Great wine trips less than 4 hours away

Whenever I'm stuck, I throw a question sticker in my stories: what would you like to read more about on Le Club des Vins? So far, it's always been a success. I've received some great topics for future articles. One of them was "wine trips within a four-hour drive." I immediately got a thousand ideas and the urge to type. Yes!

Here we go... Wine tours from the Netherlands – less than a four-hour drive from Utrecht.

Tour de vignobles in Limburg

Travel time: Utrecht to Thorn (1.5 hours)

Of course, you can explore beyond our borders, but don't forget that the Netherlands also produces fantastic wines. Give it a try. In Limburg, you'll be in luck, with numerous wineries each producing their own distinct style of Dutch wine. It's not even a four-hour drive; in less than two, you'll be among the vineyards.

Start your wine tour at Thorn Winery in Thorn. Harry Vorselen , Thorn's winemaker, makes beautiful wines that easily rival those from neighboring Germany. I visited a few years ago. My favorite back then was the Fruhburgunder. I had no idea such beautiful red wines were made in the Netherlands and would never have guessed it in a blind tasting. From Thorn Winery, continue towards Maastricht and stop at Wijngoed de Wijngaardsberg on the way, where you can ask winemaker Jules Nijst all your difficult questions about winemaking.

He knows how to answer them all. Book a hotel in Maastricht, so that you are fresh the next day for the oldest vineyard in the Netherlands: Wijngaard de Apostelhoeve . Earlier this year I was deeply impressed by Cuvée XII from Apostelhoeve – definitely try it! Afterwards – with or without a stopover – drive on to Wijndomein St. Martinus , where things are done very differently. No Riesling or Pinot Noir here, but Souvignin Gris and Cabernet Cortis. Hybrid grape varieties that can cope with our climate. End your weekend in Limburg with a few bubbles at Domein Holset , the first Dutch wine estate that produces exclusively sparkling wine. You can also stay overnight there. And if you are in the area anyway, I would recommend booking a table at Wijnrestaurant Mes Amis in Maastricht – I've never been, but I hear good stories!

*You can also combine a visit to the Thorn winery with a visit to the Aldeneyck winery just across the border. See "Our southern neighbors also make great wines" below.

The complete Zeeland experience at Wijnhoeve de Kleine Schorre

Travel time: Utrecht to Dreischor (1.5 hours)

Tucked away in picturesque Dreischor, you'll find Wijnhoeve de Kleine Schorre . Here you can immerse yourself in Zeeland culture, as they not only produce wine that perfectly complements Zeeland delicacies like sole, mussels, and oysters, but they also have a campsite and a tasting room/restaurant. So pack your tent and head south! I was once crowned Wine Queen there (true story) – here's a video to prove it.

At the Spätburgunder in Ahr

Travel time: Utrecht to Ahr (3 hours)

When we talk about Germany, we often talk about the steep slopes of the Mosel (which are definitely worth a visit) or the prestigious Rheingau, but the northernmost wine region – the Ahr – is often overlooked. A shame, because this is where superb wines are made. Perswijn already called it " Pinot Paradise ," because Pinot Noir (and nowadays also Fruhburgunder) thrives here. Two top producers: Adeneuer and Jean Stodden .

I've been there a few times already. Read the report >

Moselle cannot be missed

Travel time: Utrecht to Bernkastel (3.5 hours)

You might not expect it, but the Mosel is truly one of the most beautiful wine regions in Europe. I'd love to go on one of those cruises someday. I wonder if there are any for thirty-somethings? It must be fantastic! A bit of a cruise with a GG in hand, overlooking the vineyards. For the best Instagram photo, Bremm is the best place to go; that's where the slopes are the steepest. If you don't feel like driving yourself, you can always check the BottleStops website . Jérome regularly organizes wine tours to German wine regions, including the Mosel, from the Netherlands. You can stay in the region at Hotel zur Marienberg – excellent rooms with a view of the Mosel.

Recommended wineries in the Mosel include (I haven't visited them, but I did try them): Dr. Loosen , Clemens-Busch, Schloss-Lieser, Fritz Haag, and JJ Prüm. Le Club has also been here before.

Our southern neighbors also make great wines

Travel time: Utrecht – Chateau Bon Baron (just over 3 hours)

Unfortunately, I don't know much about Belgian wines, but it's beyond doubt that our southern neighbors deserve a spot on this list of "wine trips less than 4 hours away." Luckily for us , Belgian Stefaan Soenen regularly writes about his native Belgium in Perswijn. At the top of the Belgian wine pyramid are the Chardonnays of Domaine de la Falize and Clos d'Opleeuw , both made by Peter Colemont. "A little bit of Burgundy in Belgium" – well, now you know what I mean. Just across the border from the Netherlands and a fifteen-minute drive from the Thorn winery lies Wijndomein Aldeneyck . Both fall within Europe's first cross-border Protected Area of ​​Origin (PDO): the Meuse Valley. During the Women in Wine Expo in Rotterdam, Jeanette van der Steen came to talk about her wines, which she makes at her own Château Bon Baron in southern Belgium. Definitely worth a taste, and I think it's also worth a visit!

Finally, to give a final tip and ask for a favor

It's not always necessary, and it's not everywhere, but a big tip: make an appointment in advance. That way you're guaranteed a spot. My heart breaks a little because the ultimate trip isn't listed: Champagne. It's a must-see for any wine fan, of course, but hey, let's be honest – the drive time is over four hours.

Planning a trip to Champagne? Check out these tips >