15 Best Wine Brands in 2024 (France, Italy, US, Germany, & More)

Each bottle from the world's top winemakers unveils a unique story. 

Let’s spot 15 of the finest wine brands and their best bottles – from timeless classics of France to bold newcomers from the USA, Italy, Australia, and others.

You’ll also discover the easiest way to invest in the finest wine bottles through Vinovest.

15 Best Wine Brands in 2024 (+ The Best Bottles to Buy)

We’ve handpicked the top 10 brands from the best winemaking regions, and two of their most exciting wines each.

1. Château Lafite Rothschild (Bordeaux, France)

Château Lafite Rothschild is a classified First Growth wine estate in Bordeaux. It’s renowned for making some of the world’s most expensive, collectible red wines. 

This brand has a 112-hectare vineyard that’s divided into three: the hillsides around the Château, the Carruades plateau, and 4.5 hectares in Saint Estèphe nearby. 

The main grape varieties used in its wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Best Château Lafite Rothschild wines:

• 2021 Château Lafite Rothschild ($652): This quintessential Bordeaux red wine is made of 80-95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5-20% Merlot, and up to a total of 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It’s refined, full-bodied, and tannic and has characteristic notes of dark berries, earth, cedar, and cigar box spice.
• 2015 Chateau Lafite Rothschild ‘Carruades de Lafite’ ($414): Château Lafite’s second wine owes its name to the group of plots in the Carruades plateau, next to the Chateau’s vines on the hilltop. It’s a blend of 50-70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30-50% Merlot, and a total of 0-5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 

Even though it has similar characteristics to the Grand Vin, it has a unique personality due to a higher Merlot proportion and the plots that it comes from. It’s velvety and elegant, with aromas of ripe berries, sweet tobacco, cocoa, and brown spices.

2. Penfolds (Southbank, Australia)

Penfolds, founded in Adelaide in 1844, is one of Australia’s oldest wine producers. It follows three distinct wine production styles — single vineyard, single region, multi-region, and multi varietal blending. 

The predominant grape varieties used in its wines are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling.

Best Penfolds wines:

• 2014 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 ($650): Penfolds Grange is a multi-region, multi varietal blend that’s widely regarded as a collectors' item. This Australian First Growth equivalent is made predominantly from Syrah grapes and a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The 2014 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Shiraz bottle opens with spice notes and hints of oak and ripe tannin.

• 2012 Penfolds Bin 311 Henty Chardonnay ($58): The Bin 311 Chardonnay is made from fruit sourced from Adelaide Hills, Tasmania, and Tumbarumba. This wine offers mineral acidity, citrus flavors, and complex aromas of crème brûlée, ripe white nectarine, and peach fruit — a perfect treat for any wine enthusiast.

3. Marchesi Antinori (Tuscany, Italy)

Marchesi Antinori is an Italian winery whose history dates back to the 1300s. Its main vineyard lies in the Chianti Classico appellation in Florence, but the winemaker has operations in other countries.

Best Marchesi Antinori wines: 

• 2016 Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT ($206): Tignanello is the most famous of Antinori’s wines. It gets its name from a 47-hectare vineyard in the Santa Cristina estate. It’s made from 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc and is loved for its acidity, freshness, and austerity.
• 2016 Marchesi Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT ($465): Solaia, or “the sunny one,” is a 10-hectare vineyard next to Tenuta Tignanello in Chianti Classico. The Tuscan red wines of the same name are made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Sangiovese.

The 2016 Marchesi Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT wine offers bright acidity, refined tannins, cassis and warm spice aromas, and the flavors of cranberry, blueberry, and crushed mint.

4. Louis Roederer (Champagne, France)

Louis Roederer is a Champagne house based in Reims, France. It’s one of the last remaining family companies that’s still run by the Roederers. 

The wine estate is spread across 240 hectares in three Champagne districts: the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and the Vallée de la Marne.

