Opening the Gates to the World of Southern Rhône wines
Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Rhône in Provence
The Southern Rhône Valley is one of France’s most historic and diverse wine regions, shaped by centuries of viticulture under a warm Mediterranean climate. Vine growing in the area dates back to Romantimes, but the region gained lasting prominence in the early 14thcentury, when the papal court settled in Avignon. During this period,vineyards surrounding Châteauneuf-du-Pape were encouraged and structured, laying the foundations for quality-focused wine production that continues today.
The Southern Rhône is defined by a remarkable diversity of terroirs. Galets roulés, sandy soils, red clay, and limestone form a complex mosaic that directly influences wine style. In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the famous rounded stones absorb heat during the day and release it at night, promoting full grape maturity. Sandy soils, found in select areas, tend to produce wines of greater finesse, aromatic clarity,and balance, offering a more delicate expression of the region.
Grenache is the cornerstone grape of the Southern Rhône. Perfectly adapted to heat, wind, and drought, it produces wines of generosity and depth, marked by ripe fruit, spice, and garrigue.
Following the challenges brought by phylloxera at the end of the 19th century,the vineyard was carefully replanted and progressively structured around clearly defined appellations. Châteauneuf-du-Pape was among the first French wines to receive official AOC status in 1936, followed by Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Lirac, Cairanne...
Today, the Southern Rhône stands as a benchmark for powerful yet refined wines,where history, terroir, and human craftsmanship come together to produce enduring expressions of place.
Concierge Led for a Seamless Experience
All our wine tours in France are private and tailor-made. As we offer day trips, we also take care of your stay by recommending charming places to stay while you are in the region. We know the region's restaurants for all tastes, museums, historical guides and places of interest. Calm, precise, unique.
Three Paths to Discovery
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras & Gigondas
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Lirac, Tavel… a wide diversity of wine profiles and grape varieties found in the surroundings of Avignon, where the Grenache grape expresses itself at its best in this warm wine region.
In total, three winery visits are planned, with around 20 to 25 wines tasted throughout the day. The visits reflect different approaches to winemaking, ranging from a small independent vigneron to a larger, internationally recognised estate, and concluding with a natural or biodynamic perspective.
We always bring older vintages, from the 1960s to the present day, allowing you to explore how these wines evolve over time.
Lunch arrangements are discussed together in advance, according to your preferences and the flow of the day.
Departure can be arranged from Avignon, Saint-Tropez, Lyon, Paris, Marseille or elsewhere. This is discussed together, and a stay of several days is possible.
Overall, you can expect a leisurely day lasting around 8 to 9 hours, leaving ample time for good wines, thoughtful exchanges, and a relaxed pace.
Southern Rhône, A Journey Since the 60s
Grenache, Roussanne, and Clairette evolve remarkably well. We have very fine memories of an old-vines Roussanne from 1986, a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from 1998, and a Gigondas from 1972.
Two winery visits are planned in the morning, including tastings, an explanation of the specificities of the region, and vineyard walks. Around 12 wines will be tasted. The wineries visited can be discussed together.
Lunch and the afternoon then follow with a private masterclass, held either in the salon of a château of the region during winter or in a French garden during summer.
We will spend 3 to 4 hours exploring 5 to 8 wines, either from winemakers of the region regarded as true artists or through a selection of vintage Southern Rhône wines from the 1960s to the present day, with some Champagne as well.
Pairings are simple and seasonal: seafood and barbecue, cheeses, fruits, local specialties, and desserts.
The journey can conclude with free time in a beautiful village of the region.
The day trip lasts around 10 hours, with approximately 2 hours of total travel time.
Departure can be arranged from Avignon, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, Paris, or elsewhere. This is discussed together, and a stay of several days is possible.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Focus
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a vast appellation, with five villages spread across 3,000 hectares of vineyards, resulting in a remarkable diversity of terroirs built around four main types: sandy soils, clay, limestone, and galets roulés.
By the end of the day, the aim is for you to be able to assess how both terroir and vintage influence the wines of this area.
At lunchtime, we bring three Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, ranging from the 1960s to the present day, to explore together how these wines evolve over time.
Lunch arrangements are discussed together in advance, according to your preferences and the flow of the day.
In total, three winery visits are planned, with around 20 wines tasted throughout the day. The visits reflect different approaches to winemaking, ranging from a small independent vigneron to a larger, internationally recognised estate, and concluding with a natural or biodynamic perspective.
Departure can be arranged from Avignon, Saint-Tropez, Lyon, Paris, Marseille, or elsewhere. This is discussed together, and a stay of several days is possible.
Overall, you can expect a leisurely day lasting around 8 to 9 hours, leaving ample time for good wines, thoughtful exchanges, and a relaxed pace.
Your Day, Curated
Start of the day at the airport or your hotel
Departure for the wine region
Morning wine tastings
Lunch with region's wines through the decades
Afternoon tasting
Discover another wine region or return to your hotel
Days last between 8 and 11 hours
Around twenty wines tasted during the day
Accompanied by a French wine enthusiast
Professional driver and electric car
A Seamless Voyage Through the Wolrd’s Most Celebrated Wine Regions
Meet the Makers
Lovers of wine, art, travel and gastronomy, always on the move in France and around the world to learn from the differences.
We all met during our studies, in European wine society. We all have different interests, but wine and its precise tasting conditions are what brought us together.
We share these moments of life all year round and spend around twenty days a year in the Southern Rhône region to magnify this region's art of living.
