The world's best vineyards 2019

Wine experts, food industry professionals, and tourism figures from around the world gathered at London's Banqueting House for the World's Best Vineyard Awards – an award established to celebrate the best modern wineries with tourism-oriented quality.

The 2019 winner was an Argentinian winery, Zuccardi Valle de Uco, nestled in the verdant heart of the Uco Valley at the foot of the Andes. The family-run vineyard, which began producing wine in 1963, features a modern showroom (bodega) designed by architects Tom Hughes, Fernando Raganato, and Eugenia Mora.

Bodega Garzón in Uruguay, ranked second, is lauded as a leading vineyard in sustainability. The vineyard boasts a 120-seat restaurant serving Uruguayan cuisine and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

López de Heredia Viña Tondonia in Spain – a Rioja winery run by the López de Heredia family for nearly 150 years – has taken third place and been honored as Europe's Best Vineyard.

Another establishment from Spain is Marqués de Riscal Winery (ranked 9th), with its eye-catching design by legendary architect Frank Gehry, which has become a prime example of a new generation of vineyards – where top-notch architectural design is essential alongside traditional products and exquisite cuisine.

Traditional wine regions in France and Italy did not make much of an impression this year. The highest ranking in this region went to a French vineyard, Château Smith Haut Lafitte, near Bordeaux, at 16th place – although the country had 7 award-winning positions overall.

Antinori nel Chianti Classico from Tuscany, Italy, ranked 18th. The vineyard's new cellar, opened in 2012, is a magnificent red brick structure combining terracotta and wood, which the award presenter, Nigel Barden, remarked "gives the feeling of a sacred place of worship rather than a wine cellar."

South America dominated the Top 10 of the awards with 2 vineyards from Argentina, 2 from Chile and 1 from Uruguay. Chile was the biggest winner of the night with 8 vineyards in the Top 50.

The top spot in North America belongs to the Robert Mondavi winery in Napa Valley (ranked 12th). This winery produces world-class wines such as the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and the Oakville District Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rippon of New Zealand, a biotechnologically-driven vineyard located on the shores of Lake Wanaka, ranked 8th and was voted the Best Vineyard in Oceania.

Cape Town's Vergelegen Wine Estate, with its pristine vineyards, exceptional cuisine, and 300-year history, was ranked 34th and became the Best Vineyard in Africa.

Lebanon's wine scene is highlighted by Chateau Heritage (ranked 49th) – the best vineyard in the Middle East and Asia. Additionally, 17 countries feature in the Top 50, including representatives from the United Kingdom with Ridgeview (ranked 36th) and Canada with Mission Hill Winery (ranked 50th) – proudly matching traditional wine-producing regions.

RANKING OF THE WORLD'S BEST VINEYARDS 2019

1. Zuccardi Valle de Uco (Argentina) – The best vineyard in South America

2. Bodega Garzón (Uruguay)

3. R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, SA (Spain) – Best Vineyard in Europe

4. Quinta do Crasto (Portugal)

5. Catena Zapata (Argentina)

6. Montes (Chile) and Clos Apalta Winery (Chile)

8. Rippon (New Zealand) – Best vineyard in Oceania

9. Marqués de Riscal (Spain)

10. Weingut Dr. Loosen (Germany)

11. Craggy Lane (New Zealand)

12. Robert Mondavi Winery (California) – Best Vineyard in North America

13. Penfolds Magill Estate (Australia)

14. Viña VIK (Chile)

15. Weingut Temple (Austria)

16. Châuteau Smith Haut Lafitte (France)

17. Viña Errázuriz (Chile)

18. Antinori nel Chianti Classico (Italy)

19. Opus One Winery (California) and Domäne Wachau eGen (Austria)

Khanh Huyen