Best Louis Roederer wines: 

• NV Louis Roederer Brut Premier ($60): This elegantly complex, non-vintage Champagne combines four vintage wines in a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier. It’s deliciously creamy and fruity with toast, white fruit, lime juice, and almond notes.
• 2009 Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut ($ 379): The first Prestige Cuvée (top Champagne) of the Champagne region was made by Louis Roederer in 1876 to satisfy the demands of Tsar Alexander II. Today, this Cuvée is produced by blending 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir. 

The 2009 Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut is a silky-textured wine with fresh acidity and fruity aromas with white fruit and citrus notes.

5. Harlan Estate (Napa Valley, California)

Harlan Estate is a famous wine maker based in Napa Valley, California. It produces some of the world’s top-notch Bordeaux style blends. Interestingly, its Cabernet Sauvignon wines are one of the most expensive and revered wines in the Napa Valley region.

This Napa Valley estate has 40 acres under vine with a 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.

Best Harlan Estate wines:

• 2010 Harlan Estate ($1,671): The magnificent Harlan Estate 2010 wine is rich and full-bodied, layered with expressive dark red and black fruit, cloves, menthol, and leather notes. This Napa Valley wine is best after 3-5 years of bottle age and drinks well over the following 30 years.
• 2005 Harlan Estate ($1,342): The Harlan Estate 2005 wine is a Bordeaux-style Napa Valley red blend with an opulent, fruity style. It boasts the notes of blackberries, blueberries, violets, spring flowers, and lead pencil with a smooth finish. Let this Napa Valley wine warm in your glass for you to taste it at its charming best!

6. Weingut Egon Müller, Scharzhof (Mosel, Germany)

Weingut Egon Müller, Scharzhof, is a family-owned German winery in the Saar Valley sub-region of the Mosel in Germany. It’s owned by winemaker Egon Müller IV, and it produces wines exclusively from Riesling grapes.

Weingut Egon Müller wines are sold at unmatched prices and are hailed by some as “the Romanée-Conti of Riesling.” But the winery also sells an array of wines at more affordable prices of about $50+.

Best Egon Muller Scharzhofberger wines:

• 2016 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett ($159): This Riesling is lush and complex on the palate with a herbal mineral quality complemented by berry, earth, musk, and apple notes. It offers a very clear and fresh nose with spicy aromas. While it tastes delicious when consumed young, it also has great aging potential.
• 1998 Egon Muller Scharzhof Riesling QbA ($254): The Scharzhof QbA wine makes a great introduction to Egon Muller Rieslings. Its grapes are sourced from Müller’s Saarburg and Wawern vineyards, and the Wiltinger Braunfels and Kupp vineyards. The palate of this light yet intense 1998 vintage wine boasts lime and slate flavors with peach, ripe apple, and pear notes.

7. Screaming Eagle (Napa Valley, USA)

Screaming Eagle Winery and Vineyards is located in Oakville in the Napa Valley wine region. Its cult Napa Valley wines are produced in limited quantities (only around 500 cases a year) and command high prices. 

Its vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc grapes. 

What’s the story behind this reputed winery?

It all began when real estate agent, Jean Philips, started acquiring selected vineyard plots in the 1980s. Later, the leading Napa Valley vineyard operator Robert Mondavi urged her to switch to winemaking. So, in 1992, Screaming Eagle started its wine business with the first vintage produced by winemaker Heidi Barrett.

Best Screaming Eagle wines:

• 2016 Screaming Eagle 'The Flight - Second Flight' ($1,047): This Napa Valley red wine is made from Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It’s full-bodied, refined, and expressive, with notes of black olives, lavender, hazelnuts, blackberries, and violets.
• 2001 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($4,944): Only 450 cases of this Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc Napa Valley blend are made in a year. Opaque with a spectacular dense bluish-purple hue, this intense Napa Valley wine displays creme de cassis, floral, and licorice notes.
• 2016 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc ($4,345): This white wine has a straw color and offers citrus, lychee, gun powder, and mineral notes on the nose. It is full-bodied with high acidity and a white pepper finish on the palate.

8. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Burgundy, France)

The world-famous Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) is a winery in Burgundy, France, that makes red and white wine. 

DRC wines are among the most expensive in the wine market. They’re named after Romanée-Conti, the domaine's most famous vineyard. The winery produces investment-grade bottles that any serious collector would love to have in their portfolio.

Best Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wines:

• 2007 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux Grand Cru ($3,769): This wine has flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry with a roasted meat dimension. You’ll enjoy its rich, creamy texture with hints of vanilla, caramel, cardamom, and ginger.
• 1991 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche Grand Cru Monopole ($10,006): This Burgundy Côte de Nuits red wine is made from Pinot Noir grapes. Wine lovers covet the drink for its rich fruit flavor with leather, tobacco, earth, and smoky notes. It’s bolder than the flagship DRC wine because it’s made using slightly younger vines.

9. Domaine Etienne Guigal (Rhone Valley, France)

Domaine Etienne Guigal (or La Maison Guigal) is a family-owned winery to the south of Lyon, in the Côte-Rôtie appellation, Rhône Valley. It has exceptional vineyards, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, and Crozes-Hermitage. 

Best Domaine Etienne Guigal wines:

• 2014 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline ($296): This fine wine is made from Syrah and Viognier grapes. It offers exotic aromas of lavender, baking spices, clove, and tobacco and boasts red fruit flavors with oak notes.
• 2019 E. Guigal Côte Rôtie La Turque ($381): Guigal La Turque is produced from 30-year old vines on one hectare on the Cote Brune, close to La Landonne. The vines used are the youngest of any of the Guigal wines. The wine is denser, darker, and more tannic than La Mouline. 

The 2019 vintage is full-bodied and offers red fruit flavors with smoke, spice, and herb notes.

10. Moët & Chandon (Champagne, France)

Moët & Chandon (Moët) is a French winery and co-owner of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. It was established in 1743 by Claude Moët and is one of the largest Champagne houses in the world.

In 1971, Moët & Chandon merged with Hennessy Cognac. Later, it merged with Louis Vuitton in 1987 to become Louis-Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy or LVMH. 

Best Moët & Chandon wines:

• 2012 Dom Perignon Brut ($249): Dom Perignon is a vintage Champagne named after a 17th-century Benedictine monk who was one of the pioneers of Champagne wine. It’s made from 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. You’ll never come across a non-vintage Dom Perignon because each bottle contains grapes grown in the same year.

These wines are not produced during weak or mediocre harvest years. So they have instant collector value and investment value as soon as they are released.

The 2012 Dom Perignon Brut displays a bright straw color with a green hue and fine bubbles. It offers crisp acidity, the aromas of roasted nuts and ripe peach, and the flavors of stone fruit with almond notes.

• NV Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial ($55): The iconic Moet Imperial is loved for its vibrant fruitiness, seductive palate, and refined elegance. It’s made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. It has a yellow color with green highlights and the intensity of green apple and citrus fruit with nuances of white flowers.

11. Barefoot Cellars (California, USA)

Barefoot Cellars is a California-based producer that was founded by Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey in 1986. It has gained attention worldwide for its approachable and affordable wines.

When it launched, it used to make wines from two grape varieties — Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The company slowly added new varieties to its collection as demand increased. 

Today, it offers more than 30 wines that range from still and sparkling to Rosé, sweet and dry wine styles.

Interestingly, its name reflects the manual practice of crushing grapes by stomping on them.

Best Barefoot Cellars wines:

• NV Barefoot Moscato ($6): Here’s a fruity, light-bodied wine with floral aromas, a crisp texture, and the flavors of peach, pineapple, and apple.
• NV Barefoot Pink Moscato ($6): This Barefoot Moscato pink wine boasts the aromas of red fruit, Mandarin orange, and sweet jasmine. On the palate, it offers the flavors of cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate. Its sweetness makes it a perfect match with desserts — try it with strawberries and whipped cream or cheesecake.
• NV Barefoot Sangria ($6): This Barefoot Wine shines with juicy berry flavors accented by notes of grapefruit, pineapple, and citrus.

