Wine & Food Travel

02/09/2023

"Discover the Best of Southern Italy: Sleep in Luxury Caves in a 9000-Year-Old Medieval City!"

Are you ready for a unique and unforgettable travel experience? Imagine yourself waking up to the breathtaking view of a 9000-year-old historic medieval city, Matera, perched on top of an Italian mountain. Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of southern Italy as you explore the best vineyards in the region, including the stunning volcanic region of Basilicata's Vulture.

But the journey doesn't stop there, as you'll be staying in the luxurious and recently renovated caves of the St. Angelo Hotel in Matera. Experience the unique beauty of this mountain-top city, with its cliff-side cave dwellings that have been inhabited for thousands of years. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine luxury, history, and adventure in one unforgettable journey.

But hurry, spots for this wine and culinary adventure in southern Italy are limited. Don't miss your chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. Book now and join us on our journey from November 4 to November 12, 2023!

This is your last chance to join us on this amazing adventure! We're finalizing all the trip details with hotels and wineries to make sure you have the experience of a lifetime. With only 2 spots left, call us ASAP at (845) 647-3000 to secure your place on this journey. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the best of southern Italy and make memories that will last a lifetime!

02/08/2023

02/08/2023

Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Get ready to stay in a luxury cave in the ancient city of Matera, Italy! This unique and unforgettable opportunity is part of a limited boutique wine and culinary adventure throughout Apulia and Basilicata, and there are only 2 spots left!
Don't miss out on the chance to live like royalty in a cave while discovering the finest wines and local cuisine of the region. Make memories that will last a lifetime and book your spot now!
Call us ASAP at (845) 647-3000 to secure your place on this exclusive trip. Trust us, you don't want to miss out on this incredible opportunity!

01/04/2023

"If you're a wine lover visiting Valle de Guadaloupe, you absolutely must check out Bruma boutique winery. Created by a group of eight passionate partners, this winery was built using local and natural materials and is completely integrated into the surrounding environment. The cellar features a 300 year old oak tree that serves as the emblem of the winery.
With 80ha of land and 17ha of vines, Bruma produces a variety of wines using different types of soil and microclimates.…
— at Valle de Guadalupe, Ruta del Vino, Ensenada.

"If you're a wine lover visiting Valle de Guadaloupe, you absolutely must check out Bruma boutique winery. Created by a group of eight passionate partners, this winery was built using local and natural materials and is completely integrated into the surrounding environment. The cellar features a 300 year old oak tree that serves as the emblem of the winery.

With 80ha of land and 17ha of vines, Bruma produces a variety of wines using different types of soil and microclimates.…
— at Valle de Guadalupe, Ruta del Vino, Ensenada.

01/02/2023

We had the pleasure of visiting Luigi Maffini winery in 2019 and meeting Luigi himself. His passion for winemaking and dedication to producing top-quality organic wines was truly impressive.
At Luigi Maffini, centuries of tradition and innovation come together to create some of the most exceptional wines in the Cilento region of Campania. From the meticulously tended vineyards to the carefully crafted production process, every step is taken to bring out the pure and expressive flavors of the local Fiano d'Avellino and Aglianico grapes.
The Kratos Fiano offers tropical and mineral notes, while the Kleos Aglianico is juicy and full-bodied. The Pietraincatenata Fiano is a luxurious treat, made from grapes harvested from a high vineyard and aged in oak barrels. And the Aglianico Cenito is a full-bodied wine aged for 18 months in oak barrels.
Whether you're an experienced wine enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of vino, the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of Luigi Maffini wines will not disappoint.

We had the pleasure of visiting Luigi Maffini winery in 2019 and meeting Luigi himself. His passion for winemaking and dedication to producing top-quality organic wines was truly impressive.

At Luigi Maffini, centuries of tradition and innovation come together to create some of the most exceptional wines in the Cilento region of Campania. From the meticulously tended vineyards to the carefully crafted production process, every step is taken to bring out the pure and expressive flavors of the local Fiano d'Avellino and Aglianico grapes.

