Six Extraordinary & Discreet Wineries to Experience This August
August is far more than just the height of summer for wine lovers – it's the quiet threshold between ripening and harvest, between serene vineyard strolls and tastings of exceptional vintages. In the cellars, calm reigns before the harvest, while the vineyards begin to show the first signs of the coming vintage.
For luxury travellers, late summer offers ideal conditions to visit some of Europe's most exclusive wineries – many of them easily accessible by private jet or helicopter.
Here are six exceptional wineries in Germany, France, and Italy that combine outstanding wine experiences with discreet luxury:
Germany
Weingut Schloss Johannisberg – Rheingau
A place of legend: Riesling has been cultivated here for over 900 years. Perched majestically above the Rhine, this estate offers private cellar tours, exclusive tastings in the tower, and fine dining with vineyard views.
- Landing: Frankfurt am Main (EDDF) – approx. 45 min by chauffeured car
- Helicopter: On-site helipad or nearby hilltop landing available
- Highlight: Vertical tastings of rare vintages in a private turret room with panoramic views
VDP Weingut Dr. Loosen – Mosel
Dr. Ernst Loosen is among the world’s most respected Riesling producers. His steep Mosel vineyards produce Grosses Gewächs (GG) wines of depth and precision. Collectors enjoy private tastings of rare vintages – often with the winemaker himself.
- Landing: Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN), located approximately 1 hour away
- Helicopter: Vineyard-adjacent field landings possible upon request
- Highlight: Exclusive GG tastings, personally presented by Dr. Loosen
France
Champagne Krug – Reims
Krug represents the pinnacle of Champagne craftsmanship. By invitation only, guests enjoy private cellar tours, refined tastings, and curated dinners within ancient chalk cellars.
- Landing: Paris-Vatry Airport (XCR), located approximately 45 minutes away by chauffeured car
- Helicopter: On-site landing possible by arrangement
- Highlight: Food pairings with Krug Grande Cuvée, curated by the house’s chef ambassadors
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti – Burgundy
A legendary destination, Romanée-Conti is home to some of the most coveted vineyard plots on earth. Visits are strictly by invitation and offer intimate insights into the world of Grand Cru for serious collectors.
- Landing: Dijon Bourgogne Airport (DIJ), located approximately 35 km away
- Helicopter: Landing possible at a nearby château with helipad
- Highlight: Bespoke vertical tastings for wine investors and seasoned connoisseurs
Italy
Luce – Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
An elegant fusion of tradition and innovation. Born from a collaboration between the Frescobaldi family and Robert Mondavi, Cantina Luce crafts bold Super Tuscan wines in the heart of Montalcino. The estate offers immersive experiences, including guided tours of the winemaking room, barrique cellar, and cooperage, ending in the historic wine cellar with vintages of Luce, Luce Brunello, and Lux Vitis. All framed by the rolling Tuscan hills.
- Landing: Grosseto Airport (GRS), located approximately 45 minutes by car
- Helicopter: Available on request
- Highlight: Guided tours followed by a private tasting in the historic barrel room, paired with seasonal Tuscan cuisine
Donnafugata – Pantelleria, Sicily
Pantelleria is wild, volcanic, and almost mystical. On this remote island, Donnafugata cultivates Zibibbo grapes on ancient stone terraces to produce the legendary dessert wine Ben Ryé. August is ideal for sunset tastings overlooking the Mediterranean.
- Landing: Pantelleria Airport (PNL), located approximately 20 minutes away by car
- Helicopter: Available upon request, and availability may vary
- Highlight: Sunset tastings among the Zibibbo vines with island music and local delicacies
Marchesi Antinori – Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Where heritage meets architecture. This iconic estate offers private tours, tastings of Solaia and Tignanello, and rare access to the Antinori family archive – sometimes with a family member as your guide.
- Landing: Florence Peretola Airport (FLR), located approximately 45 minutes away by private chauffeured vehicle
- Helicopter: On-site helipad available upon request
- Highlight: Tasting with panoramic vineyard views from the award-winning architectural estate
The Essence of August
Wine in August is a quiet promise of richness, elegance, and unforgettable moments. Whether Riesling on the Mosel, Grand Cru in Burgundy, or volcanic Passito from Sicily, these estates offer not only world-class wines but also ideal destinations for a journey by jet or helicopter.
