wine tour from france

THE 10 BEST France Wine Tasting Tours

Wine tasting tours in france.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Loire Valley Castles Day Trip from Paris with Wine Tasting

2. Montmartre Hill French Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Walking Tour

3. Full-Day tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux

4. Champagne Day Trip with 6 Tastings, Reims and Winery from Paris

5. Chateauneuf du Pape wine tour

6. Paris Ultimate Food Tour

7. Medoc or St-Emilion Small-Group Wine Tasting and Chateaux Tour from Bordeaux

8. Saint Emilion Half-Day Trip with Wine Tasting & Winery Visit from Bordeaux

9. Provence Wine Tour - Small Group Tour from Nice

10. Half day in Pomerol and Saint Emilion in a classic car

11. Burgundy Grand Crus Route Day Tour - 12 Wines Tastings in Domains

12. Paris Seine River Champagne Tasting Cruise

13. The only Paris Wine Tasting experience you need to do - 2 hours

14. St-Emilion & Médoc Combine Day Tour including Wine Tastings and Lunch

15. Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux

16. Reims afternoon tour Champagne and family growers

17. Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley

18. Bordeaux Food and Wine Tour

19. Alsace 4 Wonders Small-Group Day Trip from Colmar

20. Perfume Workshop and Sparkling Wine with Eiffel Tower View

21. Provence Organic Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Nice

22. Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting

23. Beaujolais Wine Tasting Day Tour from Lyon

24. Northern Rhône Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting from Lyon

25. Cotes de Provence Wine Tour from Aix-en-Provence

26. Provence Wineries and Luberon Villages Day Trip from Aix-en-Provence

27. Côtes de Provence Small Group Day Trip with Winery Visits & Tastings from Nice

28. Saint-Emilion Afternoon Tour - 2 Wineries, tastings & delicacies

29. Provence Cru Wine Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon

30. Alsace Wine Route Small Group Half-Day Tour with Tasting from Strasbourg

What travelers are saying.

The Best Wine Tasting & Tours In France

Browse through the best selection of france wine tours.

HATT for Dreamers - Wine Tasting and Tour

HATT et SÖNER: A Champagne Odyssey of Taste and Tradition in Côte de Blancs, Champagne

A terroir story | Château Balestard La Tonnelle

Wine Tasting and Tour at Château Balestard La Tonnelle in Saint Emilion, Bordeaux

The "Origins" tour | Château Balestard La Tonnelle

Tasting Distinct Wines at Château Balestard La Tonnelle in Saint Emilion, Bordeaux

Exploring Burgundian Grape Varieties | Maison L. Tramier & Fils

Explore Burgundy with a guided tasting and vineyard tour at Maison L. Tramier & Fils. Book now and let yourself be charmed by the richness and diversity of Burgundian wines

In the Heart of 1st Growths: Prestige Tasting | Maison L. Tramier & Fils

A Dip into Wine History

Oenological Dive in Mercurey

Have an Aesthetically pleasing Day as you also please your taste buds at Maison L. Tramier & Fils winery | Wine Tasting in Burgundy

Wine Tasting, Lunch in a Troglodytic Cave and Tour at Domaine de Rocheville

Have a memorable lunch paired with wines at Domaine de Rocheville winery restaurant

Wine Tasting and Tour at Domaine de Rocheville in Loire Valley

Enjoy a winery tour and organic wine tasting with 4 wines paired with local bouchées

Premium Wine Tasting Châteauneuf du Pape with Art | La Cave de Mathias

La Cave de Mathias is a Unique Place for Dream Tastings in Chateauneuf Du Pape, Rhone

Wine Tasting in Chablis at Domaine Céline & Frédéric Gueguen

A Tasting in Heart of Chablis

Rare and Atypical Champagne Tour and Tasting at Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire

Enjoy a Guided Tour and Pleasant Tasting at the Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire in Vallée de la Marne Wine Region

Rare and Atypical Champagne Tasting at Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire

Taste Authentic Champagne at Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire

France Wine Tours Offered by Local Guides

Discover France's wine scene together with knowledgeable local wine tour guides.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape private tour an intensive fine wine experience

Intensive Vineyard & Fine Wine Experience

Provence - Mont Sainte Victoire intensive wine experience private tour

In search of Cézanne

Aix-en-Provence food markets, Château Beaupré & Château Bonisson vineyards private tour

Old Town Market, Wine & Art of the Châteaux Beaupré & Bonisson

Château de Beaupré, Château La Verrerie & Château Bonisson Intensive wine experience

Intensive Provence fine wine experience

The Wines of the Luberon - Château La Canorgue & La Verrerie & the Château de Lourmarin & Bastide du Laval private tour

Wines and Olive Oil Private Tour

Pont du Gard, Roman History, Villeneuve Les Avignon & the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape private tour

Médiévale Cité, La Chartreuse, Fort St André and the Fine Wine of Châteauneuf du Pape

Avignon and the Vineyards of Châteauneuf du Pape

Where life is lived through its history & traditions and the Rhône valley wines

Medieval villages of Les Baux de Provence, Carrières de Lumière

Journey through Les Baux de Provence and Saint Rémy: ancient villages, art, and wine amidst stunning landscapes

Wines and Chocolate Northern Rhone Valley - Full Day

The Pleasures of Wine and Chocolate

The Roman city of Vienne and Côte Rôtie - Half day

Amazing Wines to Try

Southern Burgundy - Full day

Yummy and Fruity Chardonnay tasting

Northern Rhône Valley: Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas

Discover diverse soils and wines, from fruity Crozes-Hermitage to complex Hermitage, paired with gourmet food along the way

Best Cities to Visit in France

France Wine Map

How to reach wine tasting experiences in france.

Wine tasting tours in France are easily accessible by different means of transportation.

• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the best option to reach wine tastings and tours in Champagne.
• Paris Orly (ORY) 
• Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD)  takes you directly into the heart of the Bordeaux wine region.
• Marseille Airport (MRS) or Nice Airport (NCE) to reach wine tastings and tours in Provence
• Montpellier (MPL)  is where to land to reach the Languedoc – Roussillion wine region and South West France.
• Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) is your option to get close to wine tastings and tours in Loire Valley.
• Lyon Saint Éxupéry Airport (LYS) to get to wine tastings and tours in Rhône.
• A89  or  A62 to reach wine tastings and tours in Bordeaux.
• A6, A31  direction Dijon and then Lille or Nancy or A38 towards Besançon or Basel to get to heart of Burgundy.
• A6, A43, A47  or  A89 are all the motorways that lead to wine tastings and tours in Rhône.
• A8  is the best route to drive to discover Provence.
• Porto Vecchio

Looking for a more specific destination?

Design your perfect wine holiday in france.

Personalize your wine experiences with our team of experts

Dive into the heart of France's celebrated wine culture with a wine-tasting holiday tailored just for you. Explore the storied vineyards of Bordeaux, the picturesque estates of Burgundy, and beyond. Our personalized wine holidays offer exclusive access to private tastings with renowned sommeliers and visits to boutique wineries. Each tour is crafted to your preferences, ensuring a journey that's as enriching as it is enjoyable. Whether you're deepening your wine expertise or discovering new favorites, a wine holiday in France is the perfect blend of luxury and discovery. Ready to uncork the possibilities? Please fill out the form below to begin planning your adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequently asked questions by our visitors, where to taste wine in france, what to wear at wine tastings in france, which is france's most famous wine, what is the most popular white wine in france, how much is a wine tasting in france, which french town is known for wine, what is the best wine area in france, what is the most expensive wine region in france, what travellers says about france wine tours.

Are you interested in reading more about France?

Are you interested in reading more about France? Read our France wine country guide section, or visit our selection of the very best France wineries that you can visit during your stay.

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Wine tasting Tours & Trips in France

Immerse yourself in culture as you sample the finest local wines on a tour of France. With 117 wine tasting adventures ranging from 3 days to 22 days, you'll hop from one winery to another clinking your glasses and sipping premium flavours.

117 Wine tasting tour packages in France with 60 reviews

• River Cruise
• Wine tasting

Brilliant Bordeaux (2024) (Bordeaux to Bordeaux, 2024)

• Sightseeing

Cycle Provence

Overall amazing experience! Met some amazing people and enjoyed some beautiful views. While it was the hottest time of the year, our team had a great support system to ensure everyone was well hydrated. The bikes were nice and sturdy, especially climbing up some of those monstrous hills and the paniers were very handy! I would recommend this trip to anyone looking to enjoy the countryside and south of France!

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Taste of Bordeaux 2024

• Self-Guided Cycling

Cotes Du Ventoux Cycling

A cruise in Aquitaine : the great wines of Southern France (port-to-port cruise) (12 destinations)

A cruise with a good combination of cruise and excursion time. A friendly and helpful staff, clean comfortable boat and good value food and drink.

Cycling Champagne and Burgundy

Great adventure! Safe and well organized! Great Hotels/meals and cultural experiences! Love the arrow system!

Cruise through the Aquitaine Region from Bordeaux to Royan, along the Gironde Estuary and the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers (port-to-port cruise) (10 destinations)

• In-depth Cultural
• Food & Culinary
• Christmas & New Year

Cultural and Gourmet Tour in Provence

This trip is ideal if you want to admire the Provence region off the beaten track; its small villages, its gastronomy, its colors and its smells... What a week!

Colors of Provence (Wine Cruise) (Wine Cruise) 2024 Start Arles, End Lyon

Paris to Nice Through Vineyards and Mountains

• €150 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Coach / Bus

Jewels of Southwest France

Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Paris for Wine Lovers (Northbound) 2024

Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages

• Walking Adventure

Sensations of Lyon & Provence with Paris - Arles - Marseille

What people love about wine tasting tours in france, regions in france.

• Southern France (64)
• Aquitaine & Midi Pyrenees (29)
• Bordeaux & Dordogne (28)
• Northern France (17)
• Provence (7)
• Burgundy (7)
• Normandy (5)

Travel Styles

• France Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 10 Day France Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Best 7 Day France Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

Authentic experience, real people

Shore Excursions

Private Tours

Corporate events

Discover the best wine tours in provence, provence wine tours.

From : Aix en Provence

From : Marseille

On a cruise ship ?

Customized experience

Original Gift

Our Commitments

Your reviews, amazing trip.

Our guide was amazing, and the crew was fun! We learned a lot and got to escape the city for a day! We visited 3 vineyards and enjoyed every minute. Donald D

Perfect wine tour!

We had an amazing time on this tour! My fiancé and I have been on several wine tours in the United States and were interested to learn more about French wines, in particular wines from Provence. This tour was exactly what we hoped for! Our guide was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. He provided helpful background information about classification of French wines and then introduced us to wine making in Provence. We went to 3 vineyards – all were excellent and different!!! We really enjoyed the variety, and we were able to taste white, rosé, and red wines at each site (and Peter kindly showed us how to taste the wines properly). The town we stopped in for lunch was also enjoyable with multiple food options across different price ranges. Overall, we had a fantastic time and would highly recommend this tour to others looking for a more intimate introduction to the wines of Provence . Ptwice24 .

“Fantastic team at Provence Wine tours; I’ve been seven times and cannot rate it enough. Always a destination of choice when I have friends who haven’t visited the South of France before. I’ve been lucky enough to have Stephane on many of my trips and he’s always impressed with his ease of manner, knowledge and ability to make the hours fly by.  I look forward to many more trips. » –  Thomas knapp

A highlight of our trip!

My husband and I were very happy with our wine tour experience! It was so nice to be in a small group where we could ask lots of questions and get a more personal experience. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and shared so much information about the wine, the area, and the culture. The wineries we went to, were absolute gorgeous–beautiful views and delicious wine. What more could you ask for? We came with very little background knowledge of the wine making process so it was so fascinating to hear all about it. This tour was one of our favorite excursions and I would definitely recommend it, as it is fun, informative, and an amazing value! Katie F. 

An experience not to be missed.

We did a private full day wine tour of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region. We were a group of 12, and had an absolutely brilliant day. The tour was well organised, guides were delightful & informative. They were very flexible too in letting us have input in certain vineyards that members of our group wanted to visit. The transport was comfortable, and a plus was that they could arrange delivery of the wine back to our home countries. Highly recommend and a tour not to be missed if you are in the region! Aveens

“Nothing short of amazing! From the first communication with the team. They were so quick to respond and provide different options for tours. To our wonderful tour guide. We can not say enough about him. He was so knowledgeable, and took the time to explain the different wines to us and showed us around the vineyards. We loved our stop at le Castelet such a great little village tucked away with cute stores. And lunch in Cassis was delicious. Probably the best meal we had on our entire vacation! Such an enjoyable day all around. »  –  Joseph Esoff

“Loved our wine tour around Sainte Victoire mount – the limestone mountains were incredible. Fantastic host, knowledgeable, friendly and loves to have a laugh. Wineries were superb and a great representation of the area. 10/10 – I only wish we could’ve stayed longer!! » –   Brendan Garlick

“I just want to say how much we loved our tour with Provence Wine Tours. Our guide looked after our every need and was incredibly knowledgeable of the wine making process. All three wineries offered a different experience and all were friendly and welcoming. Cassis is a quaint seaside village as you promised and the overlook was outstanding-so glad our guide took us to the top! Thanks again for your services. We would highly recommend your company to anyone inquiring” –  Brad Yungblut

For many years now, we have been doing our utmost to offer you the best of Provence by an immersion into the world of wine and by helping discover our most beautiful appellations :  Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoire, Côtes de Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence, Baux de Provence.

In small groups or on tailor-made private tours from Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Toulon … we offer a wine tour experience in some of the most emblematic and authentic vineyards of Provence .

Powerful and full-bodied reds, delicate and aromatic whites or lively and fruity iconic rosés, you will taste some of the best Wines of Provence that we have selected for you. A delight for both of your senses and tastebuds!

Your wine expert guide will share his passion and knowledge for Provence wines and  guide you around small, family-owned or more emblematic wineries of the Region. With your guide , learn about the grape varieties and the different terroirs .

Meet passionate winemakers , engaged in sustainable or organic viticulture . Visit the amazing cellars while learning about the wine making process and aging-potential wines in a relaxing and educative atmosphere .

Enjoy going along paths and roads bordered by magnificent Provençal landscapes : vineyards as far as the eye can see, fields of lavender, the mythical Mount Sainte Victoire, the Luberon, sun-bathed picturesque villages, fountains, the song of cicadas and a glass of rosé…

Join us for a local unique experience off the beaten tracks , enjoy the Provence lifestyle and discover our wine treasures .

You will bring back home some of the wine secrets of Provence and unforgettable memories!

For many years now, we have been doing our utmost to offer you the best of Provence by an immersion into the world of wine and by helping discover our most beautiful appellations : Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Châteauneuf du Pape, AOP Luberon Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoire, Bandol, Cassis, Côtes de Provence, Bellet …

In small groups or on tailor-made private tours from Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Avignon, Nice or Cannes … we offer a wine tour experience in some of the most emblematic and authentic vineyards of Provence .

Your wine expert guide will share their passion and knowledge for Provence wines and  guide you around small, family-owned or more emblematic wineries of the Region. With your guide , learn about the grape varieties and the different terroirs .

Meet passionate winemakers , engaged in s ustainable or organic viticulture . Visit the amazing cellars while learning about the wine making process and aging-potential wines in a relaxing and educative atmosphere .

• Our Destinations
• Barossa Valley
• Margaret River
• Mc Laren Vale
• Colchagua Valley
• London (Gin)
• Pessac - Léognan
• Saint-Emilion
• Languedoc-Roussillon
• Loire Valley
• Normandy (Liqueur)
• Aix en Provence
• Rhône Valley
• South of France (Vermouth)
• Ireland (Whisky)
• Emilia-Romagna
• Turin (Vermouth)
• Trentino Alto Adige
• Maremma Toscana
• Montepulciano
• Central Otago
• Hawke's Bay
• Marlborough
• Waiheke Island
• Douro Valley
• Puerto Rico (Rum)
• Highlands (Whisky)
• Franschhoek
• Stellenbosch
• Ribera Del Duero
• Napa Valley
• Sonoma Valley
• Kentucky (Bourbon)

• Luxury Holidays
• TOUR SUGGESTIONS
• Accommodation
• Restaurants
• Cruises & Trains
• Destination

Luxury France Wine Tours & Tastings

Wine Paths has selected the best wine tours in France to offer travelers like you a unique opportunity to step into the extraordinary world of French wine.

From hot-air balloon flights over world-famous vineyards in the Loire Valley to discovering the ancient underground cellars of Champagne or sharing rare Grands Crus vintages with the châteaux’s winemakers in Bordeaux , our collection of exclusive wine tours in France offers you the chance to take part in all of these… and more!

Discover the best wine tours France has to offer

Ready to discover the best wine tours France has in store for you, your friends, family or co-workers?

