Côtes du Rhône, Ventoux, Luberon… flick the switch to slow tourism for the day or a weekend as you visit three estates devoted to organic wine. Come and meet the enthusiastic men and women who tend to the grapes in each of these hand-picked destinations as you soak up vineyard life in the Vaucluse.

There is an oasis of calm in Côtes du Rhone with breath-taking views over the small chain of mountains known as the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Vaucluse plain below... It's in this staggering setting that Domaine de la Ferme Saint-Martin invites you to step into the shoes of an oenologist on a workshop devoted to assemblage. It’s the perfect way to learn all about the many different grape varieties grown in the Rhône Valley and blend them to your own liking!

Every nook and cranny of Château de Mille in the Luberon has a story to tell. The region’s oldest wine estate has a history and nature trail for you to follow on an in-depth visit you can enjoy at your own pace! Don’t miss the historic buildings, the archive or art exhibition, the wine museum, vineyard and biodiversity garden. And your taste buds won’t be left out in the cold, as you can taste three organic wines from the estate to round off the day.

If you want to unwind, make for Ventoux and enjoy a stay at Domaine du Plein Pagnier! As interested visitors follow the path through the estate, they can find out all about the history of the family and its long-standing commitment to organic wine-growing. After this superb walk (with commentary), what could be better than spending a silent night in the comfort of one of the estate’s three guest rooms? Open the windows wide early in the morning so you can savour the birdsong and spectacular view of Mont Ventoux. It’s a feeling of inner peace that wins visitors over every time.

Who has never dreamed of waking up surrounded by unspoiled countryside with awesome views over famous vineyards? Many of the wineries in the Rhône Valley offer idyllic accommodation packages on their property. Here are three you simply shouldn’t miss in the Vaucluse.

The Vaucluse produces nearly half of all the wine made in the Rhône Valley, and it’s home to three major AOCs: Côtes du Rhône (with its villages and wines), Luberon and Ventoux. Nothing beats escaping into the vineyards if you’re criss-crossing the region’s wine routes and discovering the distinctive characteristics of these appellations.

After travelling far and wide, Caroline from Australia and Thomas from the Vosges finally settled down in Sainte Cécile les Vignes in the Côtes du Rhône, where they offer guests a warm welcome at Domaine Rouge Bleu. It’s all about sharing and learning for these winegrowers, whose greatest passion is passing on their love of Grenache, the king grape variety in the Rhône Valley, which they grow biodynamically on their land.

Château Saint-Pierre de Mejans is a 12th century wine estate in the Luberon, where it’s home to over 12 hectares of vines, olive trees and lavender. This old priory takes visitors on a novel journey through time, transporting them back to the Middle Ages. With its walls of Rognes stone, and with the delightful village of Lourmarin close at hand, it’s a great place to visit either for a simple wine tasting in the cellar or for a stay in one of the five guest rooms. Mas de Puyvert is a private house on the property with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, a heated swimming pool and garden (with no neighbours!) - ideal for a relaxing stay in total privacy.

In Ventoux, at the end of a path where you feel you’re the only person in the world, lies the Chêne Bleu winery. This is a genuine biodiversity reserve snug in the heart of the hill, where you can see the stars like nowhere else. In this incomparable residence, with its elegantly-decorated rooms, the nights are soft and gentle, and the chef’s food and wine pairings delicious.

Three estates for you to try out with your eyes closed!

What could be more fun than exploring Luberon by bike or on foot at your own pace? A number of signposted trails make it easy for you to meander through the region’s vineyards.

The undoubted star of these circuits is the Around Luberon by Bike loop, with all the promise of an invigorating ride in a picturesque setting. The authentic hilltop villages, delightful wineries and other eye-opening stopovers dotted along the 240km route welcome visitors with open arms.

Walkers will love the numerous long hiking trails (GRs) in these parts as well as five vineyard trails interspersed with explanatory panels.

No matter which path you choose, the promise of lazily soaking up the world of wine in the Luberon is just around the corner...

The Luberon, to the south of the Rhône Valley, is home to vines that have grown here since antiquity in the heart of the Luberon Regional Natural Park, which is recognised by UNESCO not just as a Biosphere Reserve but also as a Global Geopark.

The Luberon is a destination you can explore with the changing seasons to suit everyone’s tastes thanks to the huge choice of things to do in this green oasis with a magic all of its own. Whether you’re a sporty type or a foodie, holiday-makers looking to switch off or keen to share a lively time together, the Luberon has something for you.

And wine-lovers aren’t left out either: almost all the vineyards organise an assortment of wine-themed activities, with highlights including tastings and introductory workshops for amateurs and the initiated alike. It’s an opportunity to (re)discover the complex, seductive aromatic palette that the Luberon’s red, white and rosé wines have to offer.

And, while the wines of the Luberon obviously owe their special character to the local grape varieties, terroir and climate, the winemaker’s know-how is also a vital ingredient! These men and women are driven by a deep love for their profession. What’s more, they are more than happy to share this heritage with visitors – the flora, fauna, smells, panoramas and traditions – so you can have a fun time in all simplicity throughout the year.

