In the Spirit: Wines and Vines in the City

When we think of where vines grow it usually conjures images of picturesque hills, mountains and valleys. A winemaker needs to have perfectly ripe grapes, healthy vines, the right soil and ideal sun exposure to make a great wine, but there are a few places in the world where the urban environment and the vineyard share the same geography and topography.

We're not talking about wine making in the city, which in itself is becoming more and more popular in urban hubs such as London and New York. At these functioning wineries they typically source the grapes from established vineyards outside the city to make their wines, sometimes in the same state, but grapes can also be shipped from other countries. There's no doubt these wines can be delicious but it's quite a different task to make wine in a city environment than it is to grow vines in a city.

Here are EDGE's top picks for the few and rare inner-city wineries that grow grapes and make wine near some of the world's most coveted urban playgrounds.

Paris

Paris is one of the most revered cities as a destination for food and wine but did you know that on the hills of Montmartre also lies some of the most respected vines in France? Vineyards historically were a huge part of this area until the late 1800s when the dreaded phylloxera louse invaded and completely wiped out the grape vines.

The modern Clos Montmartre vineyard began in the 1930s when some residents of the very arts-centric neighborhood wanted to block real estate development. Not surprisingly, it is illegal in France to build anything on a vineyard. Egalit�!

Check out: Every October is harvest month and the Fete des Vendanges Festival, which celebrates these vines and the wines that are made with them, mostly Gamay and Pinot Noir.

Zurich

Zurich shows off its beautiful landscape and with a rich history of winemaking that began with the Romans' introduction of grapevines to the area. As the city's expansion continued the art of winemaking sort of fell by the wayside as an industry, but leave it to the Monks to resurrect the wine industry beginning with sacramental wines.

Many wines from Mediterranean countries became available thereby reducing the size and production of local vines and indigenous grape varieties in Zurich, but there are still a few places in the city limits to visit some high quality and longtime family producers.

Check out: The Vineyard Walk and Winery Tour will take you to Chillesteig Vineyard owned by Zweifel family since 1440. Here you can discover the only municipal winepress along with their selection of family wines.

Vienna

Vienna is a city well known for music and the arts but -- surprise -- it also has wine! The Heuiger (wine taverns) are the place to taste the winemaker's creations. There is even a tourist train that will take you around for visits. They are hugely popular with locals and tourists alike and can range from large banquet style events to small, very specialized venues only open a few weeks a year.

Over 300 wine estates are in the city limits of Vienna and the king is the indigenous blend of white grape varieties called Gemischter Satz. Responding to the pleas of Regional Wine Committee of Vienna, Austria recently designated Wiener Gemischter Satz as a DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) to protect this Viennese-made juice.

Check out: The Hotel Rathaus Vienna Wine and Design is where to stay. Just like a perfect food and wine pairing, this hotel is the perfect pair with wine travel. They will incorporate wine into all aspects of your stay, from the wine cheese at breakfast to the vintner-designated rooms throughout the property.

Special Mention: San Francisco
Neighborhood Vineyards at Alemany Farms in Bernal Heights is growing vines, or what they refer to as "mini-vineyards." Elly Hartshorn spearheaded the project, which was inspired upon visiting the Clos Montmartre Vineyard in Paris. The results of the planted half-acre plot of Pinot Noir won't be known until the 2016 vintage, but we have our fingers crossed!