French wine is undoubtedly one of the most acclaimed in the world. Wine tourism in France is very distinct. Unlike other countries, France has managed -through centuries of maintained quality and savoir-faire - to successfully transform their most renowned wine regions into international household names, so much so that one of them ( Champagne ) has become the global name for sparkling wines, although it cannot be legally used outside of the limits of the namesake region in northern France.

Now, with so many regions, cepages , mouth-watering names and appellations to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which wine route to explore first during a visit to the country. To help you in this wine-quest, Wine Paths has selected the best wine tours France has to offer. Take a look below for some inspiring ideas and proposals for your next wine trip to France.

Exclusive wine trips to France

Thanks to our close partnerships with the leading local travel agencies of each wine-making region in the country, we have compiled the finest collection of wine trips to France to make the planning of your next trip easy and hassle-free. If you don’t find the perfect one for you among our suggestions below, a local travel expert can help you create a fully-customized wine trip to suit your preferences and needs. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Let our selection inspire you and enjoy the French art-de-vivre , Wine Paths -style.

Combine Tours for private full and multi day packages

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THE 10 BEST Wine Tours & Tastings in France, Europe

Wine tours & tastings in france.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Loire Valley Castles Day Trip from Paris with Wine Tasting

2. Montmartre Hill French Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Walking Tour

3. Full-Day tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux

4. Champagne Day Trip with 6 Tastings, Reims and Winery from Paris

5. Chateauneuf du Pape wine tour

6. Paris Ultimate Food Tour

7. Medoc or St-Emilion Small-Group Wine Tasting and Chateaux Tour from Bordeaux

8. Saint Emilion Half-Day Trip with Wine Tasting & Winery Visit from Bordeaux

9. Provence Wine Tour - Small Group Tour from Nice

10. Explore Hidden Bars and Speakeasy in Nice

11. Burgundy Grand Crus Route Day Tour - 12 Wines Tastings in Domains

12. Paris Seine River Champagne Tasting Cruise

13. The only Paris Wine Tasting experience you need to do - 2 hours

14. St-Emilion & Médoc Combine Day Tour including Wine Tastings and Lunch

15. Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux

16. Reims afternoon tour Champagne and family growers

17. Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley

18. Bordeaux Food and Wine Tour

19. Alsace 4 Wonders Small-Group Day Trip from Colmar

20. Provence Organic Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Nice

21. Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting

22. Exclusive Wine Tour By Night in Nice City Center - small groups

23. Beaujolais Wine Tasting Day Tour from Lyon

24. Northern Rhône Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting from Lyon

25. Cotes de Provence Wine Tour from Aix-en-Provence

26. Provence Wineries and Luberon Villages Day Trip from Aix-en-Provence

27. Côtes de Provence Small Group Day Trip with Winery Visits & Tastings from Nice

28. Saint-Emilion Afternoon Tour - 2 Wineries, tastings & delicacies

29. Provence Cru Wine Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon

30. Alsace Wine Route Small Group Half-Day Tour with Tasting from Strasbourg

What travellers are saying.

• All our wine tours

Languedoc-Roussillon

Loire valley, rhone valley.

• Wine & Gastronomy
• Wine & Well-Being
• Wine & Golf
• Wine & Culture
• Discovery Collection
• Premium Collection
• Wine lessons
• Gift Voucher
• Wine Trails

Wine Tourism in France

As wine tourism specialist, Vinotrip takes you on a discovery of the French wine regions.

Travel artisans for the past 10 years, we craft tailor-made journeys according to your desires.

Responsible Wine Tourism

We work with and for carefully selected partners who are engaged in a local and sustainable economy.

Passion for Terroir

Oenological experiences focused on conviviality and encounters with the men and women who create wine.

Our destinations

Alsace , Beaujolais , Bordeaux , Burgundy , Catalonia , Champagne , Jura , Languedoc-Roussillon , Paris , Provence , Savoy , South-West , Loire Valley , Rhone Valley

Enjoy an original weekend to discover the France wine trails , meet winemakers and taste their wines!

Wine weekend to offer

Your dream is total immersion in the life of a vineyard, spend a few days with our winemakers who will convey to you the love of their soil..

Wine weekend in Sancerre

Epicureans, gastronomes, we have gone out of our way for you, discover the lifestyle of the loire valley..

Bordeaux wine break

Want to get closer to nature and discover the true local flavours, learn about the cultural traditions concerning organic wines..

Beaune wine tour

Enjoy a romantic weekend nestled in the heart of the vineyard. a pure moment of relaxation and well-being for two..

Enjoy a unique experience in the vineyards for a wine trip. VINOTRIP has carefully selected its partners for the quality and the authenticity of their services.

Saint-Emilion wine-tasting weekend

Nature getaway in Anjou

Saint Aubin - Wine weekend

Romantic weekend at Epernay

Saint-Amour wine trip

Bandol wine weekend

Alsace wine route tour

Wine and golf weekend in Bordeaux

Wine tours reviews.

Offer a wine trip

Want to treat your loved ones, give them the opportunity to select their destination and the dates of their stay. Our gift boxes are valid for all stays and to all destinations.

Wine stay in France

Do you want to leave for the weekend discovering the most beautiful vineyards in France ? We offer you customizable wine tours – gastronomy, well-being, sport or culture – to let everyone find their happiness, from the wine amateur to the neophyte. We invite you to  discover wine through wine cellar tour .

Better than a simple wine tasting course, stay in the domain and enjoy wine workshop at the  wine estate with passionate wine producers. Enjoy a getaway in the vines to visit famous Burgundy vineyards . Would you rather prefer “Champagne”? Opt for a wine stay in the most beautiful vineyards of Champagne . Choose to stay at the Château in the heart of Bordeaux vineyard or immerse yourself in the vineyard of Alsace .

For you, our teams have travelled across the most beautiful vineyards of France to select carefully our  accommodations and winemakers partners, from the intimacy of the small wine producer to the prestigious “Grands Crus Classés”. According to your demand, our vineyard experts will build for you a unique itinerary with wine and gourmet discoveries. Become an  oenology specialist!

20+ Top-Rated Wine Tours in France for 2024

On any France itinerary, food and wine tastings usually top the list as one of the best things to include on your trip. Wine tours in France are extremely popular among locals and tourists alike, with tastings being included in the majority of elegant evening meals and even quick Paris stopovers.

In this post, you’ll find 15 of the leading France wine tours as well as some that leave directly from Paris, so you can include a quick and elegant wine tasting into your itinerary with ease or bask in a luxurious multi-day wine guru getaway!

If you want to book any of the tours below, simply click the name of the tour – it will link you directly to where you’ll find all of the fine details, their availability, and booking options!

Happy Travels!

Best Wine Tours in Bordeaux, France

Let’s start with Bordeaux! Located in the southwest of France about 2.5 hours from Paris by train or 6 hours by car, this is undoubtedly one of the most popular wine regions in France.

Psst…If Bordeaux is already on your radar, be sure to check out these 13 BEST Bordeaux Wine Tours in 2024 !

🍷1. Bordeaux Small-Group Wine Tasting & Workshop with a Professional Sommelier

This 2-hour small-group wine tasting in France is the perfect introductory workshop for those looking for a unique wine experience. With a professional sommelier (who speaks French and English), you’ll have the opportunity to taste 8 different wines from multiple regions including Burgundy, Côtes du Rhône, Bordeaux, and the Loire Valley. During the workshop, you’ll enjoy a French appetizer platter of cured meats and cheeses, learn about the different aromas of wine, and you’ll even have the opportunity to blend your very own wine! With a professional sommelier, you’ll learn about wine labels and you’ll begin to develop a broader knowledge of what flavor profiles you prefer in your wine – a skill that will stay with you long after the France wine tour is over! The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior.

🍷2. Make Your Own Cuvée of Bordeaux Wine

World-renowned Bordeaux wines stem from the banks of the Graves and Garonne Rivers, which is exactly what you’ll be sampling in this 2.5-hour tour . Cellar men (and brothers), Pierre and Geoffroy, will first start by showing you the Bordeaux vineyards before taking you indoors to learn how to craft your very own wine from the region’s variety of special grapes. They will be there to assist you every step of the way in helping you design a wine that is right for you. At the end of the tour, you can label and even close your own bottle to take home with you! A cheese and charcuterie board is included in the tour. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior.

🍷3. Saint-Emilion Wine Region Morning Tour with Tastings & Local Guide

Some of the best wines in France come from the Saint Emilion region just northeast of Bordeaux, so naturally, some of the best wine tours in France begin there! On this 4-hour tour , you’ll travel with a private guide to the 9 th -century village of Saint-Émilion where you’ll experience stunning scenery and enjoy multiple wine tastings and snacks at the Classified Growth château. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how the region’s best wines are made and take in the beautiful scenery of the surrounding valleys and vineyards. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from Bordeaux.

Best Wine Tours in Burgundy, France

Next, we’re off to Burgundy! Just 3.25 hours by car in the southeast direction from Paris, Burgundy offers some of the best pinot noir and chardonnay worldwide.

In fact, people who travel to both Bordeaux and Burgundy often butt heads on which is the better wine region in France!

🍷4. Burgundy Grand Crus Route Day Tour with 10 Wines Tastings in Family Domains

If you’re looking for one of the best wine tours in France, look no further. This 8-hour tour takes you to the countryside of Burgundy where you’ll get to explore the lovely Côte de Beaune region. You’ll get a local’s perspective by avoiding the tourist spots and enjoying several different wine tastings along the Route des Grands Crus! Known as the “Champs-Elysées” of Burgundy, guests will be treated to gorgeous stops in the villages of Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée, and even Vougeot. You’ll visit the iconic Chateau du Clos de Vougeot, and have the opportunity to learn about the production process all the while traveling through the heart of Burgundy’s wine country. Following your trip to Vougeot, you’ll also enjoy an additional tour and wine tasting at the stunning Nuits-Saint-Georges estate. This is a small group tour so you’re guaranteed individual communication with your local guide. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from Beaune.

🍷5. Private Wine Tasting Tour – Côte de Beaune & Côte de Nuits 3 Wineries, 15+ Wines

When it comes to wine tours in France, this tour is one of the leading contenders across all regions . This full-day tour (between 8-9 hours) will bring you through the Côte de Beaune & Côte de Nuits regions where you’ll skip the big-name tourist wineries and instead head to 3 incredible independent wineries. You’ll have the chance to sample more than 15 regional wines and explore the wine cellars and local vineyards. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the winegrowers and get a deep understanding of why the wine in this region is unique from a professional guide.The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from Beaune.

Best Wine Tours in Champagne, France

We’re off to Champagne! Situated just 2 hours directly east of Paris by car, this breathtaking region is known for its celebratory bubbles. Be sure to stop into the city of Reims ( where most Champagne tours depart from ) for some authentic French souvenirs !

🍷6. Small Group – Champagne Full Day Tour – Visit of 3 Champagne Producers / Growers

If you’re in search of the best all-inclusive wine tours France has to offer , then this small-group full-day tour is just for you. In this luxurious tour, you’ll be treated to a lovely 3-course lunch as well as 10 different tastings from 3 different champagne producers of the region. You’ll also get to explore the charming village of Hautvillers and have the opportunity to sample the coveted “Grand Cru” champagnes of the region Throughout the day, you’ll also make several stops at wine cellars and learn about the production process of champagne with your knowledgeable guide. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from Reims.

🍷7. Private, Full-Day Champagne Tour from Reims

Are you and your family or friends in search of a full-day tour that includes wine samplings and sightseeing in France’s amazing Champagne region? When it comes to champagne tasting Reims is the #1 spot in the country ! This is one of the ultimate wine tours in France where you and your friends can hop on an 8-hour private tour where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the impressive Reims Cathedral, stroll through the charming village of Hautvillers, and then head to a beautiful family estate. On your way to the estate, you’ll visit the Veuve Clicquot ‘Maison de Champagne’, before enjoying a special wine sampling at the estate. The tour offers free cancellation until 7 days prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from your accommodation in Reims.

Best Wine Tours in Provence, France

Some of the best wine tours in France are right in Provence. Many Nice wine tours also go to Provence, making it the perfect France day trip idea!

Situated in the southeastern reaches of the country about a 10-hour train ride from Paris, Provence is often rated as the best wine region in France. Perfect for sipping on rosés or admiring the blossoming lavender fields come July, Provence has some of the best France wine tours you can find.

🍷8. Private Full-Day Wine Tour in Provence

When it comes to wine tours in France, there’s nothing like taking a private, full-day wine tour in Provence ! Over the course of 6-8 hours, you’ll visit 3 different wineries where you’ll learn about the wine-making process and sample several reds, whites, and rosés. You’ll travel with a bilingual guide and wine expert on a stress-free, fully-guided private tour through one of France’s best wine regions. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from your accommodation in Marseille, Aix en Provence, Avignon, and others.

🍷9. Provence Wineries and Luberon Villages Day Trip from Aix-en-Provence

On this full-day, 10.5-hour France wine tour , you’ll visit the Côtes de Provence St-Victoire as well as the Luberon region. Throughout the day, you’ll enjoy 2 full wine tastings at 2 different vineyards at the base of the St-Victoire Mountain. There will also be plenty of time for stopping and taking pictures in the region’s numerous scenic overlooks such as Bonnieux, and you’ll have free time in the villages of Chateau de Lourmarin, Gordes, and Le Sentier des Ocres. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from Aix-en-Provence.

Best Wine Tours in Loire Valley, France

We end our wine region journey in the Loire Valley! About 2.5 hours by car southwest of Paris, the Loire Valley is world famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. Light, crisp, refreshing… everything you want in a perfect summer wine.

🍷10. Tour of a Vineyard, Winery & Cellar with Wine Tasting in Vouvray, Loire Valley

This 3-hour France wine tour is the perfect quick and stress-free way of learning about the wine-making process and sampling numerous wines in the Loire Valley. This small-group tour will bring you on a fully guided excursion to a family-run Loire Valley vineyard where you’ll get the chance to sample 6 different varieties of wine. You’ll also enjoy a guided walk through the vineyards and a tour of the wine cellars and winery. This tour begins directly at the winery, so no transportation is included. If you’re staying in Tours, there is a 20-25 minute bus ride available to get you there. Otherwise, a car is necessary. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior.

🍷11. Loire Valley Half Day Wine Tour from City of Tours : 2 Wine Tastings in Vouvray

Departing from the city of Tours, this 3.5-hour France wine tour is the perfect half-day getaway for wine connoisseurs looking to visit Vouvray (well known for its incredible white wines that are among the best in France). You’ll have the chance to explore the vineyards of two different estates and walk through the wine caves of Caves Cathelineau with the owner. You’ll then continue onto the Marc Bredif Vouvray Wine Cave where you’ll be treated to more wine samplings in addition to some tasty, local foods. Along the way, you’ll learn the steps to proper winemaking and you’ll find yourself surrounded by endless beauty in the Loire Valley. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from Tours.

🍷12. Loire Valley Wine Tour in Vouvray and Montlouis

Another 3.5-hour tour through Vouvray and Montlouis , this small group (maximum of 8 people) will get an in-depth look at terroir and the duties of a “vine grower.” A professional wine guide of over 15 years will bring the group to two estates including the Domaine Le Capitaine and the Cave des Producteurs de Montlouis. Delicious, local foods such as gourmet cheeses and other delights will accompany a minimum of 10 wine tastings that will be served across these two wine estates. One of which is family-run! This is definitely one of the best wine tours in France. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes private, roundtrip, air-conditioned transportation from Tours.

French Wine Tours from Paris

In this section, I’ve included some of the best wine tours and wine tastings in France that depart directly from Paris so you can still enjoy France’s wine regions even if you’re short on time.

Again, be sure to click on the links and read all about the inclusions and exclusions of each tour prior to booking.

🍷13. French Wine and Champagne Tasting in Paris

This 2-hour tour is the perfect introductory wine tasting France can offer those looking for a quick, but in-depth, wine experience. With a professional sommelier (who speaks French and English), you’ll have the opportunity to taste 6 different wines from multiple regions including Bordeaux, Sancerre, Rhone, and Champagne! Learn about how to properly taste French wines and what to look for in a wine label as well as deepen your knowledge of how wine fits into the French culture. The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and has the option to include a charcuterie board to accompany your wine samples.

🍷14. Montmartre Hill Sweet & Savory French Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour

This small-group France wine tour ranges between 3 and 3.5 hours and is one of the most popular food and wine tours in Paris. With your guide, you’ll tour the lovely hilltop village of Montmartre on this spectacular gastronomic tour where you’ll experience exciting food and wine combinations with the locals! The walking tour will take you to up to 10 different pre-selected venues and you’ll have the opportunity to do some sightseeing along the way. All of the food tastings are included with everything from gourmet cheeses and cured meats to delectable fine wines and rich chocolates. The tour offers free cancellation until 3 days prior.

