Indulging in Nature’s Bounty: Harvest Season Delights

August 7, 2024 by Hidden Doorways

The start of the late summer marks the beginning of the harvest season — a time that has been acknowledged since ancient times when the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians would rejoice in the moment that marked the close of another intense agricultural year. Many of our luxury travel partners are recognizing that very point with memorable experiences to wrap travelers in the riches of the land. From farm-to-table fare grown and handpicked on the Royal Estate in Oslo to wine harvests and tastings on the endless vineyards of South Africa, Portugal, and Italy, go ahead and reap what our partners have sowed.

For Wine Enthusiasts

A Wine Harvest to Remember with Mas d’en Bruno

Any clients heading to Spain this autumn should be sure to take note of Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno’s one-time only event — its Wine Harvest Festival, taking place from Sunday, October 13th to Friday, October 18th. Day by day, there are all sorts of harvest activities to lean into, be it wine pairings with gourmet dinners with Michelin-starred chefs or various private tours of the region’s gems, including mountaintop villages and historic monasteries, followed by tastings at the finest wineries in the land. A hero event it might be, but there are plenty more wine-related experiences on offer throughout harvest season, so if dates don’t align, there’s a roster of other unique tastings to skip straight into — the Sommelier’s exclusive masterclass being one to definitely look into or even simply picnicking or practicing yoga in Priorat’s esteemed vineyards.

Harvesting Meets Impressionist Art at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova

A getaway unlike any other, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova perhaps expectedly has designed a Harvest Program as unique as its guest experience. For 2024, it launches Harvest at Malhadinha: Wine & Art – a two or three-night experience inspired by the great impressionist painters Goya and Renoir. A festival rooted in recognition of tradition, conviviality, the earth’s abundance, and a shared passion for wine, no matter which length guests book, they’ll be immersed in the wine-making process at one of the most important times of the year at Malhadinha. Give into adventure by traveling in vintage off-roaders to explore the vines across Malhadinha’s expanse of land, manually harvesting grapes and pressing them traditionally by foot, and naturally tasting fine regional wines and paired menus day by day. And for those who opt for the three-night experience, an additional highlight is undoubtedly the Vinotherapy Massage that uses the exfoliating and antioxidant power of Malhadinha grapes.

Contemporary Art Meets Wine Tasting at Ellerman House

Recognized as being one of the greatest winemaking territories on the planet, South Africa is an out and out destination for harvest season. There are few high-end hosts better to introduce travelers to varietals and vintages than Ellerman House with its 9,000-strong wine collection. Bringing to life South Africa’s 350-year heritage in winemaking, the Ellerman House Wine Gallery is a meeting place of contemporary architecture, cutting-edge sculpture, design, and award-winning wines that welcome guests onto a very special, incredibly interactive journey into the world of wine with a stop-off in its champagne cellar too, where rare vintages of Dom Pérignon lie in wait.

Sip on Mallorcan Malvasia Grapes with Grand Hotel Son Net

A private hectare planted in 2006 is there to be harvested at the palatial Grand Hotel Son Net in Palma. Working in tandem with a renowned Mallorcan winery to produce its own estate wine, Son Net’s Malavasia vineyard calls out for tours and tastings of its original variety amongst others in the shaded comfort of a private gazebo that overlooks the surrounding mountainous landscape. An intimate activity lasting just an hour or so, it’s one to book ahead for during harvest season to avoid missing out.

Italian Wines but Not as You Know Them with L’Andana

Over to Italy, where yet more wine harvest celebrations have been shaped, this time by Tuscan countryside resort, L’Andana. First, the Acquagiusta wine experience, where guests head to the former residence of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopold II, who transformed Tenuta La Badiola into an exemplary agricultural area in mid-1800s Italy. An estate made up of 500 hectares, it represents the rich biodiversity of the Maremma landscape — plains, hills, olive groves, vineyards, Mediterranean bush, and all. Fueled by the underwater Acquagiusta spring, the wines borne out of the land here are said to be the children of the spring. To taste these is to recognize a magnificent part of Italy that saw extraordinary neglect. Or choose the Petra Wine Experience, of which there are three paths to pick between of varying lengths — it is the three-hour itinerary that concludes with a lunch made using products from Petra and its small local holdings, though, which naturally gets our vote!

See Sparkles with L’Albereta

And for yet another perspective on Italian wines, the enchanting relais in Franciacorta that is L’Albereta is a harvest time favorite where its specialist sparkling wines are enjoyed with great gusto. Franciacorta DOCG is Italy’s prime sparkling wine and was the country’s first bottle-fermented Brut to obtain this recognition, in 1967. This original variety, alongside many more bottles (both sparkling and not), is stored in L’Albereta’s cellars, and to taste any of these will be an experience to remember, seeing as the Franciacorta method was recognized in 2003 by the European Community as the maximum expression of excellence and quality. There are fine wines, and then there are Franciacorta wines, and journeying to the region’s numerous wineries housed in ancient villas and palaces is one of the best ways to experience Italy’s esteemed drink of choice, be it by the glass or by the bottle.

For Foodies

A Seasonal Feast Fit for King and Queen with Nordic Luxury

Norway’s Royal Estate beckons as Nordic Luxury unlocks its garden gates to reveal a truly breathtaking display. What better way to spend an afternoon in Oslo than by savoring the stunning surroundings of this meticulously curated estate? As you arrive at the greenhouse and farm, majestic trees and vibrant flower beds greet you, while seasonal ingredients are harvested for a memorable experience. Engage in an exclusive conversation with the dedicated groundskeepers and producers, gaining unique insights into the estate’s operations. Discover how they transform the garden’s bounty into delectable cheeses, delicious ciders, and refined farm-to-table dishes, all while enjoying the picturesque greenhouse, orchard, and apple trees. Just a stone’s throw from the city center, this visit offers a delightful taste of seasonality and sustainability, making it one of Oslo’s crown jewel spots.

A Harvest Festival Supper with Heckfield Place

Hampshire’s home of biodynamic farming, the luxury working estate Heckfield Place, is marking its centenary celebrations by hosting an autumnal equinox and harvest feast at its very own Home Farm. Guests can expect a long, stretching communal table laden with seasonal florals, fruit, and vegetables plucked from its soils and a menu shaped around the season’s very best ingredients and biodynamic produce. And what better complement to fine fare than a biodynamic wine or a crafted cocktail? One not to miss for September stays in the UK, for sure.

Grandma Gastronomy at Gundari

Cook along with a Yia Yia (Greek for Grandmother) at one of the most iconic traditional restaurants on the secluded island of Folegandros this harvest time to relish all the region has to offer. With luxury resort Gundari, guests can book an exclusive cooking class with Irene of Irene Restaurant to have her homestyle recipes passed down to families beyond her own. Or, for a less hands-on celebration of harvest season in Greece, choose the farm-to-table experience where guests can select their own produce from Gundari’s farm that will be transformed into a bespoke sunset dinner on the farm itself.