Wine Tour Booking for tours and tastings in the Premium European Red Wine regions

At a glance

Trip Summary

In the Rioja region, check into a Superior room at the 4* Finca de los Arandinos hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with drinks served in the hotel’s traditional Spanish restaurant.

On day two, an English-speaking specialist driver/guide will pick you up after breakfast and accompany you throughout the day. Our Spanish Tour Manager was born and bred in the region and not only will she entertain you throughout the day with fascinating historical and cultural anecdotes, she will also share with you her extensive wine knowledge. You will be taken to two wineries for tours and tastings and a traditional lunch will be served at one of these estates. At the first estate, guests will marvel at the centuries-old cellars and enjoy a private wine tasting session, whereas the second winery is more modern, offering a complete contrast. After returning to the hotel to freshen up and have a siesta, you will be taken for a tasting session of three premium Rioja wines with platters of local tapas. You will then have time to participate in the traditional evening tapas run on the famous Calle Laurel in the town of Logrono.

On day three, check out of the hotel. A private chauffeured vehicle will take you to Bilbao airport in time for your flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Upon arrival in Paris, make your way by metro to Paris Gare du Nord station and board a local train to Beaune.

In Beaune, check into a Charme room at the 4* Hotel de la Poste. Your tour will start with an introductory tour and tasting session of six Burgundian wines at a local estate a short walk from the hotel.

You will continue to build on your newfound knowledge on day four, where you will meet your English-speaking driver/guide for a full day transported and guided tour of the vineyards. You will be transported in an off-road vehicle, allowing access to locations that are usually off-limits. You will visit both the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, experiencing the range of wines this prestigious region has to offer.

During the first part of the tour, you will be introduced to the sources of some of the greatest Chardonnay wines- namely the famous vineyards of Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. In addition to white wine, you will also be introduced to the Pinot Noir grape from Pommard, Volnay and Santenay. The morning will conclude with a visit to a nearby domaine in the Côte de Beaune, where the owner will take you on a full tour of the estate and beautiful vaulted cellars, explaining to you all about their wines as you taste them.

In the afternoon, you will explore the Côte de Nuits, driving through the famous vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée, Vougeot, Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin. Your guide will reveal to you the secrets of Burgundy wine whilst you enjoy a glass in the heart of the vineyards. Your time in the Côte de Nuits will then conclude with a visit to a second domaine, for a tour of the estate and cellars and followed by tastings of the estate’s wines. A four course gourmet dinner will be served in a premium city centre restaurant, accompanied by two half bottles of local wine, water and coffee.

After checking out of your hotel in Beaune on day five, board a train to Lyon. The journey time is approximately 1 ¾ hours. Rail travel between Lyon Part Dieu and the riverside village of Condrieu will then be arranged for you. Here, check into the stunning Beau Rivage hotel at the foot of the vineyards, overlooking the river. A four course dinner (excluding drinks) will be served in the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant in the evening.

On day six and after checking out of the hotel, pre-booked and pre-paid taxi transfers will be arranged to transport you to a premium Côte Rôtie producer in Ampuis for a full tour of the wine-making process with tastings. Following your visits, travel by train to Tain L’Hérmitage, for a two night stay at the fabulous boutique hotel, la Villéon on the other side of the river in the town of Tournon-sur-Rhône.

On day seven, take a short walk across the river to the quaint town of Tain l’Hérmitage, where you will be welcomed at the Paul Jaboulet Aîné boutique. One of the biggest names in the Northern Rhône and producer of the world-revered “La Chapelle,” this estate has been making highly sought-after wines for almost two Centuries and you will firstly taste a Hérmitage white wine and two Hérmitage reds, one of which will be the latest vintage of “La Chapelle.” A three course lunch with a further two Jaboulet wines will then be served.

You will have time to admire the breathtaking views across the Valley from the iconic “La Chapelle,” a stone chapel which was allegedly built by a 13^th Century knight who fell in love with the vineyards here. In the afternoon, you will be taken by taxi to a quality producer of St Péray or Cornas wines for a full tour and extensive tasting session. Please note that we are unable to pre-pay taxis in Tain l’Hermitage / Tournon sur Rhone. We will pre-book your transfers for you and we expect the taxi transfers to cost in the region of 50 euros.

After check out in Tournon-sur-Rhône on day eight, we will arrange rail travel to Avignon, where accommodation for your last two nights will be provided at the 4* Cloître Saint Louis in the heart of the city. Spend the day visiting the Papal Palace and the much loved Pont d’Avignon. We will include entry tickets in your travel pack. A four course dinner with drinks will be served in a restaurant in the city centre in the evening. On day nine, you will be taken on a full day transported tour with an English-speaking specialist wine guide. During the course of the day, tours and tastings will take place in the revered villages of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Vacqueyras and lunch in a local bistrot will also be included.

