The best vineyards in the world have been named – and it’s a winery in Argentina that has claimed the top spot.
Zuccardi Valle de Uco was named the World’s Best Vineyard 2019 by a prestigious global voting academy comprising nearly 500 leading wine aficionados, sommeliers and luxury travel correspondents.
At the Monday-night ceremony at Banqueting House in London’s Whitehall, López de Heredia Viña Tondonia in Spain claimed the No3 spot and best in Europe accolade, Rippon in New Zealand the No8 ranking and best in Australasia gong, California’s Robert Mondavi Winery came 12th and was named best in North America – and Ridgeview in the UK came a very respectable 36th.
Corking: Zuccardi Valle de Uco, pictured, was named the World’s Best Vineyard 2019
Pictured is the Bodega Garzón vineyard in Uruguay, which came second overall
Ridgeview, pictured, in the UK came a very respectable 36th. Its fizz was served to Barack Obama during a state visit
The Rippon winery (pictured) in New Zealand claimed the No8 ranking and best in Australasia gong
The best-placed French winery was Château Smith Haut Lafitte, which came 16th.
Mendoza-based Zuccardi Valle de Uco, founded in 1963, beat 1,500 nominations to be rated number one.
It boasts a visitor centre that showcases stunning views of the vineyards and mountains, conducts winery tours and tastings in English and its restaurant, Piedra Infinita Cocina, offers a four-course seasonal menu, with wine pairings, of course.
The top ten saw a particularly strong showing from South America – two wineries from Argentina, two from Chile and one from Uruguay.
California’s Robert Mondavi Winery, pictured, came 12th overall and claimed the North America continent winners’ medal
López de Heredia Viña Tondonia in Spain’s Rioja region came third overall and won the best in Europe gong
Quinta do Crasto (pictured), in Portugal, was placed a highly respectable fourth in the top 50 list
Catena Zapata (pictured), in Argentina, was named the fifth best vineyard in the world
In terms of success by country, Chile triumphed overall with eight listings amongst the top 50, beating Old World stalwart France with seven listings.
In total, 17 countries were represented, including classic wine producing countries as well as emerging wine producing countries such as Lebanon (Chateau Heritage – 49th), Canada (Mission Hill Winery – 50th) and the UK.
José Alberto Zuccardi, Managing Director of Zuccardi Valle de Uco, commented: ‘It’s a great surprise and a great pleasure for us to have the recognition as the World’s Best Vineyard 2019. As a family, we put a lot of passion in what we do; there are three generations of us all working together at the winery.
‘Our objective is to give consumers the full experience from the Uco Valley, through the wine, the ingredients in our restaurant which is sourced locally, and even the earth, as we use local concrete for the winery. It’s all about the terroir. Everything we do is an expression of Argentina, and specifically an expression of Uco Valley. Such recognition makes me absolutely thrilled, and pushes us to continue our efforts. I can’t wait to celebrate at home!’
Myriad barrels of wine at the Montes vineyard in Chile, which came joint sixth globally
Clos Apalta Winery in Chile ranked joint sixth. South America had an exceptionally strong showing in the awards
The wacky Marqués de Riscal vineyard (pictured) in Spain came ninth overall
Weingut Dr. Loosen winery in Germany, which makes exceptional rieslings, came 10th globally
Ridgeview, whose fizz has been served to President Barack Obama during his UK state visit, was delighted with its position.
CEO Tamara Roberts said: ‘Incredible news for Ridgeview to be included in the top 50 vineyards in the world. The list features spectacular wineries from around the world and we are honoured to be listed alongside global wineries that we have long admired. It is fantastic for Ridgeview to be acknowledged not only for our wines but our beautiful setting amongst the South Downs of Sussex and the awards have placed an important spotlight on England as a global destination for wine tourism.’
London-based wine consultant Emily Harman said: ‘It is exciting to see a UK producer included in a list that seeks to promote leading producers from across the world. UK wine has come leaps and bounds in recent years, with many UK producers on the wine lists of the best restaurants in the city. It will be great to see what is coming our way in the next few years, especially as 2018 was such a great vintage across the UK, and hopefully 2019 will also be.’