Provence & the Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour
Daily Itinerary
Our wine vacations of Provence and the Rhône Valley deliver wine tastings at some of southern France's best and most celebrated domains. René Aubert and Laurent Terrisson have helped us develop this stunning week of wine tasting in one of France's most picturesque regions. Our local wine experts will explain the subtleties of this captivating region. This week touring wineries is balanced with the culture of Medieval Avignon, Roman Arles, and one of France's culinary capitals: Lyon.
Join us for this delicious wine tour along the Rhône. Read on for the detailed itinerary, or click here for an overview of our Provence & the Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour.
The price of our Provence Wine Tours is $3295. Click here to see all it includes.
To sign up now please give us a call at 1-800-449-7147 or send us an email for more information.
Day 1
Historic Vieux Lyon
Highlights:
- Guided Tour of Vieux Lyon
- Champagne welcome
- Typical Lyonnais dinner
Lyon has a fascinating history. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC and center of the French Resistance during World War II, many claim it to be today's culinary capital of France. The area's rich history will come alive for you this afternoon with a guided tour of Lyon's historic center. After our champagne welcome, we will enjoy the Rhône's superb wines over dinner in a typical Bouchon Lyonnais.
Day 2
The Northern Rhône, with Côte Rôtie and Hermitage
Highlights:
- Rhone Wine Tasting Tours: Single vineyard Domaine Pichat in Côte-Rôtie; Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage at Caves Fayolle; Cornas and St. Joseph at Domaine Eric et Joel Durand
- Lunch: Great Brasserie with a selection of wines from Les Caves de Tain
- Dinner: At our hotel in the center of Avignon
You'll follow the river south to Avignon today. On your way, the journey is full of flavors and exquisite scenery along the Rhône River. You'll pass through the famous vineyards of Condrieu on your way to your first tasting at Domaine Pichat in Côte Rôtie. André and Stéphane have enjoyed a lot of good press lately and you'll taste why. Lunch is accompanied by some of the Northern Rhônes tastiest wines and then we're back to the vineyards to see how it's made. Dinner this evening is at our comfortable 4-star hotel in the center of Avignon.
Day 3
Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes du Rhône part I
Highlights:
- Rhone Wine Tasting Tours: Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape at Domaine de la Présidente
- Lunch & Wine Tasting: Domaine de la Présidente
- Guided tour of Avignon's Palace of the Popes
- Université du Vin
- Dinner: One of René Aubert's favorite restaurants overlooking the Rhône river
René Aubert has generously offered to be your host today. Your first stop is the Université du Vin, which his father founded 25 years ago. You'll visit the school and the historic 12th century castle. Lunch in his Provençal garden at Domaine de la Présidente features local Provençal specialties paired with a wide selection of Côtes du Rhônes and Châteauneuf du Papes. After a visit of the vineyards, you are free to explore Avignon before we meet up again for an insider tour of Avignon's Palace of the Popes. The evening starts with an aperitif at the famed Pont d'Avignon and then you're enjoying dinner on the banks of the Rhône.
Day 4
Arles and the Costières de Nîmes
Highlights:
- Rhone Wine Tasting Tours: Château de Nages, Château l'Ermitage
- Lunch: At Madeleine and Erick Vedel's cooking school in Arles
- Insider tour of Arles' famous outdoor market
- Roman and Medieval Arles
This morning starts with the colorful outdoor market in Arles. Madeleine Vedel will meet us and show us the ins and outs of this characteristic Provençal market. Y ou'll have time to shop or visit Arles' historic monuments. For lunch you're back with Madeleine and her husband Erick in their Provençal cooking school. This afternoon is dedicated to the fantastic wines of the Costières de Nîmes. Michel Gassier and Jérôme Castillon lead us through wine tastings at their impressive domains. Back in Avignon for dinner on your own, choose a light dinner in an outdoor café or an elaborate culinary feast in one of Avignon's great restaurants.
Day 5
Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes du Rhône part II
Highlights:
- Rhone Wine Tasting Tours: Côtes du Rhône Villages and Châteauneuf du Pape at Clos St. Michel; Domaine le Colombier in Vacqueyras; Domaine Amadieu in Gigondas; Chante Cigale in Châteauneuf du Pape
- Lunch & Wine Tasting: Pierre Amadieu in Gigondas
- Exceptional Final dinner in Avignon
Our second day of Côtes du Rhône wine tasting together takes you to Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and two different renowned Châteauneuf du Pape properties. The day starts with a visit and wine tasting at Vacqueyras' Domaine le Colombier. Gigondas sits at the foot of the spectacular Dentelles de Montmirail where you are the lunch guest at Domaine Amadieu. You'll visit the vineyards of Chante Cigale, a classic example of galets - the glacier worn stones so characteristic of this prized region. You'll enjoy the great views from the ruins of the Popes' summer retreat, perched over the village of Châteauneuf du Pape, and taste the wines of Clos St Michel before an exquisite final dinner together in Avignon.
Day 6
Our wine tasting tour ends today after breakfast. We hope to see you again soon on another wine vacation in France or Italy. Thank you for coming with us.
Ready to reserve your spot? For more information or to sign up now please give us a call at 1-800-449-7147 or send us an email.
Click here for an overview of our Provence & the Rhône Valley wine tour.