🍷15. Burgundy Wine Tasting Tour in Chablis with Local Wineries Visit with 12+ drinks

This small-group tour (maximum of 8 people) departs Paris for an all-day (approximately 12 hours) tour through France’s stunning Burgundy region. Enjoy the region best known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and get the chance to visit 3 different local wineries that have become world-famous over the years! Sample red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines with your professional guide and learn about how they’re made. This is easily one of the best wine tours in France departing from Paris! The tour offers free cancellation until 24 hours prior and includes roundtrip, air-conditioned, private transportation from your hotel in Paris.

Wine Tastings in France on a Budget

Not all of us share the same wallet for our wine tastings in France as those dining in the Eiffel Tower , but that shouldn’t mean we can’t get the same (or at least a similar ) experience.

I have provided a quick list of some of the best budget wine tours in France below for you to take a look at.

🍷16. Saint-Emilion Small Group Morning Wine Trip with Winery & Tastings from Bordeaux

🍷17. nice local vineyards small group half day e-bike tour with wine tasting, 🍷18. saint emilion afternoon wine tour with winery visits & tastings from bordeaux, luxury wine tours in france.

But, if it is in your budget to splurge on a luxurious wine tour in France, then these incredible options should be on your radar!

🍷19. Luxurious Full-Day Bordeaux Wine Tour in a Tesla

🍷20. champagne vip day trip from paris with private wine expert guide, 🍷21. luxury champagne tour, private & exclusive.

Some popular amenities often seen in these luxury wine tours in France include everything from private transportation right from your hotel’s front step to full creating your very own label to put on a bottle of wine to bring home with you.

Although, you should always be sure to read through what’s included before booking to ensure the tour turns out to be everything you hoped it would!

The Ultimate 7 Day Wine Tour in France

Perhaps you have an entire week for sampling the liquid gold of France (lucky you!) and you aren’t really sure how you want to spend it. Or, perhaps you don’t have enough time to plan out a detailed wine sampling getaway for you and a loved one. Well, we have just the thing (well, two things actually!)

First, you could simply book this amazing Week-long Tour with Wines, Castles, and Gastronomy in the Loire Valley with a Sommelier . You’ll be treated to two winery and two castle visits per day, and have the chance to dine in some of the highest-reviewed Michelin-star restaurants in France.

If it’s in your budget, you can book this incredible tour simply by clicking the link above. Seriously, it really is that easy.

But, what if that isn’t really in your budget…? What do you do now? You contact me!

I (Emily) am highly experienced in planning special trips including honeymoons, family vacations, and yes, even getaways to the French winelands.

So, if you need help staying on budget and getting the romantic wineland vacation you’ve always dreamed of, simply use my contact form on my Travel Planning Services Page ! Or you can simply use my contact form below.

Food and Wine Tours in France

Want to ensure you get some delicious French cuisine included in your French wine tour? Check out these amazing food and wine tours in France below!

Map of the Best Wine Regions in France

Wine Tasting Holidays in France

If you’re looking to go away on a complete wine tasting holiday in France , I would consider all of your options.

Which regions do you want to visit? What types of wine do you typically enjoy? Is there a brand or type of wine that you really want to try? Are there any wines you definitely want to avoid?

These are the questions you’ll need to ask yourself before you can get started on planning your holiday in the French winelands!

FAQ: Wine Tours in France

Next, let’s jump into some essential information you’ll need to know so you can best plan your French wineland trip.

Each wine region is unique in terms of the grapes that grow best in the regional climate, as well as the wine styles created by its winemakers. Below, I’ve provided some helpful information so you have everything you need to select which vineyards may be the best fit for you!

What are the 5 Famous Regions in France that Produce Still Wines?

When it comes to wine, France really does know best. In fact, France is home to not one, not two, but five famous wine regions! I know, it’s pretty amazing.

So, what are they? Well, you have Bordeaux , Burgundy , Champagne , Provence , and the Loire Valley . Each region is known for a specific flavor or style of wine. For example, Champagne is most popular for well, champagne! As well as light and bubbly sparkling white wines.

Burgundy, on the other hand, is most well known for its pinot noir and chardonnay. The region you should visit highly depends on the type of wine you like or want to try.

Here is a quick breakdown of which types of wine each French wine region is known for:

Bordeaux ⮕ Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon Burgundy ⮕ Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Champagne ⮕ Light, fruity, sparkling wines Provence ⮕ Rosés Loire Valley ⮕ Sauvignon Blanc

Of course, you can find almost every variety of wine in the world in every one of these regions, but if you’re trying to become a true wine connoisseur, then it will be in your best interest to choose a destination (or destinations ) that speaks to your palette’s preferences.

Below, I’ve broken down the best wine tours in France by region, so you can easily find one that is perfect for your taste preferences. Remember that each tour’s specific inclusions and exclusions may vary, so be sure to click on the link and read all of the fine print before booking.

What is the Best Wine Region in France?

Popular opinion has made its claim that Bordeaux is the leading wine region to visit in France . It’s globally recognized as the wine capital of the world and even earned a UNESCO World Heritage Site status back in 2007 .

However, no matter who you ask, every wine connoisseur is going to have a different opinion owing to their individual preferences.

If you enjoy light and bubbly with a slight hint of fruitiness, then Champagne may become your favorite region, but if you favor deep, rich reds, then Burgundy will likely be high on your list!

With over 8,000 different wine producers catering to every taste of every traveler, it’s no surprise that Bordeaux is frequently awarded with the “ best wine region in France ” title.

What is the Most Famous Wine in France?

It’s hardly surprising that the best wine region in France and the wine capital of the world is also home to the most famous wine in France .

Generally speaking, Bordeaux’s popular Merlot’s make up more than half of the wine produced in these vineyards and is definitely among the most famous wines in France .

While there is no wine, in particular, that has earned the top badge for the most famous wine in the country across the board, there are a few popular picks that continue to receive high accolades year after year!

Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots are typically the two highest contenders, with Chardonnay and Champagne not far behind.

Are Wine Tastings Free in France?

While it depends on the winery you visit, most of the time wine tastings are not free in France unless you are staying at their associated hotel and have purchased a package.

Some smaller wineries will give away light wine samples free of charge, but don’t expect this from the more distinguished estates.

However, if you’re looking to take part in wine tastings in France on a budget, you can usually find great deals (like 5-7 samples for as low as 10 euros a person) by just checking out the websites of the wine estates in the regions you’ll be in!

It’s super simple to check online and even book ahead so you know you won’t have to wait when you arrive. This is especially important during the busy season of September through October when it is harvesting season.

How Much is a Wine Tour in France?

The cost of a wine tour in France is going to vary greatly depending on which region you’re in, how long it is (hours versus days), the number of samples you try, if add-ons like transportation and lunch are included , and if you visit more than one region in France .

In fact, they vary so greatly, I’ve seen tours as low as $11 (not that you should expect these to be very good) and as high as over $2,000 for private, multi-day tours!

But, for the most part, a tour that lasts for a few hours in one region and includes between 3-6 different wines, you can expect to pay between $50-200 per person .

Can You Visit Wineries in France?

Absolutely! Most wine tours in France allow you to visit their wineries without question . You will find that some vineyards on the property may be roped off at the time of your visit to allow for proper growth, but this isn’t always the case.

This is simply to prevent unwanted trekking through fragile ecosystems which could inhibit or affect the growth of the grapes.

Many wineries in France have both vineyards and wine cellars available for tours, but you will likely need to be with a guide for the majority of your visit.

What Time of Year is Best for Wine Tours?

The best time to visit France for a wine tour is typically during the harvest season which falls between September and October. During this period, you’ll have the opportunity to see the winemaking process in action and perhaps even participate in grape harvesting events.

However, it’s worth noting that this is also peak season for French wine connoisseurs so it can be crowded. If you prefer a quieter trip, consider visiting in late spring (May and June), when the vineyards are lush and beautiful, and the weather is comfortable.

You likely won’t see many grape-covered vineyards, but it’s an amazing time to sample the wine from the previous season without thousands of other tourists around.

Regardless of the time of year you choose, each season offers a unique and delightful experience in France’s wine regions.

Can I Take a France Wine Tour by Train?

Yes, it’s entirely possible to take a wine tour in France by train. The French rail system is extensive and well-connected, allowing easy access to major wine regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne.

Some companies even offer organized wine tour packages that include train travel, making your wine exploration stress-free and enjoyable. However, these usually add up to thousands of euros per person.

You could also create your very own French wine tour by choosing your estates in advance, then traveling to them via train and taxi or by rental car. I personally know people that did this, and in the end they said it was great getting to stop for pictures along the way whenever they wanted, but it was a lot of effort and time on the road.

Overall, they wouldn’t do it again and on their return to France they would certainly be booking a guided tour to take care of all the logistics for them.

How Do I Plan a Wine Tasting Trip to France?

It may seem daunting, but planning a wine trip to France is really quite simple. The Champagne region is known for, well, champagne! So, if you love a glass of the bubbly stuff, be sure to include at least a few nights in this region where you’ll find endless bubbles of every kind.

If you aren’t really a fan of reds, then perhaps it’s best to spend less time in the Burgundy region.

But, if you want to taste it all, you really can’t go wrong as every wine region in France houses spectacular wines of every kind!

Or, if you would like a little bit of help, I have actually created personal wine trips across France for honeymooners seeking a romantic getaway, and I would be happy to help you too!

Simply fill out my Travel Planning Inquiry Form below and I’ll be in touch within 24-48 hours! Yes, I’m a real person, and you’ll hear from me … not a robot or an automated system.

Other Helpful Resources

Is Paris Safe? A Full Guide on Safety in Paris Why Visit Paris? 25 Reasons to Visit Paris, France One Day in Paris: How to See the Best of Paris in One Day The Best Paris Itinerary: Everything You Need to Know for 3 Days in Paris The Best Time to Visit Paris: 7 Things You Need to Consider for a Great Trip Paris At Night: 24 Wonderful Activities and Tips For A Magical Evening 17 Incredible Beaches Close to Paris Lake Annecy, France: The Best Activities, Accommodations, and Travel Tips 23 Best Things To Do in Chamonix, France: Summer & Winter Where to Stay in Chamonix in December 2024 11 Top-Rated Normandy Tours from Paris: D-Day Beaches & Mont Saint-Michel Paris River Cruise: 10+ Top Rated Tours in 2024 Is France a Continent? The Facts for 2024 Does France Celebrate Halloween? La Toussaint Explained Paris Postal Code & Paris Zip Code 2024 (& Diagram!) Best Time to Visit Normandy: The Complete 2024 Guide

Want to learn how to speak some French for your wine tour in France? Check out these helpful French language learning articles!

Good Morning in Fren c h: 17 Helpful French Greetings How to Say Good Night in French 7 Different Ways How to Say Nice to Meet You in French 15+ Ways 33+ Ways to Say Thank You in French (with Audio) 1-10 in French: Learn to Count from 1-10+ in French (with Pronunciations) What Time Is It in French 11+ Ways: How to Ask and Tell Time in French Saying No in French 31+ Ways (& Audio Pronunciation) Merry Christmas in French 17+ Ways

3 French Phrases I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Paris

While many locals do speak English in Paris, there are a few very important phrases I wish I had known before I landed at Charles de Gaulle…

There are hundreds of wine tours in France to choose from making the decision, quite honestly, a bit daunting ! How are you supposed to know which tour is right for you? Well, hopefully after reading this guide, you have a better idea of what sounds like a good fit for you.

Depending on which wine region you want to visit, the above tours are all fantastic options for including in your France itinerary .

Whether you prefer reds to whites, sparkling to flat, fruity to bitter, or you simply don’t think that you like any wine, I promise that among the wine tours in France , there is one out there for you !

And even if you do decide that wine isn’t really your thing, there’s always the option to just enjoy the vineyards , the scenery , and try your hand at crafting your very own bottle as a gift for someone else during any one of these spectacular wine tours from France!

Hey there! I'm Emily Concannon, a seasoned globetrotter who has backpacked her way across over a dozen European countries, immersing myself in the diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines of the region.

My passion for travel transcends personal experiences; I've spent years learning how to transform my globetrotting knowledge into personalized itineraries for fellow travelers worldwide.

With a tally of 26 countries (and counting!) under my belt, my day job involves extensive research on different countries which often leads me to booking a new adventure every chance I get!

• +44 (0)20 8877 4940

Wine Tours France

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We provide wine tasting weekends, vineyard experiences and romantic breaks. From a weekend in Bordeaux to a grand ten-day wine tour across the South of France – a French wine tasting holiday from SmoothRed is a memory that will last a lifetime.

Whether it’s the food, culture or iconic landscapes, France is the ultimate location for gourmet lovers. From the fairytale châteaux of the Loire Valley,  the illustrious wine estates of the Médoc or the lavender fields of Provence and the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy, France has it all!

The tours featured on our website are intended to give you inspiration for what’s possible. We don’t do off-the-shelf here at SmoothRed. We specialise in bespoke wine travel.

Our France Wine Tour Destinations

Brittany and Normandy

Provence & Rhone Valley

Loire Valley

Languedoc-Roussillon

French Riviera

At SmoothRed, we are passionate about wine and providing our clients with luxury holidays and wine tours, as well as experiences across the most famous wine-growing regions in France.

France produces some of the finest wines and wine tasting in France is a lavish experience. Each of our tours will see you visit some of the most luxurious vineyards and wineries in the world. Discover new flavours at private wine tastings in Bordeaux, Rhône or Champagne whilst enjoying delicious gourmet cuisine in beautiful châteaux.

Why take a wine tour in France?

France is synonymous with many things, including romance and art, but for many, France is about sensational food and world-beating wines. There are many quantitative metrics that tell us France leads the way when it comes to wine:

• In 2017, France exported wine worth more than $10bn, 50% more than Italy who came in second
• France is rarely out of the top two in terms of global wine production
• The most expensive bottle of wine ever sold (a cool $558,000) was French

However, mere numbers cannot accurately portray the important role wine plays in French accomplishment, nor the significance of French wine to the rest of the world. Wine is a driving force in day-to-day French culture. In terms of the global outlook, few would disagree that France produces the best, most sought-after wines.

Many European nations, from Italy to England and Switzerland to Spain, produce great wines, but at the very top end, it’s hard to argue that one could better France’s top wines from Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Of course, this isn’t a competition and, in truth, it is impossible – not to mention rather pointless – to compare “French wine” and “Italian wine”. There is simply so much variety within the wines produced by both countries, not to mention other producing nations, in terms of grape varieties, terroir, style, price range and so on.

There is, indeed, so much variety even within France itself, in large part due to the country’s size. At more than 550,000 square kilometres, mainland France is larger than Italy and the UK combined and it is easily the biggest country in Western Europe.

The relatively cool climate and chalky, limestone soil of Champagne helps produce very different wine to the endless sun and warmth of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south. France boasts so much variety in terms of terroir, weather and topography that it is able to produce many different styles of wine, and indeed this is a large part of the appeal for many oenophiles.

The Key Wine Regions of France

You could spend months touring France and barely scratch the surface of its many treasures. There are well over 300 different Appellations d’Origine Protégée (AOP) wine areas within France but it is easier instead to consider the major regions.

The city of Bordeaux lies on the Garonne River and the region is situated in the west of France on the Atlantic. Bordeaux is most famous – from a wine perspective – for its big, powerful reds which are great food wines, although it also produces other styles, including probably the most famous sweet wine in the world, Sauternes .

Champagne is a much smaller region than Bordeaux and is situated about 100 miles east of Paris. The acidity and body of the wine that is a byword for celebration and luxury, make it a surprisingly good match with food, especially for those fortunate enough to stretch to a bottle of vintage Champagne. To see our Champagne tasting tours, click here .

Burgundy has a greater number of individual AOPs than any other region in the country and these span both red and white wines, making this a great option for a wine holiday in France. Best known for Pinot-Noir-based reds, it is certainly worth sampling the also fantastic white Burgundies, which often utilise Chardonnay grapes. Wines such as Chablis, Pouilly-Fuisse and Meursault are elegant, refined choices that showcase the versatility of Chardonnay.

Languedoc-Roussillon is the most southerly region in France and boarders Spain and the Mediterranean Sea. With well over 700,000 acres of vines, it is three times the size of Bordeaux in terms of the area of planted vines and it produces rich, ripe reds thanks to its over 300 days of sun each year.

Alsace is a region in east France near the Swiss and German borders and is one of the smaller French wine regions. The Alsace region produces almost exclusively white wines, although a small quantity of pale red and rosé is also made. Those looking for excellent value fizz will find Crémant d’Alsace a real treat, whilst the whites tend to be aromatic and subtly satisfying.

  The Loire Valley is around 170 miles in length, stretching down the central part of the river of the same name. Located in northern, central France, this wine region produces some of the greatest white wines around. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are fantastic ways for lovers of New World Sauvignon Blancs to glide across to French wine. Made from the same grape, these Loire Valley wines are less grassy but offer greater minerality, and they pair superbly with seafood.

