Essential Northern Rhône – Tain-L’Hermitage

Northern Rhône Valley tour based in Tain-l’Hermitage or Tournon-sur-Rhône

Historic buildings sat upon a green and lively vineyard on the Essential Hermitage tour

At a glance

Region:The Rhône
Type of Tour:
Duration:3/4 Days
Guide Price:From £507 to £1000 per person
Number of Meals:2 breakfasts, 1 lunch + 1 dinner (3 Days)
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch + 2 dinners (4 Days)
Number of Winery Visits:3 wineries (3 Days)
4 wineries (4 Days)
Number of Wines Tasted:Approximately 16-22 (3 Days)
Approximately 22-26 (4 Days)
Tour Transport:None
Dates / Availability:Available mid-week and weekends throughout the year

Trip Summary

Set in the heart of the Northern Rhône Valley, this carefully designed short break offers an immersive introduction to one of France’s most prestigious wine regions. Staying in either Tain-l’Hermitage or Tournon-sur-Rhône, two charming towns facing each other across the Rhône, this experience places you at the centre of the Hermitage vineyards and within immediate reach of some of the region’s most iconic producers.

Tain-l’Hermitage offers a lively yet relaxed atmosphere and direct access to leading wine houses, while Tournon-sur-Rhône, just across the river, provides a more historic and picturesque setting, with its château, narrow streets and riverside views. The two towns are connected by footbridge, allowing for easy access between them. (Please note if you are arriving by train you will need to be able to walk to your chosen hotel with your luggage).

Upon arrival in Tain-l’Hermitage or Tournon-sur-Rhône on day one of your tour, check into your preferred room grade at your chosen hotel.

In the evening, a three-course dinner will be served in a local restaurant. Drinks have not been included as part of the package and can be ordered and paid for locally.

Rhone Valley Tour Credits ©Julie Rey – Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné
Rhone Valley Tour - 56-GRIGNAN_CHATEAU_LPASCALE

On day two of your Essential Northern Rhône -Tain L’Hermitage tour enjoy breakfast at your hotel before beginning your day of wine discovery in the heart of the Hermitage appellation.

If you are staying in Tain-l’Hermitage, the day will begin on your doorstep, If you are based in Tournon-sur-Rhône, you will need to make your way across the Rhône via the footbridge to Tain-l’Hermitage, a straightforward walk of approximately 10–15 minutes.

To start the day in style, you will enjoy a private guided tour of a prominent local winery, seeing first-hand the fascinating wine-making process, followed by extensive tastings of their wines.

You will then be welcomed at the boutique of Paul Jaboulet Aîné. 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 have the opportunity to taste six different wines; reds and whites from both the Southern and the Northern Rhône. A three-course lunch with a further two Jaboulet wines will then be served. After lunch, you will have plenty of time to admire the breathtaking views across the valley from the iconic “La Chapelle,” a stone chapel overlooking the vineyards.

In the afternoon, enjoy a tutored tasting session of five wines at the prestigious Maison M. Chapoutier.

At the end of the afternoon, return to your hotel at leisure. The remainder of the day and evening will be free for you to enjoy at your own pace. If you would like us to reserve a table at a local restaurant, we would be delighted to assist.

Rhône Valley tour Caves Brissac HD 047 © JS Evrard

For guests choosing to extend their stay, day three (optional) offers a relaxed and enjoyable further exploration of the Hermitage area, combining local gastronomy with time in the vineyards.

After breakfast at your hotel, walk to the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona, where you will enjoy a visit of the museum along with extensive tastings, offering a fascinating insight into the world of chocolate. You will then have free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, bike hire will be arranged, along with a suggested itinerary to explore the picturesque Hermitage vineyards at your own pace.

At the end of your ride, enjoy a tutored tasting of a selection of wines at your final winery stop, offering a broader introduction to the appellations of Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage, and a deeper insight into the diversity of styles across the Northern Rhône.

In the evening, a three-course dinner will be served in a premium local restaurant. Drinks are not included and may be ordered and paid for locally.

On the final day of your Essential Northern Rhône -Tain L’Hermitage tour enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out.

Outline Itinerary

Day One

  • Upon arrival in Tain-l’Hermitage or Tournon-sur-Rhône, check into your preferred room grade at your chosen 4* hotel.
  • In the evening, a delicious three-course dinner (excluding drinks) will be served in a local restaurant.

Day Two

  • After breakfast, begin your day of wine discovery in Tain-l’Hermitage. If you are staying in Tournon-sur-Rhône, you will make your way across the Rhône via the footbridge (approximately 10–15 minutes on foot).
  • Enjoy a private tour and tastings at a prominent local winery.
  • You will then enjoy an insightful tasting session of six Northern and Southern Rhône wines, both red and white, at the Paul Jaboulet Aîné tasting boutique in Tain-l’Hermitage.
  • A delicious three-course lunch with two further Jaboulet wines will then be served on site.
  • In the afternoon, we will arrange a tutored tasting session of five wines at the prestigious Maison M. Chapoutier.
  • Return to your hotel at the end of the day.
Rhone Valley Tour - Domaine de Montine - L. Pascale ADT26

Day Three (Optional)

  • After breakfast, walk to the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona and enjoy a visit of the museum with extensive chocolate tastings.
  • Free time for lunch.
  • In the afternoon, bike hire will be arranged, along with a suggested itinerary to explore the Hermitage vineyards at your own pace.
  • At the end of your ride, enjoy a tutored tasting of a selection of wines at your final winery stop.
  • In the evening, a three-course dinner (excluding drinks) will be served in a local restaurant.

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.

Accommodation

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). 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
Fac & Spera Hôtel et Spa - Tain l'HermitagePremium room4*3 Days£612Book Now
Fac & Spera Hôtel et Spa - Tain l'HermitagePremium room4*4 Days£882Book Now
Hôtel de la Villeon - Tournon-sur-RhôneComfort Superior room4*3 Days£668Book Now
Hôtel de la Villeon - Tournon-sur-RhôneComfort Superior room4*4 Days£1000Book Now
Avignon Wine Tour - Cave L.Pascale ADT 26
Rhone Valley Tour - 27-COQUELICOTS_VALLEE DE LA GERVANNE_L PASCALE

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 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 or 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.
Rhone Valley Tour - 6-ABRICOTS_LPASCALE
Avignon Wine Tour - Credits-Eurostar

Further Information

Travel to your Rhône Valley tour

The price of this package doesn’t include travel to Tain-L’Hermitage or Tournon-sur-Rhône. Please see our travel page 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 20% deposit is required. Your remaining balance will then be due 60 days before travel. Please call us on+44(0)1920 468 666 or e-mail info@grapeescapes.net to requests a booking form.

Rhone wine tour - BAR A VIN 104059

Thank you very much. As a gift for my parents it was perfect. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it made everything very hassle free for me.

Ryan - Cardiff, UK

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