SmoothRed

16/07/2025

There’s something magical about a picnic in wine country 🧺

The sun is warm, the views are endless, and the wine — well, it’s exactly where it’s meant to be: chilled, poured, and shared.

From the sparkling hills of Champagne to Salta's sun-drenched valleys, to tables set among the vines in Puglia, and the rustic countryside of Alentejo, summer feels slower, sweeter, and more delicious in these corners of the world.

And the best part? You don’t have to plan a thing. Many of our boutique hotel partners will pack your picnic basket for you — complete with local bites, a bottle (or two), and everything you need for a perfect afternoon under the sky. 🧺🍷

Just bring your appetite, curiosity, and someone to toast with.

📷:
Image 1 Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
Image 2: SmoothRed founder Adam and travel designers in Argentina
Image 3: Masseria MONTENAPOLEONE
Image 4: São Lourenço do Barrocal

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28/06/2025

What absolute joy crafting the perfect surprise honeymoon through France!

Working alongside client Walter, our Travel Design Manager Marieke crafted an enchanting honeymoon surprise through Paris and the Loire Valley — with each day revealed to Vicky over breakfast through our bespoke travel app.

We especially loved adding personal touches throughout, designed to celebrate their new beginning.

From intimate wine tastings and dinners complete with special desserts to luxury hotels with thoughtful touches of Champagne or chocolate waiting in their room — there's nothing more rewarding than being part of such a deeply personal celebration.

26/06/2025

✨ Here's the thing about Italy's vineyard estates...

You could book a hotel room with a vineyard view. Or you could stay where the wine is born from generations of winemaking families. Where every bottle is a tale of the land its from.

Here, luxury means misty morning walks between the vines and meals grown steps from your door.

This is Italy, unfiltered, where every sip tells a story and these are a few of our favourites.

📷: 1 & 2 Santo Pietro 3: Reschio 4: Venissa 5: Casa di Langa 6: Tenuta di Murlo, Umbria, Italy

20/06/2025

Sushi, sunsets and Champagne...need we say more? 🍾 🍣

This summer, Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa unveils an exclusive experience that redefines luxury dining. High above rolling champagne vineyards on the stunning Abysse Bar terrace, indulge in an unforgettable evening where culinary artistry meets savoir-vivre.

From 21 June to 21 September only, prepare to indulge as France's master sushiman Éric Ticana joins the hotel's own Chef Christophe Raoux to create an original sushi and maki menu. As the golden hour paints the vineyards below, expert sommeliers will demonstrate the art of sabrage with your chosen cuvée at 6pm — a theatrical celebration of Champagne tradition.

With views stretching for miles across the Champagne region, this is more than dining. It's poetry in motion, where precision meets passion and every sunset tells a story.

Limited dates. Limitless memories.

Get in touch today and let us take you on this unmissable summer culinary journey.

19/06/2025

Ever wondered what happens when great wine regions meet?

Perfect pairings aren't just about wine and food – sometimes it's about discovering how two places tell completely different stories in your glass.

🇫🇷 Bordeaux & Burgundy: Experience the structured power of Cabernet blends alongside the ethereal elegance of Pinot Noir. It's like comparing a symphony to a jazz quartet – both brilliant, with completely different souls.

🇮🇹 Piedmont & Tuscany: From the truffle-kissed hills of Barolo country to the sun-drenched landscapes of Chianti Classico. One sip transports you to misty Alba mornings, the next to golden Florentine sunsets.

Sometimes the best trips happen when great regions come together, creating conversations between terroirs that have perfected their craft over centuries.

Which pairing calls to your soul? Are you team French finesse or Italian passion?

👇 Drop a comment and tell us which wine adventure is calling your name!

📷:
Image 1 COMO Le Montrachet
Image 2 Château Pichon Baron

18/06/2025

This just in: Cristina visits Catalonia 🍷 ✨

Recently our Client Experience Manager, Cristina, enjoyed a deep dive through the mountains landscapes of northeast Spain.

She had this to say:

“From the breathtaking views over ancient vineyards from my garden suite at Mas d’en Bruno (honestly, waking up to that view would never get old), to exploring the dramatic landscape, Priorat is now one of my absolute favourite wine regions.

I traced the origins of the Priorat DOC’s iconic logo at La Cartoixa d’Escala Dei — the ruins of this 12th-century monastery literally translate to “God’s Staircase,” and you can see why the monks chose this heavenly spot. The medieval village of Siurana perched on a nearby clifftop was equally enchanting.

But perhaps my highlight? A deep dive into vermouth production that had me nosing individual botanicals — from wormwood to cardamom — each distilled separately before blending. The complexity is extraordinary, and I may have sampled rather more than was strictly professional!

Already planning my return and would love for our clients to experience this pristine and diverse corner of Spain.”

Feeling inspired? Let our Travel Designers craft your own enchanting Catalonian adventure.

Catalunya Experience

15/06/2025

Raising a glass to dads everywhere 👨‍🦳🍷

Every dad deserves celebration, and what better way to do so than by planning a trip together?

Whether it’s a milestone occasion or simply time together that’s well overdue, a thoughtfully curated wine escape promises more than a gift — it offers a moment to reconnect.

This month, we’ve handpicked seven unforgettable journeys designed for fathers who appreciate good wine, good company and the chance to explore somewhere remarkable.

Click through to our website to see our top trips to take with your dad.

Looking for ways to celebrate the wine-loving fathers in your life? From Bordeaux to Chile, discover 7 unique wine trips to take with dad.

13/06/2025

Spain's flagship white wine you (probably) haven't heard of ✨

Meet Verdejo from Rueda – the crisp, mineral-driven white that's about to become your new obsession. Born from gravelly soils rich in calcium and magnesium, these pale golden wines burst with citrus, stone fruit, and that signature herbaceous edge that screams sophistication.

Pro tip: Rueda's location makes it the perfect add-on to your Ribera del Duero or Rioja wine adventure. Why limit yourself to reds when you can experience Spain's complete wine story? 🗺️

Swipe to discover why discerning wine lovers are making the pilgrimage to this high-altitude gem in Castile and León.

12/06/2025

What our clients say 🎉

We recently crafted a two-week journey through France's most prestigious wine regions for clients Chris and his wife Sarah to mark their ten-year anniversary.

From Paris's elegant boulevards to Champagne's legendary cellars, through Burgundy's storied vineyards and finally Bordeaux's grand châteaux — every moment was curated for unforgettable memories.

Considering your own celebratory getaway? We can craft the perfect wine trip for your all milestone events. Get in touch to start planning your sophisticated soirée through the vineyards of France and beyond.

06/06/2025

"Just to thank you and your team for a beautifully organised Bordeaux trip." — Jancis Robinson

High praise indeed from one of Britain's top voices in wine! This outstanding feedback comes following a recent trip that we helped put together for a particularly special group of seven leading wine professionals — who between them, have amassed over 350 years in the wine trade — and includes both Jancis Robinson MW, as well as our own founder Adam's father, Tony Stebbings.

This trip was carefully curated with visits and the odd delicious lunch to some of the region's top wine producers, such as Château Langoa Barton, Château Leoville Barton, Château Palmer, Château Brown and Château d'Yquem, as well as a sumptuous dinner at the Bordeaux office of Opus One.

It was great to help plan a trip for such a prestigious group of leading wine professionals. 🍷

Barton Family Wines : Chateau Leoville Barton - Langoa Barton - Mauvesin Château Palmer Chateau Brown Château d'Yquem Opus One Winery