Extensive Loire

Extensive Loire - Wine Tours in the Loire Valley

Sancerre-©-photo-Patrice-Régnier

At a glance

Region:The Loire Valley
Type of Tour:
Duration:7 Days
Guide Price:From £2339 to £2665 per person
Number of Meals:6 breakfasts + 3 lunches + 3 dinners
Number of Winery Visits:12 wineries
Number of Wines Tasted:Approximately 40
Tour Transport:3 Full day guided and transported tour in Sancerre and Angers, 1 Full day transported tour between Sancerre and Tours, taxi transfers on day 4 of your itinerary
Dates / Availability:Available mid-week and weekends throughout the year

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Trip Summary

Our Extensive range is designed to give you the opportunity to explore a wine region in its entirety. On this Extensive Loire package we take you through the wines of the Loire Valley, starting with the iconic Sancerre, and moving on to the Touraine area to try some Vouvray wines. You will then discover all the secrets of the Chinon appellation, followed by an introduction to the lovely wines of Saumur. Finally you will be taken to Angers where you will learn about the Anjou and Muscadet. By the end of your stay you will be a true Loire Valley expert!

After checking into the 4* Hotel Panoramic on day one in Sancerre and enjoying a complimentary bottle of Sancerre in your room, meet your English-speaking guide in Sancerre on the morning of day two for a full day transported tour of the region as part of a small group.

tours Loire Valley

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.

Fromages_AOC_P7123776_CLazi_CRTCentreValdeLoire
Sancerrois-Y-Wemaëre

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.

Photo_Artisan_passionne
Caves-Vignobles-HD-034-©-JS-Evrard

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 15th 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.

Tours Loire Valley
Vineyard tours Loire Valley

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.

Tours Loire Valley
VIGNOBLE-SAVENNIERES©JD-BILLAUD

Region Map

Outline Itinerary

Day One

  • Upon arrival in Sancerre, check into your preferred room at the 4* Hotel Panoramic.
  • A bottle of Sancerre wine will be waiting for you in your room.
  • You will have a free afternoon and evening to explore the village and relax.

Day Two

  • After breakfast, meet your English-speaking driver/guide in Sancerre. Your tour day as part of a small group will comprise of:
  • Time in the Sancerre vineyards, where your guide will explain in detail the specifics of the unique terroir in Sancerre which allows the appellation to produce its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc, and the work which takes place throughout the year.
  • A visit to a highly-regarded producer of Sancerre wines for a full tour of the wine-making process from press to bottle and tastings of five of the Sancerre wines.
  • Tastings of the local Crottin de Chavignol goat’s cheese with a reputed cheese affineur.
  • Free time for lunch. Your guide will be more than happy to suggest a suitable restaurant depending on how hungry you are feeling on the day.
  • A visit to a winery across the river in Pouilly-Fumé, for a full tour and tastings of five wines in a different style to those tasting during the morning.
  • In the evening, a five course wine pairing dinner will be served in a Michelin-starred restaurant in the village.
France driving holiday © L. de Serres

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.
France self-drive holiday ©-2014---Stevens-Frémont---ADT-TouraineInterloire

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.
Loire wine tour- Tours Loire Valley
Saumur wine tour- Tours Loire Valley

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.

France Driving Holiday
Vineyards-Tours Loire Valley

Accommodation

Perfect in every sense - from booking, through to the itinerary arranged for us, the comfort of the hotel, and to the places we visited and the people we met. Couldn't fault any aspect of it.

Nick - Devon, UK

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.
Hotel NameRoom GradeStar RatingDurationPrice Per Person
Extensive Loire HotelsStandard rooms4*7 Days£2665Book Now
Loire-Valley-Chinon--Credits-C-Lazi
Montlouis-sur-Loire-C-Lazi-P7097412

Enhance your Experience/Tour Upgrades

If you would like to make your Grape Escapes holiday even more special, there are a number of additional activities that we can arrange for you. To complement the experience, these could be arranged to fit in/around your current itinerary or we can arrange additional nights and room upgrades at your hotel, as well as your travel arrangements, a stop-over en route and even a visit to another part of the country! See below for some of the most popular upgrades.

  • Stay longer! Just let us know your preferred hotel and room grade, and we will provide you with the relevant supplement for extra nights with breakfast.
  • Additional tours and activities! We would be delighted to provide inspiration for more wine tours and cultural activities. The possibilities are endless!
  • Experience the region’s gastronomy. The wine regions are brimming with unique gastronomic dining opportunities and what better way to enjoy a glass than with a mouth-watering meal? We offer a variety of menus to suit every budget. Contact us for prices.
  • Tailor-made tour extensions. The team at Grape Escapes have travelled extensively in Europe, not just in the wine regions and can therefore recommend and arrange tailor-made tour extensions to other regions and cities, for example Paris in France or Bilbao in Spain.
vignoble_reuilly_ADTI
Saumur wine tour

Further Information

Travel to your wine tours Loire Valley

Given the wide range of travel options, the package price does not include travel to and from the region. Please contact us for further information.

Essential Tours

For more information on our Essential tours please see our Essential tours page.

Further Information / To Book

To secure your booking, a deposit of £100 per person is required (or 20% if the price of your trip exceeds £500 per person). Your remaining balance will then be due 60 days before you travel. Please call us on +44 (0) 1920 46 86 66 or e-mail info@grapeescapes.net to request a booking form.

Vineyard

All elements of our trip were planned to perfection with everything running smoothly leaving us to enjoy our trip.

Joanne - Bedforshire, UK

Special Occasion?

Celebrating a birthday, wedding anniversary or engagement? Our expert team would be delighted to talk you through the options and create your perfect trip.

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