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If you're a wine enthusiast, you're probably led by your senses in search of the finest bouquets and aromas bottled in some the world's most famous wine regions. But do you always make it as far as a wine museum?
Whether popping the cork on a bottle of Barolo in the rolling hills of Piedmont, or sipping on a glass of claret in Bordeaux, chances are that there's a local museum that'll help you soak up the local wine history and savoir faire too.
From high tech and interactive modern museums to fascinating underground installations, here's our pick of some of the most interesting wine museums around the world where you're sure to satiate your thirst for knowledge as well as the grape.
Wine Museums
The d'Arenberg Cube Museum, Australia
Photo via D'Arenberg
This unusual five level building in McLaren Vale, owned by D'Arenberg, is home to the "Alternate Realities Museum." Discover a wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter and 360 degree video room among other tactile experiences. An onsite restaurant completes the sensorial experience!
The D'Arenberg Cube Museum
PO BOX 195, MCLAREN VALE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5171, AUSTRALIAWebsite
Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum, Santorini, Greece
Photo via Wine Museum Koutsoyannopoulos
This family owned museum on the picturesque Greek island of Santorini was a 21 year labour of love to bring to completion. Nestled in a cave eight meters below ground and 300 meters long prepare to discover what wine making looked like as far back as the 1600s. Don't miss the wine tasting at the end of the tour!
Wine Museum KoutsoyannopoulosVothonas Santorini Zip Code 84700 GreeceWebsite
Musee du Vin, Paris
Another one for the history buffs! Step back in time in the cellared vaults of the Musee du Vin, near the Eiffel Tower. If viewing the 2000 items on display gets overwhelming you can always book yourself into a wine tasting class.
Musée du VinParis 5, square Charles Dickens 75016 PARISWebsite
Douro Wine Museum, Portugal
Photo via Museudoduro
Housed in a manor house in the heart Portugal's finest wine growing region, there's plenty to keep the avid oenophile busy here. From the exhibition area and library to a restaurant, shop and of course, wine bar.Â
Rua Marquês de Pombal, 5050-282 Peso da Régua, PortugalWebsite
La Cite du Vin, Bordeaux, France
Photo via La Cite du Vin
For the newest, all encompassing wine experience head to Bordeaux's new high tech wine museum. Not only is it an architectural masterpiece on the outside, it's just as beautifully crafted inside. What's more there's something to entertain all the family, in this "disneyland" of wine.
La Cité du Vin Esplanade de Pontac, 134 quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux, FranceWebsite
Vivanco Wine Museum, Rioja, Spain
Photo via vivancoculturadevino
Discover 8,000 years of wine making history in this 4,000 square meter museum which houses five permanent exhibition halls. When you're done soaking up the history, step outside into the "Garden of Bacchus" and relax among the collection of grapevines, boasting more than 220 varieties from around the world.
Vivanco Wine Museum
Carretera Nacional 232, 26330. Briones - La Rioja. SpainWebsite
Barolo Wine Museum, Italy
Photo via wimu_museo_del_vino_a_barolo
Hailed as Italy's "most interactive" wine museum, Barolo fans will relish the chance to get up close and personal in this immersive cultural and educational tour of the world famous wine. The tour finishes in the heart of the Falletti castle.
WiMu Barolo Wine MuseumFalletti di Barolo Castle Piazza Falletti 12060 Barolo (CN)Website
