The Most Haunted Wineries In The World
It’s spooky season, which means it’s time for scary movie marathons, haunted hay rides, and, of course, recounting creepy winery ghost stories while sipping on your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon. Historic wineries can be centuries old, located in remote areas, and filled with generations of family folklore, making them prime suspects for paranormal activity. Think: screams coming from the vineyards, mysterious objects flying through the air, or unexpected sightings of a scorned woman in an elegant, green gown roaming the château halls.
Though we’ve covered haunted U.S. wineries at length, there are more blood-curdling horror stories to be discovered from wineries across the globe. And with Europe’s lengthy history with wine, there are even more tales of spirits that have inhabited the famed castles of France and Italy for hundreds of years. Whether you’re looking for a thrill or just trying to figure out which tastings to avoid this season, here are seven of the most haunted wineries in the world.
Château de Brissac, Loire Valley, France
The historic Château de Brissac is host to one of the most famed winery specters in the world: La Dame Verte, or the Green Lady. This ghostly figure, often seen around the castle in a green dress, is thought to be the spirit of Charlotte de Brézé, one of King Charles VII’s children. In the 15th century, Charlotte was allegedly unhappily married to a nobleman and was caught having an affair, and her jealous husband killed her in a fit of rage. Legend has it that she still haunts the castle and its surrounding vineyards, and is often seen in the chapel’s tower. Guests report hearing her footsteps, moans, and phantom laughter there and seeing her terrifying, corpse-like face around the halls.
Illustration Credit: Sara Pinsonault
Château du Taillan, Bordeaux, France
Not to be outdone, France’s esteemed Bordeaux region also boasts a grand château haunted by a similarly named, lovelorn woman called La Dame Blanche, or the White Lady. The castle’s lore suggests this is a ghost of a Moorish princess named Blanca. Blanca is said to have fallen in love with someone who her father deemed unfit, so she was banished to a fort to live in solitude. Heartbroken and alone, Blanca died in captivity, and her spirit is said to search the grounds of what’s now Château du Taillan for her lost lover. Curious visitors can book a tour to find the spirit of La Dame Blanche, as well as drink the estate’s white wine named after her.