A Global Celebration of Wine, Culture and Place with the World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025
Source: The World’s 50 Best Vineyards
The world of wine turned its attention to Margaret River, Western Australia, this week as the first edition of The World’s 50 Best Vineyards was unveiled. The annual list, voted on by more than 700 experts in wine and travel, recognises vineyards that offer not only exceptional wines but also unforgettable visitor experiences shaped by innovation, heritage and terroir. This year’s top accolade, The World’s Best Vineyard 2025, went to Vik in Chile, in South America, a visionary estate that continues to redefine the relationship between luxury, art and sustainable viticulture.
Vik, Chile: A Masterpiece in the Millahue Valley
Ranked No.1 for 2025 and crowned The Best Vineyard in South America, Vik stands as a triumph of ambitious winemaking and contemporary design. Founded in 2006 by Alexander and Carrie Vik, the estate spans a vast 4,450-hectare nature reserve, with vineyards rooted in 12 distinct microclimates and framed by the grandeur of the Andes.
Source: The World’s 50 Best Vineyards
Its hilltop winery, topped with a floating bronzed-titanium roof, sets the tone for a deeply immersive experience. Guests can explore biodiverse landscapes, dine at the glass-walled Milla Milla restaurant and stay in themed suites and private bungalows that celebrate art, nature and the pleasures of slow travel. Vik’s rise to No.1 follows its strong position in 2024 and signals its growing global influence.
Vik. Source: The World’s 50 Best Vineyards
Excellence Across Continents
The 2025 ranking highlights vineyards from 15 destinations across six continents, capturing the breadth and diversity of global wine culture.
Schloss Johannisberg. Source: The World’s 50 Best Vineyards
Among this year’s continental winners:
Europe: Schloss Johannisberg (No.2), Germany: the world’s first Riesling estate with more than 1,200 years of history. Visitors can explore its palace grounds and storied 11th-century cellar, the Bibliotheca Subterranea.
Africa: Klein Constantia Wine Estate (No.6), South Africa: famed for its Vin de Constance and recipient of the Highest Climber Award, rising an impressive 35 places.
North America: Jordan Vineyard & Winery (No.13), USA: a Californian estate celebrated for its gastronomy-driven wine experiences.
Asia: 98Wines (No.20), Japan: offering panoramic hikes with views of Mount Fuji, pairing wine, landscape and Japanese craftsmanship.
Australasia: Cloudy Bay Vineyards (No.26), New Zealand: a new entry praised for its terroir-focused tours and its signature Founders Cellar tastings.
Newcomers Making Their Mark
Talent and innovation were also celebrated with the Highest New Entry Award, given to Aperture Cellars in Sonoma, USA (No.14). Eleven new vineyards joined the list overall, with debuts from Spain, the USA, Chile, Argentina, England and New Zealand, highlighting the dynamic evolution of winemaking worldwide. Among them, Nyetimber (No.32) in West Sussex represented a proud moment for English sparkling wine, while Spain showcased strong performances with Pago de Carraovejas (No.18) and Perelada (No.22).
Nyetimber. Source: The World’s 50 Best Vineyards
Eight vineyards made a return to the ranking, including Champagne Taittinger (No.50), Rippon in New Zealand (No.44) and Viña Santa Rita in Chile (No.41), reinforcing their enduring appeal.
A Celebration of Experience and Storytelling
What makes The World’s 50 Best Vineyards particularly compelling is its emphasis on experience. There is no fixed checklist for voters. Instead, the ranking reflects the extraordinary diversity of global wine tourism, from pioneering sustainability strategies to architecture, gastronomy, landscape and hospitality. As William Drew, Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Vineyards, reflected: “This year’s list highlights the diversity and innovation of the vineyards shaping the global wine scene. It is a celebration of excellence, passion and the stories behind each vineyard.”
A Global Invitation
The 2025 list provides more than a snapshot of the best places to drink wine; it maps the future of wine travel, where authenticity, connection and a strong sense of place are increasingly valued. For travellers, it is an invitation to discover vineyards where history meets innovation and where wine becomes a doorway to local culture.
Vik. Source: The World’s 50 Best Vineyards
As Vik leads the world and new destinations rise, the 2025 ranking reinforces a simple truth: the world’s best vineyards are not only producing outstanding wines, but also crafting extraordinary experiences shaped by landscape, heritage and community.
The full 2025 The World’s 50 Best Vineyards list is available on their website:
https://www.theworlds50best.com/stories/News/the-worlds-50-best-vineyards-2025-the-list.html
