Château Famaey brings the world of wine-making within easy reach of children - as you’d expect of the winner of the “Outstanding Offer” award in the 2024 Wine Tourism Trophies in the “Visit a vineyard with the family” category.

With summer here again, parents and toddlers are welcome to enjoy a guided tour of the estate blessed with breathtaking views of the mediaeval town of Puy-l'Évêque!

Sitting on the back of their donkeys, they set out to explore the vineyards in search of the different grape varieties and terroirs before meandering between the wooden barrels, cement vats and stoneware jars of the winery.

A series of tastings will refresh the taste buds with a selection of wines for adults and assorted prune and grape juices for oenophiles in the making.

The hinterland of south-west France is bursting with vineyards and handsome stone architecture lining the rivers that criss-cross Nouvelle-Aquitaine. We put the spotlight on seven delightful villages overflowing with fine wine and spirits.

The first stop on our road trip are the shores of the Gironde estuary. With its ever-changing scenery of salt marshes, salt meadows and dead cliffs, Mortagne-sur-Gironde will tempt you to taste the good life. Pay a visit to the Château Beaulon, a listed monument, just 15 minutes south of the enchanting village and port. Take a stroll through the grounds of the château and explore the mysterious blue fountains with their legends, cognac and Pineau des Charentes.

The fortified village of Bourg-sur-Gironde is tucked away at the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne at the entrance to the Gironde estuary. Here Château de la Grave welcomes visitors to take a walk in the vineyard, revel in a tasting and enjoy a never-to-be-forgotten break.

Domaine du Grand Mayne in Pays de Bergerac et Duras invites oenophiles to go on a winegrower’s picnic. Once you’ve been perked up by this delightful snack, everybody is free to set out to explore the meandering Dropt and Dourdèze, and to take a detour to Duras for a visit to its listed château.

Château d’Arche on the banks of the Ciron in Sauternes welcomes the public to tour its 17th century charterhouse. As well as enjoying a tasting of some grands crus classés, bikes are available for you to hire so you can roam across the vineyard with your hair in the breeze.

The commune of Navarrenx rise above the Gave d'Oloron in the direction of Jurançon, on the Camino de Santiago. Not far from this old bastide, Domaine Le Bois Sacré opens the doors to its farm and cellar for you to enjoy a selection of local wines and cheeses.

The fortified village of Saint Jean Pied de Port is on the Nive in the heart of the Basque Country and only an hour from the coast - and it’s well worth a visit! Close by, overlooking the vines clinging to the mountain sides, Domaine Mourguy organises walks accompanied by a donkey… followed by tastings of local wines and homemade apple juice.

Do you have the urge to set out to sea? Then head for the island of Oléron! La-Brée-les-Bains, surrounded by marshes and vineyards, will bowl you over with its bewitching panoramas. There’s nothing better than hopping on your bike at this seaside resort and pedalling until you reach Saint-Georges-d'Oléron, where you can feast your eyes on the immense aging cellar owned by the winegrowers of Oléron.

Simply by going with the flow, curious visitors will uncover many more hidden gems in the nooks and corners of the local vineyards!

Walkers, cyclists, nature lovers and fans of fine wine - head for this mountainside vineyard set in a breath-taking landscape on a unique wine-themed getaway in the heart of the Basque Country with its own distinct character.

To name but three of the many hiking possibilities in Irouléguy, there are the circuits around Etchaine (2 hours) and Arradoy (2 hours 45 min.) that are sure to delight walkers keen on filling their lungs with fresh air. More seasoned hikers, on the other hand, will be thrilled to explore the 11.5 km of the Jara trail.

For a fun, one-of-a-kind adventure, sporty types will go for a ride-cum-tasting on off-road electric scooters so they can explore the vines at close quarters.

The vineyards are open to everyone, and visitors can also opt for a guided outing in an electric car followed by a tasting.

As for families, they can meander along the narrow lanes of the vineyards: they’re fun to explore by bike starting from Saint-Etienne-de-Baigorry.

There are so many different ways to get around! Horse riders can trot through the mountain vineyards on an equestrian holiday, leaving the outside world behind on a trek organised by the Latsaga zalditokia farm.