Provence and the Rhône

Provence is on the south coast of France and includes Marseille and Toulon. Famed for its sun, lavender and unparalleled rosé wine, Provence is one of France’s most popular wine holiday destinations. Producing reds and whites too, the region has much to offer and that’s before we even consider the Rhône.

North of Provence, the Rhône is actually a large area. It produces Syrah- and Grenache-based reds of great richness that go brilliantly with food, such as the globally famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Wine has been grown here since 600 BC, and in more than 2500 years of winemaking, superb whites have been produced too, utilising Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne grapes.

How to plan a wine holiday in France

Choose which region you would like to visit, the wines that suit your palate, how you would like to travel and the type of accommodation that would suit you.

• You could unwind in a boutique hotel in Bordeaux or a private château in the Languedoc!
• Maybe you would prefer a  self-drive wine holiday, combining two regions, the Loire Valley and Bordeaux for example, or Burgundy and Champagne?
• Or a luxury Eurostar escape discovering the charm of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a magical French wine tour in the Rhône Valley.
• Do you prefer a Pinot Noir with silky tannins and complex favours from Burgundy, or the boldest and most tannic of Bordeaux   wines with Cabernet Sauvignons from the Médoc?

Speak to the team today to create your perfect wine tour around France!

Our Customers Rate Our France Tours

Our recent reviews.

SmoothRed planned a truly fabulous trip from Paris through Brittany to Normandy and back to Paris. Every part of the trip was wonderful and seamlessly executed. It was a trip of a lifetime! Without any hesitation or qualifications, we heartily recommend SmoothRed. They customized an extraordinary family trip.

Dorothy Weinstein

Very well organised trip to Tuscany, getting in 2 wine regions. Lovely hotel with amazing view. The best part was our guide Paula who ensured our wine tasting tours were with smaller wineries which have authenticity and care for the environment. Highly recommend SmoothRed!

Warren De Villiers

To Adam & the SmoothRed Team. Our recent trip to Bordeaux and the Medoc/St Emillion has been a wonderful trip & experience. One I would have no hesitation in saying is top class. I would certainly use SmoothRed & their travel associates in future wine tasting trips. The entire group…

SmoothRed did an outstanding job providing chauffeured driven wine tour through Bourgogne and the Rhone valley (France). The multiple vendors they used were all Courteous, Prompt, and very fluent in English. This 7 day trip went without problems. I would highly recommend SmoothRed.

We came to Bordeaux for part of our honeymoon and took the First Growth Bordeaux tour. SmoothRed worked with us to curate a trip based on our desires. The 8 Chateaux we visited, the 3 delicious lunches, and the hotel were wonderful, but what set the trip apart was our…

Tibita Kaneene

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Tailor-Made Wine Tours in France

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of France, where you'll uncover the grandeur of majestic châteaux, experience the distinctiveness of exquisite terroir, and indulge in the world's most celebrated appellations.

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Your bespoke French experience awaits

From sipping grand cru within the walls of a 15th-century chateau to exploring Burgundy’s terroir and sampling the obscure Romorantin grape, France offers rich opportunities to immerse yourself in the craft of making great wine, which they have perfected over centuries.

With our tailor-made tours, wine lovers will get a chance to savor world-famous red wines from regions like Côte de Nuits and cultural explorers will enjoy walking tours of towns like Saint-Émilion, with its underground monuments. You can also gain access to exclusive French vineyards, providing the opportunity for exquisite tours and tastings, as well as the chance to meet the wine producers who are making their mark in the industry.

Pair this with biking through the fairy tale landscape such as the Loire Valley and eating at Michelin-starred restaurants. Your next trip is sure to leave lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for French culture.

Discover other wine regions in France

French grape varieties:.

• Cabernet Franc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chenin Blanc
• Gewurztraminer
• Pinot Meunier
• Bordeaux Bordeaux
• Burgundy Burgundy
• Champagne Champagne
• Provence Provence
• Loire Valley Loire Valley
• Alsace Alsace
• Corsica Corsica

Go to: Bordeaux →

Go to: burgundy →, go to: champagne →, go to: provence →, go to: loire valley →, go to: alsace →, go to: lyon →, go to: corsica →, loire valley.

There is one region in the world that holds the title above all others as the capital of wine. With over 50 appellations and 9,000 châteaux, it is surprisingly not the size that is most impressive, but the quality. The most famous of names in the world of wine is Bordeaux. The history of wine here has influenced the world but it is the quality of the product that continues to impress even the toughest critics.

Explore the Médoc district: Taste Grand Crus at exquisite estates such as Château Pichon Baron, Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Kirwan.

Stay in luxury: Rest and enjoy a boutique hotel located within a Grand Cru winery in St. Émilion. 

The merging of art and wine: Learn about the unique terroir that gives life to the exceptional wines of the wonderful Pessac-Léognan vineyards.

The sights and sounds of the underground: Explore the incredible subterranean monuments of Saint Émilion, from underground churches and catacombs to its picturesque village.

Brandy, in all its glory: Visit Cognac and enjoy a lunch with local products prepared to fully showcase the different cognacs made by Rémy Martin. 

7-Day Bordeaux Itinerary

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Bordeaux Highlights

Burgundy boasts a wine making history that stretches back to the Middle Ages. The wines, made predominantly from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, express complexity, elegance and reflect the unique terroir. The vineyards of Burgundy offer a stunning backdrop to an extraordinary trip with history at every turn and unparalleled food and wine experiences.

Sip Grand Cru: Immerse yourselves in the highest quality wines with a winemaker at the base of the famous Corton Hill.

Choose food with the locals: Visit the lively Beaune market to buy local ingredients for a cooking class followed by lunch in a chef’s home.

Deep-rooted winemaking: Enjoy a vertical wine tasting and explore the essence of Burgundy’s terroir with a winemaker.

6-Day Burgundy Itinerary

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Burgundy Highlights

Known in Roman times as Campania (Land of Plains), Champagne is a largely agricultural region celebrated around the world for the sparkling wines that have been produced here since the days of Dom Pérignon. Lying to the east of Paris, the Champagne vineyards are bathed in a dual climate subject to both continental and oceanic influences, a phenomenon not found in any other French wine-making region. According to French law, only bubbly from the region – grown in designated areas, then aged and bottled according to the strictest standards – can be labeled as champagne.

Savor the wonderful world of champagne: Discover the Champagne-making process known as 'The Traditional Method' at the domains of the local growers. 

More than just bubbles: The Champagne region is not only famous for its wine but also for its culinary offerings. Try local dishes like Chaource cheese, pink biscuits from Reims, and dishes made with local produce.

4-Day Champagne Itinerary

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Champagne Highlights

The Provence region is a stunning destination known for its lavender fields, charming villages, and sunny beaches. No other region of France stirs the imagination as strongly as the stunning expanse of Provence. Just saying the word conjures images of endless sunflower fields, the scent of lavender wafting through the breeze, beautiful clear skies, charming medieval villages, regional food, the azure of the Mediterranean and wonderful people. It is easy to understand why so many famous artists, including Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Picasso, found inspiration here.

Experience the lavender fields: These fields, extending as far as the eye can see, are the epitome of Provence's charm and allure, and offer a surreal and calming experience.

Wander through ancient places: Explore the striking Roman amphitheater in Orange, the Palace of the Popes in Avignon (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) or towns like Gordes, Gigondas, Les Baux de Provence, Saint Remy, and Arles.

Immerse yourself in the local markets: Aix-en-Provence Market, a lively outdoor marketplace, is a feast for the eyes, boasting vibrant displays of colorful produce, artisan cheeses, and charcuterie that will tantalize your taste buds.

10-Day Provence Itinerary

plan a custom Provence trip

Provence Highlights

Known as the “Garden of France” for its lush rolling hills and orchards, the 600-mile stretch of the Loire Valley makes up one of France’s top wine regions. The region produces original and notable wines, dividing into smaller appellations like Anjou, Bourgueil, Saumur, and Touraine, among others.

Although the Loire Valley grows 24 varietals, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Franc stand out as the region's major grapes. Loire Valley wines are renowned for their excellent value, refreshing acidity, minerality, and the pure expression of the varietal and terroir.

Do not overlook the unforgettable experience of exploring the wine-tasting tours in the Loire Valley, France.

Historical Heroes: Immerse yourself in the lives of historical figures from the past, from Joan of Arc to Richard the Lionheart and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Exceptional cultural landscape: Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, discover the Loire Valley and the quality of its architectural heritage and historical châteaux.

Discover immaculate gardens: The gardens and parks of the Loire Valley captivate visitors with a delightful array of French or English styles, from geometric to wild. Always blooming with vibrant colors, these gardens offer a mesmerizing experience. 

Outdoor Pursuits: Picture yourself cycling through charming villages and serene countryside, or savoring a scenic boat cruise along the Loire River complemented by a delightful picnic lunch.

10-day Loire Itinerary

plan a custom Loire trip

Loire Valley Highlights

Located in the northeast of France, Alsace lies on the border between France and Germany on the west bank of the river Rhine. Alsace is something of a hidden treasure, boasting verdant green rolling hills, hilltop castles, and a unique heritage. It has changed hands between France and Germany on several occasions throughout history, reflected in its Germanic villages of brightly painted, steep-roofed, half-timbered houses.

Alsace is most famously known for its very aromatic, floral, and spicy white wines that make up over 90% of the region’s production. Indulge in elegant, dry Riesling, off-dry Pinot Gris, and luscious, rich Gewürztraminer.

Capital of Christmas: Visit Strasbourg, with its festive charm which captivates visitors with its spellbinding architecture, colorful markets, and enchanting ambiance.

Route des Vins: Taste your way along this iconic tour which celebrates the region's prominent vineyards famous for their aromatic, floral, and spicy notes.

Gastronomic delights: Sample some of the best regional dishes like choucroute garnie, flammekueche, and tarte flambee.

5-Day Alsace itinerary

Plan a custom Alsace trip

Alsace Highlights

Tour Arcachon Bay

Experience a private tour of Arcachon Bay. Take in breathtaking views, backed by tranquil forests and vineyards which go on endlessly. Embark upon an elegant pinasse boat to explore all that Bassin d'Arcachon has to offer - this includes stops at oyster farms where you can taste freshly harvested seafood delicacies paired with local white wines from Pessac- Léognan. Afterwards, explore local shops in Arcachon or wander through the quaint village before indulging in lunch at one of the trendy restaurants nearby.

Stay at Hotel de Pavie

Find yourself transported back to the historic days of medieval France when you arrive at Hotel de Pavie. Situated in beautiful Saint-Emilion, it offers spectacular panoramic views over one of the most renowned and much visited regions in all of France. 

Each room is meticulously crafted by internationally acclaimed architect Alberto Pinto with exquisite attention paid to every detail, from serene balconies that open out onto tranquil old cobblestone streets below to quiet window vistas offering a glimpse into this region’s glorious past. And finally - discover peace like never before within luxurious suites designed for total relaxation.

Visit Pichon Baron Vineyard

Château Pichon Baron, Second Grand Cru Classé in 1855, is one of the great historic vineyards of Bordeaux. The estate comprises 73 hectares of high quality gravelly soil. Pichon Baron consistently produces exceptional wines that are faithful to the spirit of this great terroir. Discover their wines in a tasting lead by a member of the estate’s team.

Stay at Villas Foch

Immerse yourself in the elegance of bourgeois architecture of the 19th century in this restored mansion. Every aspect of the décor is in line with the city's UNESCO World Heritage standing and exudes majesty. A luxuriously appointed boutique hotel within walking distance of the public gardens boasting a wellness area with an indoor heated pool and sauna.

Try Your Hand at Burgundian Cooking

Visit the lively Beaune market to buy local ingredients and learn local tips and tricks to acquire the freshest produce. Laden with ingredients, walk with the chef to your private kitchen. The menu you will create is seasonal and market-inspired and highlights the small artisan food producers of the region. Throughout the experience, your chef will share her passion for food as well as french cooking techniques and Burgundian secrets. After the lesson, enjoy the fruits of your labor while your chef serves some of their favorite Burgundian wines.

Experience an Aloxe-Corton Tasting

Explore a 14th-century cellar nestled at the foot of Corton's hill, followed by a delightful tasting of premier and grand cru wines. At Domaine Chapuis, a cherished estate passed down through generations since 1850, indulge in a private tour of their cellars in the enchanting Aloxe-Corton of the Cote de Beaune region. Don't miss the chance to savor the exquisite Corton-Languettes wine, an exclusive masterpiece produced only by two esteemed estates.

Stay at Hostellerie Levernois

Nestled in a bucolic setting of a 6-hectare park, the Hostellerie de Levernois cultivates a simple and elegant lifestyle. Experience the authentic charm of a beautiful 18th-century mansion composed of 3 buildings in harmony with the Burgundy nature. There is a Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant onsite with a thousand-and-one-bottle cellar, a bistro, and a 30-meter-long swimming pool. Sheltered from urban turmoil, but very close to major tourist sites of Burgundy, it is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, a family stay, or an epicurean weekend to discover the nectars of Burgundy.

Stay at l'Hôtel de Beaune

L’Hôtel de Beaune is an exceptional luxuriously restored XIXth century house with its own courtyard. Set in the heart of Beaune with 10 exclusive rooms, it offers the highest standard of comfort and service. L'Hôtel is renowned for its privacy and the personalized service it gives to guests.

The on-site restaurant, Le Bistro de L’Hôtel, is the perfect place to celebrate the French culture and its art of living. Thanks to le ‘Menu Dégustation’ guests will discover specialities such as “L’œuf Cocotte façon d’Alba à la Truffe Mélanosporum,” le “Bar de Ligne Entier Grillé,” and “le Poulet de Bresse”. The menu is updated every day with the freshest products. The Bistro’s Wine list has been rewarded for the past 8 years by the magazine Wine Spectator.

UNESCO World Heritage Chalk Caves at Ruinart

Nestled in the heart of Champagne country lies a hidden gem often overlooked by those who venture to the region in search of bubbling glasses of the finest champagne. The UNESCO World Chalk Caves at Ruinart hold not only millions of bottles of the world's most exquisitely crafted champagne, but also a rich history dating back to the 18th century. With its sprawling network of ancient caves carved deep into the chalky earth, the setting gives off a sense of grandeur and timeless beauty that one cannot help but feel utterly captivated by.

Visit La Maison Penet Estate

Savor the finest champagne and cuisine at the prestigious Maison Penet. Located in the heart of the Champagne region, this luxurious estate promises to be the perfect setting for an unforgettable champagne lunch. 

With your personal sommelier, learn about the exclusive selection of Maison Penet champagnes, each one meticulously crafted to perfection. As you sip on your champagne, savor the delectable flavors of the gourmet cuisine, expertly prepared by the estate's award-winning chef. Take in the exquisite surroundings of the estate, marveling at the beauty of the vineyards and the stunning architecture of the Maison Penet.

Stay at l'Assiette Champenoise

Located in the heart of the city, the house proposes various spaces allowing you to relax and give you the feeling of being at home. All the comfort is offered in an aesthetic setting which harmonizes the contemporary lines of the furniture and the authentic overall appearance of the hotel. To relax during your stay in Champagne, you can enjoy the indoor heated swimming pool of the hotel, or enjoy a quiet moment in the gardens in the heart of the city.

The suites have recently been refurbished in a very contemporary style, in keeping with the restaurant, bar, and reception. The individual bedrooms retain their more classic appeal. 

Dine at the well-regarded 3* Michelin restaurant "Assiette", as hosted by Chef Michel Guérard, who is one of the longest-standing 3* chefs in France. 

Explore Château De Sacy

Enjoy an unforgettable experience at the Château de Sacy, with its gastronomy and great hospitality. Travel through the history of Women and Champagne! Nuit de Miel, Madame de Pompadour, Valse Pétillante, and Marie Antoinette… each of the rooms is unique and invites you to relax. 

Local gastronomy, sophisticated and elegant, and combined with the best Champagnes. The restaurant, right in the heart of the vineyards, is a gourmet stop where local products get better every day. Your comfort and well-being are their top priority. The team can provide you with tailor-made services and facilities to meet all your needs throughout your exceptional stay.

Stay at Le Mere Germain

La Mère Germaine is a hidden treasure in the heart of the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the perfect place to recharge after a day tasting the surrounding estates. The House has a Michelin-starred restaurant with two shaded terraces and exceptional views of the Rhône Valley, the Palais des Papes, and the Alpilles drawn in the distance.

Dine at Maison Pic

Chef Anne Sophie Pic is one of the top chefs in the world and the only female chef in France to hold three Michelin stars. Discover a single 10-course menu that is an experiment in the combinations of flavors. In some dishes, five aromatic groups are present, while making each taste perceptible and legible. Go on a great culinary and historical journey at this Rhone Valley gem. 

Maison Pic is also a luxurious and elegant hotel, part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux network, owned and operated by the Pic family.

