Located between lakes and mountains, the vineyards of the Savoie region are a hidden alpine treasure. Fans of adventure can join tour operator 1786.travel on exciting trips to discover these stunning landscapes.

Breathtaking scenery awaits travellers keen to explore Savoie in all its winemaking splendour on this three-night and four-day trip.

With a host of iconic wines, and over 20 different grape varieties grown on the slopes of the alpine mountains, the region boasts a strong identity and a dual culture as a mountain and winemaking region. Over the course of the trip visitors are completely immersed in the local viticulture and oenology during day trips to four wine estates and cellars across the different vineyards.

From vines planted with Chignin and Apremont, to plots of Jongieux and the Combe de Savoie wine route, each excursion is a chance to meet with and chat to winemakers during a wine tasting session. Perfect opportunities for the vine-growers to explain with passion their special know-how and the terroirs that they cultivate throughout the year.

Each day trip includes lunch in a typical Savoyard restaurant, where a taste sensation awaits. Diners can look forward to sampling a local cuisine that showcases the depth of alpine gastronomy, alongside the diverse fruity and floral aromas of the region’s wines.

The accommodation is as exciting as the activities on this wine trip! In a picture postcard setting at the foot of the Massif des Bauges mountain range, Château des Allues offers elegant rooms that open onto the fresh mountain air and the sweet scent of the vines. The perfect chance to experience a simple, yet authentic, slice of château life!

The sea of vines at Château de Fourques, located on the outskirts of Montpellier, extends over 50 hectares. A bucolic interlude awaits visitors all year round in this green vineyard setting.

It’s with a smile on her face and a sack full of anecdotes that the winegrower receives curious visitors passing through Juvignac. The wine is all about women here, the family vineyard passed down from woman to woman for five generations. Lise welcomes oenophiles with a tale about her property and the idiosyncrasies of her profession that’s as passionate as it is fascinating.

The visit begins with a walk amidst the vines. The winegrower guides her guests through the different rows, introducing with great enthusiasm the terroirs and grape varieties that characterise the vineyard. The plots require their own special care at every time of year. As part of the team that keeps the estate going, everyone has a role to play in pampering the grapes that will produce the various cuvées.

After this great breath of fresh air, the tour continues in the cellars, where the winemaking processes are explained in detail. This is also an opportunity for visitors to taste the grape must that is taken directly from the vat and to learn about the flavours of the raw wines before they reveal their full character. To round off this oenological experience, a fun tasting of bottled wines is organised in the cellar, all accompanied by a plate of local specialties. Reds, whites and rosés – each colour forms part of the estate’s output, which even includes a few small deli delights made from the vines, such as grape vinegar, grapeseed oil and wine jelly.

The landscapes in the vineyard – like the wine that is preserved in barrels – never stop changing with the seasons, making each visit to the estate unique. From winter to summer, only one thing remains unchanged: when you cross the threshold of Château de Fourques, you’ll find vines all around and your head in the clouds!

Looking to get away from it all in Nouvelle-Aquitaine? Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Saint-Émilion wine region and its neighbouring appellations of Pomerol and Fronsac contain a wealth of exceptional wine tourism sites. It’s relaxation guaranteed!

Travelling through the region there are wine-growing landscapes and stunning châteaux as far as the eye can see. Here they are as used to tending the vines as they to tending to the needs of visitors. Proof can be found in the growing number of quirky and fun places to stay.

At Château Franc Mayne guests get the chance to sleep among the clouds in a tree house. Located in the majestic canopy of hundred-year-old cedar trees, the accommodation has a magnificent view of the vines and the village of Saint-Émilion. Visitors to Domaine de la Romaningue can also scale the heights to dream under the starry sky: tree houses fill the vast agro-wine estate, alongside habitable bubbles and trailers, all against the stunning backdrop of a former Templars Commandery.

