Podróże z winem, czyli turystyka winiarska

The best travel memories are made around the table – among local dishes, wine, and conversations. Wine travel, or enotourism, is the discovery of a place's culture and history through its flavors.

Wine travel is also a great way to slow down and get to know a region "from the kitchen": through its people, their craft, landscape, and traditions that wines teach you to read like a map.

Enotourism, or wine travel

Enotourism (wine tourism) means visiting vineyards and wineries, participating in tastings, vineyard walks, workshops, and guided dinners. It is often combined with discovering local cuisine, architecture, and scenic routes.

In practice, it includes a wide range of experiences: from a short visit with a tasting to full-day "wine experiences" with a picnic among the rows of vines, cellar visits, learning about the winemaking process, and conversations with the winemaker. Good enotourism is considerate – it respects the vineyard's work pace and helps you understand why a particular bottle tastes the way it does.

If you're just starting wine travel, prepare in advance: book your visit, check the hours and visitor policies. Remember to taste responsibly. If you plan to visit more than one vineyard in the same day, arrange transportation ahead of time.

Wine tourism in Europe and around the world

Traveling the wine route is an excellent way to discover the culture and landscape of a place. Here is an overview of the most interesting destinations in Europe and worldwide.

Europe: Classics of the Genre

Tuscany (Italy): The rolling hills of the Chianti region, stone towns, and local wines from the Sangiovese grape. It is the quintessence of idyllic Italian style.
Bordeaux (France): Prestigious "Route des Châteaux," a route through grand estates. Visits often require reservations, and the atmosphere is more formal.
Rioja (Spain): A combination of avant-garde winery architecture and the famous pintxos (tapas) culture in the bars of the city of Logroño.
Douro Valley (Portugal): Spectacular wine terraces along the river, boat cruises, and tastings of table wines and renowned port.
Alsace (France): A picturesque white wine route (Riesling, Gewürztraminer) running through fairy-tale towns, ideal for hiking and cycling trips.
Closer to Poland: South Moravia (Czech Republic) and Styria (Austria) are great destinations for a short trip, known for excellent white and sparkling wines.

World: New Flavors and Traditions

Napa and Sonoma (USA): Perfectly organized enotourism in California. Napa is famous for Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sonoma offers a more relaxed atmosphere and a variety of grape varieties.
Mendoza (Argentina): The world capital of Malbec. Tastings take place in vineyards with breathtaking views of the Andes.
Kakheti (Georgia): A journey to the roots of winemaking. Here you can taste unique wines from qvevri (clay amphorae) and experience the tradition of Georgian feasts.

You do not know your own, but praise others – wine travel in Poland

Polish vineyards are developing dynamically, and enotourism here has a very friendly, intimate character. Instead of hundreds of hectares – often family farms where someone who just pruned the vines will tell you about the wine.

It is worth starting with well-known destinations: the Lubusz Wine and Honey Route (around Zielona Góra), the Subcarpathian Wine Route (Jasło and surroundings), or the Lesser Poland Wine Route (around Kraków and the Jura). More and more locations are also appearing in Lower Silesia, Opole region, and north of Kraków. The season for visits lasts from spring to autumn, with the most interesting time in late summer and early autumn when the grape harvest begins – some vineyards invite you then to harvest festivals, concerts, picnics, or... grape picking together.

On the map of Polish enotourism, it is also worth marking Głęboczek Vine Resort & SPA in the Brodnica Lakeland – a place where relaxation meets wine culture. The hotel operates its own vineyard and winery; you can organize a tasting, a dinner with perfectly matched wines, or simply choose something from a well-composed wine list.

The heart of Głęboczek's wine offer are drinks from the family Płochocki Vineyard, run by the brother of the owner of Głęboczek. The vineyard is located in the picturesque area of Sandomierz – in Daromin, and is one of the most decorated in Poland. Guests have long been delighted with dry white wines, such as Hibia, Lumini, or Inspira Volcano, as well as reds like Rege, Geltus, or Marszellus.

Głęboczek is also a great base for short "wine" weekends – morning walks by the lake, afternoon tastings, and peaceful evenings with views of the rolling hills of the Lakeland.

Wine travel is also SPA

Wine inspires not only on the plate and in the glass. Vine SPA at Głęboczek brings the beneficial potential of grapes to the relaxation zone. Treatments use ingredients rich in polyphenols and antioxidants (e.g., grape seed oil) that support skin care and recovery after an active day. The offer includes body rituals, massages, and facial care – all to slow down and feel that rest has its own soothing rhythm.

Głęboczek Vine Resort & SPA encourages longer relaxation in pools with lake views, jacuzzi, saunas, and in the cardio zone.

At Głęboczek, you will find as many as 14 specialized treatment rooms, including Pinotage rooms with wine baths, an Alpha Therapy room with Alpha Lounge. You can also take advantage of the Day SPA offer.

Summary

Traveling the wine route is more than tourism – it is a journey into culture, landscape, and taste. It is an opportunity to slow down, get to know a region "from the kitchen" and hear the story sealed in a bottle directly from the people who passionately create it.

The world of enotourism offers a full spectrum of experiences: from the classic elegance of Bordeaux and idyllic Tuscany, through the exotic traditions of Georgia, to the unique hospitality and intimate character of dynamically developing Polish vineyards.

But wine travel is not only about a glass and a plate. It is also relaxation and regeneration in the spa. Regardless of your chosen destination, enotourism is a thoughtful and flavorful adventure that combines the passion of creation with the pure pleasure of discovery.