By Shilo Urban
Unexpected delights are one of travel’s greatest treasures, and these under-the-radar wine regions captivate curious wine lovers who have a taste for exploration.
Homegrown winemakers are embracing native grape varietals and novel techniques to create dynamic, terroir-driven vintages with distinct local character. In each of these exciting regions, you’ll find inspiring scenery, family-owned vineyards and a true sense of discovery in every bottle.
Crete, Greece | Ancient Island Renaissance
Cool Mediterranean breezes bless this mountainous island, whose wine-making traditions date back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age. But just in the last few decades, a new small-batch era has begun as winemakers combine ancestral methods (like stone presses and clay amphorae) and modern innovations. Vidiano is the star, a rich and creamy white with peppery notes and floral, stone-fruit nuances. And don’t overlook delicate Vilana with its lemony brightness and green apple kick. With most wineries near the main towns/cruise ports of Heraklion and Chania, getting there is easy.
When you go: Reserve your table in advance at Heraklion’s Peskesi restaurant for an unforgettable meal with exquisite wines and authentic, organic Cretan cuisine (including an olive oil menu).
Southeast England | British Bubbly
Chilly, damp Britain makes wine? It’s true: England is becoming a global player in the wine game, especially with its sparkling wines from the rolling hills of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. The land’s chalky soils and sheltered valleys mirror the terroir of France’s Champagne region, while a long growing season enhances flavor development. The result: vibrant, refreshing bubblies with brisk acidity and lively fruit notes.
When you go: Check the calendar at Nyetimber Estate for four-course pairing dinners in the vineyard’s quintessential English countryside setting and 15th-century manor house.
Maldonado, Uruguay | Tannat Terroir
Keep an eye out for more bottles from Uruguay at your local wine shop, featuring Tannat, the country’s signature varietal. Maldonado is east of the capital city of Montevideo, where a long span of Atlantic seashore delivers ocean-cooled acidity. Young winemakers are taking Tannat to new heights; the plush, full-bodied red boasts juicy hints of blackberry, plum and currant — an impeccable pairing with Uruguay’s top- quality, grass-fed beef. Also keep an eye out for Albariño, a saline-driven white.
When you go: New wine stays are popping up in the area, like the chic wood cabins at Bracco Bosca winery and the boho-luxe suites at Luz Culinary Wine Lodge.
Transylvania, Romania | Land Beyond the Forests
After communism fell in 1989, half a million acres of nationalized vineyards returned to private citizens. Following years of growing pains, their efforts to reinvent Romania’s age-old winemaking heritage will finally reach fruition. In forest-cloaked Transylvania (home of the mythic Dracula), they’re not drinking blood but rather deep red wines made from native Fetească Neagră grapes and crisp, fragrant whites from Fetească Albă. You can also sip citrus-driven Rieslings and herbal Sauv Blancs.
When you go: Base yourself in storybook medieval towns like Sibiu, Sighișoara and Brașov for wine-tasting excursions at historic castles and farmsteads.
North Canterbury, New Zealand | Cool-Climate Character
Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough region have conquered the world, but New Zealand’s stunning South Island has so much more to offer. Stretching north of Christchurch, between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean, this coastal enclave’s laid-back personality belies a buzzing wine scene. Its cool-climate, food-friendly wines flicker with mineral intensity. Look for Grüner Veltliner and Gewürztraminer among the flagship Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling — often from organic and biodynamic vineyards.
When you go: Bring your camera for the rugged seaside views and picture-perfect vineyards, like the fairy-tale footbridges and flower gardens at Pegasus Bay Winery.
Mount Etna, Sicily | Volcanic Vintages
Smoke curls upward from Mount Etna, one of the planet’s most active volcanoes — and on its steep slopes below, rows of grapes glisten in the Italian sunshine. Black volcanic soils impart distinct structure and minerality to Etna’s wines, and high altitudes deliver aromatic clarity. Vintners are innovating with 70 native varietals to give us vibrant, energetic wines with sun-soaked fruitiness — including Etna Rosso, an elegant red that’s often compared to Burgundy (and perfect with Sicilian pasta).
When you go: Despite its White Lotus fame, Sicily still feels off the beaten path. Enjoy otherworldly landscapes and tastings on lava terraces at family-owned Planeta Sciaranuova (“sciara” means lava flow in Italian).
Texas Hill Country | Vines & Views
All eyes are on Texas wine, which has surged in quality over the past two decades. The beloved Hill Country epitomizes this upswing, its rocky limestone soils producing bold, barbecue-worthy reds like Tempranillo and Sangiovese. You’ll also encounter dry, Rhône-style Viogniers and blends with Roussanne and Marsanne in the Hill Country AVA (American Viticultural Area); at nine million acres, it’s one of the largest in the country.
When you go: Chat with cellarmasters and preview exclusive vintages at intimate barrel tastings, available by reservation at wineries such as Messina Hof, Pedernales Cellars and Becker Vineyards.