Explore Hilltop Villages of Provence

Stroll through the sandstone streets of Gordes, the most photogenic village in Provence, which offers stunning panoramic views of the Luberon Valley. 

Roussillon, also in the Luberon, is situated in one of the largest ochre deposits in the world and is surrounded by magnificent red cliffs, ochre quarries, and lush green pine trees. 

Gigondas is a Southern Côtes-du-Rhône Village, surrounded by vineyards producing some of the best Grenache wines in the region. The town itself has a lot of character, with narrow cobblestone streets and old stone houses.

Farm to Table at La Mirande

La Mirande is as romantic as can be, in particular, because of its unique location overlooking the eastern facade of the Palais des Papes, visible from almost anywhere in the hotel. Each of the rooms is dressed in its own period printed canvas. A constant exoticism marks the heritage of the walls which have become historical monuments. A heritage that takes you back in time to the 18th century, that of all the enchantments of Avignon and Provence.

In the old Pamard family kitchen, on a venerable wood-burning stove, surrounded by the instruments of great traditional cooking - copper pans, beautiful earthenware, old-fashioned kitchen scales, and an enormous wooden table – Chef Séverine Sagnet is cooking in accordance with her credo “from farm to table.” This is the heart of La Mirande. The chefs work right before your eyes when they prepare a set menu featuring fresh, local produce in keeping with the season and the market's offerings, accompanied by a selection of regional wines.

Visit Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Wineries

Discover a Cave cellar in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil followed by vertical and horizontal tastings at an organic and biodynamic producer. 

Visit a traditional winery such as Domaine de LaChevalerie or Clos des Quarterons and explore their impressive cave dug into the tufa stone used to age their sublime wines. Discover a great range of Cabernet Franc wines, with options for vertical and horizontal tastings, to explore the diversity of wines produced in the different terroir. 

Tour Château de Chenonceau

Uncover Chateau de Chenonceau's royal history with your historian guide. The 16th-century castle and its gardens evoke the opulence of the King of France's Renaissance era, enhanced by women of power. Experience the magnificent gothic/renaissance architecture and art collections as you journey through the stunning interiors. 

This experience is enhanced with a boat tour on the river Che where you get to pass under the great arched bridges with wine and a charcuterie board featuring local cheese and delicacies.

Stay at Les Sources de Cheverny

An ancient forest, a period French chateau, a small hamlet of elegant cabins, a lake surrounded by gorse, and traditional stone houses as if out of a dream. This haven of peace created by Alice and Jérôme Tourbier is a family home where guests can feel good, spend time in nature, and recharge over Grands Crus and gourmet delicacies. 

The carefully selected furniture blends with beautiful fabrics and noble materials, creating an inspiring, delicate, and unique atmosphere. The onsite restaurant is dedicated to using local, seasonal, and fresh ingredients with impressive dishes straight out of the rotisserie grill. There is also a relaxing spa and wellness area.

Stay at Château d'Artigny

Chateau d’Artigny is the dream Belle Époque castle built by François Coty, the famous perfumer. This Castle-hotel is located in the heart of the Loire Valley just 15 km from Tours and dominates the valley. 

All the rooms are elegantly decorated in keeping with their location, enjoy modern comforts, and offer pleasant views over the Indre and its valley, the French garden, the Château, or the park. The magnificent rotunda dining room on the ground floor of the castle, “l’Origan” restaurant welcomes guests in a sophisticated, dignified eighteenth-century woodwork, enhanced by gilding with gold leaf, fluted columns with capitals carved, and high windows with a beautiful view over the valley of the Indre.

Tour Château Haut-Koenigsbourg

VIP privately guided tour at Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle with access to areas normally closed to the public. It sits atop a hill at an altitude of 757 meters and overlooks the surrounding valleys and hills.

The castle was built in the 12th century by the Hohenstaufen dynasty but was destroyed in the 17th century during the Thirty Years' War. It was then abandoned and left in ruins for several centuries until it was bought by the town of Sélestat in 1865. The castle was then restored and renovated by the German architect Bodo Ebhardt at the request of the German emperor Wilhelm II, who wanted to use it as a symbol of German power and influence in the region.

Visit Riquewihr Village

Visit Riquewihr, the gem of the Alsace Wine Route and ranked among the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France,’ followed by a tasting at Domaine Weinbach, universally regarded as one of the greatest producers of Alsace wines. Located in neighboring Kaysersberg at the foot of the majestic Schlossberg Hill, the estate was built by the Capuchin Monks in 1612 and has been in the Faller family since 1898.

Private Tasting at Château of Kientzheim

Château of Kientzheim is where the seat of the Confrérie Saint Étienne is located. Founded in the XIVth century, the Confrérie Saint Étienne is the oldest wine confrérie in France. Discover the prestigious collection of the Confrérie Saint Étienne with its 65,000 bottles of Alsace wines, and enjoy a private winetasting of old vintage wine.

Stay at La Maison des Têtes

A boutique stay with a Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant in the heart of Colmar and the Alsace Region. La Maison des Têtes embodies the simple elegance of stately mansion homes that over the centuries refined the art of hosting.

The owners of the establishment, Eric Girardin and Marilyn Tanguy Girardin, draw inspiration from the past while still being firmly rooted in the present to showcase its cultural and historic heritage in a 21st-century setting. La Maison des Têtes is a successful blend of the strengths of Alsatian tradition and modernity.

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At Into The Vineyard, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer you complete freedom to build your perfect trip. Start with one of our many sample itineraries and customize as you desire, or start with a blank page, and with the help of our expert Trip Planners, we can create your dream wine-inspired travel experience. 

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Testimonials

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I waited 50 years to travel to France. I imagined every detail to make my dream trip come true. I needed help in making the dream a reality.

From my first phone call to IntoThe Vineyard and meeting Morgan, to actually sitting in a vineyard in Provence sipping a chardonnay, they held my hand and planned each beautiful step. They listened to me and tailored exactly the trip I wanted. I chose to do it as a solo trip but never felt alone. The accommodations, drivers, and details all made for a flawless first-time international trip.

Madison Dreith and her team did an outstanding job of arranging a memorable visit to the Bordeaux region of France, as well as a one-day "foodie" tour of Paris. It was so easy to enjoy the trip when we had drivers who knew the area to take us to the different wineries. The restaurants selected for us to have our lunches were outstanding as well. Into the Vinyard allowed us to fully enjoy our time in Bordeaux.

We thoroughly enjoyed the tour in Bordeaux. This tour was in August so we know it was a challenge. But their delivery was World Class.The service people lined up by Into the Vineyard were engaging, thoughtful and respectful. The two hotels, although small both in number of rooms and room size, were quaint. Their breakfasts and afternoon beverage arrangements were a nice touch. The specific wine tours had much more of an educational tone to them as compared with other wine tours we experienced previously. A unique aspect of the week was a side boat trip in Archachon. It was an interesting break from the wine tours and the boat captain was incredibly humorous. Recommend this tour and this tour company highly!

Booked us an amazing trip to Champagne and Corsica. We were so impressed by the quality of the hotels they recommended and the guides they paired us up with. Not only did they arrange fantastic tours of well-known wineries but also small independent ones. Super professional and their attention to detail was great. Corsica was suggested to us and was everything we wanted and more!

We just had an amazing trip to France/Spain to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary. I want to thank Into the Vineyard as they picked wonderful spots for us to stay along with some amazing adventures.

Colin heard our desires and was able to point us in the right direction so that we could enjoy the experience without being constantly on the move. The part I really appreciated was that we wanted wine activities, primarily in Bordeaux, but had enough experience to plan non-wine day tours for us in the other cities, such as a Tapas tour and a cheese/barkery/chocolate tour.

Your Wine Tour: An Authentic and Unforgettable Experience

Extraordinary, memorable experiences – your wine tour in France and Italy will be filled with them. Imagine gazing over 1000 barrels of a renowned First Growth wine… tasting by candlelight in vaulted 12th century cellars … staying at a private Classified Growth chateau as their exclusive guests…or walking through a Grand Cru vineyard with a world-famous winemaker.

A warm welcome awaits you at renowned chateaux and exclusive boutique producers that are not accessible. Would you like to taste the latest vintage in the barrel, or a library wine the cellar master just brought out? For wine lovers, it just doesn’t get any better than this.  We’re sure to have wine tours in France and Italy perfectly suited to your preferences.

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10 Best Bordeaux Wine Tours & Wine Tastings for 2024

If you’re thinking of visiting the stunning and historic wine region of Bordeaux this year, one of the best ways to have an authentic experience is to book a private guided tour of Bordeaux with a local. You’ll get exclusive access to some of the best wineries and unique tasting experiences you might otherwise have missed.

France’s celebrated Bordeaux region is more than just a destination – it’s a smorgasbord of sensory delights. This iconic wine paradise has been a magnet for #Winetravelers. We’re frequently asked how best to traverse and immerse oneself in the area, and truly, there’s no more authentic way than to utilize a local-operated guided Bordeaux wine tour or tasting experience. These services provide you with local expertise, freeing you from worries about planning, logistics or driving. This means a richer exploration of the region without stress and with extra time.

RELATED: 30 Best Bordeaux Wineries You Must Visit within the Region

We’ve assembled a list of the top wine tours in Bordeaux, based on feedback and ratings from our readers. We only include tours that have received nothing but 5 star reviews. The list includes both group experiences and private wine tastings and excursions throughout the region. Whether you’re lodging within the idyllic Bordeaux countryside or planning a day trip from Paris, Lyon or Biarritz, we have your needs covered.

We’ve joined forces with Tripadvisor to offer our readers advanced secure booking and free cancellation on any Bordeaux wine tours booked through Winetraveler.com .

RECOMMENDED: Stay at These Luxury Bordeaux Châteaux While You Visit

Best Wine Tours & Wine Tasting Experiences in Bordeaux

Bordeaux wine tours from bordeaux city.

The city of Bordeaux makes for an ideal base for Bordeaux wine tours, thanks to its central location within the region. It offers effortless access to famed wine areas such as Médoc, Saint-Émilion, and Pomerol. An efficient transport system, including train and bus routes, guarantees smooth travel to various vineyards and wineries.

Bordeaux City boasts numerous tour operators that provide curated wine experiences catering to a wide range of preferences, from small boutique wineries to larger, globally-known estates. This, coupled with the city’s own vibrant cultural and gastronomic scenes, makes Bordeaux City the perfect launchpad for exploring Bordeaux’s wine country.

A la Francaise! Bordeaux: Wine Tasting and Chateaux Tour in Medoc or St-Emilion from Bordeaux City

Winetraveler Rating (over 604 reviews):

Engage your senses in an afternoon wine tasting journey in the beautiful French countryside of Bordeaux. This half-day tour offered by A la Francaise gives you the choice to explore either the historic St-Emilion or the exquisite Medoc, each offering their unique wine styles and picturesque châteaux.

Images courtesy A La Francaise !

This intimate experience involves not just tasting, but learning and appreciating. You will be taken to two carefully selected, charming châteaux where you’ll taste their fine wines and learn about their production. To enhance your tasting experience, Winetravelers are treated to a platter of local French specialties, including bread, cheese, and cured meat that pair perfectly with the wines.

To cap off your immersion in the world of wine, a mini-class from an expert will equip you with valuable wine tasting tips. This is an experience for both the novice and the seasoned #Winetraveler.

Highlights:

• Visit and explore two charming châteaux in your choice of either the St-Emilion or Medoc region.
• Delight in the tasting of four distinct wines, learning to appreciate their nuances.
• Savour a specially prepared French appetizer platter that complements the wine tasting.
• Benefit from an insightful mini-class offering expert wine-tasting tips.
• Enjoy a more personalized experience with this small-group tour, limited to just eight participants.

A la Francaise also offers dozens of other highly-rated tours throughout the Bordeaux region. You can browse additional tour options with them here .

Starting at $110

Electric Bike Vineyard Tour and Wine Tastings in Saint-Émilion

Winetraveler Rating (over 403 reviews):

Delve into the world of Bordeaux’s renowned wine appellations by embarking on a journey through the picturesque vineyards of Saint-Émilion on an electric bike tour. Cover more ground with less effort on these power-assisted bikes, while soaking up the idyllic landscape that makes this region truly special.

RELATED: How to Pair Bordeaux Red Wines with all Kinds of Food

During your exploration, you will visit two distinctive chateaux wineries where the secrets of Bordeaux’s famous wines will be unraveled. Each visit is complemented by guided wine tastings that allow you to appreciate the nuances of the wines produced here.

Following your immersive wine encounters, enjoy a scenic picnic lunch among the vineyards, a perfect way to sample local delights while surrounded by nature’s beauty. Your journey concludes with a walking tour of the UNESCO-listed village of Saint-Émilion, known for its captivating charm and historic importance.

This intimate tour experience ensures personalized attention with a small group size limited to just eight people. Round-trip transportation from Bordeaux is also included, providing a stress-free day of delightful wine exploration.

• Embark on an electric bike tour through the stunning vineyards of Saint-Émilion
• Enjoy guided wine tastings at two distinguished chateaux wineries in the region
• Indulge in a delicious picnic lunch surrounded by vineyards
• Explore the UNESCO-listed village of Saint-Émilion on a walking tour

Starting at $176

Private Médoc Luxury Wine Trip from Bordeaux in a Citroën DS Convertible

Winetraveler Rating (over 18 reviews):

Experience the prestige of Bordeaux’s Médoc vineyards like never before with this luxury wine trip, custom-tailored to your unique tastes. Travel in style in a vintage 1973 Citroën DS Limousine Convertible, provided by Bordeaux Classic Cars, with a private chauffeur at your disposal, creating an unparalleled ambiance of charm.

Images via Bordeaux Classic Cars .

The Médoc vineyards stretch north of Bordeaux along the Gironde river, and are renowned for producing some of the region’s most distinguished wines. As you traverse the famed ‘Route des Chateaux’, admire the breathtaking views and the grandeur of the landscapes that have birthed these exquisite wines.

This fully customized tour allows you to craft your own itinerary, selecting from “Premier Cru” vineyards or boutique wineries based on your personal preferences. Enjoy guided wine tastings and savor the subtleties of the region’s varietals, and consider a stop at a gourmet restaurant for a culinary journey that complements your wine adventure (at your own expense).

• A luxurious journey in a vintage 1973 Citroën DS Limousine Convertible
• Personalized itinerary through Médoc’s premier wine regions
• Guided wine tastings at premier cru chateaux or boutique wineries
• Spectacular views along the ‘Route des Chateaux’

This private tour is available in half-day or full-day itineraries with pickup from Bordeaux, and prices start from $289.18. Luxuriate in the vintage elegance of the convertible limousine, with space for four, ensuring a comfortable and memorable excursion.

Starting at $289

Private Tour in the Sauternes Wine Region – Discover Bordeaux’s Sweet Crus Classés

Winetraveler Rating (over 22 reviews):

Step off the beaten path and dive into the sweet wines of Bordeaux with this special half-day tour in the Sauternes wine region , proudly brought to you by Bordo’Chateaux. The Sauternes region is the home of the world-renowned Château d’Yquem, a Cru Classe of 1855, where the grapes are nurtured in the mystical fog of the Ciron river and harvested late in the season while they acquire a much sought-after “noble rot.”

Images via Bordo’Chateaux .

Did you know that Sauternes holds the honor of being the second wine region in the prestigious Crus Classes of 1855? Let Bordo’Chateaux guide you through the vineyards where these acclaimed sweet wines are born. Visit small, charming family-owned estates and taste their carefully crafted, confidential wines. Discover that sweet wines are so much more than just dessert wines as you unravel the secrets of their production and unique characteristics.

• An intimate, half-day tour through the sweet wine region of Sauternes
• Visit to family-owned estates and tasting of exclusive, confidential wines
• Insight into the unique process of making sweet wines
• A peaceful escape to the countryside of Sauternes

Spend a tranquil afternoon in the delightful countryside of Sauternes. The selection of wineries visited on the tour is subject to change based on seasonal availability.

Prices for this intimate, private tour start from $211.33.

Starting at $211

Bordeaux City – Private Guided Walking Tour with Your Local Guide, Sophia

Winetraveler Rating (over 89 reviews):

Step into the heart of Bordeaux City with Sophia, your local guide, for a private, tailored walking tour that breathes life into the city’s history while offering a local’s perspective. This tour invites you to weave through the city’s most noteworthy sites as well as its hidden gems, all at your own pace.

Images via TheBordelais .

Customize the logistics of your tour to fit your preferences – adjust the start time, meeting point, and even the route to match your vacation plans. Stroll through different neighborhoods, exploring iconic monuments and absorbing the unique ambiance of each locale.

You’ll enjoy fascinating anecdotes and fun facts about the city and its rich culture. This personalized tour provides the perfect opportunity for you to ask any burning questions about Bordeaux in a relaxed, comfortable setting.

Book your personalized, private guided tour today to discover Bordeaux City like never before, from only $94.54.

