RHONE VALLEY WINE TOURS
The Heartland for Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Marsanne & Roussanne
DISCOVER THE BENCHMARKS
Over five days and four nights you’ll be seduced by mythical wines, historical cities and rugged landscapes. Guided by a Master of Wine, in the lap of luxury, you’ll discover the benchmark wines of the Rhone Valley in France.
We rendezvous in Lyon, the food capital of France. Moments later you’ll be standing in vineyards perched high over the mighty Rhone river, tasting the best of Cote-Rotie. Condrieu follows suit, where we taste the rare floral, heady and perfumed Viognier. An unforgettable gastronomic dinner wraps up the first day. This is how we roll.
The next morning the blockbuster wines of Hermitage and Cornas await. You’ll spend two days visiting the most famous Houses in the Northern Rhone. You then travel south to Avignon, the former papal residence, spending three days immersed in the heady wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and so much more.
The hotels are first class and characterful. You’ll dine like royalty and you’ll have free time to discover the cities and monuments of Lyon and Avignon. The wines of the Rhone were the world’s most famous and expensive for a reason.
I invite you to join us on this fabulous tour.
JAMES CLUER, MASTER OF WINE
ABOUT THE TOUR & REGION
FOLLOWING THE MIGHTY RHONE
After 2 great days exploring Cote-Rotie, Condrieu, Hermitage and Cornas we drop down to Avignon for 3 days in the south. Prepare to indulge in copious quantities of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and much more.
We are welcomed by the top producers, given privileged access to their cellars and reserve wines, and learn first-hand about grape growing and winemaking from the experts.
You will rest your head at luxurious hotels in Vienne and Avignon and dine at gastronomic restaurants, including two Michelin-starred restaurants.
FOLLOWING THE MIGHTY RHONE
After great days exploring Cote-Rotie, Condrieu, Hermitage and Cornas we drop down to Avignon for three days in the south. Prepare to indulge in copious quantities of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and much more.
We are welcomed by the top producers, given privileged access to their cellars and reserve wines, and learn first-hand about grape growing and winemaking from the experts.
You will rest your head at luxurious hotels in Vienne and Avignon and dine at gastronomic restaurants, including a two-star Michelin.
THE ROASTED SLOPES OF COTE-ROTIE & TERRACES OF CONDRIEU
On the first day you’ll explore the steep hillsides of Cote-Rotie and Condrieu. It defies belief that the Romans would cultivate the vine on such a terroir, and then produce some of the world’s truly classic wines from Syrah and Viognier.
Our welcome dinner tonight will be a gastronomic affair to remember.
AVIGNON & THE SOUTH
On the third day we travel a few hours south to Avignon, a gorgeous Roman city, and the gateway to Provence.
From the comfort of our historic five-star hotel we strike out to learn about the intricacies of Grenache, and the twelve other varieties that are permitted in a Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
The landscape of the south is totally different from the north, and so are the wines.
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
Powerful, spicy, earthy, meaty, these wines have won legions of fans around the world, making this appellation a household name.
The incredible rocky soils are a site to see, and so are the castles housing wineries.
Rugged the Rhone may be, but the food is extremely fine and we enjoy another extravagant meal at a restaurant in a historic setting.
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
Powerful, spicy, earthy, meaty, these wines have won legions of fans around the world, making this appellation a household name.
The incredible rocky soils are a site to see, and so are the castles housing wineries.
Rugged the Rhone may be, but the food is extremely fine and we enjoy another Michelin restaurant in a historic setting.
MEET YOUR HOST
Our Luxury Wine Tours in the Rhone are guided by Master of Wine, Rod Smith.
ROD is currently Vice-Chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine (MW) and is one of only 416 people to hold the MW, the highest qualification in the field which he passed in 2006. He is a wine educator, marketer, and journalist, based in the South of France. With a client list that includes the world’s wealthiest, most discerning and demanding customers, Rod is the owner/director of the Riviera Wine Academy,
Prior to this, Rod worked for Vins Sans Frontières – the leading wine supplier to the superyacht industry in the South of France, and before that in the UK for a variety of fine wine importers and retailers, as well as being an established WSET educator. Rod has been extensively involved in judging wine competitions in London (Panel Chair, Decanter World Wine Awards, IWC), Shanghai (SIWC, Wine100), Guangzhou (Golden Bottle Awards), Dallas (TexSom), Sofia (Balkans International Wine Challenge), Moscow (Russian Wine Fair), and Sydney (Sydney Royal Wine Show).
Rod has travelled and presented about wine widely including many trips to China and the Far East.
Rod’s personal interests include cycling, running, travel, literature, card magic and film.
UPCOMING RHONE VALLEY WINE TOUR
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Included in the price is four nights’ accommodation split between two luxury hotels, all meals during the tour (except two free evenings) all winery tours, all wines at the visits, local transport for the duration of the tour, and all taxes and gratuities.
Basically everything is included except your flights, your onwards transport from Avignon at the end of the tour, insurance, and any items of a personal nature.
PLANNING TIPS
Before the tour we will send you some useful pre-trip information to help you with your planning. Here you’ll find advice on how to get there, tips on what to wear, details on the hotels, and what you might like to read in advance.
WEATHER
We visit during the nicest times of year, the Spring and the Fall. The weather is not too hot, is typically dry, and warm.
TESTIMONIALS
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