The first volcano-based vineyard of note is the Volcano Village Winery located on Hawaii’s Big Island. This vineyard is situated close to the two largest Hawaiian volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. If you like fruity wine, this spot is for you, seeing as many of their signature wines are blended with tropical fruit for a sweet taste.
For traditionalists who enjoy French Wine, the Chateau Bel Esprit might be for you. Located in Puget-Ville, a city in Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur region of France, the Chateau Bel Esprit sits at the base of ancient Volcan de Beaulieu. You can sample a variety of different reds and whites, as well as participate in a truffle hunt that takes place in the basin of this volcano, which last erupted 17 million years ago.
A more active volcano, Mount Etna, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 for its status as an active and iconic volcano. Even better, you can wine and dine on the side of this volcano at the Gambino Vini Winery in Linguaglossa, a small town located on the island of Sicily. You’ll be seated 3000 feet above sea level, all while sipping on wines made from grapes grown in the volcanic earth.
While not as warm of a climate as Italy or Hawaii, Hungary also features a volcanic vineyard. The Tornai Winery, located in Somlo, continues the centuries old tradition of winemaking in Hungary. In fact, Hungary is considered one of the most underrated wine regions in Europe. Guests can even sample the wedding night wine, which guarantees a male heir if consumed on a couple’s wedding night.
Finally, the Cooperativa Vitivinícola da Ilha do Pico in the Azores of Portugal features wine made from grapes grown in mineral-rich soil. The Azores are a volcanic island archipelago, which means they were formed from lava eons ago. Winemaking has gone on since the 15th century, which has won the Azores and the town of Pico the designation of a UNESCO heritage site.