Hands On Tasting and Tours

The European wine harvest takes place in September and October, and what better time to get hands-on with the grapes! Our wine tasting and tours are designed to be as interactive as possible, allowing wine lovers to truly immerse themselves in the world of wine-making. Grape Escapes guests are able to see first-hand the fascinating wine-making process and in some cases, you are also able to get involved and get their hands dirty.

See below for three of our favourite hands-on wine tasting and tours!

Grape Picking in Champagne

With our Champagne Harvest three day/ two night break, we offer you the chance to spend the day as a grape harvester in the prestigious Champagne vineyards. Following a traditional breakfast at the estate of a family-run producer of Grand Cru Champagnes, you will be taken out to the vineyards to try your hand at picking the grapes with the harvesting team. This once-in-a-lifetime activity will allow you to truly immerse yourself in the spirit of the Champenoise people, and will last for around two hours. The harvest is always a time for celebration, and you can rest assured that there will be plenty of opportunities to take a break and raise a glass or two during the course of the activity.

Following the time amongst the vines, you will have the opportunity to press the grapes and taste the fresh juice, and then your hard work will be rewarded with a delicious gastronomic meal, prepared by the in-house Chef, and served with a selection of the Maison’s Champagnes in the opulent dining room of a beautiful French Château owned by the family. You will be transported throughout the day in an executive chauffeured vehicle, allowing you to enjoy the Champagne and not have to worry about driving at the end of your day.

Prices start at£459 per person based on two people and this includes two nights’ 4* accommodation with breakfast in Epernay , a chauffeured vehicle for the day on a private basis and the full day harvest activity with lunch.

Blending in Bordeaux

Perhaps the most famous wine region in the world for its intricate blends, our three day/two night Bordeaux Blending break includes accommodation with breakfast in a charming, traditionally-French boutique hotel in the heart of Bordeaux city centre and private transfers to and from the vineyards. You will receive a warm welcome at the stunningly grandiose Château Pape Clément, one of the greatest producers in the village of Pessac-Léognan in the Graves appellation. Following a fascinating tour of the Château’s winery and cellars, take part in a truly unique blending workshop, where you will have the opportunity to make your very own Bordeaux blend. You will then have the opportunity to bottle your personalised wine and take a souvenir bottle home with you. A decadent picnic lunch will then be served in the picturesque surroundings of the Château’s grounds.

The starting price is £419 per person based on two people and this includes two nights’ 3* accommodation with breakfast in Bordeaux, return private transfers between Bordeaux and the vineyards, a tour and tastings with lunch and a blending workshop at Château Pape Clément.

Grape Treading in the Douro Valley

Portugal is one of the only countries which still presses its grapes by foot treading, and this three day/two night package will truly immerse you in the traditional Portuguese harvest. Based in the heart of the breath-taking Douro Valley, you will spend two nights as the guests of an authentic wine-maker. Accommodation will be provided in the estate’s delightful guest house and following a tour of the winery to see first-hand the wine-making process from vine to bottle, you will climb into the stone “lagaras” (treading tank) and gently press the grapes with your bare feet. A hearty lunch, alongside a selection of the estate’s wines will then be served in the dining room.

Prices for the Duoro tasting and tours start at just £318 per person based on two people and this includes two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at a Douro Valley winery and a tour of the winery with grape treading and lunch.

For further information and to check specific availabilities for our hands-on wine tasting and tours, please don’t hesitate to contact the Grape Escapes tour specialists on +44(0) 1920 46 86 66 or e-mail info@grapeescapes.net.