THE RHONE VALLEY
DISCOVER THE BENCHMARKS
Over 5 days and 4 nights you’ll be seduced by mythical wines, historical cities and rugged landscapes. Guided by a Master of Wine, in the lap of luxury, you’ll discover the benchmark wines.
We rendezvous in Lyon, the food capital of France. Moments later you’ll be standing in vineyards perched high over the mighty Rhone river, tasting the best of Cote-Rotie. Condrieu follows suit, where we taste the rare floral, heady and perfumed Viognier. Dinner at a 2-star Michelin wraps up the first day. This is how we roll.
The next morning the blockbuster wines of Hermitage and Cornas await. You’ll spend 2 days visiting the most famous Houses in the Northern Rhone. You then travel south to Avignon, the former papal residence, spending 3 days immersed in the heady wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and so much more.
The hotels are first class and characterful. You’ll dine like Kings and Queens, and you’ll have free time to discover the cities and monuments of Lyon and Avignon. The wines of the Rhone were the world’s most famous and expensive for a reason.
I invite you to join us on this fabulous tour.
JAMES CLUER, MASTER OF WINE
ABOUT THE TOUR & REGION
FOLLOWING THE MIGHTY RHONE
After 2 great days exploring Cote-Rotie, Condrieu, Hermitage and Cornas we drop down to Avignon for 3 days in the south. Prepare to indulge in copious quantities of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and much more.
We are welcomed by the top producers, given privileged access to their cellars and reserve wines, and learn first-hand about grape growing and winemaking from the experts.
You will rest your head at luxurious hotels in Vienne and Avignon and dine at gastronomic restaurants, including a 2-star Michelin.
FOLLOWING THE MIGHTY RHONE
After 2 great days exploring Cote-Rotie, Condrieu, Hermitage and Cornas we drop down to Avignon for 3 days in the south. Prepare to indulge in copious quantities of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and much more.
We are welcomed by the top producers, given privileged access to their cellars and reserve wines, and learn first-hand about grape growing and winemaking from the experts.
You will rest your head at luxurious hotels in Vienne and Avignon and dine at gastronomic restaurants, including a 2-star Michelin.
THE ROASTED SLOPES OF COTE-ROTIE & TERRACES OF CONDRIEU
On the first day you’ll explore the steep hillsides of Cote-Rotie and Condrieu. It defies belief that the Romans would cultivate the vine on such a terroir, and then produce some of the world’s truly classic wines from Syrah and Viognier.
Dinner at the 2-star Michelin restaurant at our hotel will be one of the best meals of your life. Seriously.
AVIGNON & THE SOUTH
On the 3rd day we travel a few hours south to Avignon, a gorgeous Roman city, and the gateway to Provence.
From the comfort of our historic 5-star hotel we strike out to learn about the intricacies of Grenache, and the 12 other varieties that are permitted in a Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
The landscape of the south is totally different from the north, and so are the wines.
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
Powerful, spicy, earthy, meaty, these wines have won legions of fans around the world, making this appellation a household name.
The incredible rocky soils are a site to see, and so are the castles housing wineries.
Rugged the Rhone may be, but the food is extremely fine and we enjoy another extravagant meal at a restaurant in a historic setting.
CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
Powerful, spicy, earthy, meaty, these wines have won legions of fans around the world, making this appellation a household name.
The incredible rocky soils are a site to see, and so are the castles housing wineries.
Rugged the Rhone may be, but the food is extremely fine and we enjoy another Michelin restaurant in a historic setting.
MEET YOUR HOST
Our Luxury Wine Tours in the Rhone are guided by Master of Wine, James Lawther.
BORDEAUX, THE RHONE VALLEY
CHAMPAGNE & BURGUNDY
SPAIN
JAMES LAWTHER MW
Your host in France and Spain
JAMES Lawther is an independent wine writer based in Bordeaux. He is a contributing editor to Decanter magazine and writes for other international publications. He became a Master of Wine in 1993.
It would be rare to be as well-connected in Bordeaux as James, a respected figure in the wine world. He has lived there for over 20 years and written major books on the region. He also has a passion for Champagne, Burgundy and the Rhône, developed in the years he spent in Paris retailing wine at Steven Spurrier’s Caves de la Madeleine and lecturing at the Académie du Vin.
Today, he also participates as an international wine judge and is a Regional Chair at the Decanter World Wine Awards, responsible for the judging of key categories. He has visited most of the wine regions in the world and can therefore bring a global perspective.
He is the author of The Heart of Bordeaux and The Finest Wines of Bordeaux and has contributed to a number of books including The Global Encyclopedia of Wine, Wines of the World and Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book.
James is warm and welcoming. He is keen to answer all your questions and tailor the experience to your own interests and needs, and always loves having a glass of wine or two.
UPCOMING RHONE VALLEY WINE TOUR
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Included in the price is 4 nights’ accommodation split between two luxury hotels, all meals during the tour (except one free evening) all winery tours, all wines at the visits, local transport for the duration of the tour, and all taxes and gratuities.
Basically everything is included except your flights, your onwards transport from Avignon at the end of the tour, insurance, and any items of a personal nature.
PLANNING TIPS
Before the tour we will send you some useful pre-trip information to help you with your planning. Here you’ll find advice on how to get there, tips on what to wear, details on the hotels, and what you might like to read in advance.
WEATHER
We visit during the nicest times of year, the Spring and the Fall. The weather is not too hot, is typically dry, and warm.
TESTIMONIALS
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