Private Sancerre Loire Wine Tours

Discover the exquisite Sancerre AOP wine region, celebrated for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes that yield white wines with a perfect balance of acidity, citrus, and mineral and herbal aromatics. Flourishing since the 12th century under the watchful care of Augustinian monks at Saint Satur Abbey and the Dukes of Sancerre, these vineyards have gained global admiration over the centuries.

Embark on a personalized private tour exploring the enchanting vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly. Guests from New Zealand will appreciate the unique opportunity to compare Henri Bourgeois' Sauvignon vintages from Sancerre and Marlborough, while American clients will enjoy contrasting French Sauvignon Blancs with Californian varieties, such as Merry Edwards' Russian River.

Visit 1 ▸ Delight in Pouilly's Rich Flavors at Chateau de Tracy
Experience the opulent tropical fruit and cassis notes of Pouilly Fumé, which shares similarities with the Chardonnays from Chablis due to its comparable climate and soil.

Visit 2 ▸ Traverse the Loire River and Savor Sancerre's Diverse Tastes
Uncover how each wine's style varies according to the winemaker's choices, from pre-fermentation macerations and pressing techniques to yeast selection, aging materials, malolactic fermentation, and harvest dates.

Lunch ▸ Savor Regional Delights at a Vineyard-Owned Restaurant in Sancerre
Indulge in the local Crottin de Chavignol AOC goat's milk cheese, perfectly paired with a chilled, lemony-herbal Sancerre – a divine example of regional cuisine harmony.

Visit 3 ▸ Explore the Refined Wines of Henri Bourgeois
Conclude your journey with a cellar visit and multi-tasting at Domaine Bourgeois. Here, you'll discover the elegant, flinty whites crafted from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, alongside fruity, light-to-medium-bodied reds made from Cabernet Franc. Sancerre's offerings delight with their delicate, citrusy, and mineral flavors and subtle aromas.

Other Loire Tour Options

For red wine tours in Chinon & Bourgeuil click here
For white & sparkling wine tours in Vouvray click here

Sauvignon Blanc
It is known the world over and is almost always dry, yet refreshing, fruity and almost tart. When slightly chilled, pairs well with fish or cheese, particularly Chevre. It is also known as one of the few wines that can pair well with sushi. The soil found near the Loire River and its tributaries impart spicy, floral and mineral flavors.
Sauvignon Blancs are matured in stainless steel tanks or used-barrels for micro oxidization as a means to retain varietal character.
▸ Calcareous-clay Terres Blanche soils create powerful, full-bodied wines;
▸ Limestone Caillottes soils produce wines that are elegant and balanced;
▸ Flint-rich Silex soils are the longest-lived with a distinct gunflint lavor.
Pouilly Fume
Originates from the town of Pouilly-sur-Loire, located directly across the Loire River from Sancerre. The soil here is very flinty with deposits of limestone which the locals believed imparted a smoky, gun flint flavor to the wine.
Pinot Noir
The red grape of the Centre-Loire, most famous in red Sancerre.

Grapes