UNESCO is famed for identifying and celebrating some of the world’s most outstanding wine landscapes for their cultural, historical, and viticultural significance. In Part I of UNESCO Wine World Heritage Sites, we explored Champagne, Switzerland, the Alto Douro, and Piedmont, among other distinguished areas. In Part II, we continue our journey around outstanding, historic world wine regions that take us to Europe and beyond.

From the rolling hills and slopes of Burgundy and the dramatic inclines of the Wachau to the picturesque river valleys of the Rhine and Tokaj’s volcanic cellars, these regions are a testament to centuries of human ingenuity, craftsmanship, and environmental understanding and sensitivity. Spanning Ancient World, Old World, and New World winemaking, these UNESCO wine heritage destinations show how winemaking has influenced landscapes that are just as breathtaking as the wines they produce.

UNESCO status since 2015

“The site is an outstanding example of grape cultivation and wine production developed since the High Middle Ages.” – UNESCO

The Climats of Burgundy in the eastern reaches of France are among the world’s most articulate expressions of vineyard terroir, formed by over a millennium of meticulous observation and cultivation. On the slopes of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, minute, clearly delineated vineyard parcels reflect intricate shifts in clay-limestone soils, where the soil character alters meter by meter. These differences shape drainage, heat retention, and vine growth.

With the main grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, these Burgundy climats produce an astonishing range of top-quality wines. This is the result of layers of human intervention over time, from the monastic vineyard tending and development of winemaking techniques of the High Middle Ages, to the refinement of boundaries under the Dukes of Burgundy, and finally the adoption of the modern AOC system in the 20th century.

The wines:

• Pinot Noir
• Chardonnay

Best for:

• Exploring legendary vineyard slopes in Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune
• Visiting historic wine villages such as Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin, Puligny Montrachet, and Meursault
• Touring Beaune’s wine cellars and négociant houses
• Experiencing the impact of various terroirs

UNESCO status since 2000

“The landscape has evolved in response to social and economic forces over several thousand years, and each stage in its evolution has left its mark on the landscape, which is abundantly visible in the present-day landscape.”– UNESCO

Defined by the mighty Danube as it winds through steep terraces of vineyards between the hamlets of Melk and Krems, the Wachau in Austria is one of Europe’s most unique river wine landscapes. Vineyards cultivated on stone-walled terraces climb practically vertically from the river, creating a breathtaking kaleidoscope of vines, villages, and historic monastic sites that tell the story of centuries of wine growing.

The main varietals in the Wachau wine region are Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, whose vines are forced to dig deep for nourishment on narrow terraces. The result is laser-sharp site specificity. Riesling wines are elegant and precise with mineral notes, thanks to the rocky, sun-exposed slopes on which they are grown. Grüner Veltliner displays texture and spicy hints, courtesy of vines growing on deeper loess soils. The landscape has been shaped for over a thousand years, initially by medieval monastic cultivation from around 800 CE. These early efforts laid the foundations for a system of terracing that transformed the valley into the structured wine region we know and love today.

The wines:

• Riesling
• Grüner Veltliner

Best for:

• Exploring steep terraced vineyard landscapes along the Danube
• Touring historic wine villages such as Dürnstein, Spitz, and Weissenkirchen
• Visiting monastic landmarks like Melk Abbey and riverside cellars
• Tasting quintessentially Austrian white wines influenced by extreme growing conditions

UNESCO status since 2002

“The intricate pattern of vineyards, farms, villages and small towns, with their historic networks of deep wine cellars, illustrates every facet of the production of the famous Tokaj wines, the quality and management of which have been strictly regulated for nearly three centuries.”– UNESCO

Located between the Zemplén Mountains and the Bodrog and Tisza Rivers, the Tokaj Wine Region in northeastern Hungary is famous for its honeyed, sweet wines shaped by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) and still whites. Recognized as among the world’s first legally protected wine regions with classifications established in the 18th century, it is characterized by volcanic slopes, river fogs, and deep networks of cellars that, combined, have created the conditions necessary for its legendary dessert wines, especially Tokaji Aszú.

Viticulture here is centered on volcanic soils, combined with a distinct microclimate that encourages the development of noble rot. This supports the production of intensely concentrated sweet wines, harmonized by striking acidity and robust mineral structure. Centuries-old, rock-carved underground cellars maintain stable temperature and humidity, underlining the Tokaj historic vineyards’ winemaking identity.

The wines:

• Furmint
• Hárslevelű
• Sárga Muskotály (Yellow Muscat)

Best for:

• Visiting volcanic vineyards and historic wine villages
• Exploring ancient rock-hewn cellar networks
• Tasting Tokaji Aszú and dry expressions of Furmint
• Tasting one of the world’s most iconic noble-sweet wines

UNESCO status since 2002

“It is intimately associated with history and legend and for centuries has exercised a powerful influence on writers, artists, and composers.”– UNESCO

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley in western Germany is among the most dramatic river wine landscapes in Europe. This historic river cuts through precipitous slate mountains, connecting Bingen, Rüdesheim, and Koblenz. Terraced vineyards (many with origins in Roman times) are cultivated slopes that appear to be nearly vertical. Picturesque medieval castles and stunning, hairpin river bends dot this distinct region, reflecting over 2,000 years of winemaking and trade along one of the continent’s great transport routes.

