There are incredible wine regions on nearly every continent around the world, making it easy for wine lovers to visit a top-tier vineyard on their next trip. Whether they’re heading to Africa, South America, Europe, North America, or Oceania, there’s a chance to taste delicious wines while overlooking the vineyards where the grapes were harvested.

These are the best wine regions in the world and the ideal time of year to book a tour and tasting.

UPDATE: 2023/04/08 02:07 EST BY JAIMEE TERESE

Discover plenty more of the world's best wine regions

Everyone loves wine - and everyone loves seeing where wine comes from. That's why this list was updated to include even more of the top wine regions in the world to visit for travelers who love a tipple or two. Before, it was the top 10 best wine regions in the world. Now, it's 14 - bottoms up!

14 Cape Winelands, South Africa

South Africa is well known for its wine region and vineyards, which are collectively a top attraction in the country among travelers. It takes less than one hour to drive from Capetown to the town of Stellenbosch which is surrounded by vineyards. Stellenbosch boasts intricate Cape Dutch architecture and 130 wine estates to choose from for a tour or tasting.

Along with Stellenbosch, the towns of Paarl and Franschhoek make up the Cape Winelands. The best time to visit this wine region is from September to April when the weather is dry and many vintage wines are newly available. Some of this region's vintage wines alone are one of the reasons this place made the top 10 wine regions in the world in the first place - so be sure to try some!

13 Marlborough District, New Zealand

Wine lovers can’t visit New Zealand without making a stop in the Marlborough region for a wine tasting. New Zealand’s signature wine is Sauvignon Blanc so be sure to ask for a glass of this when traveling here.

The best time to visit New Zealand for winery tours and tastings is between March and May. This is during the country's autumn season when the grapes are harvested.

12 Maipo Valley, Chile

Maipo Valley is Chile’s top wine region and is located south of the capital city, Santiago. Some might call it South America’s “Bordeaux”, referring to the popular wine region in France. Maipo Valley is a red wine-producing region, especially renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot and Syrah are also grapes commonly found in Maipo.

March and April are the best months to visit Chile for seeing the vineyards at their most beautiful during the harvest season. However, Chile’s wineries are open year-round.

11 Mendoza, Argentina

Argentina produces a variety of high-quality red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. However, the country is most famous for producing Malbecs, a dry-style red wine. Specifically, the Mendoza Malbecs are some of the best in the world.

Many wineries are harvesting the grapes and beginning production of their wines during autumn in Mendoza. This makes it the ideal time to taste the grapes and be more involved in the process during a tour.

10 Barossa Valley, Australia

Australia is a wine lovers' paradise, producing varieties of both red and white wines. High-quality bottles of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc can all be found and sampled in the land down under. The Barossa Valley in South Australia is northeast of Adelaide and specializes in Shiraz grapes.

Since Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, the best time to visit the vineyards in Barossa Valley is during their autumn season in April and May. This means experiencing the harvest and sampling the Shiraz grapes.

9 La Rioja, Spain

La Rioja is a wine region in northern Spain that is primarily popular for its red wine. It's one of the best wine regions to visit in Spain, and its most prominent grape is the Tempranillo. Spanish Rioja wines are typically somewhat sweet and not super dry. They tend to have a high level of acidity.

The region has a Wine Battle at a summer festival in June and a grape harvest in September, making the summer and early fall the best times to visit.

8 Douro Valley, Portugal

The Douro Valley wine region is a gem of Portugal and is within driving distance of Porto. Douro Valley is best known for its production of port wine, the fortified wine specific to the northern region of the country.

Port wine is sweet and is often served as a dessert wine to finish a meal. The best time to visit Porto and take a day trip to Douro Valley for a taste of this delicious drink is in April and May. This is a pleasant time to explore the area without intense summer heat or dense crowds of tourists.

Related: Grapes For Port Wine Are Picked By Hand, But Are Processed By Stomper's Feet

7 Napa Valley, CA, United States

Napa Valley is located north of San Francisco, California on the west coast of the United States. The district is famous for its hundreds of vineyards and Michelin-star restaurants. Napa Valley is most well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon wines, which account for 40% of the region’s wine production.

The height of the tourist season in Napa Valley aligns with the harvest season, which runs from August to October. For those who want a prime wine-tasting experience, these are the months to visit. However, travelers who are hoping to escape the crowds should visit in spring, from March to May.

Wine tasting in Napa Valley is a must when visiting this beautiful region in California.

6 Bordeaux, France

Many travelers head to France to see Paris, but wine lovers know Bordeaux is the place to be. Bordeaux is a port city in southwestern France that produces world-class red wines. Over 90% of the wines from this region are reds, either Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Like most of Europe, the most enjoyable months to visit France are May to November. However, travelers hoping to experience the grape harvest should plan their trip for September.

Related: Every Wine Aficionado Needs To Visit These Napa Valley Vineyards

5 Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is a dream destination for travelers seeking a romantic evening, sipping wine, overlooking vineyards as the sun is setting. The region primarily grows Sangiovese red grapes, which feature in most red wines from Tuscany, including Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons. Some of the most traditional Tuscan red wines include Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino. While less common, white wines also come out of this region, made from the Vermentino grape, which is native to Tuscany.

May to October is the peak season to travel to Tuscany because of the warmer temperatures and clear skies. However, September to October means fewer crowds and a chance to experience the grape harvest in what's easily one of the best wine areas in the world, not just Italy.

4 Valle De Guadalupe, Baja California Norte, Mexico

Often referred to as 'the new Napa Valley' or 'the Napa Valley of Mexico', Valle De Guadalupe is quickly building its reputation as a must-visit wine region. Responsible for over 90% of Mexico's wine production, visitors will be met with over 100 wineries and a top-notch culinary scene set against a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Located only about 90 minutes from the US border and Tijuana airport, access is easy whether driving or flying. Valle De Guadalupe has an overall Mediterranean climate, but spring and fall are regarded as the best times to visit. The summer can get steamy, but there is a lot of action to enjoy, while those hoping to miss the crowds should consider a winter visit.

3 Okanagan Valley, British Colombia, Canada

The Okanagan Valley is one of Canada's top wine regions and the biggest wine producer in British Columbia. There is a fairly even split of red and white varietals found here, with internationally-acclaimed vintages of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reisling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

There are nearly 200 wineries in this picturesque region, spanning over a long and narrow 250 kilometers (155 miles). Incorporate a day on the water boating on Okanagan Lake or any others in the area, or check out the nearby city of Kelowna while visiting the Okanagan Valley.

2 Northern Virginia, United States

While Northern Virginia might not sit among the most famous wine regions in the world, it is definitely one worth visiting. This emerging wine hotspot is home to over 100 wineries and the quality of the wine has improved immensely in recent years.

Located within an hour of Washington DC. getting there is a breeze thanks to the three area airports. Take advantage of the proximity and add some city sights to the itinerary or opt to spend the days sipping one's way along one of the many wine trails in Northern Virginia's wine country. Here are some of the most popular routes to explore:

• Loudoun County: Wine Trail of the Nation's Capital
• Fauquier County Wine Trail
• Artisinal Wineries of Rappahannock

1 Piedmont, Italy

Rounding out the list is one of the top wine regions in the world in terms of popularity, wine production, and quality. Located in the northwest of the country, the Piedmont (Piemonte) region is renowned for its Barolo and Barbaresco wine varieties (both made from the Nebbiolo grape).

In true Italian fashion, the culinary scene in the Piedmont region is equally incredible. Foodies should be sure to visit the town of Alba, which is famous for its truffle market, and the nearby town of Bra, where the Slow Food movement began.