From Day Trip to Deep Dive: 

Wine Destinations That Popped at IWINETC

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A Taste of 2026

Sip, Swirl, and Savor Something Surprising

Everyone loves a classic — Bordeaux, Chianti, Rioja. But there’s a different kind of magic in Europe’s lesser-known wine regions: the kind that trades tour buses for tractors, crowded tastings for conversations with winemakers, and inflated prices for honest, delicious pours.

The last week of my month of March working in Europe was spent at the International Wine Tourism Conference, which was held in South Moravia, Czechia. In addition to a deep dive into the terrific wines of this region, attendees also came away with other ideas for off-the-beaten path wine touring. Some of these regions can form the basis of a trip or a portion of a longer itinerary, while others are close enough to major destinations to make a delicious day trip.

If you’re craving more authenticity in your wine travels (and fewer selfie sticks), it’s time to look beyond the usual suspects. Here are six underrated European wine regions where you can sip slowly, spend less, and experience something truly special.

 1. South Moravia, Czech Republic

Wine may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Czech Republic, but the rolling vineyards of South Moravia will surprise you. This region, tucked near the Austrian border, is the heart of Czech wine culture — and it’s brimming with charm. The village of Mikulov and the larger town of Znojmo are both lovely. You’ll find cellar lanes (sklepní uličky) carved into hillsides, festivals celebrating the harvest, and family-run wineries pouring (mostly) crisp whites like Grüner Veltliner and the local specialty Pálava (a cross between Gewurtztraminer and Müller-Thurgau). 

The coolest attraction may be the Czech Wine Salon at Valtice Castle. You pay a fixed fee (a wallet-friendly twenty bucks or so) and you are given a glass, with which you may help yourself to tastes of the top 100 wines of Czechia over a period of two hours. The collection changes each year, too, so you could enjoy a repeat visit! South Moravia is affordable, welcoming, and wildly underrated. 

If you don't have time for a few days of exploring and tasting, it's also a very manageable day trip from Vienna, or a perfect overnight stop on a longer Central European road trip. I'd love to plan a South Moravian extension of a Danube river cruise in the future. But in the meantime, I crammed as many bottles into my suitcase as possible and look forward to opening them all.

2. Brda, Slovenia

Just over the Italian border, Slovenia’s Brda region offers a slice of Tuscany without the price tag. Vine-covered hills, medieval villages, and some of the best Rebula (aka Ribolla Gialla) you’ll ever taste. Many winemakers here work organically, and the wine culture is deeply tied to the land and family traditions. Near the borders of both Italy and Austria, and nestled between the Mediterranean and the Julian Alps, the Brda region is sometimes compared to Tuscany. It's rumored that next year's IWINETC may be in Slovenia, so I may soon discover this region in person!

3. Tokaj, Hungary

Home to the golden-hued Tokaji Aszú, this region is steeped in history — it was once the preferred drink of emperors and composers. Today, you can taste both sweet and dry expressions of the Furmint grape, tour historic cellars, and enjoy the scenic serenity of northeastern Hungary’s hills. Tokaj’s winemaking history includes a lesser-known chapter shaped by Hasidic Jewish communities, who once used the region’s sweet wines in religious rituals and left behind a cultural footprint still visible in its synagogues and heritage sites. I can't wait to visit Tokaj with clients this summer!

4. Ribeira Sacra, Spain

This rugged region in Galicia, in the northwest corner of Spain, is defined by steep terraced vineyards overlooking the Sil and Miño Rivers. Winemaking here is known as "heroic viticulture" because of the challenging terrain--but the results are worth it. Try the local Mencía, a fresh, light red that’s perfect for a sunny afternoon picnic beside the cliffs or on a peaceful boat ride along the river. Ribeira Sacra is easy to include in a trip where you might be covering part of the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Campostela, and monasteries dot its stunning landscape. 

5. Styria (Steiermark), Austria

Austria’s southern region is all about elegant, alpine whites. Think Sauvignon Blanc, but sharper, cooler, and made for pairing with local specialties like fried chicken and pumpkin seed oil. One of the main grapes here is the Welschriesling; this is an important Central European varietal, but unrelated to "regular" Riesling, and known in Hungary as Olaszrizling. With spa towns, forest hikes, and scenic drives between vineyards, Styria--nicknamed the "Green Heart of Austria"--is ideal for a wine-and-wellness getaway. Another marvelous activity in Styria would be a guided tour of the Lipizzaner stud farm, especially if you've enjoyed seeing these fine horses in Vienna in the past.

