If the old walls of a historic winery could speak, what stories would they whisper into your ear? Would they tell you of the generations of winemakers who toiled with passion and patience? Or perhaps, they’d speak of something darker—shadows that linger in the corners, and spirits who never left? In this spooky season, let's me take you on a journey through some of the world’s most haunted wineries, where the lines between wine and whispers from the past blur. These aren’t just places where vines grow; they’re where the past still breathes, waiting for the curious to listen. Pour yourself a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, and let’s take a journey through five of the most haunted wineries across the globe.
1. Château de Brissac – Loire Valley, France
Let’s begin in the Loire Valley. I’ve always had a soft spot for this region—its wines, its beauty, its history. But Château de Brissac. The first time I heard about La Dame Verte—Charlotte de Brézé—I couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to walk through those halls, knowing her story. Betrayed by her husband and murdered in a jealous rage, her ghost is said to roam the halls, her disfigured face appearing to those who least expect it. I imagine sipping a glass of their wine, feeling the weight of her sorrow in the air, the taste of history on my tongue.
2. Beringer Vineyards – Napa Valley, California
there’s Beringer Vineyards, where the Rhine House, feels less like a mansion and more like a time capsule.
Frederick Beringer’s presence is still felt by many who visit, a ghost watching over the legacy he built. As the sunlight filters through the stained glass windows, it’s as though the past and present are connected by the vineyards that stretch out beyond the estate. Wine here doesn’t just carry the flavor of the grapes, it carries the echoes of those who made it possible.
3. Château du Taillan – Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux, the heart of some of the world’s finest wines, has its own share of haunted tales. Château du Taillan is home to La Dame Blanche (The White Lady), a ghostly figure thought to be the spirit of a Moorish princess. After falling in love with a man deemed unworthy, she was cast out by her father, destined to wander the estate in search of her lost love. Some say they’ve seen her on misty mornings, drifting through the ancient cellars. The château’s white wine is named after her, and it’s said that her presence brings a strange calmness, as if she’s still searching, waiting for someone to tell her story. For visitors, every glass becomes a bridge to a time when the past and present exist in a delicate balance.
4. Buena Vista Winery – Sonoma, California
In the rolling hills of Sonoma, Buena Vista Winery has a history as rich as its wines. Founded by Agoston Haraszthy, the eccentric “Count of Buena Vista,” the winery is not only a cornerstone of Californian viticulture but also a hub of paranormal intrigue. The Count met a mysterious and grisly end—allegedly devoured by alligators during an expedition in Nicaragua—but his spirit seems to have returned to Buena Vista. Ghost hunters have reported shadowy figures dressed in 19th-century attire, footsteps on the roof, and strange lights flickering in the cellars. Paranormal experts have long considered it one of the most haunted spots in wine country. But perhaps that’s just part of its charm—there’s something undeniably thrilling about enjoying a glass of wine with a side of the supernatural.
5. Bartholomew Park Winery – Sonoma, California
Neighboring Buena Vista, Bartholomew Park Winery has a dark past all its own. Once a women’s prison, a hospital, and a morgue, the land where the winery now stands is said to be steeped in the energy of those who once lived (and died) there. Visitors and staff have reported hearing disembodied voices and music drifting from nowhere, as if the ghosts of the past are still playing their last songs. The cool cellars, with their stone walls and dim lighting, can make you feel as if you’re not alone. For those brave enough, the haunting becomes part of the experience—where the echoes of the past mingle with the flavor of the present, and every glass carries the weight of history.
And now, as Halloween approaches, what better way to celebrate than with our own ghostly gathering? Join us for Hallowine on October 31st, where we'll host a special wine tasting event at our cozy shop. You’ll enjoy five different wines paired with six mysterious snack experiences. But be warned—there may be more than just wine in the air. No trick, all treat, as we invite you to share in this eerie yet delightful evening. Don’t miss out on the fun, and maybe a little fright, as we toast to the spirits—both in the bottle and beyond!
Cheers to a hauntingly good time!
Macy Nguyen
The Curious Cork Popper
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