Anyone with a yearn to learn can take the experience a stage further by coming here to find out all about the vines and biodiversity on Domaine Gutizia’s educational trail. More playful visitors will be entranced by the puzzles on the Terraventura treasure hunt - a family adventure you can enjoy in the very heart of the village of Irouléguy.

In a nutshell, a visit to Irouléguy means immersing yourself in a green oasis where the terraces of vines blend into the majestic mountains all around, and where the winemakers, so devoted to and proud of their terroir, are keen to transmit their expertise.

For young and old alike - or with family and friends - happiness is… the vineyards of Irouléguy!

Green initiatives are popping up all over the vineyards of Nouvelle-Aquitaine! Here you’ll find a handful of ideas for places to visit where you can enjoy down-to-earth experiences that are sure to “pick” your curiosity.

In the Medoc, the train journey to the Rose Pauillac wine-growers' cooperative is the perfect start to an immersive ecological adventure in the world of wine – thanks to a sound and light show held in the heart of the cellars! A blend of the imaginary and the real, the vines reveal all their secrets here as young and old alike look on in amazement.

The Quai Cyrano wine bar in Bergerac will also wow oenophiles at the same time as tickling their taste buds. And for good reason, too! The bar welcomes visitors to its vault or terrace overlooking the Dordogne, where they can enjoy a tasting of AOC wines produced locally and from organic, biodynamic or integrated agriculture.

When it comes to wonderful views, Maison Martell (which boasts a long-standing commitment to the environment) also makes a strong impression with its cocktail bar towering over the town of Cognac from the roof of the historic venue. When the weather is fine, visitors can enjoy the roof top with a glass of cognac in their hand and their head in the clouds.

Do you love wine and are a fan of slow tourism? Well, the island of Oléron has everything going for it! After a getaway on foot or by bike, the Chapia wine bar is the perfect place to enjoy a glass. Drinks include the Oléron spritz, a cocktail made from Cognac liqueur flavoured with orange, and other wines and spirits from Nouvelle-Aquitaine, including Pineau d'Oléron.

For a luxurious, peaceful and eco-friendly getaway, head to the Hotel Parc Beaumont in Pau! Geared towards good practices, the hotel is an ideal starting point for escaping into the vineyards just next to Jurançon. There are over 60 estates around and about where you can discover the appellation’s dry and sweet white wines.

If you feel the call of nature, Domaine Mouguy welcomes family and friends to the Basque Country. On the agenda you’ll find a donkey ride where you can take in the beauty of the terraced vines of Irouléguy. This great breath of fresh air is followed by a tasting by the glass of vintages from the property.

Across the entire region, the countless sustainable approaches emerging from the earth create memories that will also stand the test of time!

Looking for a unique way to discover France’s wine regions? Winalist offers a range of unusual wine tourism experiences. There's something for everyone!

In Occitanie, the wine estates of the South West, Languedoc, Roussillon and Rhône Valley offer families a wide variety of exciting vine-themed activities.

Wine tourism isn’t just for adults! For proof of this look no further than this selection of estates in Occitanie, each with an experience more exciting than the next.

Some of the region’s estates have developed escape games to delight young and old alike. Over in the Hérault region, Domaine Guinand organises these games in the open air, followed by a tasting of local produce and a prize draw. Close to Fronton, visitors to Château Boujac have 45 minutes to wrack their brains and find a way to escape from the cellar. In summer, the estate combines tasting and games by adding wine and cooking workshops to its repertoire. In Coteaux du Quercy AOP, visitors are tasked with solving riddles in the Randoland trails. Cooperation is the key to reaching the end of these fun trails, designed to suit all ages!

In the Lot region, Château de Haute-Serre has also developed an escape game that offers visitors an original experience. It also provides cookery lessons, orienteering on foot or by bike as well as tasting workshops and much more. In summer, families can feast on a picnic hamper and play games in a rural setting with a stunning view of the vines. While in September, visitors can step into a winemaker's shoes as they enjoy a half-day of grape harvesting.

Strategy games aren’t the only fun to be had in Occitanie's wine estates: a host of connected activities are also waiting to be enjoyed. Château Mourgues du Grès, with its 4-kilometre-long educational trail, is a perfect example of this high-tech approach. Visitors can learn more about the Costières de Nîmes AOP terroir by following the Bluetooth tags that can be read on the MourguesdugresConnect app. In several of Occitanie’s wine regions, and in the Gers region in particular, another app known as Ampélograf has been developed for visitors aged 8 and over. Kids can play educational games with a focus on the world of winemaking while their parents enjoy a tasting.