Riesling is king in this beautiful Rhine wine landscape, tended on extreme slate-rich slopes that retain the day’s heat, aiding ripening, and make vines root deeply into fractured rock for nutrients. This produces wines of fresh acidity, mineral precision, and long cellaring potential, shaped by one of the most marginal, coolest fine-wine climates in Europe.

The wines:

• Riesling
• Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)

Best for:

• Experiencing steep terraced vineyards along the Rhine Gorge
• Touring historic wine towns such as Bacharach, Oberwesel, and Boppard
• Visiting castles and medieval fortifications that line the river
• Tasting Riesling from distinct terroir

UNESCO status since 2014

“The agricultural practices that were used to create this living landscape reflect one of the oldest farming methods known to humankind and are an important source of livelihood for local communities.” – UNESCO

The Battir Valley, southwest of Jerusalem, has been shaped by more than four millennia of continuous cultivation. Stone-built terraces, spring-fed irrigation channels, and age-old farming practices create a vibrant agricultural system where vines flourish alongside olives and vegetables in a dry Mediterranean climate.

Agriculturists, likely of Roman origin, harnessed and continue to use nature for irrigation in this arid region. Viticulture and agriculture here rely on an ancient gravity-fed irrigation network, which efficiently distributes fresh spring water across stepped terraces supported by dry-stone walls. This system conserves soils, prevents erosion, and makes intensive cultivation on steep, dry slopes possible. The striking landscape is actively farmed by local families today, continuing a long-established legacy of seasonal practices, linking viticultural heritage and daily life.

The wines:

• Traditional small-scale wine heritage

Best for:

• Exploring terraced hillside landscapes and villages
• Visiting ancient irrigation channels and systems
• Experiencing olive harvests and seasonal farming traditions
• Walking rural paths through a living agricultural landscape

Tentative List – Submission in 2025

“The Pisco crafting tradition is manifested in sustainable agricultural systems, vernacular architecture, and distillation techniques that have evolved over the centuries.” - UNESCO

The Chilean Pisco Vine and Wine Cultural Landscape in northern Chile covers the Huasco, Elqui, and Limarí Valleys. This area is known for over four centuries of viticulture, creating one of the world’s most distinctive wine regions. Situated between the Andes and the Pacific, these east–west-running valleys channel cooling ocean and mountain winds and precious water supplies into an otherwise thirsty environment, enabling vineyards to flourish in extreme conditions.

Intense sunlight, substantial diurnal shifts, and irrigation fed by Andean meltwater rivers shape historic vineyards in this area. As a result, grapes feature concentrated aromas and balancing acidity, while traditional farming systems and cooperatives connect generations via production techniques that have been passed down over the years. This region is especially celebrated for the production of Chilean Pisco, alongside quality, mineral-rich wines.

The wines:

• Pisco (Moscatel, Pedro Jiménez, Torontel)
• Limarí Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc
• Elqui Syrah
• Moscatel-based still wines

Best for:

• Exploring desert vineyards set between mountains and ocean influences
• Visiting traditional distilleries and cooperative wineries
• Experiencing high-altitude and coastal-influenced wine styles
• Discovering historic irrigation systems and valley settlements shaped by viticulture

Ready to go? Visiting these UNESCO wine regions offers an opportunity to taste outstanding, world-class wines while experiencing living, breathing cultural landscapes influenced by centuries (and in some cases, millennia) of patient craftsmanship, history, commerce, and community. Exploring these sites will reveal the stories that every terrace, village, and vineyard holds.

1. What are UNESCO wine landscapes?
UNESCO scenic wine landscapes are culturally and historically significant vineyards recognized for centuries of human interaction with the land, reflecting unique viticulture, traditions, and settlements.

2. Why are these sites protected?
They are safeguarded for their cultural, historical, and environmental value, demonstrating exceptional human ingenuity in vineyard management, terraces, and architectural integration over centuries.

3. How do UNESCO sites preserve authenticity?
Through national and regional laws, environmental protections, planning regulations, DOC/DOCG frameworks, and careful management plans that maintain both landscape and winemaking traditions.

4. Is tourism sustainable in these wine regions?
When managed responsibly, wine tourism supports heritage preservation, local economies, and cultural transmission, ensuring vineyards remain productive while landscapes are conserved.

5. Are these UNESCO sites still working vineyards?
Yes, all continue to produce world-class wines, maintaining centuries-old practices that contribute to the integrity and authenticity of the cultural landscapes.

6. Why should wine lovers visit UNESCO wine regions?
They offer a rare combination of scenic beauty, historical insight, hands-on viticulture experiences, and tasting exceptional wines where tradition and innovation coexist.

Want to read more? Take a look at some of our other blogs:

• • UNESCO Wine World Heritage Sites
  • Our top five White Lotus wine destinations
  • Five deluxe travel and wine locations for 2026