4 November 2024
Soon, it will be the third Thursday of November, and for wine lovers, that means only one thing: drinking the new Beaujolais Nouveau. And since Bellevigne, a beautiful wine and design hotel in Burgundy, opened the doors in October, I like to present the most beautiful Design Stays for those who enjoy a glass of wine. Salut!
Design: The interior of Bellevigne was designed by Parisian architect Jordane Arrivetz, whose work we know from Hotel Nuage in Paris and La Tartane in Saint-Tropez. The hotel, which consists of 37 rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a spa set to open in December, has a timeless aesthetic with classic elements such as canopy beds, antique chairs, and old-fashioned maps of the region.
Wine: Bellevigne is located along the Route des Grands Crus, France’s oldest wine route and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hotel hosts tastings for both amateurs and connoisseurs, naturally focusing on wines from the region. The rooms not only feature a mini wine cellar but also offer hospitality products made from organic wine.
Find more recommendations in France here
Design: The suites at Barfold Estate are designed for anyone who’s ever dreamed of staying at a vineyard in a truly beautiful wooden design house. Large windows offer views of the surrounding nature, and inside you’ll find everything you need for a cozy weekend together: a king-size bed, a freestanding bathtub, a sofa around the fireplace, and of course, a well-stocked wine fridge.
Wine: The Heathcote wine region is known for its Shiraz, and Barfold Estate also produces this wine. The estate emphasizes quality ingredients, using small berry fruits from their own land. They ferment the grapes with natural yeast, hand-press them, gently press them in a basket, add a touch of oak, and then bottle it carefully.
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Design: Quiet Studios from Lisbon designed the interior of The Rebello, a five-star hotel that opened in 2023 along the Douro River. Artists and their innovative ideas were an inspiration to transform an industrial warehouse into a space for living and working. The hotel has several beautifully designed suites, a panoramic rooftop bar and an extensive spa.
Wine: The hotel’s name is inspired by the rabelo, the iconic wooden boats that transported port wine from the Douro Valley to the port houses in Gaia. From the rooftop terrace, you can still see these boats passing by frequently. Make sure to visit on the first Thursday of the month, when they hold a Wine & Jazz event. But really, any day is perfect to enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine.
Find more recommendations in Porto here
Design: The Belgian architecture studio Contekst, together with interior designer Bea Mombaers, created Câlin, an exclusive holiday home where every corner inspires, whether you’re indoors or outdoors. The garden is in full bloom, the pool overlooks Mont Ventoux, and the cozy Vetzak sofa invites long evenings with friends, just like the adjacent kitchen with its impressive marble countertop. And let’s not forget to mention the bedrooms, the additional dining room with panoramic views, and the gym.
Wine: Câlin overlooks the vineyards surrounding the guesthouse. Legend has it that one of the popes regained his health by drinking the local wine in Valréas, after which he claimed the area as the Enclave des Papes. Today, the Côtes du Rhône Villages region is best known for its red wines, made from grenache, syrah, or mourvedre. However, they also produce white and rosé wines here.
Find more recommendations in France here
Design: The Danish/French owner of 48º Nord is also a landscape architect and, together with Norwegian architect Reiulf Ramstad, created a unique hotel in Breitenbach, in the heart of Alsace, with fourteen wooden cabins. Each cabin offers panoramic views of the surrounding nature; some of these design lodges even feature a sauna or hot tub. However, the main theme here is complete silence. In the restaurant, you can return to a lively ambiance and indulge in a delightful tasting menu made solely with local ingredients (with the exception of salt, pepper, and olive oil).
Wine: 48º Nord is located along the Alsace Wine Route, a 170-kilometer journey that takes you through charming villages and a variety of wineries. From Pinot Gris to Riesling, no fewer than seven grape varieties are grown here. And the Crémant d’Alsace is an excellent sparkling wine. Don’t forget to pay attention to the natural winemakers of the region such as Domaine Einhart, Pierre Weber, and Achillée.
