RHONE VALLEY WINE TOURS
The Heartland for Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Marsanne & Roussanne
DISCOVER THE BENCHMARKS
Over five days and four nights you’ll be seduced by mythical wines, historical cities and rugged landscapes. Guided by a Master of Wine, in the lap of luxury, you’ll discover the benchmark wines of the Rhone Valley in France.
We rendezvous in Lyon, the food capital of France. Moments later you’ll be standing in vineyards perched high over the mighty Rhone river, tasting the best of Cote-Rotie. Condrieu follows suit, where we taste the rare floral, heady and perfumed Viognier. An unforgettable gastronomic dinner wraps up the first day. This is how we roll.
The next morning the blockbuster wines of Hermitage and Cornas await. You’ll spend two days visiting the most famous Houses in the Northern Rhone. You then travel south to Avignon, the former papal residence, spending three days immersed in the heady wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and so much more.
The hotels are first class and characterful. You’ll dine like royalty and you’ll have free time to discover the cities and monuments of Lyon and Avignon. The wines of the Rhone were the world’s most famous and expensive for a reason.
I invite you to join us on this fabulous tour.
ABOUT THE TOUR AND REGION
FOLLOWING THE MIGHTY RHONE
After 2 great days exploring Cote-Rotie, Condrieu, Hermitage and Cornas we drop down to Avignon for 3 days in the south. Prepare to indulge in copious quantities of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and much more.
We are welcomed by the top producers, given privileged access to their cellars and reserve wines, and learn first-hand about grape growing and winemaking from the experts.
You will rest your head at luxurious hotels in Vienne and Avignon and dine at gastronomic restaurants, including two Michelin-starred restaurants.
THE ROASTED SLOPES OF COTE-ROTIE & TERRACES OF CONDRIEU
On the first day you’ll explore the steep hillsides of Cote-Rotie and Condrieu. It defies belief that the Romans would cultivate the vine on such a terroir, and then produce some of the world’s truly classic wines from Syrah and Viognier.
Our welcome dinner tonight will be a gastronomic affair to remember.
THE HILL OF HERMITAGE
On the second day we explore the tiny hill of Hermitage, just thirty minutes drive south. This is the most famous appellation in the northern Rhone.
Wines from here used to be blended into the Bordeaux first growths to “improve” the Bordeaux. Prepare to get schooled on the world’s benchmark for Syrah, and discover the amazing whites from Marsanne and Roussanne.
After visiting Hermitage we head back to the luxurious hotel for a free evening in the beautiful city of Vienne.
AVIGNON & THE SOUTH
On the third day we travel a few hours south to Avignon, a gorgeous Roman city, and the gateway to Provence.
From the comfort of our historic five-star hotel we strike out to learn about the intricacies of Grenache, and the twelve other varieties that are permitted in a Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
The landscape of the south is totally different from the north, and so are the wines.
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
Powerful, spicy, earthy, meaty, these wines have won legions of fans around the world, making this appellation a household name.
The incredible rocky soils are a site to see, and so are the castles housing wineries.
Rugged the Rhone may be, but the food is extremely fine and we enjoy another extravagant meal at a restaurant in a historic setting.
TAVEL & BEAUMES DE VENISE
Tavel is the benchmark for the world’s best Rosé. Deeper, fuller and complex, these are serious wines.
We also explore the lesser known wines from Beaumes de Venise, home to a lighter style of Southern Rhone reds but is most famous for its delicious sweet Muscat wines.
You’ll feel like you’ve seen and tasted the best of the Rhone in five memorable and fun-filled days.