The Kratos Fiano offers tropical and mineral notes, while the Kleos Aglianico is juicy and full-bodied. The Pietraincatenata Fiano is a luxurious treat, made from grapes harvested from a high vineyard and aged in oak barrels. And the Aglianico Cenito is a full-bodied wine aged for 18 months in oak barrels.

Whether you're an experienced wine enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of vino, the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of Luigi Maffini wines will not disappoint.

12/29/2022

Barolo wines are some of the most unique and sought-after in the world, and it's all thanks to the diverse terroir of Italy's Piedmont region. Divided into 11 communes, each with its own unique combination of soil, climate, and other factors that influence the character of the wine, Barolo is a true wine lover's paradise. The most important factor influencing the character of Barolo wine is the soil, and the region has a varied and complex landscape with different soils and microclimates that contribute to the diversity of flavors and aromas in its wines. From the elegant and refined wines produced on calcareous clay soils in La Morra and Barolo, to the full-bodied and tannic wines grown on clay and schist soils in Barberesco and Barbaresco, there is a Barolo wine for every palate. So why wait? Explore the unique and varied terroir of Barolo and discover some of the most exciting and delicious wines the world has to offer.

12/07/2022

The Finger Lakes region is known for its breathtaking scenery, outdoor activities, craft breweries, and AMAZING WINE!!!
Clocking in at 9,000 square miles, about the size of New Jersey! It can be intimidating. Where to go, what to do, what wineries to visit.
Although the Finger Lakes produce some amazing wine. There are still a lot of producers that make just ok wine if that. You need to do some research to find the good ones and make your trip memorable.
Our first trip to the Finger Lakes was in 2004. A lot has changed up there since then. We have watched many of the vineyards transform and new winemakers move in from all.
The Finger Lakes has become one of our most popular wine travel destinations.
Want to join us on our next adventure to the Finger Lakes? Check out our March 2023 dates at www.VIPwineryVacations.com ......

12/06/2022

Did you know the Finger Lakes are a pre-Prohibition wine region with the first vines planted in Hammondsport, New York in 1829? By 1900 over 50 wineries were established along the lakes.
The prominent vinifera varieties grown here are Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Hybrids and native grapes also have a proud home in the Finger Lakes.
Check out the link in our bio for upcoming trips for go to www.VIPwineryVacations.com

10/11/2022

Palafox Winery in La Grulla Baja! If you haven't had Mexican wine then this is a great winery to start with!

09/16/2022

Assisi Italy and Broccatelli Galli Winery!

04/19/2022

As promised we lowered the price to the next trip to Mexico. Not only did we lower it, but we also extended it a day. It now starts at $1000 less per person!

Here is the full itinerary for October! https://bestmexicanwinetours.com/

It's super limited to 8 guests and then it's sold out. We also offer an interest-free payment plan to make it easy.

Travel with us to the most interesting wine region in the world!

For more info or to secure your spot call us (845) 647-3000

04/15/2022

We are going back to Mexico! And we are looking for a small group of people that love great wine, amazing food and have the travel bug to join us in the "Napa Valley" of Mexico!

Yes, you can travel with Jamie and Marcus to Valle de Guadalupe this October 2022. Valle de Guadalupe has over 200 wineries and we have picked out the top 20 that are producing world-class wine!

Availability is limited to only 8 travelers for these trips. It's Jamie, Marcus, and Tony, our trusted tour guide and driver. Tony is a lifelong resident of Baja. Between the three of us, we have come up with the best wine and food tour out there!

More details here- https://www.bestmexicowinetours.com/mexico_wine_tours_in_guadalupe_baja.html

Best Mexico winery and vineyard tours in valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico. Best Mexican wine vacations start in San Diego. Travel Mexico's wine country with a chef. Experience the best Mexican Wine excursions.

01/22/2022

Training a truffle dog near Alba Italy! After we celebrate a meal lots of truffles!

www.vipwineryvacations.com

12/17/2021

1876 wine list from the Palmer House in Chicago...
This is really cool!!!

1876 wine list from the Palmer House in Chicago...

This is really cool!!!

Château d'Yquem & Pleasant Valley Wine Company (Finger Lakes Champagne). Plus lots of other really cool stuff.