Starting at $95

Bordeaux Wine Country Private Day Tour with Winery Visits Operated by Atlas Bordeaux

Winetraveler Rating (over 13 reviews):

Atlas Bordeaux takes the reins in this exclusive private day tour, delivering an unparalleled Bordeaux Wine Country experience. Let a certified wine professional curate an itinerary tailored to your interests, featuring visits to multiple Bordeaux wineries or even a Cognac destination. Dive into the splendors of Bordeaux’s wine heritage without the burden of planning and logistics, allowing you to fully savor this day of private, worry-free wine tastings.

Images via Atlas Bordeaux .

Sit back and relax as your transport is taken care of, liberating you to indulge in all the wine tastings you desire. Complement your tastings with an appetizing lunch at a locally owned spot, a traditional brasserie, or even a Michelin-starred restaurant, depending on your preference.

Exploring regions such as Medoc, Saint-Emilion, Graves, Sauternes, or Pessac-Leognan, this tour is an immersive experience into the heart of Bordeaux’s wine culture, brought to life by the knowledgeable guides at Atlas Bordeaux.

Highlights of the Tour:

• An expertly curated, hassle-free wine country exploration that is customizable to your preferences
• Enjoy lunch at a choice of family-owned establishments, traditional brasseries, or Michelin-starred restaurants
• Transportation is arranged, allowing you to fully indulge in wine tasting without worry
• Visit renowned wine regions such as Medoc, Saint-Emilion, Graves, Sauternes, or Pessac-Leognan.

Starting at $800

Luxury Full Day Bordeaux Wine Tour in a Tesla

Winetraveler Rating (over 25 reviews):

Experience the decadence of a private wine tour taken to new heights of luxury with Elexi Travel & Event. This special journey through Bordeaux’s renowned wine region is delivered in a Tesla, merging comfort and sustainability. Led by an experienced local wine guide who doubles as your driver, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of Bordeaux wines and visit three prestigious chateaux. There’s also an option to customize your tour with a visit to a winery of your choice, subject to availability.

Images via Elexi Travel & Event .

This private tour is exclusively designed for your group of family and friends, providing an intimate and personalized experience. Starting your day with a convenient hotel pickup in the Bordeaux region, you’ll set out on an exploratory journey that covers the wine areas of Saint-Émilion, Médoc, and Sauternes.

Comfort is paramount in this adventure, as you’re driven in the spacious interiors of a state-of-the-art Tesla, enhancing your wine discovery experience.

• Exclusive private tour, ideal for groups of family and friends
• Convenient hotel pickup in the Bordeaux region
• Detailed insights into the wines of Saint-Émilion, Médoc, and Sauternes
• Luxurious, environmentally-friendly travel in a Tesla vehicle, chauffeured by a knowledgeable guide

Starting at $767

Bordeaux Travel Logistics

Getting to bordeaux, major airports in bordeaux.

Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD): This is the principal airport serving Bordeaux and the surrounding areas in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Although it’s not the largest, its convenient location just 30 minutes from the city centre makes it the preferred choice for many travelers. Keep a lookout for current flight deals on Kayak for the best rates.

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS): This is one of the largest airports in France with numerous international flight connections. Though it’s about a two-hour drive to Bordeaux, the extensive connections and shuttle services to Bordeaux make it a practical option.

Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE): Another option for entering the region, especially for those exploring the greater Bordeaux region. It’s around a three-hour drive to Bordeaux, but the airport offers a number of domestic and international flights.

Arriving from Other Parts of France

France’s high-speed train network, the TGV, makes travelling to Bordeaux from other parts of the country both swift and convenient. The Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station is a major hub that connects the city to other French cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. This connectivity, combined with the efficiency of the TGV, means you can be sipping Bordeaux’s famous wines just a few hours after leaving Paris.

Getting Around Bordeaux

Public transportation.

Trains: The train system in Bordeaux is well developed, providing reliable connections not only between major cities but also to smaller towns in the region. The trains generally run on time and provide an efficient and economical way to travel.

Buses: For some of the more remote areas or smaller villages, buses are the only available form of public transport. Though not always as punctual as the trains, buses offer routes to areas trains can’t reach.

Renting a car is a wonderful option if you’re keen to discover the picturesque countryside and visit vineyards at your leisure. Remember that non-EU citizens need an International Driving Permit along with their standard driver’s license to drive in France. Also, take note that many city centers in Bordeaux have restricted traffic zones, which are monitored by cameras. Unauthorized entry into these zones can result in fines.

Taxis and Rideshares

Taxis are easily accessible in cities and larger towns. Uber is also available in Bordeaux, providing an additional convenient option for navigating the city.

Other Things to Know

Best time to visit.

Bordeaux is a fantastic destination at any time of the year, but the most favorable times are generally between May and October when the weather is warm and the vineyards are in full bloom.

French is the official language. However, English is commonly spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants.

The Euro (€) is the official currency of France.

Bordeaux is generally safe for tourists, but as with any travel destination, always be aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded areas.

Electricity

France operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. The power plugs and sockets are of type E.

Cities, Towns and Villages within Bordeaux

The region of Bordeaux, in the southwestern part of France, is famed worldwide for its premium wines and wine-making culture. However, aside from its prestigious vineyards and wine chateaux, Bordeaux is home to a diverse array of cities, towns, and villages, each one bursting with its own unique character, history, and attractions. This section delves into some of the must-visit places within the Bordeaux region, painting a vivid picture of the diverse experiences that await you in this enchanting wine capital of the world.

Bordeaux City

As the region’s capital, Bordeaux City is a harmonious blend of history, culture, and of course, wine. Its city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, brimming with Gothic cathedrals, grand mansions, and public squares lined with trendy boutiques and bistros. The city is also home to La Cité du Vin, a world-class wine museum that offers an immersive journey into the world of wine. With its central location and excellent transport links, Bordeaux City is a perfect starting point for day trips throughout the region.

Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is a picturesque medieval village known for its eponymous world-class wines. The town’s monolithic church, carved from a limestone cliff, is a sight to behold, while its underground catacombs offer a unique glimpse into the town’s past. The village is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its historic vineyard landscape that has remained intact over the centuries.

The Médoc region, stretching north of Bordeaux City, is an esteemed wine-making area dotted with prestigious wine chateaux. It’s a wonderful place to explore, with lush vineyards, pine forests, and a long sandy coastline perfect for relaxing walks. The region is also famous for the annual Marathon du Médoc, a unique event combining wine tasting and long-distance running.

Pomerol, although one of the smallest wine regions in Bordeaux, is a powerful name in the world of wine, producing some of the world’s most sought-after vintages. This quiet, rural area is an idyllic place to escape from the hustle and bustle, and to appreciate the simpler things in life, like a good glass of wine amidst the beauty of nature.

Graves and Sauternes

South of Bordeaux City, the regions of Graves and Sauternes are known for their diverse wines, from crisp whites to sweet dessert wines. These areas boast a rich history, with Graves being the oldest wine region in Bordeaux, and Sauternes home to the prestigious Château d’Yquem.

Arcachon Bay

Although not a wine-producing area, Arcachon Bay is worth a visit for its beautiful coastline, oyster farms, and the Great Dune of Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe. In fact, you can even book a tour by the coast in Arcachon , that includes pairing oysters with Bordeaux wines. The seaside town of Arcachon, with its charming villas and lively markets, is a delightful destination for food lovers.

These towns and cities, each with their own charm and specialties, contribute to making Bordeaux not only a top wine destination but also a rich cultural experience. From vineyards and chateaux to historic cities and sandy beaches, the region truly has something to offer every type of #Winetraveler.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bordeaux Wine Tours

Can you do wine tours in bordeaux.

Absolutely! Bordeaux is renowned worldwide for its exceptional wines and is home to some of the world’s most prestigious vineyards and chateaux. A wine tour in Bordeaux provides a unique opportunity to discover the rich winemaking traditions of the region, engage with knowledgeable vintners, and of course, taste a variety of exquisite wines. You can book a wine tour in one of the many wine regions in Bordeaux such as Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, or even Sauternes. You’ll visit historical chateaux, explore scenic vineyards, and learn about the grape varieties and winemaking processes that have made Bordeaux wines famous. Take the first step towards an unforgettable Bordeaux wine experience and book a Private and Customizable Bordeaux Wine Tour today . For those seeking an immersive and educational experience, consider participating in wine tasting classes and workshops available throughout the region. You’ll get to broaden your understanding of wine, learn how to appreciate its flavors and aromas, and discover the art of food and wine pairing. Sign up for a Bordeaux Wine Tasting Masterclass in the heart of Bordeaux . Also, many Bordeaux wine tours include a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Bordeaux, known for its vibrant wine culture and landmarks like La Cité du Vin, a state-of-the-art wine museum. Experience Bordeaux’s vibrant wine culture firsthand. Reserve your spot on a Bordeaux City and Wine Tour now . Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a novice enthusiast, a wine tour in Bordeaux is an experience not to be missed. It’s more than just wine tasting; it’s a journey through centuries of winemaking history and tradition, a feast for the senses, and a celebration of life’s finer pleasures.

What are the best wine tasting experiences in Bordeaux?

Undoubtedly, Bordeaux offers some of the world’s finest wine tours and tastings, owing to its renowned status as one of the premier wine regions globally. The experiences that tend to be most appreciated by visitors greatly vary, depending on personal tastes, interests and of course, budget. For those who relish Merlot-based wines, a full-day tour of St. Emilion is highly recommended . This UNESCO-listed medieval town is celebrated for its rich winemaking tradition. #Winetravelers will not only explore renowned wineries and delve into the depths of underground cellars, but also embark on a guided tour of the historic town itself, steeping in its beauty and heritage. If Cabernet Sauvignon tantalizes your palate, a private tour of the iconic Médoc region would be ideal. Known for its impressive roster of prestigious chateaux such as Margaux and Mouton Rothschild, the Médoc region promises an unforgettable experience for wine enthusiasts. A typical tour here offers the opportunity to sample some of the region’s exceptional Grand Cru Classé wines. This particular tour allows you to be driven around in luxury fashion to some of Medoc’s most stunning estates. If the combination of urban exploration and wine tasting appeals to you, a Bordeaux City Wine Tour is an excellent choice, led by a local. It offers a unique blend of sightseeing within the city of Bordeaux, coupled with indulging in wine tasting at urban wine bars and establishments, a true treat for the senses. Each of these experiences offers its own unique view and taste of Bordeaux, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Pick the one that most aligns with your interests and preferences, and prepare for a memorable #Winetraveler experience.

Are there any good Bordeaux wine tours to avoid crowds?

Bordeaux, as one of the world’s most esteemed wine regions, can often draw large crowds. However, there are several delightful wine tasting experiences that allow you to avoid the throngs of visitors and enjoy a more intimate experience. Private wine tastings organized by local tour operators can be an excellent option to consider. We highly recommend this private and customizable wine tour offered by Bordeaux Classic Cars . Simply articulate your preferences to the guide and through his personal connections you can dodge crowds in a beautiful convertible and go wine tasting throughout Bordeaux. Many renowned estates in Bordeaux offer these personalized experiences that not only offer an exclusive and in-depth look into their wine-making process but also allow you to taste their finest wines in a serene, private setting. For truly secluded and unique wine experiences, consider booking visits to smaller, family-run estates, often found in lesser-known sub-regions of Bordeaux such as Fronsac, Cadillac, Sauternes, Saint-Croix-du-Mont and Canon-Fronsac. These smaller vineyards may not have the fame of the Grand Cru estates, but they offer high-quality wines and an opportunity to learn about winemaking from passionate, dedicated vignerons in a quiet and personal setting. Exploring Bordeaux’s satellite appellations such as Côtes de Bordeaux or Entre-Deux-Mers can also be a good strategy to avoid the crowds. These areas are lesser-known to the general tourist population but are highly respected by wine enthusiasts, and a visit to these regions can provide excellent, crowd-free tastings.

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8 Fantastic Wine Tours To Experience In France

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• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• Food and Drink
• Guided Tours
• Sightseeing
• Tour Companies
• Wine Regions
• Wine Tasting

France is home to some of the world’s best wines, and its vast wine regions produce between seven to eight billion bottles a year, accounting for close to 30 percent of the world’s wine output. The rich soil, known as terroir in French, idyllic weather conditions, strict government standards, and centuries of perfecting growing, aging, and bottling techniques, is why French wine is so highly revered. Burgundy, Bordeaux, Provence, Champagne, and the Loire are the main wine regions of France and produce the best wines.

Wine aficionados usually have France on the top of their list for wine tours, and we have collected a list of the best wine tours in France for their pleasure.

duchy / Shutterstock

Based in Dijon, Authentica Wine Tours specializes in tours of the Burgundy region, where some of the most exclusive and expensive French wines come from. Authentica was created in 2008 by Nicolas Guidard, a Burgundy native whose father and grandfather worked the land. He wanted to share his love and knowledge of Burgundy and its fine wines and cuisine. Over the years, Guidard hired experts in wine, geology, culture, and history to round out the company and introduce innovative tours that weren’t done before.

Authentica offers private and small group tours, with half-day, full-day, and multi-day excursions and prices ranging from 65 euros per person for the half-day group tour to a 2-day private tour for 1,180 euros for two people.

The most prestigious tour is the 1-day Grand Crus, The Best Of Burgundy , which includes the top Burgundy wines with an option to taste 6, 10, and the ultimate indulgence, 15, and a three-course lunch and cheese course, at the estate of an esteemed Burgundy wine vintner. Other tours on their list include the full-day Passion tour, which is a visit to the city and surrounding area of Beaune, with tastings of five to seven red and white wines, the full-day Burgundy Gourmet with a tasting of up to 14 wines, five culinary sites featuring cheese, chocolate, charcuteries, and pastries, and a Burgundy cuisine lunch either prepared by a private chef or at a Michelin star restaurant.

All tours use late-model luxury vans with air conditioning.

Airport transfers, a concierge, and wine shipping are some of the other services Authentica can provide.

Exploring Wine Regions

Michael C. Higgins from Pasadena, California, has tirelessly pursued the best wine regions in France and worldwide for more than 20 years. His travel expeditions and adventures have made him a world-class wine expert. They have also spawned a series of magazine articles, travel guides, and coffee table books, including his latest one about Bordeaux he also photographed and wrote the text for.

Higgin’s company, Exploring Wine Regions , includes a wine touring division which offers various wine touring options, such as custom-designed itineraries for one- and two-week wine trips, an extensive study abroad program for full college credit, and private, small group tours with Michael.

The Exploring Wine Regions website also lists a free eBook with insider wine secrets.

Bordeaux Wine Trails

The highly-rated Bordeaux Wine Trails (they won the 2020 Travelers Choice badge on TripAdvisor) provides wine and gourmet experiences of the well-renowned Bordeaux region. The morning and afternoon half-day group tours (5 hours) include a brief tour of the village of Saint Emilion, a visit to a Grand Cru or Grand Cru Classe winery, and either a special wine and dark chocolate tasting pairing or a tasting of local delicacies. From April to September, a half-day Medoc wine tour is available for Cabernet fans, which includes a tour of a Margaux or St Julien winery and a Cru Bourgeois wine tasting accompanied with locally grown produce. The cost of the half-day group tours is 72 to 85 euros per person.

Bordeaux Wine Trails can also plan full-day, private tours to explore either the Saint Emilion or Medoc regions. The Saint Emilion tour consists of pick-up and return to your hotel or location, a visit to a Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe estate for a tour and tasting, lunch at an authentic brasserie, a walk through the village of Saint Emilion, a tasting at Grand Cru winery, followed by a visit to a Pomerol wine estate. The Medoc tour includes visits to wineries in either the Saint Julien or Saint Estephe region, Pauillac, and the Margaux area with lunch at either a restaurant or a picnic on a wine estate grounds. Custom itineraries are also offered at Bordeaux Wine Trails.

Learn how Champagne’s mysterious bubbles came about along with lots of other fascinating history and facts about the iconic beverage with a Champagne tour with O’Chateau. Based in Paris, O’Chateau is a wine bar and wine tasting company that also arranges day trips to the Champagne region.

The O’Chateau full-day (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) small group Champagne tour includes transportation to and from Paris in a late model, air-conditioned van with an expert and personable sommelier leading the tour. The experience consists of three guided visits to various Champagne houses and their cellars and facilities. The first visit is to a major Champagne house, where you go underground to the deep chalk caves and learn about the process of making Champagne from grape to glass. The second visit is to a private Champagne house where you also have a lunch feast in their dining room. The last visit is to a smaller Champagne house. The tour also includes three Champagne tastings at each location and coffee and croissants in the van for breakfast. Tours can also be privatized.

While in Paris, enjoy wine tastings and classes at the handsome wine bar and private rooms at O’Chateau, conveniently located near the Louvre.

