An unusual way to discover the wines districts of Saint- Joseph, Condrieu and Côte-Rôti.

It only takes ten minutes to familiarise yourself with the two-wheeled one- person electric vehicle known as a Segway®. Accompanied by a certified instructor, you’re ready to do an off-road circuit in the vineyards. Only thirty minutes from Lyon you have the choice of ; 2 hour trip through the Condrieu vineyard, a 2 hour 30 minutes ride in the Côte-Rôtie vineyard or at 1 hour 30 minute ride in the Saint-Joseph vineyard, with the chance of wine tasting at the end of your ride.

Enjoy beautiful views of the Rhône Valley at the birthplace of two famous grape varietis: the Syrah and the Viognier.

Travelling safely at an average of 10 km/h, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Rhône river and explanations about the historic sites and the fine foods of this area labelled "Vineyards and Discoveries", the birth place of two famous grape varieties: the Syrah and the Viognier. This tours are open to everybody from the age of 14 and weighing at least 45 kg.

Smell and touch … the history of the vines and wines

The Espace Rabelais is an old private hotel in Bagnols-sur-Cèze that has been tastefully restored. Here visitors of all kinds will feel at home, including children, who can have fun reading free notebooks about vines and grapes, all of which are translated into English.

Acquaint yourself with wine and food tasting in the company of the winemaker and a local artisan producer.

In addition to two museum rooms, this free-entry wine tourism centre, which is part of the Vineyards & Discoveries network, also organizes tastings of the Côtes-du-Rhône Gardoises wines all year round , (on Wednesdays, during the local market), as well as free-of-charge wine and food presentations in the company of the artisan producer and the winemaker, and introductions to ticketed wine tastings. In summer, it’s time for unusual wine tastings (in caves!), walks through the vineyards, and visits to the wine cellars.

Make your own road movie between Hermitage and Saint-Joseph

Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph are famous names known to enthusiasts of Côtes-du-Rhône wines. The rainbow menu displayed on your smartphone when you visit the “D’Hermitage en Saint-Joseph” website is an invitation to discover a hundred or so “Vineyards & Discoveries” vineyards on both sides of the Rhône River .

An invitation to discover around one hundred vineyards that are part of the Vineyards & Discoveries network.

Choose from a wealth of wine cellars, wine tastings, restaurants, accommodation, leisure activities, cultural sites, walks and camping car sites. All you need to do to create your own intinerary is click on each category and then select the stages you would like to include. If you geolocate your position, you can see what’s on offer nearest to where you are. The places you have selected are then organized into a list or a map, as you prefer, and your future trip is saved for reference.

Jeanine Donofrio is passionate for organic food and French gastronomy. She explored the Rhone Valley vineyard to learn about its wine customs and she tells us everything on her blog. Follow her journey using #VisitFrenchWine !

DAY 1: Avignon

Visit of Avignon

Discover "Les Halles d'Avignon" (covered market)

Les Halles d'Avignon is a typical provencal market, made up for 40 merchants

Lunch at "L'Amuse-Bouche"

Visit of the "Palais des Papes" and "Pont d'Avignon"

Palais des Papes served as the residence of the Pope during the 14th
century.

Visit and tasting at "Domaine des Peyre" 

DAY 2:

Visit and wine tasting at "Domaine de la Citadelle" 

Visit of "Domaine du Tourbillon"

Lunch and wine tasting at "Café Fleurs"

Café Fleurs features a terrasse along the coast. The cuisine is inventive, but respects the local products.

Walk through the Isle sur la Sorgue 

Visit  of Dentelles de Montmirail vineyard with Rhonea

Dinner and night at "Hotel Burrhus"

DAY 3: Vaison la Romaine

Vaison la Romaine : Self-tour of the Provencal market 

Visit and wine tasting at "Domaine Rozel", walk through the vines

Visit of  L’Essentiel de lavande

Night at Hôtel de la Villeon 

Hôtel de la Villéon is a charming 4**** hotel in a 18th century building

DAY 4: 

Wine tasting at "Maison Chapoutier"

The school M.Chapoutier offers custom themed tasting workshops for individuals, groups, and companies. 

Visit of the Valrhona Chocolate workshop  

Lunch at "Vineum Paul Aîné Jaboulet" (menu of local products)

Discover the new wine tasting and gastronomy cellar at "Domaine du Tunnel"

Diner and Night at "Domain Notre dame de Cousignac"

 Domain Notre dame de Cousignac: The main house was build in 1630!

