Why Wine Country Makes a Great Honeymoon
Countryside estates give a honeymoon a gentle, unhurried rhythm. Mornings might start with a garden walk or a bike ride through the vines; afternoons drift by in tastings, spa treatments or a nap; evenings revolve around dinner, often using ingredients grown a few steps away. There is nowhere to rush to and nothing to prove.
These places also suit couples who want to keep exploring. Day trips to medieval hill towns, scenic drives along wine routes and visits to small family producers add variety without much effort. And because many of the best estates are small, service is personal and the atmosphere is quiet and romantic.
Napa Valley: Auberge du Soleil
Auberge du Soleil sits on a terraced hillside olive grove of about 33 acres in Rutherford, overlooking the valley floor and the Mayacamas Mountains. Every one of its 50 rooms, suites and private maisons has a fireplace and private terrace. Some suites have outdoor soaking tubs. The restaurant's terrace is one of Napa's most famous sunset spots. The guests-only spa has outdoor soaking pools.
The property is designed as an adult retreat and says it is not recommended for guests under 21. A complimentary Mercedes-Benz guest drive program makes it easy to explore the Silverado Trail's wineries. There is no resort fee, a welcome rarity in the valley.
Tuscany: Borgo Santo Pietro
Borgo Santo Pietro is a restored medieval villa on a farm estate of about 300 organic acres in the Valle Serena, near the roofless Abbey of San Galgano and within reach of Siena. It has just 22 rooms and suites (including secluded estate suites with private pools) and holds three Michelin Keys.
Food is the heart of the experience. Saporium, the estate's Michelin-starred restaurant with a Michelin Green Star, cooks with produce from the farm, dairy and gardens. A more casual Trattoria offers relaxed evenings. The Seed to Skin spa uses estate-grown botanicals. You will want a car or driver for day trips to Montalcino, San Gimignano and Siena.
South Africa: Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is a historic Cape Dutch wine farm of about 500 acres at the foot of the Simonsberg mountain, roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Cape Town. At its center is a celebrated 12-acre fruit and vegetable garden, where guests can join the morning harvest with the gardeners. Babel, the farm-to-fork restaurant, is a highlight. Cellar tours with tastings are included.
Accommodation ranges from whitewashed garden cottages to the botanical Farmhouse suites, which do not host families and make the best pick for couples. Babylonstoren pairs beautifully with a safari, such as Singita Boulders Lodge or Londolozi Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand, for a classic South African honeymoon.
Tennessee: Blackberry Farm
Blackberry Farm is a 4,200-acre working estate in Walland, Tennessee, with pastures, woods and long views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Barn, its James Beard Award-winning restaurant, serves the estate's own Foothills Cuisine. The wine cellar holds more than 9,000 selections. Most meals are included in traditional rates, so you can relax without watching the bill.
Days are filled with fly fishing, sporting clays, hiking and spa time. The estate also runs special food, wine and music weekends throughout the year. Fall color in the Smokies typically peaks from about mid-October to early November, which is a gorgeous time to visit.
When to Go and Booking Tips
- Napa Valley's harvest season, roughly late August through October, is the busiest and priciest time. Spring brings green vines, wildflowers and easier reservations.
- Tuscany is lovely from about April to June and September to October. Borgo Santo Pietro operates on a seasonal calendar, so confirm dates for early spring or late fall.
- The Cape Winelands' summer runs roughly November to March. Harvest, from about February to April, is an especially lovely time to be there.
- The Smokies shine in spring and fall.
Book signature dinners, like The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, Saporium and Babel, as soon as you confirm your stay. Read cancellation terms carefully. Consider a private driver for tasting days so neither of you has to skip the wine.
