Extensive Loire - Wine Tours in the Loire Valley

At a glance

Trip Summary

During the course of the day, you will visit various Sancerre vineyards, where your guide will explain in detail the specifics of the unique terroir which allows the appellation to produce its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc, and the work which takes place throughout the year. In the morning, you will visit a highly-regarded producer of Sancerre wines for a full tour of the wine-making process from press to bottle and tastings of five wines. You will also taste the local Crottin de Chavignol goat’s cheese with a reputed cheese affineur. There will be free time for lunch and your guide will be more than happy to suggest a suitable restaurant depending on how hungry you are feeling on the day. Before being taken back to the hotel at the end of the afternoon, you will be taken to visit a winery across the river in Pouilly-Fumé for a full tour and tastings of five wines in a different style to those tasted earlier in the day. In the evening, a five course wine tasting dinner will be served in a fabulous Michelin-starred restaurant in the village. Each course will be perfectly paired with a different wine.

On the morning of day three, check out of the hotel. You will be met at the hotel by a private chauffeured vehicle, which will accompany you throughout the day. You will take your luggage with you and your driver will drop you at your next hotel at the end of the day. You will firstly be taken to a reputed wine merchant in Amboise, who specialises in old wines (some of which date back to the forties). The visit will include a tour of the cellars to discover the merchant’s impressive vintage collection, a sensorial experience and a tasting session of three Vouvray wines paired with three cheeses. After the tour you will be given some free time for lunch in Amboise. In the afternoon, you will be taken to a second renowned estate to sample the best white wines from Vouvray. Your guide will accompany you on a tour of the domaine and cellars. The visit will conclude with tastings of a selection of the estate’s wines, including their Réserve Spéciale. A platter of local delicacies such as cheese and rillettes will be served with the wine. You will be taken to your hotel in Tours at the end of the day where you will be able to check in and freshen up before dinner. In the evening, a three course meal accompanied by wine, water and coffee will be served at a traditional French bistro in the city centre. The restaurant will be within walking distance from the hotel.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and take your luggage with you. You will be met by a driver, who will take you to your first visit of the day. Having been introduced to the region’s white wines, your journey of discovery will continue and take you to a 15^th Century wine-making Château in the Chinon appellation, where your will be welcomed by the Count and Countess of the estate. Following a visit to the Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc vineyards and a tour of the cellars, a tasting session will take place in the Château’s historic tasting room. A picnic lunch with a bottle of wine will then be served in the Château’s stunning grounds. After lunch your driver will return to take you to a second estate located in Saumur. You will explore this 19th Century family-owned winery, including the UNESCO listed tuffeau caves, on a guided walking tour, followed by tastings of four different wines. After the tour, you will be taken to your hotel in Saumur.  The evening will be free for you to do as you please. As always we would be pleased to recommend a restaurant for dinner.

After breakfast on day five, check out of the hotel. You will be met by an English speaking chauffeur/guide who will accompany you throughout the day. Please take your luggage with you as you will be dropped at your hotel in Angers at the end of the tour.  Today, you will discover the Anjou and Savennières vineyards. You will be taken to three different premium wineries, where you will have the opportunity to tour the estates as well as the wine-making facilities. Each visit will be followed by a tasting session of the estate’s sought-after wines. Your guide will take you to a traditional restaurant for lunch and you will be able to taste authentic French cuisine.You will be dropped at the 4* Hotel d’Anjou in Angers at the end of the day and the evening will be free to relax, settle in and do as you please.

On day six, your English-speaking specialist driver/guide will return to accompany you on a second day of tours, this time to discover the  Muscadet wines and during the course of the day you will be taken to three local estates, where you will learn about the specificities of  Muscadet and its making process. A delicious lunch will be served in a local restaurant. You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the day. In the evening, a delicious three course dinner with drinks will be served in the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant.

Region Map

Outline Itinerary

Day Three

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• You will be met at the hotel by a private chauffeured vehicle, which will accompany you throughout the day.
• You will first visit a well-regarded local wine merchant in Amboise where you will enjoy a cellar tour, sensorial experience and a tasting session of three wines paired with local cheeses.
• You will then have some free time for lunch in the pretty riverside town.
• You will visit a Vouvray estate in the afternoon, where you will be taken on a full tour of the domaine before sampling their sought after wines with some local delicacies.
• Your chauffeur will drop you at your hotel in Tours at the end of the day.
• In the evening, a three course dinner with drinks will be served in a traditional French bistro in the city centre.

Day Four

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Today, pre-booked and pre-paid taxi transfers will be arranged between your activities.
• Your tour day will comprise of:
• A tour and tastings with a picnic lunch at a 15th Century wine-making Château to taste Cabernet Franc wines.
• A tour and tastings at a winery in Saumur to taste the region’s sparkling wines.
• You will be taken to your hotel in Saumur at the end of the day.
• The evening will be free for you to do as you please.

Day Five

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• You will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day.
• Your tour day will comprise of:
• A tour and tastings at a premium Savennières winery.
• Lunch in a traditional restaurant.
• A tour and tastings at a renowned local domaine.
• A tour and tastings at a third winery.
• You will be taken to your hotel in Angers at the end of the tour.
• The evening will be free for you to do as you please. Once again we would be delighted to book you a table if required.

Day Six

• After breakfast, your guide will return to take you on a second day of tours and tastings in the Anjou and Savennières vineyards.
• Your tour day will comprise of:
• Tours and tastings at three premium Muscadet producers.
• Lunch in an authentic French restaurant.
• You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the tour.
• In the evening, a delicious three course dinner with drinks will be served in the hotel’s restaurant.

Final Day

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.

(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a confirmed booking, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.

Package Prices

• These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
• These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season (usually April to the end of October). Considerable discounts often apply for travel out of season (usually November to the end of March) or if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
• Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
• Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
• Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.

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