Wine Tours in the Rhone Valley
A taste of Rhone Valley wines
From Lyon in the north to Avignon in the south, take a tour of the Rhône Valley vineyards that straddle three French regions with their own distinct culinary styles: ranging from Lyonnais dishes to Mediterranean specialities, and including cuisine with the scent of the garrigues.
-
from
225 €
per pers.
Stay in the heart of the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, taste the great wines from this appellation and discover Avignon, the City of the Popes.2 days | 1 night -
from
139,50 €
per pers.
An ideal gift box to discover the appellations of the Rhône Valley: Condrieu, Hermitage, Châteauneuf, Gigondas. Stop at a wine-estate for tastings.2 days | 1 night -
from
385 €
per pers.
Between vineyard and lavender field, enjoy a wine weekend in the charming region “Drôme Provençale”. Discover local gastronomy and wine makers know-how during convivial wine and food tastings.3 days | 2 nights -
from
395 €
per pers.
Located in the heart of the famous Côte-Rôtie region, get away from it all for a romantic weekend, punctuated by exclusive wine tastings and refined cuisine. Discover the finest treasures of the Northern Rhône region.2 days | 1 night -
from
215 €
per pers.
Make a unique experience from a Japanese-inspired trip! Taste sake and visit a Zen garden located a few kilometers from the city of Valence.2 days | 1 night -
from
335 €
per pers.
Dive into the heart of the Hermitage vineyard by tasting the wines of the region and sharing the passion of the winemakers who own the land.3 days | 2 nights -
from
110 €
per pers.
NewSpend a day in the heart of the Northern Rhône Valley vineyards, in the land of Hermitage, located in the Drôme department between Lyon and Valence. The agenda includes tours, tastings, and a food-and-wine pairing lunch.1 day -
from
55 €
per pers.
In the north of the Ardeche region, the truffle grower Didier Roche and the wine estate Boissonnet join together to share their knowledge in wine making and growing truffle.Half-day -
from
245 €
per pers.
Discover Drôme, a place known for its subtle natural wines, its green landscapes and its villages perched in the mountains; divide your time between visits to wineries converted to organic agriculture and bike rides.2 days | 1 night
Rhône Valley wines, grape varieties and appellations
The region is divided into two sub-regions: the cooler northern sub-region (called septentrional) with vineyards on steep slopes,and the southern sub-region (called méridionale) where the vineyards are drier and the Mediterranean temperatures milder, resulting in riper fruit and more fruity flavours.
The key appellations in the northern Rhône Valley are Côte Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage and Cornas, where mainly Syrah grapes are used to produce intense, complex reds. The exception is the Condrieu appellation, which uses Viognier for its aromatic whites. Inthe southern Rhône Valley, majorappellations include Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Tavel, which use a blend of grape varieties (Grenache noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, Marsanne and others) depending on the appellation. While the reds are generally fruit-forward, structured and spicy, the Tavel appellation is known for its dry rosé with a deep pink colour.
Rhône Valley tour highlights
Beyond wine tasting, the Rhône Valley has lots to offer, including visits to historic sites (Palace of the Popes and the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet) and breathtaking views especially around the Colline de l’Hermitage – a hill with terraced vineyards – and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. And for fans of the great outdoors, why not hike in the Monts d’Ardèche or kayak on the Rhône River before or after a cycle through the vineyards. Local markets, such as those in Gordes and L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, are definitely worth a visit for a taste of French freshness first-hand.
Food pairing with Rhône Valley wines
The region’s bold-flavoured red wines (Côte Rôtie or Châteauneuf-du-Pape, for example) pair well with game meat – whether grilled, seared or sausage-style – grilled mutton or lamb stews, or even smoky BBQs! Serve the seared or grilled meat of your choice with a reduction sauce of any red or black berry (made with Rhône wine, of course), and you can be sure that your dish will pair eloquently with a Rhône red. Rhône whites (Condrieu or Viognier) are excellent with grilled scallops or creamy dishes in a white wine sauce. Or a Châteauneuf-du-Pape white with scrambled eggs and truffles from the village of Serrières in northern Ardèche. Not to mention the Rhône Valley’s rosé wines, which are perfect with pasta and seafood or vegetarian dishes.
Getting to the Rhône Valley
By plane: the nearest airports are Avignon-Provence (for the southern sub-region) and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (for the northern sub-region).
By train: high-speed (TGV) trains connect Avignon, Lyon and other cities in the region to Paris and beyond!
By car: whether you hire a car or drive your own, from north to south or vice-versus, you can be off exploring the region’s vineyards in less than an hour from Lyon or Avignon!