After checking out of the hotel on day ten, board on a train to Bordeaux. The journey time will be in the region of seven hours. There will be taxis waiting at Bordeaux Gare Saint Jean station, and the city centre is just 10 minutes away. Here,cCheck into a Classic room at the 4* Hotel de Seze. After settling in at the hotel, enjoy an introductory tutored tasting session of six French red wines (including three Bordeaux wines) in a quaint wine bar, located within walking distance of your hotel. The tasting will be accompanied by a platter or cheeses and meats.

On days eleven and twelve, you will meet your guide at a central departure point for a full day transported and guided tour through the Bordeaux vineyards. On one of the days, you visit the internationally famed left-bank Médoc and the other day, the UNESCO Classified appellation of Saint-Emilion and neighbouring Pomerol. During your tour of the Médoc, you will visit three Châteaux, learning particularly about the Cabernet Sauvignon grape and gaining an insight into what makes those big, bold reds so revered. During your visit to Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, you will discover the singularities of the softer wines, predominantly made from the Merlot grape.

You will visit three Châteaux, and your guide will also take you on a walking tour of the picturesque village. During both days, you will learn all about the fascinating wine-making process from press to bottle, and each tour will conclude with a tasting of the Château’s wine. There will be a maximum of sixteen guests on the tour and each Château that you visit will be a Cru Classé estate. On one of the evenings, a three course gourmet dinner will be served in a premium city centre restaurant. Your dinner will be accompanied by three local wines.

On the morning of day thirteen, check out of the hotel and head to the airport, where you fly to Rome. Here, make your way to the station and board a train to Florence. The journey time is roughly 1 ½ hours. Regular shuttle buses run between the airport and the station. The bus ride is in the region of an hour. Tickets can be purchased directly on the bus and cost approximately 5€ per person. Alternatively, there will be taxis waiting at the airport.

After settling into your Classic room at the 4* Hotel Monna Lisa, we would be pleased to recommend a restaurant in Florence and reserve you a table for dinner if required. On day fourteen, meet your English-speaking specialist wine guide at a central departure point in Florence and enjoy a day of tasting in the stunning Chianti vineyards. There will be a maximum of eight guests on the tour and the focus of the day will be the the world-famous Super Tuscan wines. During the course of the day, you will be welcomed as the guests of three highly-regarded Super Tuscan wineries, where your guide will show you the fascinating wine-making process from vine to bottle. At each estate, you will taste a variety of Tuscany wines, discovering the secrets of the Super Tuscan wine-makers. The traditional lunch served at one of the wineries will be a true highlight of your holiday. Here, you will taste examples of dishes that have made Tuscany such a well-loved gastronomic capital and of course, premium wines will complement the cuisine. You will be taken back to Florence at the end of the day.

Check out of your hotel on the morning of day fifteen and board a train to Bra via Turin. The journey time should be in the region 2 ½ hours. Upon arrival in Bra, check into your preferred room grade at the Albergo Cantine Ascheri. You will then have some free time to relax and explore your surroundings.

On the morning of day sixteen, you will be met at the hotel by a chauffeured vehicle, which will accompany you throughout the day in the UNESCO Classified Piedmont vineyards. You will firstly be welcomed at a boutique family-run winery for a guided tour of the cellars and a traditional lunch as the guests of the estates. Lunch will be served alongside a selection of the estate’s highly-regarded wines. During the course of the day, you will also discover the stunning countryside, with some free time in the picturesque village of Castellinaldo d’Alba- an authentic Italian village with gorgeous churches and a charming castle. Later in the afternoon, you will be taken to a premium Barolo winery for a tour and tastings of four different wines. Your chauffeur will then drive you to the municipality of Barolo, which is a must see, where you will have time to see the delightful castle. After such an enlightening day, enjoy a cheese and wine tasting including five cheeses paired with a local wine.

On day seventeen, check out of the hotel.

Region Map

Outline Itinerary

Day Three

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• A private transfer between your hotel and Bilbao airport will be arranged for you.
• From Bilbao, fly to Paris CDG.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you from central Paris to Beaune.
• Upon arrival in Beaune, check into a Charme room at the 4* Hotel de la Poste.
• Enjoy a late afternoon cellar tour and tasting session with a traditional Burgundian wine-maker. Your knowledgeable host will talk you through tastings of six varied Burgundy wines.

Day Four

• After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking driver/guide, who will accompany you on a full day transported tour. Your tour day will comprise of
• Stops at several vineyards in the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits.
• A tour and tastings at a winery in the Côte de Beaune.
• Free time for lunch.
• A tour and tastings at a winery in the Côte de Nuits.
• A tasting amongst the vines.
• In the evening a four course gourmet dinner will be served in a premium city centre restaurant, accompanied by two half bottles of wine, water and coffee.