Loire Valley

Vincent Delaby worked in the tourism sector for 15 years before embarking on a new career inspired by his family heritage, wine tours. He first developed his wine expertise and craft by working in wine cellars and vineyards, followed by wine tourism training and receiving a Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certificate.

Delaby’s company, VinoLoire , provides various half-day and full-day Loire wine tours for small groups and private tours. The half-day excursions go to either the Vouvray and Montlouis regions in the morning or the Chinon and Azay Touraine in the afternoon. Visits include tastings of red, white, and rose wines, paired with local cheeses and charcuterie, an explanation of the winemaking process, and a walk through the vineyards. Full-day tours go to the same locations as the half-day tours and then extend to the Sancerre and Pouilly regions. Full-day tours can be arranged from Paris.

VinoLoire offers other fun activities in the Loire in addition to the wine tours, including cooking lessons, cheese and wine pairings, food and market visits, a chateau tour with a certified historian, and a wine tasting cruise on an authentic wood boat.

Kanpai Tourisme

Various areas.

Specializing in tours of Lyon and regions nearby, Kanpai Tourisme has an impressive list of small group and private wine tours. The Macon and Beaujolais areas produce some of the best Chardonnay and Gamay wines, including Macon Villages, Pouilly Fuisse, St Veran, Fleurie, Brouilly, and Moulin-a-Vent. On the full-day Macon and Beaujolais tour , from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., you are first driven through the Macon Route des Vins road with magnificent scenery and Solutre Roch, a 1,600-foot-tall natural boulder made of limestone. The tastings begin with a selection of white wines from a family estate in the Pouilly Fuisse village, while you learn about the wine-making and barrel-aging process of Chardonnay. After the tasting, lunch is at a bistro with Beaujolais cuisine (lunch is not included in the tour price). In the afternoon, you will experience another scenic ride through the Beaujolais wine roads. You will then visit another family-owned winery producing Beaujolais wine, which uses Gamay grapes, followed by tastings of “crus” red wines.

The Northern Cote du Rhone wine region is the source of the much-beloved Shiraz and Syrah wines such as Cote Rotie, Condrieu, and Saint-Joseph. Kanpai Tourisme offers a half-day Shiraz and Syrah tour consisting of visits to two wineries and five to six tastings at each.

Chateauneuf Du Pape Wine Tour

The much-celebrated Chateauneuf du Pape wine is one of the oldest wines in the world, dating back from the Gallo-Roman period from the first century to the fifth century. The private Chateauneuf du Pape Tour from Planet Provence provides a historic look at the region with a highly trained wine guide plus tastings. The guide will pick you up and return you to your location within a 6-mile radius of Aix en Provence.

Owner Brice de Monplanet and his wife have made Provence their home since 1997, and Brice had an impressive career for 15 years working for international wine companies. Then he switched gears, training in oenology at the prestigious Montpellier Ludivinum School. Continuing with his passion for wine, he started Planet Provence.

A Scenic Road

Xavier Cabanne grew up in Paris then moved to the Chicago area as an adult. A few years ago, Cabanne reconnected with his love of France and started A Scenic Road , a company that plans private, customized tours of France for small groups. In 1898, Cabanne’s great-great-grandmother started a small winery in the Burgundy region, and it’s still in operation today. With his vast insider knowledge of wine, Cabanne can design a perfect wine tour of Burgundy, Champagne, and Bordeaux with tastings at smaller and less known wine producers. In addition, A Scenic Road can also organize fun activities such as countryside bike rides, mustard factory tours, wine museum visits, and dinners at a Michelin star restaurant.

Pro Tip: Wearing flat, covered shoes or sneakers is highly recommended, and also bring a jacket or sweater even in summer because the wine cellars are cold and damp.

Related articles:

• 6 Best Wine Regions To Visit In France
• 15 Incredible International Wineries Worth Traveling To Visit
• 7 Beautiful Hidden Vineyards In Paris

Richard Nahem is an ex-New Yorker living in Paris since 2005. A travel writer and photographer, he’s been publishing his blog Eye Prefer Paris since 2006 and also writes for publications such as Travel Agent Central, Passport Magazine, The Guardian, Bonjour Paris, and Luxury Travel Advisor. He focuses mainly on luxury travel in Europe. Richard also leads private personalized tours of Paris for clients looking to explore the off the beaten path Paris they never usually see on their own.

The Good Life France

Everything You Want to Know About France and More...

Wine tasting Day Tours of Provence

• Tours in France

Provence is famous for inspiring painters with its gorgeous light and stunning landscapes from dazzling oceans and luxury marinas to picturesque hilltop villages. If you have the right connections, you can escape the crowds to find secluded hideaways, gain access to exclusive vineyards, and even find quiet delights within the main cities.

A new company called idreamProvence will get you all those connections and help you to discover the hidden treasures of this incredible region.

Bordering both Italy and the Mediterranean, Provence boasts fabulous weather and enough cultural and heritage sites for a lifetime of visits. Pierre grew up here and was delighted to share the secrets of his homeland with London-born Abi, who quickly grew to love the area as much as he does.

“Provence is like nowhere else in France,” explains Abi. “I’ve been lucky enough to learn all about the region alongside someone who grew up here, and it brings me immense joy to share that magic with fellow travellers from all over the world. Together, Pierre and I can guide you to the parts of Provence that it usually takes years to discover.”

Keen explorers and travellers, Abi and Pierre are both bilingual, so when they decided to set up a company running tours around their beloved region, they knew they could offer everything in both English and French.

“As there’s so much to love here, one of the hardest parts of starting idreamProvence was shortlisting the places we would visit,” says Pierre. “We’ve focused on the key themes and sites that we know best, so we can offer personal insights and the best possible service.”

Wine tasting day tours of Provence

As their website explains, they specialise in driving tours tailored for small groups, meeting guests at an agreed location before whisking them off on their chosen excursion. That could be discovering the unmissable towns and cities, picturesque Luberon villages, iconic lavender fields, or the quintessentially French experience of wine-tasting right where the grapes are grown.

“We offer exclusive wine tasting day tours of Provence including vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Puy Sainte Réparade,” explains Abi. “We guide you through each step in your preferred language, introducing you to the expert wine-producers, unravelling the secrets of winemaking and, of course, tasting different wines so you can improve your appreciation of each vintage. Each tour is tailored to your particular group, so you always have time to ask questions and to get what you want from your day out.”

  It’s no surprise that the wine-tasting experience is one of the most popular options, offering visitors the chance to enter the cool, vaulted cellars that are such a contrast to the glorious sunshine, venturing through the sacred collections of barrels where wines age gracefully. Abi and Pierre can talk you through the complex process that brings out the full potential of each wine, as well as the techniques and traditions behind the art of making the wines that are prized by connoisseurs across the world.

“Meeting the people who cultivate the grapes and make the wine is the best way to truly understand the world of wine, as they’re so passionate about their craft,” adds Abi. “Our local sommeliers take the time to explain the unique characteristics of each wine and provide insights into the flavours, aromas, and techniques behind their creation. It’s a really inclusive, sociable experience that stays with you long after the tour.”

Guests can also learn more about how certain wines are selected to match certain dishes, known as wine pairing. This level of appreciation can be taken home with you, meaning that your next dinner party will be on a whole new level!

Day tours of Provence

Alternatively, you might want to see a whole new side of one of Provence’s major towns of cities. Let Pierre guide you around his hometown of Marseille, showing you the finest places to dine, shop and explore, tailored to your own interests and preferences. From the wonderful Vieux Port with its fishermen, yachts and elegant promenade to the city’s secret alleyways and majestic basilica, or even a boat trip along the crystal-clear waters to the hidden coves of Calanques National Park, you’ll see a side of Marseille that few visitors get to experience.

This is also true of the tours for Arles, Aix-en-Provence and Avignon, towns that Pierre and Abi know well and are always enthusiastic about sharing with new visitors.

“Having travelled to many countries, I understand how important it is to feel truly embraced when exploring a new destination,” says Pierre. “Our aim is to ensure that our guests’ experience of Provence is nothing short of extraordinary, and we are thrilled to be their companions along the way.”

But how can you choose between wine-tasting, city tours and the other tempting options such as the lavender fields and the Luberon villages? Well, lavender is at its best between mid-June and mid-August, so if you visit in the summer you’ll be mesmerised by the endless fields of vibrant purple as well as the soothing scent of lavender carried by the warm air. Take a tour with idreamProvence and you’ll learn about lavender’s historical and cultural significance, see where it’s cultivated and even visit a traditional lavender distillery, where the flowers are transformed into essential oils ready to be used in cosmetics, perfumes and aromatherapy. You can even join themed workshops, making perfumed sachets or culinary delights infused with lavender.

If history and heritage are your passions, let the couple guide you around the Luberon villages of Gordes, Roussillon and Bonnieux, the hushed cloisters of Abbey de Senanque and the curious stone huts known as the Bories, which date back to the 1700s. This excursion offers countless opportunities to photograph medieval buildings, picturesque cobblestone streets, panoramic valley views and ochre-tinted cliffs. Thanks to Pierre and Abi, you’re also guaranteed to find the best place in each village to people-watch, browse the market stalls or linger for a drink on a shady terrace.

Being on a tour with these two guides has a genuine personal touch, like meeting up with friends who live locally and are simply delighted to show you around. Provence is positively bursting with fabulous sights and experiences, so don’t leave anything to chance: ask Abi and Pierre to show you around their neighbourhood!

Find out more about all the day tours of Provence at idreamprovence.com

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Why the Loire is France’s most exciting wine region

From the Massif Central to Nantes, it’s home to freethinking winemakers making elegant drinks – including thrillingly reinvigorated muscadet

W hen I first visited muscadet country in the early 2000s, things were looking bleak for producers of the once all-conquering local seafood-friendly dry white. Years of unchecked overproduction and a rather cavalier approach to quality in these Atlantic-buffeted vineyards around the mouth of the Loire estuary – not to mention the emergence of a wave of exuberantly fruity new rivals from the new world – had seen sales dwindle alarmingly. Few of the producers I saw were able to puncture the general air of pessimism and doom.

The shining exception on that trip was Guy Bossard, the owner of a small biodynamically farmed domaine called Domaine de l’Écu. Bossard, at the time an energetic 50-year-old, was a bubbling stream of ideas, but his thrilling dry white wines were every bit as eloquent. As resonant, precise and varied as the best white burgundy, and at a fraction of the price, they were a challenge to all my preconceived ideas about muscadet.

Bossard, who died last year, lived long enough to see the local scene and the rest of the world catch up with his vision of muscadet, the best examples of which are now established as the thinking sommelier’s chablis. He was also, I soon came to learn, representative of the sort of thoughtful, free-thinking winemakers who were in the process of turning the Loire into arguably the most exciting wine region in France, and certainly the most dynamic in this century.

A lot of that energy came – and comes – from the valley’s unusually large and influential contingent of natural winemakers. But the Loire is home to creative producers of all philosophical and vinicultural stripes. And between them they’re making a greater range of styles than any other wine region in France.

That variety is in part the natural consequence of the geographical spread of the Loire valley’s vineyards, which follow the river for 1,000km from the source in the Massif Central to the estuary in Breton-flavoured Nantes. But, with all of these vineyards falling in a band that makes them among France’s most northerly, Loire wines always tend to fall in the elegant, fresh bracket.

That gives them a natural affinity with food, and especially at this time of year. A canon of classic Loire matches might begin with one of the region’s increasingly excellent bottle-fermented sparkling wines or a saline dry muscadet with oysters, and finish with a tarte tatin and its liquid equivalent: a sweet chenin blanc from Quarts de Chaume plus a plate of creamy-tangy chavignol goat’s cheese with a serpentine, silvery, grassy glass of sancerre.

We might also include salmon or tuna with the strawberry scents and redcurrant pulse of sancerre pinot noir (red or rosé) and an apple-tangy dry chenin blanc from Vouvray, Anjou or Savennières to cut through the sweet, succulent fat of rillettes de Tours. And we should find room, too, for the uniquely crunchy, sappy, summery light reds made from cabernet franc in Chinon, Bourgueil, St Nicolas de Bourgueil or Saumur-Champigny, perhaps with a simple steak, in this Francophile’s dream of a spring-into-summer déjeuner sur l’herbe on the banks of the Loire.

Six wines from the Loire valley

The Wine Society’s Generation Series Crémant de Loire France 2020 (£14.50, thewinesociety.com ) Made using the same technique as champagne, but, in this case, using Loire favourite varieties chenin blanc, cabernet franc and grolleau as well as a little chardonnay, this is a brilliant example of the quality on offer from Loire sparkling wine: all tingling red apple and subtle honey.

Domaine de la Noblaie Le Temps de Cérises Chinon France 2022 (from £12.95, thewinesociety.com , frazierswine.co.uk ) A charmingly evocative name for a charmingly evocative wine from a producer that is a dab hand with cabernet franc reds in the chinon appellation, it offers all the springtime vim and sap, as well as the crunchy raspberry, blackcurrant and, yes, red cherry snap of this most refreshing of red styles.

Château de Plaisance Anjou Blanc France 2021 (£23.50, leaandsandeman.co.uk ) Chenin blanc is such a brilliantly versatile grape variety, capable of producing exhilarating wines at all levels of sweetness. Here it’s in crystalline, bone-dry mode, with a tingling fresh steely swish of acidity cutting through the succulent apple and subtle drizzle of honey.

Jéremie Huchet Chateau de la Bretesche Muscadet Sur Lie France 2022 (£12.91, greatwine.co.uk ) A great example of the affordable quality on offer from modern muscadet (an equivalent quality burgundy would be two or three times the price), this has a wonderfully salty-savoury, subtly yeasty streak as well as deliciously ripe pear and racy citrus.

Waitrose Touraine Sauvignon Blanc France 2022 (£7.99, Waitrose) The Loire makes some of the world’s very finest sauvignon blanc in appellations such as Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Menetou-Salon. It also makes some of the best value examples of this ever popular variety, notably in Touraine, home of this lipsmacking example.

Clos du Tue Boeuf Vin Rouge France 2022 (from £ 20.40, nattyboywines.co.uk ; lescaves.co.uk ; highburylibrary.co.uk ) Thierry Puzelat is one of the biggest names in natural wines, and his family-run Clos du Tue Boeuf continues to win round sceptics. This is an ebulliently drinkable red, made from the gamay grape in light (12.5% abv) softly juicy style full of perfectly ripe berries and cherries.

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12 virtual visits to French wine country

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Reading time: 0 min Published on 1 February 2023, updated on 16 April 2024

Want to travel along France’s wine routes? In a few clicks, you can go straight to the heart of the vineyards where the precious nectars are made. Discover the secrets of the Champagne cellars, listen to the stories of the Bordeaux region or push open the door of a Provencal cellar with its legendary wine... here are the keys to plan your next trip to the heart of French wine country.

Champagne: Unlock the doors to the Grand Maison cellars

How about diving into the galleries of Champagne cellars? With its immersive 360° tour, Maison Perrier-Jouët reveals the secrets of a house inspired by the Belle Epoque, from plots of Chardonnay to ‘Eden’, a cellar dedicated to old vintages. The tour takes in other curiosities along the way: the graffiti left by prisoners of war between 1939 and 45, and an old bottle lift and works of art in a nod to Art Nouveau. And at Bollinger, you can (virtually) open the gates to a treasure: the Galerie 1829, an oenotheque of old wines found in 2010 in a forgotten cellar. The oldest dates from 1830, one year after the foundation of the house in the village of Aÿ.

Perrier-Jouët virtual visit Galerie 1829 at Bollinger

Bordeaux: Discover the secrets of wine enthusiasts

Do you know what makes Bordeaux wines so special? Listen to the winemakers as they tell you the history of their land, with podcasts taken from the permanent route of the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux. Enjoy little anecdotes in the form of appetisers before discovering this unique space dedicated to wine civilisations. And there’s an invitation into one of the region’s chateaux, too: at Cos d’Estournel, make way for an immersive stroll through the extravagant oriental palace, built as a cellar. The views of the huge stainless steel vat room, the barrel cellar and the tasting rooms at the Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe are truly breathtaking.

Cité du Vin podcasts Cos d’Estournel virtual visit

Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Cos d'Estournel (@cosdestournel) le 4 Janv. 2020 à 7 :00 PST

Burgundy: Learn the art of marrying Gothic and Grands Crus

Always wanted to explore the Burgundy wine routes? In a few clicks on this 360° panoramic visit, you can take the time to stroll between the flamboyant Gothic facades of the Hôtel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune, explore the cellars of the Chateau de Meursault or tour the Butte de Corton on the Route des Grands Crus. Before leaving, brush up on your knowledge with an online training course: four fun, thematic, 90-minute modules with the title of ‘ambassador’ as your goal. The course follows an eight-minute film explaining how geology helped create the 1,247 micro-terroirs in Burgundy, known as ‘ climats ’.