Even though the Luberon owes its reputation to its vineyards, the region can also pride itself on its inheritance, its history and its remarkable natural riches. The Luberon’s charms and the quality of life here have also attracted great names of the past, such as the novelist Henri Bosco, who rests alongside Albert Camus in the cemetery in Lourmarin, the village where he lived opposite the mountain surrounded by the appellation. Here is the sublime declaration that Bosco addressed to Camus:

“I had dreamed with a passion before this powerful mountain where, for several years, the smallest rock, the smallest hollow, the smallest cave wraps up, hides, implies, contains the supernatural. And I loved it."

Discovering the Luberon for the first time means making memories that will last a lifetime... and which are sure to make you want to come back!

The vineyards are a popular spot for foodies in this land of terroirs par excellence. These estates, half way between the Luberon and Ventoux, are an enticing place for you to eat at lunchtime.

The Terrasse des Davids in the Luberon lays the table for lunch under a vast awning, where you can savour a gastronomic meal with wine or a summer brunch of market garden dishes, salted meats and an assortment of cheeses.

At Chêne Bleu at the foot of Ventoux, La Table du Potager’s local food and wine menu spotlights the best fresh, seasonal products, which are often grown on the estate itself.

At Château Saint-Pons (in the Luberon) and Château Pesquié (Ventoux), the owners rustle up delicious hampers for a picnic amidst the vines.

When the vineyards decide it’s time to eat, it tickles everyone’s tastebuds!

When the winegrowers in the southern Rhône Valley make a date with the mythical Sandman, there can only be one result: a night you’ll never forget! Here are a handful of places where you can sleep in the vineyard.

Beneath the majestic silhouette of the Dentelles de Montmirail, two properties have chosen to give their guests an unusual welcome. On the campsite at Domaine des Favards - as at the Mas de l'Evajade in the Domaine du Rocher des Dames - huge, fully-equipped barrels are ready to welcome anyone who loves staying in atypical accommodation. These cask-shaped mobile homes are sure to steep you in the world of wine for the night.

All your dreams will come true in Gigondas in a comfy nest that will suit you to a T! The hotel-cum-restaurant Les Florêts hosts guests in a Provençal house full of charm. Sitting high above the village, the residence boasts views tailor-made for contemplation. Under the last rays of the setting sun or in the glow of the lanterns on the terrace, the night undoubtedly promises to be mild in this three-star accommodation! The Villa Saint-Anne below is but a few steps from Domaine Pierre Amadieu and its cellar. Behind the facade with its white shutters, this vineyard residence is home to five guest rooms with a discreet charm. When the Provençal sun yields to the moonlight, this lovely building is the perfect place to savour the simple life surrounded by vines.

The Bastide Saint-Dominique gîte on the hills of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small cocoon with a warm, family atmosphere. With its four beds and sun-kissed terrace, the accommodation has everything you need to abandon yourself to the peaceful surroundings brightened by the singing cicadas. Last but not least, Château La Sable in the heart of the Luberon Regional National Park is a veritable haven of peace. The 18th century bastide is surrounded by 10 hectares of vines and parkland with centuries-old trees. The three guest rooms are full of character and an authentic atmosphere, meaning you can take it easy in the heart of the wine-growing countryside.

Lulled by the beauty of the vineyard landscapes, travellers can take advantage of these pied-à-terre as they are embraced by the arms of Morpheus without a care in the world!

Vaucluse in the heart of the Rhône Valley unveils a landscape sculpted by mountains, with distinguished vineyards prospering and thriving at their foot. And there’s no shortage of things to do as you explore this rarest of regions.

In Gigondas, winegrowers from Domaine de la Tourade combine the finest vines with the finest “vintage” vehicles, taking visitors on a journey aboard one of their Volkswagen camper vans. You can roam over the property’s 16 hectares or take a tour of the Dentelles de Montmirail that overlook the rows of vines. Taking their seat in one of the two 6-seater vans with their exquisitely retro decor, guests on this mobile tasting listen to their guide recount the history of the estate and introduce their work as a winemaker. The rides are an ideal way to immerse yourself in the region’s terroirs and enjoy spectacular views of the steep hills of the Dentelles de Montmirail – all in a 100% 1970s atmosphere and with a glass of Gigondas in your hand!

Around Mont Ventoux and its foothills, Domaine Les Touchines also opens its doors to the public. Located in Saint-Didier, this organic winery stretches out across vineyards, orchards and the wild countryside. As summer draws to a close, visitors can harvest table grapes on outings organised by the estate. After a talk about the region’s multi-fruit terroir and a short introduction to the techniques of shearing, the grape pickers – kitted out with crates and pruning shears - are invited to gather bunches of several different varieties in laid-back style. Everyone then leaves with a harvest of fresh, delicious grapes under their arms - not to mention a few recipes! These "grapillades" are open to everyone, with the guarantee of an authentic, friendly experience.

La Balade des Gens Heureux - The Drive for Happy People - follows the small roads on a Solex as they wind their way between Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine, meandering through the picturesque villages and bucolic landscape of Vaucluse. Perched on one of these two-wheelers, riders can choose between a two-hour mini-tour or a half or full-day motorised getaway. The surrounding vines will pass before your eyes on an excursion that is full of charm that opens up new horizons.

To each his own for exploring the vineyards in all their splendour and in their full flavour!

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!