12. Robert Mondavi Winery (Napa Valley, USA)

Robert Mondavi Winery is one of the most well-known winemakers in Napa Valley, USA. It’s reputed for its commitment to crafting extraordinary wines that reflect the region’s terroir.

It was founded in 1966 and has been producing a diverse range of wines ever since. It’s known for its Woodbridge and Private Selection labels, along with the age-worthy wines from Napa Valley’s famous To Kalon vineyard.

It makes wines from various grape varieties, including Merlot, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Moscato.

Best Robert Mondavi Winery wines:

• 2016 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon ($44): This fine wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and traces of Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It’s a soft wine with full-bodied richness, supple tannin presence, and the flavors of clove, leather, and tobacco.
• 2008 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($135): Here’s a fine wine with refined tannins, the flavors of blackberries and black currants, and a long, spicy finish.
• 2015 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay ($33): This full-bodied white wine offers the flavors of pineapple, sweet vanilla, and pear.

13. Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates (California, USA)

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates is a reputed California-based wine producer. It was founded in 1974 when Jess Jackson bought an 80-acre (32-hectare) of land that would later be part of the Sonoma Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA).

The estate has an extensive portfolio of wines produced mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes. Some of its wines are made from Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel.

Best Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates wines:

• 2021 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay ($15): This Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay offers tropical flavors such as pineapple and mango with citrus notes. It also displays the aromas of vanilla and honey with toasted oak and butter notes.
• 2007 Kendall-Jackson 'Jackson Estate' Taylor Peak Merlot ($105): Here’s a fine Merlot wine with refined tannins, crisp ripeness, and blackberry flavors with licorice and exotic Indian spice notes.

14. Yellow Tail (New South Wales, Australia)

Yellow Tail is an Australian wine producer located in Yenda, New South Wales. It has been producing wines since 2000, and its name is derived from the yellow-footed wallaby. 

Interestingly, Yellow Tail is one of the largest-selling wine brands in the world! 

The winery is popular for its various single-variety wines made from Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay grapes.

Best Yellow Tail wines:

• 2019 Yellow Tail Shiraz ($8): This crisp wine boasts supple tannins, juicy fruit aromas, and red fruit flavors with spice notes.
• 2017 Yellow Tail Merlot ($8): Here’s a medium-bodied wine with refreshing acidity and the flavors of red berry, cassis, and oak. On the nose, it displays mint and dried herb aromas.

15. Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero, Spain)

Vega Sicilia is a wine producer based in Ribera del Duero, Spain. It’s known for its dense, complex red wines made primarily from the Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) grape. Its top wine, Unico, is one of the most expensive and sought-after wines in Spain.

The estate’s vineyards are planted with about 80% Tempranillo grapes, and the remainder is taken up by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and traces of Malbec.

Best Vega Sicilia wines:

• 2012 Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva ($413): This wine offers the aromas of milk chocolate, butterscotch, and black cherry. On the palate, it displays refined tannin content and rich flavors of black plum, black cherry, and chocolate.
• NV Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial ($505): This wine shines with the aromas of blackberry, dark plum, and lavender. It has refined tannins and the flavors of cherry, dark chocolate, and caramel.

