A Global Wine Map From England To Australia

From emerald Douro slopes to Mendoza’s sweeping plains—here are the world’s 50 best wineries, ranked by wine experts at Virgin Wines.

By Lewis Nunn

Terraced vineyards climb Douro’s emerald slopes, century‑old Malbec vines sweep Mendoza’s plains, and horse‑drawn carriages roll through time‑worn estates. From neo‑Gothic chapels in Chile’s Maipo Valley to submerged cellars in Argentina, these wineries unite cultural landmarks with innovation. To distill the very best, applications were submitted by leading estates via more than a dozen global tourist boards, before being sent to wine experts at Virgin Wines to analyze and rank the world’s 50 best wineries, via a data-driven framework. The criteria? Heritage and longevity, mentorship of future winemakers, sustainability certifications, social responsibility, innovation in viticulture, transparency through ESG reporting, and even packaging choices (see Virgin Wines’ ranking insights at the end of the guide). The result? A global atlas of wineries well worth the flight—from storied icons to rising stars.

Sophie Lord, Buying Director, Virgin Wines, spoke about the final shortlist: “The final line-up showcases those that achieved the highest scores across a range of benchmarks, including historical significance, innovation, consumer engagement, sustainability, and social responsibility. Sustainability and social responsibility carried particular weight—values that have become increasingly vital to the global wine industry and central to our judging process”.

34. Château d’Esclans

Where: Provence, France

Set on elevated land near the Gorges de Pennafort, Château d’Esclans is the Provençal estate behind the global rosé phenomenon Whispering Angel. Acquired by Sacha Lichine in 2006, the château—once a residence of the Counts of Provence—ignited the “Rosé Renaissance” with a portfolio that includes Rock Angel, Les Clans, and Garrus. Now majority-owned by LVMH, the estate marries 19th-century architecture with modern winemaking, harvesting grapes at sunrise to preserve freshness. Tour the cellars, stroll the Mediterranean gardens, and enjoy guided tastings that trace the evolution of rosé.