Find more recommendations in France here
Design: When a Pritzker Prize winner works on a hotel, expectations are high. Eduardo Souto de Moura was responsible for the renovation of São Lourenço do Barrocal, an estate that has been in the same family for generations and was transformed into a sustainable five-star hotel. The family has always involved the local community in the estate, a tradition that continues in 2024, even for tourists staying there. You can dine, book a spa treatment, go stargazing, and even participate in the wine harvest.
Wine: Wine production on the 15-hectare São Lourenço do Barrocal estate dates back to 1820. Today, they produce up to 40,000 bottles per year. ‘Winemaker of the Year’ Susana Esteban oversees the entire process, with estate-grown grapes harvested by hand and minimally processed wine using organic methods. As a guest, you can help with the harvest, join a wine tasting, or visit the architecturally impressive wine cellar.
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Design: At Château La Coste, wine and art come together, although you can also stay, have lunch, or dine there. Upon arrival, you’ll see the vineyards alongside the architecture of Japanese designer Tadao Ando, and Louise Bourgeois’ sculpture Crouching Spider. With the special Art & Architecture Walk, you can explore the estate and see impressive artworks by artists such as Alexander Calder, Sophie Calle, and Annie Morris. Afterwards, you can enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants.
Wine: Located in the heart of Provence, Château La Coste has been producing wine organically since 2013, though the estate dates back to 1682. Naturally, rosé has a prominent place here, but they also make red, white, and sparkling wines. You can also attend a wine workshop, and for those who want more, you’re welcome to take a few boxes home.
Find more recommendations in France here
Design: The Douro Valley is the world’s oldest designated wine region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Douro River winds through the mountainous landscape, where terraced vineyards host authentic quintas, houses where winemaking families reside. At Quinta da Corte, the house was designed and furnished by French architect Pierre Yovanovitch, offering guests a stylish experience that feels like staying with the family who runs the estate. There are only eight rooms, each with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Wine: Quinta da Corte is a perfect spot for those who love dry wine and, of course, port. Guests can visit two wine cellars—one for port and one for red wine, the latter also designed by Pierre Yovanovitch. During a tasting, you’ll learn all about the winemaking process and, naturally, sample the wines. There’s more to do as well: they offer boat trips, vineyard picnics, and even the chance to help out on the terraced vineyards for a day.
Find more recommendations in Portugal here
Design: It sounds like a dream project for any architect: transforming a former post-war vineyard, long abandoned, into a luxury hotel. K-Studio took on this project, and Dexamenes opened its doors in 2018. Concrete and steel are still visible, with former wine silos converted into rooms or even a pop-up dining space. The hotel is located right on the beach—a practical feature when ships in the early 20th century could load wine directly from the tanks. Today, guests can step right out of bed and into the sea.
Wine: Around 1830, grapes were the main export product of Greece. When the so-called ‘grape crisis’ struck in 1910, trade collapsed, and the unsold surplus had to be managed somehow. This led to winemaking, marking a lucrative period for the Western Peloponnese. Now, you can stay in a former wine tank, take part in wine tastings, and even dine at a pop-up restaurant in a wine silo. The hotel also organizes tours to nearby vineyards.
Find more recommendations in Greece here
Design: Babylonstoren is located on one of the oldest farms in Paarl, about an hour’s drive from Cape Town—a dreamscape for fans of design, garden architecture, local food, and wine. You can spend hours wandering through the gardens discovering plants, with stunning views that take your breath away. A lunch in or around the Greenhouse is equally delightful, and you can even stay on the property.
Wine: Paarl is one of the world’s most renowned wine regions, celebrated for its white wines (Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc) and red wines (Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage) whose grapes grow on the surroundings mountains. Babylonstoren won the award for Best Innovative Wine Tourism Experience with its wine cellar, tastings, and even a wine museum.
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Credits: All pictures by Petite Passport, except Bellevigne (via the hotel), Barfold Estate (by Victor Vieaux), The Rebello (by Francisco Nogueira), Quinta da Corte (by Jean-Francois Jaussaud) and Dexamenes (via the hotel)
