Dinner Among the Barrels: Michelin-Starred Winery Restaurants

Some meals seduce. Others educate. A rare few—usually served beneath vaulted stone ceilings or beside century-old vines at golden hour—transform.

For the true oenophile, winery restaurants are far more than a convenient meal after a tasting. They are temples of terroir where chefs and winemakers collaborate, crafting experiences that unfold over multiple courses and vintages. Every dish is intentional. Every bottle is a dialogue. From the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux to the volcanic hills of Sicily, these are some of the world’s most exquisite winery restaurants—where dining is not just part of the journey, but often its pinnacle.

Michelin Rating:

★★

1 / 3

Le Pressoir d’Argent – Bordeaux, France

Gordon Ramsay’s jewel in Bordeaux is everything you’d expect from a chef of his stature—refined French gastronomy with dramatic flair. The lobster, theatrically pressed in a custom silver press, is a signature, while the wine list is a tribute to Bordeaux royalty: Château Margaux, Haut-Brion, Lafite Rothschild.

Setting: Opulent dining room inside InterContinental Bordeaux overlooking Place de la Comédie

Pair With: Château Margaux 1er Grand Cru & Landes duck with fig

Why Go: For a decadent night that’s as much about the wines as the spectacle

Michelin Rating:

★

1 / 4

La Foresteria Planeta – Menfi, Sicily

This Planeta family estate brings Sicilian hospitality to the forefront. Menus change with the landscape: wild fennel, bottarga, orange blossoms. Wines from Planeta’s own volcanic vineyards are served with warmth and pride. The view stretches to the sea, and meals often begin or end with a stroll through the vines.

Setting: Country estate with terrace dining and vineyard panoramas

Pair With: Planeta Eruzione 1614 Carricante & swordfish with capers and citrus

Why Go: For the purity of Sicilian ingredients and views that go on forever

Michelin Rating:

★★

1 / 2

Marqués de Riscal – Rioja, Spain

Housed within a Frank Gehry-designed architectural marvel, this restaurant is a masterclass in contemporary Basque cuisine. The cellar holds more than 150 vintages from the estate. The food is daring but deeply rooted in Rioja’s traditions. Expect dishes like smoked eel with red pepper emulsion and truffled pigeon breast.

Setting: Modernist winery with panoramic valley views

Pair With: Marqués de Riscal 1945 Reserva & slow-roasted lamb shoulder

Why Go: For a futuristic take on classic Rioja, housed in one of Spain’s most iconic wine landmarks

Michelin Guide Status:

1 / 3

The Restaurant at Jordan Winery – Healdsburg, California

Recommended (Michelin does not currently rate it but it has earned critical acclaim and Relais & Châteaux status)

Though not officially starred, Jordan Winery’s dining program has quietly rivaled Napa’s most exclusive tables. Think caviar atop Dungeness crab, paired with Jordan’s elegant Cabernets and Chardonnays. The experience is part of a curated wine estate journey, set within the rolling hills of Sonoma.

Setting: French-inspired château and private terrace among Sonoma’s wooded hills

Pair With: Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon & local mushroom risotto

Why Go: For an intimate, elevated alternative to Napa’s scene

Michelin Equivalent:

Chef Hat Awards (17/20 score, One Hat)

1 / 4

Appellation at The Louise – Barossa Valley, Australia

Chef Hat Awards (17/20 score, One Hat)

Australia doesn’t have Michelin ratings, but Appellation consistently tops every luxury food and wine list. The multi-course menus are produce-forward and seasonal, designed around Barossa’s daily rhythms. Wines hail from Australia’s best cellars, including Penfolds and Henschke.

Setting: Overlooking the Barossa Range with soft golden light at dusk

Pair With: Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz & saltbush lamb

Why Go: For outback elegance and some of the Southern Hemisphere’s finest reds

Michelin Guide Status:

1 / 3

The Restaurant at Wölffer Estate – Long Island, New York

Recommended (Michelin does not currently rate Long Island, but this spot is among the finest)

Wölffer Estate is a Hamptons icon, and its restaurant delivers the sophistication to match. Expect oysters, heirloom tomatoes, and striped bass—all with Wölffer rosé in hand and views of the vines at sunset.

Setting: Chic barnhouse with sunset terrace dining

Pair With: Wölffer Noblesse Oblige Sparkling Rosé & East Coast oysters

Why Go: For coastal elegance that’s an hour from Manhattan but feels like Provence