Don Rafael fell in love with the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region and around 1877 he began the design and construction of the complex that is today known as the López de Heredia bodega (winery), the oldest in Haro. The visitor’s pavilion of the winery, designed by Zaha Hadid is a modular metallic construction situated in front of the old bodega buildings, and in the future will become the visitors’ access to the bodega. It was conceived as a movable  building, and was erected to mark the 125th anniversary of the bodega in the 2002 Alimentaria Fair in Barcelona.  The pavilion also houses a stand used in the Brussels exhibition from the early 20th century.

Make reservation at Marques de Riscal

The  landmark Hotel Marqués de Riscal,  is  in the “City of Wine”:  winery, hotel and spa in El Ciego,  in the heart of the Rioja wine region. Designed by world famous architect Frank  Gehry, the hotel is his second masterpiece in Spain, after Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum. For this project Gehry has used materials and forms similar to those used in the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, but this time the titanium which covers the structure are in the colors of Marqués de Riscal: Pink: for the red wine, Gold: the mesh which covers the bottle, Silver: the capsule of the bottle

Herederos del Marqués de Riscal wanted a modernistic building that aroused emotions. To achieve that they thought of Frank O. Gehry, known for works such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. But they  were not certain that Gehry would accept. However, the proposal was offered accompanied by a wine of his birth year (1929), and he accepted. 

The 43 authentic guest rooms and suites pay tribute to Frank O. Gehry´s  design. For a more spacious retreat, the 29 bedrooms located in the Spa Wing with unique views over the vineyards, the Gehry Wing, and the town of Elciego.
The Marqués de Riscal Restaurant and the 1860 Restaurant offer an elite selection of wines of the world and offer the best traditional Basque-Riojan cuisine combined with modern influences. The Wine Bar Vinoteca and the Rooftop Lounge – Library present a stylish, yet comfortable atmosphere with panoramic views.

The “City of Wine” is a 21st century chateau in which the different experiences that wine can offer may be enjoyed.

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The 75 hectares of vineyards owned by Bodegas Ysios are set in the highest area of La Rioja, stretching across the localities of Laguardia and El Villar, in Rioja Alavesa. Standing in the loveliest part of the Rioja Alavesa the surprising silhouette rises of Bodegas Ysios,is dedicated to wine and inaugurated in 2001. For the project development, Ysios turned to a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, headed by the architect Santiago Calatrava. His mission was to construct a unique, avant-garde winery, conceived as a place of worship, a place exclusively dedicated to the creation of wines boasting nothing less than the highest quality, with the decisive guidance of expert oenologists. Its name, Ysios, pays specific homage to Isis and Osiris, two Egyptian gods closely related to the world of wine. 

The cellars of Elciego are a good  museum in which to see the living history of the wines of Herederos del Marqués de Riscal.

The building of the first cellar began in 1858, the year the company was founded. Within these installations, now used for the maturing of wines in barrels, is the Cathedral  a cellar in which the greatest treasure of the Marqués de Riscal is kept; a unique collection of all the vintages produced by the winery since its beginnings over 149 years ago. The increase in wine production meant that the cellars had to be enlarged in 1883, an event not to be repeated until 1968 and 2000. Like the Guggenheim Museum, the building designed by Gehry is covered with titanium. In this case, however, the architect wanted to infuse his work with the signature colors of Marqués de Riscal: pink like the wine, gold like the mesh on the Riscal bottles, and silver like the bottle top.

Make a reservation at Mystique

Santorini is one of the most romantic places in the world with its unique landscape and great views.  In Santorini nothing has much changed in the last 15 years, which is good and bad at the same time. You find the places, restaurants, beaches you visited before  exactly the same but the service and comfort you are expecting from a hotel has changed in 15 years. Finding a hotel that matches your expectations is not easy on this island except Mystique, that’s why it is The hotel in Santorini.

Mystique, is the latest addition to the Starwood Luxury Collection, located in Santorini, Greece. It is not only a stylish luxury boutique hotel but it also has the most exquisite setting on this island. Mystique is in the village of Oia, the most beautiful village of Santorini with most famous cliffs and sunsets  and dazzling views of clear blue equatorial waters towards the volcano and the Aegean Caldera.

Santorini island-style architecture of the hotel preserves the nature in a climate of unabashed luxury built in the beautiful scenery. The hotel’s unique cave-like interiors provide a genuinely romantic, cozy environment, for the many honeymoon couples that stay on Santorini. It features 18 villas, carved into the cliff, with panoramic private terraces and unrivaled views of  the ocean. The suites combine tradition with modern conveniences.
Mystique’s facilities include an outdoor infinity pool at the cliff’s edge, the Charisma gourmet restaurant, the poolside Aura bar which are perfect for a wedding ceremony.�
Hotels Secret Wine Cave has a dramatic 150 year old wine cellar, with a rare and local wine selection.