12/15/2021

Our first night at Adobe Guadalupe in Valle de Guadalupe Mexico.
We love Tru Miller's wines and have known about them for 15 years. Her wines got the attention of the NY Times way back, a couple of years after we opened.

And now 15 years later we are having dinner with Mrs Miller in her winery and home!

Want to join us here? Check out https://www.bestmexicowinetours.com/

Come make new amigos with us this April!

12/10/2021

New day in wine country!!!

12/10/2021

First stop on our Mexican Wine Country adventure! Lunch at Villa Ortega's!

12/06/2021

El Cielo winery and resort in Valle de Guadalupe Mexico!!!
We were just here eight weeks ago and we couldn’t wait to come back and visit.
If you love wine and travel this is a must visit wine region.
follow the link in our bio for details of our group trip in April 2022.
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12/01/2021

One of our favorite grapes from Italy? It’s Aglianico from Southern Italy.

A wine rep happened to stop by and sample us on this particular wine. The rep was shocked that we have actually visited this amazing winery in Southern Italy. We love wine and we love travel!

More on Aglicanico via Wine Folly:

Aglianico is a red wine grape variety native to southern Italy. It is known to produce full-bodied red wines that show musky berry flavors with firm tannins and good aging potential. Even when grown in hot climates, Aglianico is capable of retaining high levels of acidity, which makes it a particularly useful vine in the Mediterranean.

Despite its comparatively high acidity, the variety is late-ripening and vigorous, with a tendancy to produce high volumes of fruit if not checked by viticultural practices.

The structure and richness of Aglianico make it a popular grape for blending in southern Italy. In Campania, it is frequently blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the production of some IGT wines.

One of its prime expressions is in the Taurasi DOCG, where the grape forms the majority (if not, the entirety) of wines produced under the denomination, roughly 80km (50 miles) east of Naples. Aglianico del Taburno, also a DOCG, lies just to the north.

Southeast of Taurasi, in Basilicata, the sole DOC wine in the region, Aglianico del Vulture, is produced from Aglianico grapes grown on the volcanic slopes of Monte Vulture. The grape is also found in scattered locations

In their youth, Aglianico wines tend to be very tannic and concentrated, especially if adverse weather conditions force producers to harvest their crop before it has achieved complete ripeness. A few years of aging has a favorable impact on the wine and helps the tannins to soften and the fruit profile to emerge.

Aglianico wines are typically garnet-red, fading to terracotta tones after sufficient time in

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# Puglia

02/16/2021

Sirmione Italy, a peninsula on the southern most point on Lake Garda. Sirmione has attracted vacation-goers for centuries. 13th-century Scaligero Castle and the Roman ruins of the Grotte di Catullo are top of the list for most visitors, as is swimming in the lake’s crystal-clear waters.
There is no better time than at night to visit here. It's just a 30-minute drive from some of the best Amarone producers and Verona.
Are you ready to travel to Italy with a chef? Check out our upcoming VIP wine vacations to Italy. www VIP Winery Vacations com
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Sirmione Italy, a peninsula on the southern most point on Lake Garda. Sirmione has attracted vacation-goers for centuries. 13th-century Scaligero Castle and the Roman ruins of the Grotte di Catullo are top of the list for most visitors, as is swimming in the lake’s crystal-clear waters.

There is no better time than at night to visit here. It's just a 30 minute drive from some of the best Amarone producers and Verona.

Are you ready to travel to Italy with a chef? Check out our upcoming VIP wine vacations to Italy. Follow the link description in our bio.
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01/28/2021

We just got back from a wine tour in the Finger Lakes with 14 guests. With over 100 wineries you will find lots of great wine and amazing views.

01/26/2021

Wine Thyme Live #15: Pinot Noir from where?

12/07/2020

Does wine always taste better at the vineyard???

Want to find out? Join us in Italy.

12/01/2020

A quick explanation of the color of rose wine from Spain to France

11/27/2020

Sometimes there is too much wine on our VIP trips!!!

A quick break at Usiglian del Vescovo, or maybe Ciesta!