DAY 5:

Domaine de la Croix Blanche: Visit of the vineyards and wine tasting

Laudun Chusclan Winemakers : Visit and tasting 

Dating back to the Middle Ages, the Gicon Castle is the property of the Laudun
Chusclan Winegrowers’ cellar since 1973

Domaine des Clos: Dîner and Night

DAY 6:

Château du Mourgues du Grès: Stroll and tasting 

Dîner at the restaurant « L’Agape » 

Night at "Le grand Hôtel"

The Provence wine and vineyard route is one of the Routes de Bonheur, or pleasure trips, that Relais & Chateaux have designed for their clients. Gilles Ozello, a wine expert from L’Oustau de Baumanière Hotel, shares his knowledge of the best wine tourism destinations in the region.

Gilles Ozello, the wine expert, or sommelier, at L’Oustau de Baumanière Hotel, in Baux-de-Provence, likes to share his passion for his wine district with his clients. He has designed a wine route which passes through the most beautiful countryside, the most majestic sites and the most beautiful Relais & Chateaux hotels in the region: the Villa Augusta, the Chateau de Rochegude, the Mas des Herbes Blanches at Joucas, the Phébus & Spa, the Prieuré at Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, and the Maison d’Uzès.

‘I've been at L’Oustau de Baumanière for 30 years now, and I’m still enchanted by Provence. I love the fusion between the limestone and the olive trees, the contrast between the arid climate and the strong smells after the rain,’ says sommelier Gilles Ozello.

In this relaxed district, which has as many wine types as the Provence region, Gilles Ozello invites his clients to take this route so that they can see the full extent and diversity of the landscapes, and understand the geological, magical link between each district and its wine. You can sense, guess and finally understand this influence as you travel the wine route from the hill country of Rochegude, in the Drôme, all the way to the rough, dry slopes of Castillon-du-Gard. 

A diversity of colours and grapes characterise the wines of Provence

Diversity and colours are here for you to admire as you travel through these vineyards: the rounded wines of the Côtes-du-Rhône and Gigondas, the subtle, sweet wines from Rasteau and Baumes-de-Venise, the delicate blends of the wines from the Luberon, the strength of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and the fruity rosés of Tavel. ‘I've been at L’Oustau de Baumanière for 30 years now, and I’m still enchanted by Provence,’ says this lover of the region, born near Aix-en-Provence. ‘I love the fusion between the limestone and the olive trees, the contrast between the arid climate and the strong smells after the rain. I love the Durance Valley and its light.’

With its diversity of grape types, wine districts and villages, Gilles Ozello never gets tired of Provence, where L’Oustau de Baumanière is one of the region’s most prestigious hotels, an institution of the Mediterranean lifestyle. 

Nestling in the heart of an extensive vineyard, the Relais & Chateaux hotel Coquillade Village is the perfect place from which to visit Provence. Vineyard walks, wine cellar tastings and a spa ... Welcome to a great wine tourism location at the foot of the Luberon Mountains.

A path lined with cypress trees leads to an authentic Provençal village at the top of a hill. The five-star Coquillade Village hotel offers a breathtaking view over the Luberon mountain range and the mountains of the Vaucluse and Ventoux. The perfect place to discover the charm of the Provence region, this delightful hotel, affiliated to Relais & Chateaux, combines dignity, refinement and respect for the environment.

Eco-labelled since 2012, the village is composed of several exceptional medieval buildings, with the oldest dating back to the eleventh century, and a magnificent 1,500-m² spa.

Nestling in the heart of a 35-hectare vineyard, and eco-labelled since 2012, Coquillade Village comprises several exceptional medieval buildings, with the oldest dating back to the eleventh century. It also has a 1,500-m² spa. A paradise of wine tourism, Aureto offers exceptional wines from three different districts: 28.5 hectares in Ventoux, six hectares in the Luberon and the rest in the origin-approved Vaucluse wine district.

Wine tastings, workshops and vineyard walks

Situated within the vineyard, the wine storage building boasts remarkable technology and is constructed in harmony with the surrounding natural environment. A one-hour guided visit is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m., followed by a wine tasting. The wine cellar, situated a few kilometres away, offers a full range of Aureto wine tastings. In this contemporary space you can also find accompanying products such as grape juice, olive oil or even the Marc de Provence brandy.

The Winegrowers Path, with three signposted walks, provides free access to the entire vineyard and its exceptional views. Would you prefer a guided walk? Meet at 10 a.m. at the wine cellar each Wednesday, from April to September! During this period you can also book introductory wine workshops, which teach you how to appreciate the colours and scents of different wines. An entertaining way to learn about wine tasting.