6. Franciacorta, Italy

If you know me, you know I looooove the bubbly. Located in northern Italy near Lake Iseo and not far from Milan, this region produces traditional method sparkling wines that rival the best in France. You may think Prosecco is Italy's answer to Champagne, but much of it pales in comparison to Franciacorta. These wines are refined, complex, and made with chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot blanc — often aged for years before release. You'll find the same yeasty, nutty notes of Champagne, thanks partly to the same focus on extended aging on the lees in the bottle. The area is also stunning, with vineyard- covered hills, elegant villas, and tranquil lakeside escapes. It's a perfect final component of a weeklong wine spree across northern Italy, say from the Veneto to Alto Adige to Lombardia, but also a fine, fizzy day trip from Milan.

Letting it (and Yourself) Breathe

Traveling to lesser-known wine regions isn’t just about finding the pleasures of the countryside and avoiding crowds — it’s about discovering places where winemaking is still deeply personal. You get closer to the people, the land, and the stories in every glass. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll return home with a suitcase full of wines no one else has heard of... yet.

Updates on the 2025 and 2026 Groups Calendar

If you're feeling spontaneous and want to join our June 22, 2025 Lower Danube cruise or the January 28, 2026 Colombia trip, reach out right away to confirm availability. At last check, both were just about sold out, but I am happy to check and grab a cabin for you if I can.

Did you miss out on last year's Incomparable Istanbul trip?

May 2026: Well, Turkey is back on the docket, bigger and better than ever. Join me for Crossroads of Civilization from May 1 to 15, 2026. This itinerary is filled with wonder, art, architecture, and, we hope, some illumination into the history of humanity: Turkey has seen the sometimes complicated intersection of the earthly and the spiritual  over many millenia, and we'll delve into the major cultures and religions that have called this region home. 

When we stood in the ancient church of Hagia Irene, on the grounds of Topkapi Palace, and our Istanbul guide described the 4th century Hagia Irene Council, where the early Christian church formalized the doctrine of the trinitarian concept of God--right there where we were standing--it blew my mind. While the trip isn't a pilgrimage, religion has played a big role in Turkey's history and we will learn more about the role of the three major Abrahamic faiths in the very human history of this particular part of the world. Check out the brochure HERE!

In the planning stages, a DOUBLE Asian City Break in late September 2026:

Next year's installment in the City Break series will be a week in Shanghai paired with a week in Seoul! You will be able to choose either week alone or join me for both--these Asian cultural capitals are only two hours apart by air, and there are nonstop flights to and from both cities out of DFW and other major US hubs. The early fall is a great time to visit both. I'm working with an outstanding regional partner to design the itinerary and select our accommodations, so stay tuned for more on this exciting trip in the coming months. Let me know if you want to be on my Sneak Peek list once the details are confirmed.

Booking NOW 🎄🎁 Christmas Markets on the Rhine (river cruise) December 10-17, 2026, with optional pre-cruise Switzerland package. This is going to be SO FUN!!! At the ASTA River Cruise Expo last month, AmaWaterways had decorated one of its ships just as it would be dolled up for these cruises, and simply walking on board instantly lifted my mood on a gray, wet, windy day in Vienna. I can't wait for this one!

Check out the itinerary here.

This sailing is already seventy percent booked up--and we are still a year and a half away from the trip! Some cabin categories are completely sold out. Ours is a PRIME DATE for a Christmas Market sailing, so don't be left with coal in your stocking!

Your deposit is only $400, with the balance not due until 90 days before the trip (early September 2026). Contact me to check availability and snag your cabin today, and then sleep easy for another year and a half.

ENGAGE MON VOYAGE FOR YOUR PRIVATE PLANNING

The Mon Voyage private planning calendar is getting very, very full for the rest of 2025, so speak now or you may not make it into my book! It's not too soon to start planning for 2026, either.

Please note that I will be with a group in Ireland from May 13th to 28th. Response times during that period may be slower than usual, due to our touring schedule and the time zone difference.

À la prochaine,