In Occitanie’s wine estates, families can expect a wealth of fun experiences and memorable moments.

The region of Occitanie is packed with artistic nuggets that cast vines in an entirely new light. There's something for everyone, whether you're looking for architectural curiosities or more contemporary art!

Architecture fans will be impressed by Tavel’s cooperative cellar, the first in France to be officially listed as a Historic Monument. As well as by the cooperative cellars of Roussillon, including the Grande cave de Terres des Templiers with its underground cellars and century-old vats. Château Saint Louis and its incredible circular cellar are also worth a visit, as is Château Monluc, birthplace of the famous “Pousse Rapière”. Its original and stunning cellars are sure to surprise!

Close to Narbonne, Cave Castigno has been entirely redesigned by Lionel Jadot and is another architectural wonder. Impressive when viewed from above due to its wine bottle shape covered in cork oak, the building is 80 metres long and 5 metres high. Between Agen and Cahors, two tasting lodges are also sure to catch your eye. The building at Clos Triguedina boasts a modern design, while the lodge at Château de Chambert offers a 180 degree view of the vines. 

The wine region also caters to contemporary artists with L’Art en Cave®, a unique concept that pairs their artwork with a special cuvée. An example of this can be found at Cave de Saint-Chinian where some of the works are printed onto bottle labels to extend the reach of this wonderful art. Further south, five of the region's artists have given the vats at the Cave Coopérative de Nissan-lez-Ensérune a new lease of life. Close by, Château Puech-Haut with its monumental Barrik-Art and collection of 160 wooden vats, is a place you won’t want to miss. In the Lot region, you’ll want to explore the cellar at Château Saint Sernin with its exhibition of artist-decorated casks, bottles and corks. The estate also offers visitors the chance to sponsor a vine stock and follow its growth.

For an open-air experience head to Château Le Bouïs, whose “Land’Art” exhibition celebrates traditional winemaking methods and can be explored during a visit to the estate. Over at Vignobles de Montagnac, visitors can hike along a marked trail dotted with 14 stone statues sculpted by artists.

Why not take your trip to the next level and spend the night in a concrete vat? You can at Domaine de Riberach!

From the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean, and the rivers Garonne and Rhône, Occitanie is alive with the abundant natural world that shapes its landscape. And in the vines, the region’s winemakers are going green.

Proof of this can be seen in the 1600 producers and 25 hectares of vineyards that have been converted to organic farming methods, making Occitanie the largest organic wine region in France! What's more, an increasing number of environmentally-friendly methods are being used.

An example of this can be found at Château de Chambert, a standard bearer for biodynamic methods in the Lot region thanks to the passion and drive of Philipe Lejeune. Each of the estate’s parcels is tended in harmony with its ecosystems to capture the purest expression of terroir in the bottle and showcase Cahors AOC at its very best.

Over in the Tarn, Château de Mayragues has over 20 years of experience in the field of biodynamic winegrowing. The estate also offers two guest rooms, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in this unspoilt winemaking landscape and the Gaillac wine region's gentle way of life.

Maison Cazes is one of Roussillon’s iconic wine estates and boasts 220 hectares of biodynamic vines. In the historic site’s tasting room or gourmet restaurant the estate’s Vins Doux reveal their aromatic palettes with hints of terroir.

At Abbaye de Valmagne, in the Hérault region, the Gaudart d’Allaines family continues the winemaking traditions of the site's Cistercian monks by focusing on an environmentally-friendly strategy. At the end of a visit, the estate’s organic wines can be tasted either in the monk’s former refectory or the hostel restaurant.

Retired rugby men have also become ambassadors for Occitanie’s wine terroir. At Mas des Colibris, Sébastien Galtier produces high-quality organic wines, while Gérard Bertrand has seen two of his biodynamic cuvées win a world title!

Other stars have also been drawn to Occitanie by a taste for excellence: the actor Pierre Richard at Domaine Bel-Évêque, and the former owner of Maison Cartier Alain-Dominique Perrin at Château Lagrézette, also play their part to promote the region’s exceptional wines.