The Bassin du Tertre de Fronsac is another haven of peace and quiet, this time with chalets built entirely from wood. Adventurous wine lovers can expect to spend a peaceful night midst the calm of a flower garden, interrupted only by the lapping of a carp pool and the scent of the vines.

Some night-time experiences are more immersive than others, and with good reason! Not far from Saint-Émilion, Château de Bonhoste’s guests can stay inside actual foudres – large wooden vats – that were built by a cooper and are usually used for winemaking. At Château La Mothe du Barry, the sandman also visits concrete vats that were once used to store and age wine but have now been transformed into rooms at this bed and breakfast property.

And finally, Château de La Rivière is the perfect romantic getaway in the hills above Fronsac overlooking the Dordogne river. With five sumptuously decorated rooms, this charming property offers guests a combination of sophistication and relaxation.

One thing’s for sure, staying overnight in and around Saint-Émilion is a dream come true!

Dijon invites the inquisitive to a wine tasting hosted in a mystery monument in Bourgogne’s “City of Dukes” every Thursday evening from mid-July to early October.

In Chassors, not far from Jarnac-Charente, the Frères Moine estate is the winner of the Wine Tourism Trophies Golden Prize 2020 in the “Creative and Original Activities” category.

Yann and Gabriel Moine (Monk, in English), are two unassuming brothers committed to constantly renewing their 40-acre vineyard and maximising production. In their own words, they are driven by the desire to produce “subtle alcoholic beverages that share knowledge and bring people together. ”

Their aim? To make what is invisible, visible. To achieve this they take their visitors on a journey through the world of cognac, introducing them to the different professionals involved: stave cutter, cooper and distiller.

In addition to their cognacs, the two brothers also showcase their different Pineaux des Charentes, especially their latest creation: a pineau made using a carbonic maceration technique that produces incredible aromas. They also produce Vins de Pays, Gamay, Chenin and Colombard.

Winner of the Wine Tourism Trophies Golden Prize 2020 in the “Art and culture” category, Château L’Hospitalet is dedicated to the art of living.

Château l’Hospitalet sits in the Clape mountain range and showcases the wine estates of Gérard Bertrand. The site contains wine cellars, a hotel, a gourmet restaurant, a shop with its own tasting area and an art gallery.

In addition to the oenological workshops and guided tours and wine tasting, every Friday evening the Art de Vivre restaurant hosts a concert by local musicians, accompanied by an evening meal with matching wines. And in July, the popular Jazz à L’Hospitalet festival welcomes prestigious international artists from all over the world to play in the grounds, where aperitifs and dinner are served, as well as to the Cave à Jazz!

You will have guessed by now that the winemaker is an avid music fan. His rosé, Hampton Water, was actually awarded the Wine and Culture Wine Star Award 2019 by the Wine Enthusiast.

Winner of the Wine Tourism Trophies Golden Prize 2020 in the “Gastronomy in the vineyard” (fine dining category)

When Silvio Denz, CEO of the Lalique crystal manufacturer, bought this Premier Grand Cru Classé Sauternes back in 2014, he turned to the Swiss architect Mario Botta to create an extension with a breathtaking view of the vineyard.

In charge of the kitchen is the talented Jérôme Schilling, awarded a Michelin star in 2019 but never one to rest on his laurels. Desserts are in the hands of head pastry chef Stéphane Corolleur, who uses Sauternes as the backbone of his creations.

Adrien Cascio, the restaurant’s head sommelier, and Romain Iltis are responsible for crafting one of the 100 finest wine menus in France, awarded the Tour des Cartes trophy by Terre de Vins.

Whether it's for lunch, a tour, evening meal or to spend a night at the hotel, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is guaranteed to delight.

Winner of the Wine Tourism Trophies Golden Prize 2020 in the “Visit a Vineyard with the Family” category, Château Lamothe-Bergeron is experiencing its very own renaissance.

Quai Cyrano is a shop window for the region’s wines and winner of the Wine Tourism Trophies Golden Prize 2020 in the “Promotion of a terroir” category.