⚠️ New vehicle from March 2026 !
There are several options (each tour will start and end in front of Hôtel Bristol, in Avignon):
• April to October (9:30 am to around 3:30 pm): tasting of a minimum of 9 wines in 3 different wineries, in Beaumes de Venise (land of Muscat, natural sweet wine), Gigondas (famous for its red) and Châteauneuf du Pape (world famous for red), with a picnic included consisting only of fresh produce from local farms, such as eggs, black olives tapenade, sweet pepper tapenade, fresh goat cheese, seasonal fruits, fruits juice…
• all year round (2:00 to around 6:30 pm): same tour but in the opposite direction (Châteauneuf, Gigondas, Beaumes), without meals.
• November to March (9:30 am to around 12:30 pm): only 2 estates, in Gigondas or Beaumes, then in Châteauneuf, without meals.
To introduce each area:
• Beaumes de Venise: located on the southern face of the Dentelles de Montmirail (three peaky mountain ranges), Beaumes de Venise is less windy and warmer than the other wine areas around, because it is protected by the Dentelles de Montmirail. That is why the main production is Muscat, a natural sweet wine, AOC since 1943. One can drink it in aperitif or pair it with desserts, blue cheese, charcuterie… Red wine is another AOC, but since 2005 only. Winemakers can use up to 10% of white grapes in the blend. The terroir is mostly made with limestone or sandstones and sandy soil or clay soil.
• Gigondas: located on the northern face of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Gigondas is very windy! Mistral can blow around 150 days a year. Even if it is a cold wind, it pushes the clouds away and helps a lot the winemakers against diseases in the vineyards because it dries them up. Gigondas is also a bit higher, altitude is between 100 and 600 meters (300 to 1800 feet). Sandy marls are very specific to Gigondas, even if you can also find classic terroirs such as clay soil, sandy soil, limestone and sandstones. Gigondas is very famous for red wines since 1971, rosé can be made since 1971 as well. White wine is something very new because it joined the AOC in 2023 only.
• Châteauneuf du Pape: the iconic wine area in the southern Rhône. Very famous for red wines (92% of the production), white wines are also made there (8%). First AOC in France in 1936, it can be found worldwide. Big river stones are very specific to Châteauneuf du Pape even if clay soil, sandy soil, sandstones and limestone are part of Châteauneuf du Pape terroir. Wines there are very rich in general especially because of the river stones, and can be kept in a cellar during 20-30 years.