Apart from these renowned ones, you can also get hold of these wines from other popular brands:

• Beringer Chardonnay from Napa Valley, Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County, or a Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County. 
• Van Der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley (a  Sonoma County wine region that primarily grows Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel grapes).
• Beaujolais Nouveau.
• Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon blends from Bodegas Salentein and Bodegas Callia, Argentina.
• Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the Paso Robles wineries in California.
• A Domaine Jean Féry & Fils made from organically grown grapes.
• The Ned Pinot Grigio of New Zealand.
• Valdivieso sparkling wine from Chile.
• Frey Vineyards Natural Red, which is sulfites free.
• Grande Provence Chenin Blanc from South Africa.
• A Grenache or a Rioja Reserva from Spain.
• A high-acidity white wine like Chenin Blanc from Loire Valley.
• A Prosecco sparkling wine from Italy.
• A Gallo Moscato or Gallo Zinfandel.

You’ll find plenty of avenues to buy these wines — vintners or wine merchants, online wine sale, or wine auctions (or directly from the chateaux in some cases). You could even buy a bottle you liked in a tasting room during a winery visit or at a tasting event.

But if you want to build a good wine collection, it becomes challenging to pick the right seller, choose the finest wines, buy them, and get the bottle delivered to you every single time.

Thankfully, there’s a quick and hassle-free way to buy, sell, and store wines from the top brands in the wine industry.

Buy, Store, and Sell Bottles From Reputed Wine Brands Through Vinovest

Vinovest is a wine investment company that lets you invest in sought-after wines from the best brands in the global wine industry. 

Besides, Vinovest will store your bottles and deliver them to you whenever you want. 

The cherry on the cake?

You can even sell your wine bottle for a profit if that’s what you’d like!

How Does It Work?

It’s incredibly easy — just follow these steps:

1. Sign up on the Vinovest website. 
2. Fill up a questionnaire to assess your risk appetite and investment preferences.
3. Add funds to your account.
4. Track your portfolio online and watch it grow over the years.

Why Should You Invest in Wines Through Vinovest?

Vinovest selects, authenticates, buys, stores, delivers, and sells your high quality wine bottle collection on your behalf. 

There are several benefits of investing in wine through Vinovest. 

Easy Buying and Selling of Wines

Vinovest’s Artificial Intelligence-based online platform lets you buy the world’s best wines easily. Vinovest will also sell your wines if you wish to make a profit.

The platform lets you sell your wines any time you want. But it’s often best to sell your wines when they’ve reached their peak value (after 5-20 years). 

To make your life easier, our advisors will work with you to maximize your returns — no matter the market conditions. They’ll guide you on the best liquidity options and the best time to sell your wine bottles.

Provenance and Authenticity

You don’t have to worry about fake wine bottles when you invest through the platform. Vinovest authenticates your bottles and traces their provenance for you.

Best Prices

Vinovest sources wines directly from a vast network of winemakers, global wine exchanges, and wine merchants. This allows you to buy premium wine bottles at the best possible wholesale prices.

Carefully Curated Portfolio

Vinovest allows you to build a high-performing investment portfolio of wines. The best part is that your portfolio will be curated by a world-class team of wine experts, including an Advanced Sommelier and three Master Sommeliers.

Perfect Storage 

Vinovest stores your wines in bonded warehouses. Your bottles will be safe under optimal conditions of light, humidity, vibration, and temperature. 

Low Total Costs

Besides funding your account, all you need to pay is a 2.5% annual fee (1.9% for a portfolio above $50,000). This covers buying your wines, authentication, storage, a full insurance policy at market value, portfolio management, and selling. You’ll get significant tax advantages because bonded warehouses don’t charge VAT and excise duty.

Ownership of Wines and Easy Delivery

You get complete ownership of the wines you buy through the platform. Also,Vinovest will deliver the bottles to you (or your buyer) in case you want to drink your fine wines.

Add the Best Wine Brands to Your Collection Today!

There are many renowned wine brands that produce exceptional wines, from DRC in Burgundy to Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley. 

Tracking all these brands and their wine prices can be quite challenging. And if you want to build a wine collection, finding sellers yourself could be a complex exercise. 

What’s an easy way out?

Entrust an expert wine investment firm like Vinovest to buy or invest in wines on your behalf. 

Sign up now and start creating a portfolio of extraordinary bottles.