All-inclusive. No travel agency between you and the people who make what you drink.
Receive Exclusive Info on Our Authentic, Chef-Led Journeys.
Marcus or Jamie Will Personally Share More Tour Details.
Led by Chef Marcus Guiliano across six countries and 350+ producer relationships built over two decades.
All-inclusive. No travel agency between you and the people who make what you drink.
Receive Exclusive Info on Our Authentic, Chef-Led Journeys.
Marcus or Jamie Will Personally Share More Tour Details.
Marcus and Jamie Guiliano are restaurateurs, wine educators, and agave-industry authorities based in the Hudson Valley.Their producer relationships span six countries and two decades. These are not vendor contracts. They are friendships built at dining tables, in barrel rooms, and across harvests.
Call them collaborators. The producers do.
350+ wineries visited in person. Harvests shared side by side with the families who grow and ferment what they love. Producers who answer their calls directly and hold bottles aside before the group arrives. Each journey exists because of relationships built long before the departure date. The difference is where you stand. Not at the tasting bar. At the family table.
Founders of Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville, New York. Open since 2003.
Wine Tour Operator of the Year by the Global Prestige Awards, three consecutive years. Sustainability and hospitality honors from LUX Life, Corporate Vision, and two additional international bodies. Trusted by producers in eight countries.
See how simple it is to explore wine country with VIP Winery Vacations. We curate every detail so you can simply savor the moment.
Warning: we create non-touristy small boutique group tours! Our wine, mezcal, and tequila tours are nothing you can find on Google, TripAdvisor, or from any travel agency. Our tours are based on personal relationships we’ve built since 2003 at our restaurant. We support small, independent, family-run producers who extend their hospitality and gratitude to us, and we bring you along for the experience.
Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty and profound flavors of Italy, from the sun-drenched vineyards of Apulia and Sicily to the rolling hills of Tuscany and Piedmont. Our journeys here are designed to help you “experience the real Italy,” forging personal connections with family-run wineries and savoring authentic gastronomy. Explore diverse regions including Campania, Veneto, Umbria, Basilicata, Lazio, Emilia Romagna, Lombardy, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Discover the burgeoning and diverse wine scenes across America, from the sunny vineyards of Santa Barbara, California, to the crisp air of New York’s Finger Lakes, Long Island, and Hudson Valley. We offer intimate explorations of these unique American wine regions, including convenient Hudson Valley Designated Driver Services.
Uncork the elegance and heritage of French winemaking in iconic regions such as Champagne, Burgundy, and Rhone. Our tours offer unparalleled opportunities to meet small, family-run Champagne producers, experiencing the true artistry behind every cherished bottle.
Journey through Spain’s renowned wine appellations, including the robust reds of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, and the vibrant Cavas of Penedes. Explore the rich viticultural tapestry of Navarra and Priorat, immersing yourself in the country’s passionate wine culture.
Go beyond expectations with our immersive tours focusing on the rich world of Mexican beverages. Explore the thriving wine scene in Valle de Guadalupe, delve into the ancestral traditions of Mezcal in Oaxaca, and discover the heart of Tequila in Jalisco. Experience unique highlights, like savoring fresh lobster on secluded beaches, an authentic taste of coastal Mexico.
Prepare to be captivated as Marcus and Jamie venture into the dramatic landscapes of Chile, a land of breathtaking contrasts and extraordinary wines. From the sun-drenched valleys nestled between the Andes and the Pacific to emerging cool-climate coastal regions, they’ll be personally forging connections with pioneering winemakers. Imagine uncovering hidden-gem vineyards and savoring bold Carmenères and crisp Sauvignon Blancs, each telling the unique story of Chile’s diverse terroir, all curated to deliver an authentic, soul-stirring gastronomic journey far from the everyday.
Get ready to explore the heart of Old World charm and vibrant innovation as our founders immerse themselves in Portugal. Marcus and Jamie are setting out to uncover the soul of this historic winemaking nation, from the ancient terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, birthplace of Port, to the verdant hills of Vinho Verde. They’ll be seeking out passionate vintners, sampling unique indigenous grape varieties, and curating experiences that capture Portugal’s rich culinary heritage and warm hospitality, promising an unforgettable immersion into its authentic, off-the-beaten-path treasures.
Journey with us in spirit as Marcus and Jamie embark on a quest to Greece, where millennia of winemaking tradition meet stunning natural beauty and legendary flavors. They will be personally exploring sun-drenched island vineyards and ancient mainland terroirs, seeking out boutique wineries that are reviving indigenous varietals and crafting exceptional, story-rich wines. Picture yourself savoring the authentic taste of the Mediterranean, from crisp Assyrtiko to complex Xinomavro, all woven into an immersive cultural and culinary tapestry designed to connect you with the timeless spirit of this enchanting land.
Marcus and Jamie Guiliano are award-winning restaurateurs, global wine and agave travelers, and long-standing industry insiders.
As founders of VIP Winery Vacations and owners of Aroma Thyme Bistro — one of the Hudson Valley’s most awarded restaurants since 2003 — they have spent more than two decades cultivating direct relationships with winemakers, estate owners, and agave producers across Europe, Mexico, and the United States.
These journeys are not constructed for tourism.
They are an extension of relationships built harvest by harvest, bottle by bottle, conversation by conversation.
Together, they have personally visited more than 350 wineries across six countries, along with numerous mezcal palenques and tequila distilleries. They have walked vineyards during harvest, tasted from barrel alongside cellar masters, and shared meals in private homes where hospitality is inherited, not performed.
These are not business contacts.
They are trusted relationships.
When you travel with VIP Winery Vacations, you step into private tastings, hidden barrel rooms, boutique vineyards, and agave fields far from the tourist path. You are welcomed by the people who live and breathe what they produce.
Access is personal.
And it is earned.
Marcus brings the perspective of a chef, wine educator, and agave authority — someone who understands how terroir, culture, and craft shape what fills the glass. Jamie brings warmth, intuition, and a refined eye for detail that ensures each departure feels seamless and intentional.
Every itinerary is designed personally.
No outsourcing.No scripted experiences.
No volume departures.
Only carefully curated journeys built on trust.
VIP Winery Vacations is not a tour company.
It is a circle of access.
Explore our incredible Italy wine and food vacation packages and other gastronomy experiences available for 2025. Discover your next adventure!
Get a sneak peek at our upcoming 2026 experiences. New destinations and unique journeys are always in the works.
More regions are coming soon! We’re always researching and curating the next “soul-shifting” destination for you to explore.
Our guests often share how truly special these trips are.