Panoramic virtual tours Burgundy wine course Video ‘La Bourgogne Cradle du Terroir’

Provence: Rosé, red and white – experience the whole colour palette

The intense light, the song of cicadas, the freshness of a glass of wine in the sweet evening... can you picture yourself there? Get in the mood with an ‘oeno-visio-apero’ organised by Madeleine from Château Barbebelle, one of the oldest estates in the Aix area. It’s the opportunity to learn the secrets of rosé, the iconic wine of Provencal summers. But did you know that wines in Provence are also available in red and white? Don your virtual reality glasses for a visit to the troglodyte cellars of the Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes, where the special Chorégies cuvée was born in tribute to the lyrical festival of Chorégies d'Orange. Nothing but great art!

‘Oeno-visio-apero’ at Château Barbebelle Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes virtual visit

Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Château Barbebelle (@chateau_barbebelle) le 23 Mai 2020 à 7 :18 PDT

Alsace: Get up high on the wine route

In Alsace , wine routes mean flowery villages with half-timbered houses, fortified chateaux and vertiginous hillsides. To give you a taste of these magnificent landscapes, take a walk on the steep paths of the Guebwiller vineyard, between forest and rows of hillside vines. If you’re keen for more, enjoy a panoramic virtual tour of one of France’s most beautiful villages, Eguishem, wrapped around its chateau and surrounded by vineyards. Here you can even open the door of an authentic winemaker’s house in Mittelbergheim: Maison Boeckel, run by the fifth generation.

Guebwiller vineyard virtual visit Eguishem virtual tour Maison Boeckel virtual visit

Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Tourisme Eguisheim (@visiteguisheim) le 10 Oct. 2019 à 9 :20 PDT

• 8 villages to sample along the Alsace Wine Route
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When people think of romance , they often think of Paris , but to the east of the French capital lies perhaps the country’s most romantic region: Champagne. With its undulating green hills, meticulously maintained grapevines and quaint cream-coloured towns and small cities, this rural setting is every little bit as picturesque as it sounds. 

The commercial centre of the territory, Reims, is just one of these charming cities, just a short 45-minute journey from Paris by high speed train or a pleasant 1.5 hour drive through the French countryside. Bordered by the scenic sloping vineyards of the Montagne de Reims, the city is filled with champagne houses, bistros and bars. 

Experience all the city has to offer with our guide to the best wineries and restaurants in Reims – just remember to book your champagne tours in advance, as most maisons require reservations.

Where to enjoy the bubbles

Maison Ruinart

Start your day at Maison Ruinart , the oldest champagne house in the world. A tour here is not just a lesson in champagne making, but a journey through history and art that leads you to the temporary resting place for Ruinart’s exquisite bottles: a Unesco World Heritage-listed cellar which lies roughly 40 metres below ground and spans eight kilometres.

The tour culminates in a tasting session featuring two of Ruinart's finest champagnes – one vintage and one non-vintage (NV) – offering a tangible sense of how their bubbles have been perfected over time.

Champagne Pommery

Continue onwards to Pommery , just a short 5-minute walk from Maison Ruinart, which stands out for its blend of traditional and avant-garde. The estate puts on regular contemporary art exhibitions and is notable for its proximity to the Villa Demoiselle, an Art Nouveau-style architectural masterpiece. 

With 18 kilometres of cellars and 60 Gallo-Roman chalk pits (tunnels that were built under Reims during Roman-Gallo times), Pommery offers a unique experience that combines the appreciation of fine champagne with artistic and architectural marvels.

Credit: Champagne Lanson

Champagne Lanson

Conclude your winery visits at Champagne Lanson , the only house in Reims to offer a comprehensive look at the entire winemaking process “from vine to flute”. Lanson's tour provides a glimpse at the maison's more than 260-year-old champagne making process. 

Visitors can get up close and personal to Le Clos Lanson – the only hectare of vineyard to remain within the historical walls of the city – and deep into its traditional wooden cellars. There are a multitude of tour options which allow you to tailor your visit to your interests and taste preferences for a truly memorable experience.

Where to grab a bite

Le Jardin Les Crayères

Le Jardin Les Crayères is a Michelin-starred restaurant nestled in the beautifully landscaped garden of Domaine Les Crayères, a grand old chateau. The menu, crafted by Chef Philippe Mille, offers a modern take on traditional French cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients, while the outdoor terrace provides a serene setting for a memorable meal.

Café du Palais

Known for its art deco interior and stained-glass ceilings, this  charming establishment  has welcomed guests with its warm and inviting atmosphere since 1930. Opt for one of the café’s popular light meals, such as a quiche, salad or sandwich – they're perfect for a leisurely breakfast or lunch, and mean you’ll have space to treat yourself to a pastry or dessert. 

Brasserie Le Boulingrin

La Brasserie du Boulingrin is known for its traditional brasserie fare, specialising in  classic and hearty dishes. Signature menu items include French onion soup, escargots, steak frites and fresh seafood platters. Don’t leave without trying their charcuterie boards and regional specialities for a genuine taste of Champagne’s culinary tradition.

12 Ethical Eats in 2024 – A Journey Through Sustainable Food Tours Worldwide

Posted: February 24, 2024 | Last updated: February 24, 2024

Sustainable food tours offer a unique blend of culinary delight and responsible tourism. These tours focus on local, organic, and ethically sourced ingredients, providing an authentic taste of regional cuisine while supporting local communities and the environment. From farm-to-table experiences to street food adventures, sustainable food tours allow you to indulge in delicious dishes guilt-free. This guide takes you on a global journey to some of the best destinations for sustainable food tours, each offering a unique culinary experience that’s both tasty and eco-friendly.

1. Farm-to-Table Tour in Tuscany, Italy

In Tuscany, the farm-to-table concept isn’t just a trend; it’s a centuries-old way of life. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in the rustic charm of the Italian countryside, visiting organic farms where traditional methods are still in use. These tours often include hands-on experiences like cheese-making or olive oil pressing, followed by a meal prepared with the freshest ingredients. As you sit down to eat amidst the rolling hills and vineyards, you’ll enjoy the flavors of authentic Tuscan cuisine and appreciate the connection between the land and the food on your plate.

Insider’s Tip: Try to book a cooking class at a local farm for a hands-on experience with Tuscan cuisine.

When To Travel: Late spring and early fall offer pleasant weather and harvest seasons.

How To Get There: Fly into Florence or Pisa, then rent a car or join a guided tour to explore the Tuscan countryside.

2. Street Food Tour in Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok’s street food scene is a vibrant and integral part of the city’s culture. On a sustainable street food tour, you’ll navigate the bustling streets and hidden alleys with a local guide, sampling dishes made with locally sourced and fresh ingredients. Each dish tells a story of Thailand’s culinary heritage, from sizzling pad Thai to spicy papaya salad and sweet mango sticky rice. These tours will not only send your taste buds wild but also offer insights into the lives of the local vendors who are the heart and soul of Bangkok’s street food culture.

Insider’s Tip: Ask your guide to take you to lesser-known street food stalls that locals love.

When To Travel: November to February offers cooler weather, ideal for walking tours.

How To Get There: Fly into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and use the city’s public transport or taxis to navigate.

3. Organic Wine Tour in Napa Valley, USA

Napa Valley, a renowned wine region, offers a unique experience with its organic wine tours. These tours focus on vineyards that practice sustainable viticulture, ensuring that every sip comes with a clear conscience. You’ll learn about organic grape farming, the winemaking process, and the importance of biodiversity in the vineyards.

Tasting sessions include a variety of organic wines, each with its unique flavor profile influenced by the eco-friendly practices used in its production. This tour is about understanding and appreciating the efforts behind creating environmentally conscious and high-quality wines.

Insider’s Tip: Look for smaller, family-owned wineries that offer a more intimate tasting experience.

When To Travel: September to November is the harvest season, and spring is for mild weather and fewer crowds.

How To Get There: Fly into San Francisco or Oakland, then drive or take a shuttle to Napa Valley.

4. Vegan Food Tour in Berlin, Germany

Berlin’s vegan food scene is thriving and innovative, making it a perfect destination for a sustainable food tour. These tours take you through a variety of vegan eateries, from trendy cafes to gourmet restaurants, each offering plant-based dishes that are as delicious as they are ethical. You’ll sample a range of cuisines, showcasing how versatile and satisfying vegan food can be. Beyond the food, these tours often touch on the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet, giving you a comprehensive view of the vegan lifestyle in Berlin.

Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss trying a vegan version of the traditional currywurst.

When To Travel: Spring and summer offer pleasant weather for walking tours.

How To Get There: Fly into Berlin Brandenburg Airport and use public transportation to explore the city.

5. Seafood Sustainability Tour in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, a city synonymous with seafood, offers tours focusing on sustainable and ethically sourced seafood. These tours often start at the bustling Tsukiji fish market, where you’ll learn about sustainable fishing practices and how to choose seafood that’s good for the ocean. Following the market visit, you’ll head to a local sushi restaurant specializing in sustainable seafood, offering a chance to taste the difference responsible sourcing makes. During the tour you’ll enjoy sushi and understand the impact of our food choices on the marine ecosystem.

Insider’s Tip: Visit a sushi restaurant specializing in lesser-known but equally delicious sustainable fish varieties.

When To Travel: Visit in spring for cherry blossom season or fall for mild temperatures.

How To Get There: Fly into Tokyo’s Haneda or Narita International Airport and use the city’s efficient public transport system.

6. Artisan Cheese Tour in Vermont, USA

Vermont’s artisan cheese tour is a journey through picturesque landscapes dotted with small dairy farms and cheese-making facilities. You’ll visit various cheese producers, from large-scale operations to small family-run farms, each committed to sustainable and organic practices. These tours often include cheese tastings, where you can savor various flavors and styles, and learn about the cheese-making process from milk to maturation.

As you travel through Vermont’s scenic countryside, you’ll gain an appreciation for the art of cheese-making and the importance of supporting local and sustainable producers.

Insider’s Tip: Look for tours that include visiting a maple syrup farm for a truly Vermont experience.

When To Travel: Fall for beautiful foliage, or summer for pleasant weather.

How To Get There: Fly into Burlington International Airport and rent a car to explore the various cheese farms across Vermont.

7. Organic Coffee Tour in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s coffee region offers an immersive experience into the world of sustainable coffee production. On these tours, you’ll visit coffee plantations that practice organic farming, learning about each step of the coffee process, from planting and harvesting to roasting and brewing.

You’ll walk through beautiful coffee fields, witness the biodiversity supporting coffee growth, and enjoy fresh, aromatic coffee tastings. This tour is not just about sipping coffee; it’s an educational journey into how sustainable practices can produce some of the best coffee in the world.

Insider’s Tip: Some tours offer a hands-on experience where you can participate in coffee picking.

When To Travel: The coffee harvest season is the best time to visit from October to March.

How To Get There: Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport and drive to the coffee-growing regions like Monteverde or the Central Valley.

8. Locavore Food Experience in Portland, Oregon, USA

Portland’s commitment to local and sustainable food is evident in its numerous farm-to-table restaurants and local food markets. A locavore food tour in Portland takes you on a culinary adventure through the city’s best spots for sustainable dining. You’ll sample a range of dishes made with ingredients sourced from nearby farms and producers, learning about the city’s food culture and the impact of eating locally. These tours often include visits to farmers’ markets to meet the growers and producers behind the food.

Insider’s Tip: Explore the city’s famous food cart pods for diverse sustainable dining options.

When To Travel: Summer and early fall offer the best weather and a variety of local produce.

How To Get There: Fly into Portland International Airport and use public transportation or rent a bike to explore the city.

9. Traditional Maori Food Tour in New Zealand

New Zealand offers a unique culinary experience with its traditional Maori food tours. These tours provide an insight into Maori culture through its cuisine based on locally sourced and foraged ingredients. You’ll learn about traditional cooking methods like the Hangi, where food is cooked in earth ovens, and sample dishes that have been part of Maori culture for centuries. This cultural and culinary tour offers a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s indigenous heritage.

Insider’s Tip: Engage with local Maori guides to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of the food.

When To Travel: The warmer months from December to March are ideal for visiting New Zealand.

How To Get There: Fly into Auckland or Wellington and join a tour that includes transportation to a Marae.

10. Sustainable Seafood Tour in Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver’s proximity to the ocean makes it ideal for a sustainable seafood tour. These tours focus on restaurants and markets that serve ocean-friendly seafood, educating visitors about sustainable fishing practices and species conservation. You’ll enjoy various seafood dishes, from Pacific salmon to Dungeness crab, all sourced with sustainability in mind. This tour is not just a culinary delight; it’s an opportunity to learn about the importance of protecting our oceans and marine life.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the Granville Island Public Market for a wide range of sustainable seafood options.

When To Travel: Summer and early fall are the best times to enjoy Vancouver’s seafood offerings.

How To Get There: Fly into Vancouver International Airport and use public transit or a rental car to explore the city.

11. Organic Market Tour in San Francisco, USA

San Francisco’s organic markets showcase Northern California’s rich agricultural bounty. On a tour of these markets, you’ll sample a variety of organic produce, artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread, and other local specialties. These tours often include interactions with farmers and producers, giving you insights into the farm-to-table movement and the benefits of organic farming. It’s a chance to taste the freshest flavors of the region while learning about sustainable food practices.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the Ferry Building Marketplace for a comprehensive experience of San Francisco’s organic food scene.

When To Travel: Spring and fall offer mild weather and a variety of seasonal produce.

How To Get There: Fly into San Francisco International Airport and use the city’s public transportation to reach the markets.

12. Eco-Friendly Wine Tour in Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux’s wine region, known for its world-class wines, increasingly embraces sustainable practices. An eco-friendly wine tour here allows you to explore picturesque vineyards that prioritize environmental stewardship while producing some of the finest wines. You’ll learn about organic and biodynamic wine production methods and taste wines that reflect the terroir and the winemakers’ commitment to the earth. These tours often include visits to historic chateaux, where you can delve into the rich history of Bordeaux wine.

Insider’s Tip: Look for smaller, family-run vineyards that practice organic farming for a more intimate and informative experience.

When To Travel: Visit during the fall harvest season to see the vineyards at their busiest or spring when the region is in bloom.

How To Get There: Fly into Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport and consider renting a car or joining a guided tour to explore the vineyards.

The Bottom Line

Embarking on sustainable food tours around the world is not just about savoring delicious flavors; it’s about connecting with local cultures, supporting ethical practices, and understanding the journey of food from farm to table. These tours offer a chance to indulge your taste buds while respecting the planet and contributing to local economies. As you explore these culinary destinations, remember that every bite you take can be a step towards a more sustainable and equitable food system. So, pack your appetite and set off on a journey that’s as gratifying for the palate as it is for the planet.

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The post 12 Ethical Eats in 2024 – A Journey Through Sustainable Food Tours Worldwide republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / AboutLife.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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The Drinks Business

Laura catena: ‘exceptional wine sites exist globally, not just in france’.

Argentine vintner Dr Laura Catena has released her book Gold in the Vineyards in Mandarin, adding three new chapters on Chinese wineries to make the illustrated guide “more relevant” to the country’s growing wine market.

The latest version of Gold in the Vineyards is its fourth iteration, having been previously published in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Catena co-authored the book — “百酿成金” (Bai Niang Cheng Jin) in Mandarin — with Professor Li Demei, a wine consultant and winemaker, who has served as a technical consultant for several Chinese wineries.

Three chapters added to the latest version of the book focus on three of China’s most influential wineries — Domaine Franco-Chinois, Silver Heights and Puchang.

“I decided to publish the book in Chinese with three additional (Chinese) wineries because I noticed a lack of similar books in China,” Catena told db .

“Initially, I wrote the book because I couldn’t find a resource that shared the family stories, joyful moments, tragedies, and journeys of the world’s most famous vineyards in a fun format with illustrations (I love illustrated books). I aimed to highlight that exceptional wine sites exist globally, not just in France.”

Catena explained that the factors which contribute to a place becoming renowned for its grapes are often “unpredictable”, “which is why I titled the book ‘Gold Vineyards’ – much like finding gold, you can’t always predict where exceptional sites will be discovered,” she said.

The winemaker, who is managing director of Catena Zapata , spent four years consulting with Chinese importers, journalists, and reading “every book I could find on Chinese wine” to author the new chapters.

“Given China’s growing wine market and the increasing recognition of Chinese wines, I believed including Chinese wineries would make the book more relevant,” she said. “Each chapter showcases a unique wine with a compelling story, distinctive site, and special characteristics, like the grape variety. For instance, Romanée Conti is famous for its Pinot Noir, while Domaine Franco Chinois in China was a pioneer in cultivating Marselan, now the best-known variety in China. Silver Heights was the first Bordeaux blend to gain recognition in China, and Puchang stood out for its hybrid variety, Beicgun, made without sulfites – a delicious wine.”

Gold in the Vineyards launched in Mandarin during the Chengdu wine fair in March, where Catena Zapata joined forces with Fangsuo bookstore.

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