Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tours

Private full day Rhone wine tours and tastings departing from Avignon

Chateauneuf-du-Pape (the Pope's new house) is a medieval village between the towns of Orange and Avignon and on the side of a hill, guarded by the ruins of an ancient chateau. From the chateau hill you have an outstanding view of vineyards in all directions. The stony pebbles (Galets), is one of the secrets of the outstanding Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine. The stones soak up and store the heat from the Provencal sunshine during the day, and release the heat into the night, after sunset. The stones also serve as a protective layer to retain moisture in the soil during the dry summer months, depending on which direction the vineyard is facing.

Embark on a private full day of vineyard visits, wine tours, and tastings departing from Avignon. Our private wine tours take you to the heart of Provence, visiting top AOP crus primarily in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Classic Chateauneuf du Pape

Visit 1 ▸ Discovering Affordable Excellence

Begin your tour with a vineyard visit to a producer of the least expensive 100pts wine. Learn about their winemaking techniques and philosophy behind crafting top-quality, yet affordable wines.

Outdoor Lunch ▸ Savoring Scenic Delights
Indulge in an outdoor lunch in the old town with a breathtaking view of the vineyards. Enjoy a selection of local delicacies paired with the region's finest wines.

Visit 2 ▸ Discovering Affordable Excellence
After lunch, immerse yourself in the history and beauty of Château de Nalys, a renowned winery in the region. Enjoy a vineyard visit and multi-tasting experience, sampling their exquisite wines while learning about the château's rich heritage.

Visit 3 ▸ Journey Through Time
Conclude your tour with a tasting at a 16th-century vineyard, where you will be transported back in time as you savor wines crafted with traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC allows for 18 varieties of grapes. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are the main 3 grape varieties used. The Grenache dominates and has an earthy, jammy consistency of red fruits, cherry and prunes and high in alcohol. Syrah brings hints of pepper spice and black fruits and tannins for structure. The Mouvedre grape brings hints of chocolate and licorice

Close to Avignon are the AOC areas of Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes de Venise which are also next to each other at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range of mountains that divide the appellation in two distinct areas - one with a cooler climate making the wines a little fresher and one with a hotter. These high alcohol content wines are produced with similar grapes and climate but vary due to the cooler elevation. Vacqueyras is only a few miles from Gigondas and shares a similar terroir, known for its power rather than its elegance. Producers of Vacqueyras use more Syrah than is used in Gigondas, which can make the style seem cooler. Both are comparable to Chateauneuf du Pape wines but at much lower prices. Beaumes de Venise has exceptional soil and produces a natural sweet Muscat de Beaumes de Venise.