Day Five

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you from Beaune to Lyon.
• From Lyon Part Dieu train station, travel by train to Condrieu.
• The hotel is a very short taxi journey from the station, which we can pre-book for you (payable locally).
• Here, check into a Privilège grade room at Le Beau Rivage.
• In the evening, a four course dinner will be served in the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant overlooking the river. Please note that drinks have not been included as part of the package.

Day Six

• After breakfast and check out, leave your luggage at the hotel for the morning.
• A pre-booked and pre-paid taxi will take you to Ampuis.
• A tour and tastings of four wines will take place at a premium Côte Rôtie winery.
• After returning to the hotel by taxi to collect your luggage, travel by train to Tain L’Hérmitage.
• Check into a Comfort room at Hotel la Villéon, located just across the river in Tournon-sur-Rhône.

Day Seven

• After breakfast, walk across the river to Tain l’Hérmitage.
• Enjoy a tasting session of three Hérmitage wines including the latest vintage of the iconic “La Chapelle” at the Paul Jaboulet Aîné boutique.
• A three course lunch with two further Jaboulet wines will then be served.
• We recommend taking a leisurely walk up Hérmitage Hill to admire the views from “La Chapelle.”
• In the afternoon, a taxi will take you to a nearby producer of Saint Péray or Cornas wines for a tour and tastings. Please note that we are unable to pre-pay taxis in Tain l’Hermitage / Tournon sur Rhone. We will pre-book your transfers for you and we expect the taxi transfers to cost in the region of 50 euros.

Day Eight

• In the morning, check out of the hotel and travel by train to Avignon.
• Upon arrival, check into a Superior room at the 4* Cloître Saint Louis.
• In your travel pack will be entry tickets to both the Papal Palace and the Pont d’Avignon to be visited at your leisure.
• In the evening, a four course dinner with drinks will be served in a restaurant in the city centre.

Day Nine

• After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist wine guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a tour of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Vacqueyras to visit three wineries. Lunch will be served at a traditional bistrot.
• At the end of the day, you will be dropped back in Avignon, where you will be free to enjoy your last night in this charming city.

Day Ten

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you from Avignon to Bordeaux (via Marseille or Montpellier). The journey time is approximately 7 hours.
• Upon arrival in Bordeaux, check into a Classic room at the 4* hotel de Seze in the city centre.
• Free afternoon to explore the city and relax.
• Enjoy an early evening tutored tasting session of six French red wines including Médoc, Saint-Emilion and Graves. Your wine will be accompanied by a platter of cheeses and meats.

Day Eleven

• After breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide at a central departure point for a full day guided and transported tour of the Médoc, visiting three Châteaux
• In the evening, a three course gourmet dinner will be served in a premium city centre restaurant, accompanied by three local wines.

Day Twelve

• In the morning, meet your English-speaking guide at a central departure point for a full day guided and transported tour of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, visiting three Châteaux.

Day Thirteen

• After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Make your way to Bordeaux-Merignac airport. The Liane 1+ departing from Place Gambetta can take you to the airport in about 45 minutes. Alternatively, the hotel would be more than happy to call a taxi for you.
• Board your flight to Rome.
• Upon arrival at the airport, you will find regular shuttle buses to take you to the train station. Alternatively, there will be taxis waiting at arrivals.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you between Rome and Florence (journey time roughly 1 ½ hours).
• Upon arrival in Florence, check into a Classic room at the 4* Hotel Monna Lisa.
• We would be pleased to recommend a restaurant and reserve you a table for dinner if required.

Day Fourteen

• After breakfast, meet your English-speaking specialist wine guide at a central departure point for a full day transported tour. Your tour day will comprise of:
• Tours and tastings at three Super Tuscan wineries in the Chianti vineyards.
• An authentic Tuscan lunch at one of the estates.

Day Fifteen

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
• Rail travel will be arranged for you between Florence and Bra (via Turin – journey time roughly 3 ½ hours).
• Upon arrival in the town of Bra, check into your room at the 4* Hotel Albergo Cantine Ascheri.
• The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free for you to relax at the hotel and explore the town independently.
• We will provide you with a list of recommended restaurants in Bra, and we would be delighted to reserve you a table at any of these for dinner if required.

Day Sixteen

• After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by a chauffeured vehicle, which will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A pleasant tour and tastings at one of our favourite local wineries, followed by a traditional Piedmontese lunch on site.
• Some free time to explore the lovely village of Castellinaldo d’Alba.
• A delightful visit to a second winery to discover how the iconic Barolo is made, followed by a tasting focused on a comparison between different styles of Barolo. We strongly recommend upgrading this visit to include a “vineyard safari” and additional wines. See the upgrade section below for full details and prices.
• Some free time to explore the picturesque village of Barolo.
• Your chauffeur will then take you back to Bra, birthplace of the slow food movement, where you will have the chance to take part in a cheese tasting of five different cheeses served with wine.

Final Day

• After a leisurely 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.

Enhance your Experience/Tour Upgrades

Further Information