Sunsets are the perfect timing to experience this beautiful and romantic hotel..

Make a reservation at Mystique

Delaire, one of South Africa’s finest vineyards in Stellenbosch was acquired by Graff in 2003 in order to make it one of South Africa’s ultra premier wineries and prominent restaurant and hotel destination. Delaire’s unique location on the crest of the panoramic Helshoogte Mountain Pass is noted for its high altitude vineyards, excellent soils and cooling sea breezes and breathtaking views.

With new addition of a  Hotel and Spa  there is a unique experience of sleeping amongst the vines. The exclusive hotel will have 10-suites  Each of the ten lodges is completely private, with curved hedges of Camellia and Coffee Jasmine providing natural seclusion. The decor combines indigenous African Architectural influences with some of the local Cape Dutch Style.

Sustainability is more than just an abstract concept here, with special care being taken to minimize electrical consumption and save water; whilst opting for natural renewable materials like stone and wood throughout.

Artworks throughout the estate represent some of South Africa’s finest contemporary artists and have been selected by Laurence Graff, a major collector
of contemporary art.
Walking through the vineyards and garden of the estate  one is privileged to spend time amongt the collection of South African paintings and sculptures.

Laurence Graff,  of Graff Diamonds re-opened Delaire Graff Restaurant and Tasting Lounge in 2009 after a complete rebuild. Delaire has a unique location on the crest of the panoramic Helshoogte Mountain Pass is noted for its high altitude vineyards, excellent soils and cooling sea breezes.

The Restaurant and Tasting Lounge has been designed by  Interior Designer and Architect David Collins  Artworks on the Delaire Graff Estate represent some of South Africa’s finest contemporary artists including William Kentridge, Robert Hodgins, Deborah Bell, Sydney Kumalo and Anton Smit. Gardens have been designed and re-landscaped by Keith Kirsten

This 44 hectare vineyard of which 22 hectares are under vines with its rugged mountain slopes, experiences variances in altitude which range from approximately 300 to 500 m above sea level. This creates microclimates which are conducive to making multilayered, complex wines.  The Restaurant, headed by executive Chef Christiaan Campbell, has created accessible and approachable fine cuisine with fresh and vibrant flavours. Guests are able to dine on the terrace under a canopy of pin oak trees or within the spectacular interiors whilst enjoying the breathtaking views Delaire allows of the Stellenbosch valley and mountains

Tasting the wines in the Wine Lounge is a great opportunity to experience the Delaire Range while enjoying the breathtaking views. Tasting options include informal tasting, tutored tastings or food and wine paired tastings..

Make a reservation at Villa Massa

In the heart of Tuscany,Villa La Massa is a fascinating Medici dwelling of the 16th century on the outskirts of Florence.

The 16th Century sits on the banks of the Arno River, on 20 acres full of lemon trees and olive groves that surround the property.  Villa La Massa is within  22 acres of gardens that surround it, full of paths that lead  to the Arno River and from which you can only see the beautiful panorama of the Chianti Rufina hills that surround it.  

Two Villas dating back to the days of the Medici (16th century): the Noble Villa (Villa Nobile), the Old Mill (Vecchio Mulino) and the more recent little Villa (Villino) are the highlights of Villa La Massa which, from an ancient dwelling of the aristocracy, was turned into a hotel in 1948. The hotel offers its guests 37 rooms, all different from one another, and all recently refurbished in the traditional Florentine style. The spacious and airy rooms are decorated with antique furniture, fabrics woven at the historic Florentine textile mills, wrought iron and woodwork from the famous old-time Florence cabinet makers. Most have windows framing the beautiful Tuscan landscape.

Under the direction of Executive Chef Andrea Quagliarella, menus include both Tuscan regional and Mediterranean specialities The sommeliers have chosen 300 labels among those best representing the Italian wine culture, with a special focus on Tuscan wines. A limited number of precious olive oil bottles is produced every year from the olive groves that surround the property.

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Dominus winery was designed by the Swiss architects, Herzog and de Meuron. Known for their innovative architectural design, their approach was to integrate the winery into the landscape, echoing the belief that the vineyard is of utmost importance. Indeed, from a distance, the gabion structure dissolves into the landscape and it has been dubbed by the locals “the stealth winery.”

Filled with basalt rocks from the nearby American Canyon, the stainless steel baskets are both an aesthetic and technical choice. Generally used to retain dirt along highways, here the gabions are used to moderate the extreme temperatures of the Napa Valley.Dominus’ glass offices provide panoramic views, allowing us to follow at all times the activity in the vineyard, key to producing a great wine Dominus is the property red wine, produced in the heart of Napa Valley by Christian Moueix and his team.

