Guided Tour and Wine Tasting in the Northern Rhône Valley

The Northern Rhône Valley is a renowned winemaking region in France, known for its exceptional vintages and captivating landscapes. Embarking on a guided tour and wine tasting experience in this renowned area offers a unique opportunity to explore the intricate world of French viticulture. Visitors can expect to visit both larger and smaller, family-owned wineries, learning about the region’s time-honored traditions and the distinct terroir that shapes the unique character of the wines. With a knowledgeable local guide leading the way, this tour promises an insightful and memorable exploration of the Northern Rhône Valley’s exceptional offerings. What surprises might this experience hold for curious wine enthusiasts?

Key Points

• The tour offers a small-group experience (maximum of 8 travelers) in a comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle with a guided visit to two wineries in the Northern Rhône Valley.
• Participants will learn about the region’s wine production and tasting techniques from a local, specialized guide and have the opportunity to meet members of the wine estates.
• The tour includes guided wine tastings showcasing around 8-10 wines and provides insights on the unique terroir and time-honored traditions of the region.
• The departure and return point is the Statue of Saint Exupéry in Lyon, a central and easily accessible location in downtown Lyon.
• The tour has a flexible cancellation policy, allowing for free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled experience.

Tour Details

The tour starts with a journey in a comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle, lasting approximately 4 hours.

It’s a small-group experience, with a maximum of 8 travelers, departing from and returning to the Statue of Saint Exupéry in Lyon.

During the guided tour, guests will visit two wineries – one larger and one smaller, family-owned. They’ll learn about the region’s wine production and tasting techniques from a local, specialized guide.

The tour includes guided wine tastings, showcasing around 8-10 wines. Travelers will also have the opportunity to meet members of the wine estates and purchase wines if desired.

Onboard toilet facilities are available throughout the tour.

What’s Included

This tour includes a journey in a comfortable, air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle, lasting approximately 4 hours.

It also features guided wine tastings showcasing around 8-10 wines, with a local and specialized guide to share insights on the region’s wine production and tasting techniques.

On top of that, travelers will have the opportunity to meet members of the wine estates visited, which include one larger winery and one smaller, family-owned hotel.

Onboard toilet facilities are available throughout the tour as well.

The tour includes the following:

• Guided wine tastings (around 8-10 wines)
• Meetings with members of the wine estate
• Journey in a comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle
• Onboard toilet facilities

Highlights

Explore the captivating Northern Rhône Valley, a renowned wine region renowned for its exceptional vintages. Visit two wineries – one larger hotel and one smaller, family-owned operation – to explore the region’s winemaking practices and savour a guided tasting of approximately 8-10 expertly curated wines. Learn from the knowledgeable local guide about the unique terroir and time-honoured traditions that imbue these celebrated libations with their distinctive character.

Winery Highlights
Larger Winery	Smaller, Family-Owned Winery
Established operations	Intimate, personal experience
Insight into commercial winemaking	Closer connection to the land and tradition
Diverse wine portfolio	Unique, artisanal offerings
Efficient, streamlined tasting	Personalized, in-depth exploration

Meeting Point

To begin the tour, guests will meet at the Statue of Saint Exupéry, located right next to Café Bellecour in Place Bellecour, Lyon. The meeting point is at the foot of the statue, not the one in the center of the square.

From this convenient location, travelers can easily locate the departure point and begin their guided exploration of the Northern Rhône Valley.

The meeting spot offers several benefits:

1. Central and easily accessible location in downtown Lyon.
2. Proximity to Café Bellecour, providing a familiar landmark.
3. Clear instructions to find the Statue of Saint Exupéry, not the central statue in the square.
4. A comfortable starting point to embark on the wine tasting tour.

Cancellation Policy

Travelers can take advantage of the tour operator’s flexible cancellation policy, which allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled experience. This policy provides travelers with the peace of mind to plan their itinerary without the worry of losing their investment.

However, the tour does have a minimum number of participants required, so if this threshold isn’t met, the operator may need to reschedule or refund the tour.

Exploring the Northern Rhône Valley

The Northern Rhône Valley is renowned for its world-class wines, offering visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the region’s rich winemaking traditions and pristine natural landscapes.

On this guided tour, travelers will have the chance to explore two distinct wineries, each with its own captivating story. From the larger, more established estates to the smaller, family-owned vineyards, the knowledgeable guide will provide insights into the region’s terroir, grape varietals, and production methods.

Highlights of the tour include:

1. Discovering the unique characteristics of the Northern Rhône’s renowned Syrah and Viognier grapes.
2. Gaining an appreciation for the region’s centuries-old winemaking heritage.
3. Savoring a guided tasting of 8-10 exceptional wines.
4. Enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Rhône Valley’s dramatic, rugged landscapes.

Wineries and Wine Tasting

During the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to explore two distinct wineries, each offering a unique glimpse into the Northern Rhône Valley’s winemaking traditions.

First, they’ll visit a larger, more established winery where they’ll learn about the region’s renowned grape varieties, such as Syrah, and the nuances of the terroir that shape the wines.

At the second stop, a smaller, family-owned estate, guests will have a more intimate experience, engaging with the winemakers themselves and gaining a deeper understanding of the artisanal processes that go into crafting these exceptional wines.

Throughout the tastings, the knowledgeable guide will share insights into the flavor profiles, aromas, and winemaking techniques that make the Northern Rhône wines so captivating.

Specialized Guide and Expertise

A specialized guide accompanies the tour, sharing their deep knowledge and expertise on the winemaking traditions of the Northern Rhône Valley.

The guide provides valuable insights into:

• The unique terroir and climate that influence the flavors of the wines
• The grape varieties, such as Syrah, that thrive in this region
• The traditional winemaking techniques used by local vintners
• The history and cultural significance of the Northern Rhône’s wine legacy

With their specialized expertise, the guide helps participants develop a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the region’s wines. By sharing their passion and understanding, the guide ensures a truly enriching and informative wine tasting experience.

Recap

This guided tour and wine tasting in the Northern Rhône Valley offers an immersive experience to explore the captivating region.

Visitors will visit two wineries, gain insights into winemaking practices, and savor a guided tasting of exceptional vintages.

With a knowledgeable local guide, flexible cancellation, and a convenient meeting point, this tour provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the Northern Rhône’s time-honored traditions and unique terroir.