past decade, it has experienced significant development in high-quality winemaking.
Many of the vineyards are located in the center of the island, however, this just offers another opportunity to explore its beauty and get some time off the water before you continue your sailing holiday. We recommend you start at Bodegues Bordoy, situated in the south of Mallorca. We are sure you will want to extend your charter holiday and explore the rest of the Balearic Islands and the numerous great wine sailing regions.
May and June are the best months for traveling to the Balearic islands and beating away from the crowd. This period is suitable for social distancing and will also enable you to explore the destination thoroughly.
So, we hope we managed to spark your interest and gave you some inspiration for your next sailing holiday. Make sure to share your opinion on our Facebook page or in the comments below. In case you have already decided you want to experience the beauty and flavors of the best wine regions in Europe, go ahead and start planning your sailing holiday with Tubber.
