Road collection
Wine roads are made for gentle touring. Drive the route by day and leave the tasting until the car is parked for the night.
12 roads, ranked
1. Portugal, Douro, Portugal
Voted among the world's best roads, it snakes above terraced vineyards along the Douro.
Peso da Regua to Pinhao, 27 km (16.8 miles). Driving 8.8/10, scenery 9.7/10.
2. Croatia, Peljesac, Dalmatia
A ridgetop ribbon along a vineyard peninsula with sea on both sides most of the way.
Ston to Orebic, 65 km (40.4 miles). Driving 8.9/10, scenery 9.4/10.
3. South Africa, Western Cape
Wine valley hairpins climb to a viewpoint over the whole Franschhoek bowl.
Franschhoek to Villiersdorp, 30 km (18.6 miles). Driving 9.1/10, scenery 9.3/10.
4. Italy, Tuscany, Italy
Rolling cypress lined curves through vineyards link two of Tuscany's finest cities.
Florence to Siena, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 8.2/10, scenery 9.5/10.
5. Germany, Mosel, Germany
The river road twists beneath vineyard slopes past the hairpin loop at Bremm's Calmont.
Trier to Cochem, 95 km (59 miles). Driving 8.4/10, scenery 9.4/10.
6. Portugal, Douro, Portugal
Quiet switchbacks descend through schist vineyard terraces to the meeting of two rivers.
Alijo to Foz Tua, 22 km (13.7 miles). Driving 8.3/10, scenery 9.2/10.
7. Germany, Mosel, Germany
Riverside curves trace the Mosel's serpentine loops beneath castle ruins and steep vineyards.
Cochem to Koblenz, 50 km (31.1 miles). Driving 8.3/10, scenery 9.3/10.
8. Argentina, Mendoza
Vineyard straights and gentle curves with the Andes as a permanent backdrop.
Mendoza to San Rafael, 235 km (146 miles). Driving 8.4/10, scenery 9.2/10.
9. Croatia, Istria
Vineyard ridges and truffle woods link two of Istria's medieval hill towns.
Motovun to Groznjan, 18 km (11.2 miles). Driving 8.4/10, scenery 8.9/10.
10. France, Alsace, France
A meandering vineyard route strung between half timbered villages beneath the Vosges foothills.
Marlenheim to Thann, 170 km (105.6 miles). Driving 7.6/10, scenery 9.2/10.
11. Austria, Lower Austria, Austria
A gently curving riverside road past terraced vineyards, abbeys and medieval ruins.
Melk to Krems an der Donau, 33 km (20.5 miles). Driving 7.2/10, scenery 9.2/10.
12. Hungary, Veszprem
Volcanic hills, vineyards and lake views along the good side of Balaton.
Balatonfured to Badacsony, 45 km (28 miles). Driving 7.8/10, scenery 8.6/10.
Keep exploring