Located in Acland Street of St Kilda,  this wine store is a uniquely designed haven for consumers, ranging from novice wine drinkers to serious collectors.  The two sibling Prince Wine Stores in South Melbourne, stock comprehensive ranges of local and international wines, beers, spirits, cigars, glassware, decanters, wine magazines and textbooks.  It is equipped with a climate controlled cellar, is a haven for tastings, seminars, small private dinners and other functions.  Open seven days a week or by appointment, each Prince Wine Stores is worth a visit.

Adour is the new successful New York restaurant of Alain Ducasse. The success lies behind the approachability and humility of the menu and service, compared other Alain Ducasse Michelin star restaurants.  The menu created by the Executive Chef Joel Dennis and Wine Director Thomas Combescot where dishes and wine-paring balance one another. The 88 seating restaurant and bar is designed by David Rockwell inspired by wine. He used wine bottles, burgundy and chardonnay tones in this elegant room inside the legendary St. Regis hotel.

Adour has an extensive wine list and accompanying tasting menu and is very affordable compared other high end Ducasse restaurants.

Make a reservation at Aman Summer Palace

After 20 years Aman still continues to impress travelers with its new city resorts and Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing is the ultimate ‘urban resort’.

Opened at the end of 2008, Aman Summer Palace is the peaceful retreat just steps from the East Gate of one of Beijing’s most remarkable landmarks – the Summer Palace., an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Housed in a series of pavilions, some of which are over hundred years old,  which served as guest quarters for those awaiting an audience with the Empress Dowager Cixi at the turn of the last century. Aman has a private door which opens directly to the Summer Palace and gives you access to the beautiful gardens and architecture dating back to 12th century. If possible, wake up early and visit the summer palace gardens before the crowds.

Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing has the courtyard architectural style of the Palace with elegant Ming-Dynasty inspired furniture and the use of traditional materials. Although it is in one of the biggest and crowded cities of the world  balance and tranquility provides the perfect respite from the outside world, and the ideal base from which to explore the vibrant capital.Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing is the ideal portal through which to experience this multi-faceted city, and within the resorts walls a mysterious sense of peeking through the veil of time to the romance of another era lingers on.

With Aman Summer Palace Aman also started an initiative about Wine. Amanresorts’ new wine and spirits program launched just last year.  The family and boutique producers from every corner of the globe to make available some of the world’s most coveted wines and spirits at select Amanresorts properties worldwide. Many producers have developed brand extensions, including reserves and single-vineyard bottlings of their finest vintages, exclusively for Amanresorts. Others have made their previously ‘off-limits’ caves, private reserves and personal library selections available to Amanresorts alone.  Guests of Amanresorts will also be welcomed into the wineries, chateaux and homes of partners around the world by prior arrangement. Aman Summer Palace has its own private wine selection which is available through all its restaurants and bars and in its tasting room.

The resort has 8 Guestrooms and 10 Courtyard Guestrooms  and 8 Suites, all facing to a private courtyard.  With its cultural private tours, impressive Aman Spa and indoor pool, elegant lounges and bars, and different restaurants for all tastes and of course with usual exceptional Aman Service this is THE place to stay in Beijing and experience both the 12th and 21st centuries.

Make a reservation at Aman Summer Palace

photos are courtesy of Aman Resorts

Palais Coburg wine cellar has the most impressive wines of Austria.. It has over 3,000 items from all over the world, and wines which go back to the 1795 vintage. It stocks 770 items from Austria, 1,500 from France, 360 from Italy, 90 from Spain, 350 from the United States and 50 from Australia and South America As you would imagine, the wine list is correspondingly of the highest quality. It ranks amongst the best internationally. In the gastronomy of the Palais Coburg, the theme of wine is universally honored.
Palais Coburg wine cellar is in a perfect setting..

Fire & Ice – Raffles Cellar & Grill is in Raffles Dubai and its menu is revolving around the four elements of life: Fire, Water, Earth and Air, one of the core themes to Raffles Dubai’s designs.

The culinary team of Fire & Ice, led by award-winning Chef Cedric Darthial, has come up with a series of innovative menus, promising to tantalize all your senses and create an experience above the ordinary. Fire & Ice offers a modern European cuisine with colorful presentations, delicate textures and exquisite flavors. Sample signature dishes are ‘Nitro Wagyu Beef’ (Fire), ‘Toro Sashimi’ (Water) or ‘Foie Gras Tower’ (Air).

To complement this superb menu, the Head Sommelier Nicolas Murcott and his dedicated team will be on hand to recommend wine pairing with each course, based solely on your preferences. With no less than 600 references offering the best from both the Old and New World, each glass will perfectly accompany your meal while exploring any of the four elements.