Raise a glass to these corked destinations: Forget boring Dry January and try these guilt-free booze breaks… from French vineyards to the bourbon capital of the world

Welcome to Britain’s longest and gloomiest month, made even more difficult by the phenomenon of Dry January.

According to the charity Alcohol Change UK, around 17 percent of adults will have stopped drinking in the first month of 2023.

But if you’re among the majority who don’t plan on going that route this year, go out of your way and book a boozy, guilt-free vacation.

WINE AND dine in RIOJA

Rioja’s vineyards are home to a number of architect-designed wineries, but the one that stands out is Frank Gehry’s hotel, Marques de Riscal.

The undulating metal roof panels cover 61 luxury rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a vinotherapy spa, where treatments utilize the healing power of the grape. The views are sublime, whether you’re sitting in a barrel bath gazing out at the vineyards, or on the roof terrace looking out over the medieval town of Elciego. There are also daily vineyard tours.

How to do that: Open from February, with B&B doubles from around £447 (marriott.com). Take the car ferry to Bilbao, a 90-minute drive away, with Brittany Ferries from £781, or from Portsmouth to Santander from £772 (brittany-ferries.co.uk).

GET CHEERFUL IN SHERRY

There’s nowhere better to stay in Jerez, the heart of Spain’s sherry industry, than at a hotel owned by the Tio Pepe winery. The boutique hotel in the historic center of the city (jerez means ‘sherry’ in Spanish) was created from a collection of houses where the winery’s employees used to live. It is part of the 200 year old bodega. Pretty patios and gardens are spread between the 27 rooms, some of which overlook the cathedral. For the best views, head to the roof terrace with pool and sherry bar, where you can enjoy a fino or a sherry cocktail as you watch the sunset.

How to do that: B&B doubles from approximately £117 (tiopepe.com). Tour and tasting costs around £18. Ryanair flies to Jerez from the end of March from £78 return or an hour’s drive to Seville (ryanair.com).

THE BOURBON TRAIL

With its 18 world-famous distilleries in and around Lexington and Louisville, and many more craft distilleries, Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail is a great theme for a trip. For a suitable pit stop, head to Log Still Distillery just outside Bardstown, the bourbon capital of the world. Discover the history of the family distillery and taste the corn-based whisky. Accommodations range from a traditional room with a wrought-iron bedstead in the Homestead Cottage, which overlooks the 30-acre lake, to a modern, rustic three-bedroom lodge with a wraparound terrace – the perfect place to enjoy a glass or two .

How to do that: Double rooms with a tour cost approximately £180 (logstilldistillery.com). Fly to Nashville with British Airways, from £508 return, and hire a car (ba.com).

MIX IT LIKE BORDEAUX

Chateau Pape Clement in Bordeaux, named after the man who first planted vines here in the 13th century before becoming pope, is a chic affair. The grand cru classe de graves wines are aged in a huge barrel-filled room, lit by chandeliers, while the grounds are filled with palm trees and cacti. There are just six elegant bedrooms, each fitted with silk wallpaper and rich fabrics. In fact, you can make your own wine by blending cabernet sauvignon and merlot to the desired level before adding cork, foil and your own label – a wine lover’s dream.

How to do that: B&B doubles from around £326, including tour and tasting. Winemaker course about £86 (chateau-pape-clement.fr). You can fly to Bordeaux or take the train, from £170 return (trainline.com).

GIN IS THE THING IN LONDON

If gin is your poison, you can’t go wrong at 186 Portobello Road, also known as The Distillery. The four-storey building in West London is completely dedicated to the spirit, starting with the basement distillery and copper stills. This is where they make their blends, and you can try it out for yourself. But if you’d rather just drink the stuff, there are cocktail bars upstairs. There are also three bedrooms, each with a vintage record player and a selection of vinyl.

How to do that: A room only doubles from £120, while a 90 minute masterclass costs £75pp (the-distillery.london).

PORTO’S WORLD OF PORT

The Yeatman Hotel is themed around the port wine lodges surrounding it in Porto’s Vila Nova de Gaia, from the carafe-shaped outdoor pool to the Wine Spa and even suites with barrel-shaped beds. But it’s been tastefully done, with each of the modern rooms looking out over the Douro River and the warren of houses in the old town. There’s something for everyone: take a quick dip into the world of the harbor at nearby Taylor’s (hotel owner), a guided tasting in Yeatman’s bulging wine cellars or get lost in the World Of Wine museum.

How to do that: B&B doubles from approximately £290 (the-yeatman-hotel.com). An introduction to port wine tasting costs around £43. Fly to Porto with Ryanair from £34 return (ryanair.com).

WINTER SALES FROM THE WINERY

You can get up to 40 percent off selected breaks at Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire before March 27. When the vine-covered slopes are covered in a cloak of frost, this 75-hectare estate is perhaps at its most beautiful. It is one of England’s oldest vineyards, dating back to 1973. It has eight modern rooms in the main house and three wooden lodges spread among the vineyards. After a winter stroll, return to enjoy tapas-inspired dishes in The Brasserie, with its oak barrels and wooden floors. Whether you prefer still or sparkling, white or red, they make it here, with wine tastings taking place from Wednesday to Friday.

How to do that: Room only doubles from £120. Wine tastings cost £20pp (driekoren-wijngaarden.co.uk).

SPARKLE IN CHAMPAGNELAND

There are numerous small champagne producers in the countryside around Reims and Epernay, some of whom run their own B&Bs. Among them is Le Logis Aux Bulles in the village of Verzy. The three rooms and shared sitting room have the feel of a boutique hotel and feature wine bottles as lighting, champagne photos on the wall – and one even has a champagne riddle as a headboard. A good breakfast will set you up for a day of tastings, starting with a glass of the Mouligneaux-Gourdain grand cru produced by the owners.

How to do that: B&B doubles from approximately £87. Tour and tasting approximately £6 (lelogisauxbulles.com). It is a three-hour drive from the Eurotunnel terminal in Calais.

CIDER RULES IN SOMERSET

At The Newt in Somerset they celebrate apples the same way vineyards celebrate grapes. The extensive estate produces ciders from many of the 70 apple varieties in its 25 hectares of orchards. Take a tour of the Cyder Barn to see the production process and then taste the finished product alongside the dishes in the restaurant. Be sure to try the sourdough made with apple waste. Take walks in the deer park, visit the interactive museum and taste the wine produced at Newt’s sister hotel, Babylonstoren in South Africa. The rooms all include a minibar with Newt’s apple juice and cyder.

How to do that: B&B doubles from £520, including the tour and 12 months access to the estate (thenewtinsomerset.com).

ENJOY A WEE DRAM ON ISLAY

For single malt enthusiasts, Bowmore on the Isle of Islay has six cozy cottages for short breaks next to the traditional distillery on the banks of Loch Indaal.

All have been beautifully renovated, with everything from a one-bedroom hideaway for a romantic getaway to a six-bedroom great room perfect for gathering the clan.

Choose the distillery tour that suits your wallet – whether that’s a simple stone warehouse tour with a barrel tasting for £65, or a rare whiskey tasting for £500.

How to do that: Three nights self-catering in a cottage for four costs from £525 (bowmore.com).

Take the ferry from Kennacraig to Islay for £15pp return (calmac.co.uk) or fly from Glasgow from £130 return (loganair.co.uk).