Bodegas De Los Herederos Del Marqués De Riscal, Rioja is the Best Vineyard in World

Spain tops the list of World’s Best Vineyards 2024 with three in top 10

World’s Best Vineyards has revealed this year’s top 50 wine destinations for 2024, showcasing wineries that provide unforgettable wine experiences, and promote wine culture. The Top 50 list was announced at the picturesque Nyetimber Estate in West Sussex, at an event attended by winemakers and vineyard owners from around the globe.

This year, the top spot went to Bodegas De Los Herederos Del Marqués De Riscal, Rioja. Marqués de Riscal was established in 1858 and is still known for its amazing wines but also its iconic architecture Visitors can stay in the luxurious hotel (pictured above), designed by Frank Gehry overlooking the vines and enjoy a sublime wine paired dinner at the internationally renowned restaurant featuring exquisite local cuisine.

VIK from Chile also jumped up by one place to 2nd on the list, claiming the World’s Best Vineyards Continent Winner – South America award with its sleek, futuristic design of a reflective titanium roof that mirrors the surrounding landscape, blending harmoniously with the natural beauty of the valley. As well as vineyard tours and wine tastings, visitors can also explore the grounds on horseback.

3^rd place was awarded to Creation in South Africa, also named the World’s Best Vineyards Continent Winner – Africa, renowned for crafting gourmet tasting menus that complement its wines perfectly. Creation also offers an educational insight into the winemaking process and vineyard management for wine enthusiasts who wish to delve deeper into the world of wine.

Bodegas Ysios came in 4^th place, known for its high-quality Rioja wines and avant-garde architecture, and was also awarded Highest Climber, having climbed 67 places from last year. Visitors can book private vineyard tours with a private driver and sommelier to explore the vineyards and wines in depth.

Schloss Johannisberg, Germany, known as the birthplace of Riesling, with over 1,200 years of winemaking history, came in 5^th place. The winery was a former monastery rebuilt as a castle in 1716 and is surrounded by vineyards and breathtaking views of the Rhine River. It offers tours and tastings that provide insight into centuries of winemaking tradition. 

Key facts & figures:

• Spain had the most vineyards in the top 10 this year with three vineyards in the top 10, two of which are from Rioja. Overall, it had eight vineyards in the top 50.
• France and Germany both had two entrants in the top 10 and France also had eight vineyards in the top 50. Half of France’s top vineyards are Champagne houses, including Maison Ruinart (number six), Champagne Bollinger (number 12), Champagne Billecart-Salmon (number 27) and Maison Pommery (number 47).
• There were 28 vineyards from Europe in this year’s list, 12 from South America, three from North America, three from Asia, two from Africa, and two from Australasia.

The World’s Best Vineyards Continent Winners also included Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley, United States for North America, D’Arenberg in the McLaren Vale wine region of Australia for Australasia and Château Héritage in Lebanon for Asia.

This year, Catena Zapata, World’s Best Vineyard 2023, entered the World’s Best Vineyards Hall of Fame, which is reserved for vineyards that have topped the winning list in previous years.

Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at William Reed, comments: “We are thrilled to unveil the World’s Best Vineyards 2024, celebrating the finest vineyards across the globe. This annual ranking recognises the unique experiences that these vineyards offer, from stunning landscapes and rich histories to extraordinary restaurants and vineyard tours. The top 50 vineyards exemplify excellence, innovation, and a commitment to quality, guiding wine enthusiasts to explore both hidden gems and renowned estates.“

The awards ceremony took place on Monday 4^th November 2024

The Top 50 list is compiled from all the nominations by the global academy of voters. The world is split into geographical regions, each headed up by an acknowledged expert as the Academy Chair. Each Academy Chair is responsible for recruiting 36 wine and travel experts. Each member of the Voting Academy must vote for 7 vineyards. There is no pre-determined checklist of criteria or predefined list to choose from – each vote is a nomination for a vineyard experience open to the public that they deem to truly be the best in the world.

Top 50 vineyards in world