Saddle Up and Sip: Wine Tours on Horseback

Wine tourism has never been short of imagination, but for those who prefer their glass paired with fresh air and the rhythm of hooves, a new breed of guided tour is redefining how we explore the world’s great wine regions. Moving at a pace that invites contemplation, riders pass through rows of vines, ancient estates, and sun-drenched landscapes that no tour bus can reach. From the lavender-threaded hills of Provence to the Malbec heartland of Mendoza, these seven exceptional experiences deliver adventure and world-class wine in equal measure.

Spain — La Rioja

Rioja Like a Native offers two ways to ride through this storied wine country, with the Sierra de la Demanda framing endless rows of vines cultivated for centuries. The self-guided, six-hour tour weaves on horseback through a breathtaking sea of vineyards before a winery visit and traditional Riojan lunch. The full-day, eight-hour guided version adds hotel pickup and a tour of two contrasting wineries, an unhurried immersion into Rioja’s ancestral wine culture at its most scenic.

Rioja Like a Native: https://www.riojalikeanative.com/rioja-horseback-riding-regiondo/

France — Luberon, Provence

Cap Rando offers guided horseback itineraries through the Luberon Regional Natural Park near Aix-en-Provence, ranging from short weekend breaks to week-long journeys. Routes wind through lavender fields, cedar forests and hilltop villages once painted by Cézanne, taking in the Côtes du Luberon and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence appellations along the way. Wine tastings at local cellars are woven into many itineraries, paired with the fragrant garrigue landscapes and golden light that have long defined this corner of Provence.

Cap Rando: https://www.horsebackridingvacations.eu

Portugal — Douro Valley

Living Tours offers a horseback ride through the vineyards of Quinta da Pousada, located in the Alto Douro Wine Region — a protected UNESCO site in Portugal. Led by a professional trainer, riders follow scenic trails through rolling hills, pausing at panoramic viewpoints over the terraced vines and river below. The ride can be paired with one of the quinta’s wine tastings, rounding out a day that captures both the romance and the rugged beauty of Portugal’s oldest wine region.

Living Tours: https://www.livingtours.com/en/tour/horse-riding-douro

Italy — Montalcino, Tuscany

Montalcino Equestrian Center offers rides of varying length through the Brunello terroir on purebred Maremma horses, from a three-hour trek to a full-day, six-hour expedition. Routes pass the Etruscan site of Poggio Civitella, the Sant’Antimo Abbey and the Argiano and Banfi castles, with stops at organic wine estates for guided cellar tours and tastings of Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino. A traditional Tuscan lunch is served outdoors midway, with small groups capped at four to eight riders.

Montalcino Wine Tours: https://www.montalcinowinetours.com/private-tours/

Argentina — Mendoza

Discover Mendoza’s premier landscapes with Vilvey, a boutique operator crafting bespoke adventures across Argentina’s wine capital. Guests can explore the majestic Andes on horseback, traverse sun-drenched vineyards, or embark on high-mountain excursions, all while enjoying culinary indulgence with multi-course gourmet lunches and world-class Malbecs. Complete with luxury private transfers, these curated journeys seamlessly blend rugged exploration with the absolute finest in Argentine hospitality.

Vilvey: https://vilvey.com/en/tours-en/

Chile — Santiago Foothills

Departing Santiago, riders spend three hours in the saddle exploring the rugged Cordillera. Guided by local arrieros — traditional Chilean cowboys — you’ll cross rivers, scale mountains and pause at hilltops taking in the sweeping views, before returning to a ranch for a picnic with local wines and cheeses. The juxtaposition of Andean wilderness and refined winemaking is uniquely Chilean. With the Casablanca and Maipo valleys producing world-class Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the glass at the end of the ride is well worth the journey. From pick-up to drop-off, this is a full-day excursion.

Winerist: https://www.winerist.com/wine-tours/chile/santiago/santiago-horseback-riding-and-wine-tasting

South Africa — Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands sit at the dramatic intersection of mountain, vineyard and Cape Dutch heritage, with spectacular scenery forming the backdrop to mornings on horseback, enjoying long free canters before reaching each day’s lunch spot, with fine wine tastings woven throughout. The triangle of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch offers Africa’s most elegant wine experience. Rides pass through orchards and vineyards towards the western face of Simonsberg Mountain, with panoramic views across the valley and the dramatic Drakenstein Range beyond.

African Horse Safaris: https://africanhorsesafaris.com