Passport Postcards: Summer Sips — for Sunny Days by Petite Wine Traveler
By Jamie Knee, Petite Wine Traveler, Global Wine Communicator and Top 50 Most Influential Women in Wine Hospitality
Dear friends,
Welcome to Petite Wine Traveler, your Sunday sip of inspiration; blending wine, travel, and storytelling, one glass at a time.
As the sun-drenched season begins, I find myself dreaming of alfresco lunches under striped umbrellas, seaside soirées, and yacht days with a glass of something sparkling in hand. 🍾
Summer is the time when wine becomes an experience; light, joyful, and perfectly paired with glamorous escapes. Whether you're lounging poolside at a luxury hotel, picnicking in the vineyards, or chasing sunsets along the Riviera, the right glass elevates the moment.
Today, I’m sharing my ultimate Summer Sips — wines that travel beautifully from the south of France to Santa Barbara’s coast, from Tuscany to the Adriatic. These are selections I personally love, and ones you’ll see me sipping all season long (often featured in my travels on Petite Wine Traveler).
Sparkling by the Sea — Bubbles for the Beach
What pairs better with a yacht day or an afternoon poolside? Bubbles! Think elegant yet playful, from French Champagne to Spanish Cava to Italian Franciacorta.
Top Sparkling Picks:
Champagne: Ruinart Rosé — endlessly elegant, with delicate red fruit and fine mousse, my go-to for celebrating summer moments.
Cava: Pere Ventura Gran Vintage or Juvé & Camps — two favorites and both structured, with layers of citrus, brioche, and minerality, perfect for sunset toasts.
California: Mumm Napa Brut Rosé — bright, creamy, with wild berry and spice notes, ideal for stylish alfresco brunches.
Franciacorta: Ca' del Bosco Cuvée Prestige — Italy’s most refined bubbles, crisp and complex, the epitome of Italian chic.
Where to Sip:
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, French Riviera
San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito
Santa Barbara Harbor Yacht Club
Il Pellicano, Tuscany’s coast
Rosé All Day — Provençal Style
Summer is rosé season and few wines capture the luxury of seaside living better. My personal summer ritual often includes ordering a bottle of chilled rosé at Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, toes in the sand, MIP Rosé in hand.
Top Rosé Picks:
Château Minuty Prestige Rosé — classic Provence: pale, mineral, with wild strawberry notes.
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé — fuller-bodied, with herbs, melon, and spice — pairs beautifully with grilled seafood.
Santa Barbara County Rosé of Mourvèdre (think Tercero or SAMsARA) — vibrant, fruit-driven, made for Santa Barbara beach days.
Where to Sip:
Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel, Côte d’Azur
Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara Funk Zone rooftop
Antibes Old Town café terraces
Santa Barbara’s Butterfly Beach, sunset in hand
Crisp Whites — From Vineyards to Villas
Chilled whites are made for garden lunches, seaside aperitivos, and lazy afternoons beneath olive trees. I always love including wines from my global journeys, especially when paired with seasonal cuisine.
Top White Picks:
Croatia: Pošip — bright and salty, perfect with oysters or truffle pasta under a fig tree.
Spain: Albariño from Rías Baixas, zesty, floral, a dream with prawns or grilled octopus.
Italy: Etna Bianco from Sicily— fresh and crisp, think figs, summer herbs, and seafood risotto.
Santa Barbara: Chardonnay from Sta. Rita Hills — layered, mineral-driven, divine with grilled halibut or lemon chicken.
Jamie’s Summer Escape Tip:
Create your own chic garden moment, a bottle of chilled Ruinart Rosé, a fig and burrata salad, and a table set beneath the olive trees, beachside (or even your own backyard with a little imagination).
One of my favorite recent escapes? Dining alfresco at a luxury villa on the Adriatic coast, sunhat on, a crisp white in hand, and hours of conversation, beneath the stars. ✨
Where is your next summer sip taking you?
Whether you’re planning a getaway to the Côte d’Azur, a California coast staycation, or dreaming of European terraces, I hope this Petite Wine Traveler list inspires a season of luxurious moments and unforgettable wines.
As always, I love to leave you with a few sparkling inspirations to sip — and perhaps a few places to stay or sail as you dream of your next escape…
🍾 Jamie’s Suggestions: Sip & Stay
✨ Sip:
🥂 Ruinart Rosé Champagne https://www.ruinart.com/en-us/champagnes/ruinart-rose
🥂 Pere Ventura Gran Vintage Cava https://pereventura.com/en/collection/pv-gran-vintage/
🥂 Mumm Napa Brut Prestige https://www.mummnapa.com/wines/brut-prestige/
🏖️ Stay & Sail
🏨 Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/hotel-du-cap-eden-roc/
⛵️ Wind Star Yachts & Cruises https://www.windstarcruises.com/
Until next Sunday, cheers to sipping beautifully,
Jamie Knee, The Petite Wine Traveler Global Wine Communicator | Curator of Luxury Wine & Travel Experiences