Half-Day Guided Tour With Tasting of Beaujolais Wines

The Beaujolais wine region, nestled near the vibrant city of Lyon, offers a captivating half-day guided tour for wine enthusiasts. This intimate experience allows visitors to journey through picturesque villages, meet passionate winegrowers, and sample exceptional Gamay and Chardonnay wines. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, the tour promises insights into the region’s rich history and winemaking secrets. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a newcomer to the world of wine, this relaxing and informative excursion promises to delight the senses and leave you eager to discover more about the enchanting Beaujolais.

Key Points

• Explore the picturesque Beaujolais wine region near Lyon on a half-day guided tour, including visits to quaint villages and tastings of Gamay and Chardonnay wines.
• Engage with passionate local winegrowers at family-owned estates to learn about the history and secrets of the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées.
• Enjoy spectacular views of the rolling hills covered in grape vines and the distinctive yellow stone architecture of the Oingt village.
• Savor a tasting of 4-5 exceptional Beaujolais AOP wines in a relaxing atmosphere, accompanied by insights from a knowledgeable local guide.
• Experience a high-quality, small-group tour (maximum 8 participants) with comfortable air-conditioned transportation and on-board conveniences.

Tour Overview

This half-day guided tour offers travelers a chance to explore the Beaujolais wine region near Lyon, France.

It’s operated by Sur les Sentiers de l’Oenotourisme and has a 100% traveler recommendation from 15 reviews.

The tour costs from $112.56 with a lowest price guarantee and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Travelers will visit Beaujolais villages, enjoy scenic views, and discover the Gamay and Chardonnay grape varieties.

They’ll also taste exceptional white and red wines, including Beaujolais AOP.

The tour uses a comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle and has a maximum of 8 travelers per group.

Experience Details

A unique guided tour allows travelers to meet southern Beaujolais winegrowers and discover the region’s history, estates, wines, and secrets of Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées. The local guide shares their knowledge, and the tour includes stops to enjoy views and villages built with yellow stone. Travelers can discover Gamay and Chardonnay grape varieties and taste exceptional white and red wines, including Beaujolais AOP.

Experience Highlights
Meet local winegrowers	Discover Gamay and Chardonnay grapes
Learn about regional history and estates	Taste white and red Beaujolais wines
Admire landscape and villages of yellow stone

The tour offers a relaxing and informative exploration of the Beaujolais wine region.

Itinerary: Bagnols

The tour first crosses several Beaujolais villages, allowing travelers to admire the stunning landscape and lush vineyards for around 50 minutes.

This segment of the itinerary is admission-free, giving visitors the opportunity to soak in the picturesque scenery of the Beaujolais region.

The villages showcased during this portion of the tour are likely to feature the distinctive golden-hued stone architecture that’s typical of the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées area.

This initial leg of the journey sets the stage for the upcoming wine tasting experiences, whetting the appetite for the exceptional Gamay and Chardonnay grape varieties that define the region’s acclaimed vintages.

Itinerary: Oingt

After crossing several Beaujolais villages, the tour heads to the picturesque town of Oingt.

The first tasting takes place at a local wine estate, lasting approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Visitors can expect to sample 4 or 5 exceptional wines, including Beaujolais AOP.

The experience offers the opportunity to:

1. Discover the unique Gamay and Chardonnay grape varieties.
2. Learn about the history, estates, and secrets of the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées region from the knowledgeable local guide.
3. Admire the charming villages built with the distinctive yellow stone.
4. Immerse in the relaxing atmosphere and interact with the local winegrowing families.

Transportation and Logistics

Comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes vehicles transport travelers during the Beaujolais Wine Tour. Onboard toilets provide convenience, while the meeting point at the Statue of Saint Exupéry in Place Bellecour, Lyon ensures a centralized start. The tour concludes back at the same location. To maintain an intimate experience, the group size is limited to a maximum of 8 participants. Unfortunately, the tour is not wheelchair accessible, and all travelers must be at least 18 years old to consume alcohol.

Meeting Point	Pick-up Time	Return Point	Return Time	Group Size
Statue of Saint Exupéry Place Bellecour, Lyon	10 minutes before departure	Same as meeting point	Tour ends at meeting point	Max. 8 travelers

Traveler Feedback

Overwhelmingly positive reviews from 15 travelers showcase the tour’s exceptional quality.

With a 100% traveler recommendation, the tour has earned high praise for its knowledgeable guides, quality of wine and cheese, and relaxing atmosphere.

Key highlights include:

1. Engaging interactions with friendly vineyard families
2. Unique experiences at different wineries
3. Stunning views of the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées landscape
4. Comprehensive insights into the region’s history, estates, wines, and secrets

Travelers consistently describe the tour as a must-do experience, offering a well-rounded introduction to the Beaujolais wine region and its exceptional offerings.

Meeting the Winegrowers

The tour’s highlight is the opportunity to directly engage with the passionate Beaujolais winegrowers.

Participants will visit family-owned estates, where the local guide shares insights into the region’s history, winemaking practices, and the secrets of the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées appellation.

Travelers can expect an intimate experience, interacting with the growers and learning about their dedication to producing exceptional white and red wines from Gamay and Chardonnay grapes.

These unique interactions provide a deeper understanding of the Beaujolais terroir and the human element that shapes its renowned wines.

Highlights of the Tour

One highlight of the Beaujolais Wine Tour is the opportunity to witness the picturesque landscape and quaint villages built with the region’s distinctive yellow stone.

The tour allows visitors to:

1. Admire the rolling hills blanketed in rows of grape vines.
2. Explore the charming village of Oingt, known for its striking yellow limestone buildings.
3. Discover the history and secrets of the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées region from the knowledgeable local guide.
4. Sample exceptional white and red wines, including the renowned Beaujolais AOP, straight from the source at family-owned estates.

The immersive experience provides a chance to connect with the local winemaking community and deepen one’s appreciation for the Beaujolais terroir.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is This Tour Suitable for Children?

The tour is not suitable for children, as participants must be over 18 years old to consume alcohol. The tour involves wine tastings and is focused on the Beaujolais wine region, making it an adult-oriented experience.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

The tour doesn’t have a strict dress code, but comfortable, casual clothing is recommended. Guests should dress for a day of walking and wine tasting in a temperate climate. No formal attire is required.

Are There Any Physical Requirements to Participate?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and participants must be over 18 to consume alcohol. There are no other physical requirements stated, but guests should be able to walk short distances and climb into the tour vehicle.

Can I Request Specific Wine Tastings?

The tour company allows guests to request specific wine tastings, within the tour’s scope of exceptional Beaujolais wines. However, the actual wine selection is ultimately determined by the local guide to provide the best overall tasting experience.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Yes, you can extend the tour duration. The tour operator offers a flexible schedule, and you can customize the tour length to suit your preferences. Additional fees may apply for extended tours.

Recap

The Beaujolais wine region tour offers a delightful and immersive experience for wine enthusiasts. Guests will journey through picturesque villages, enjoy breathtaking vineyard views, and savor exceptional Gamay and Chardonnay wines. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, the tour provides insights into the region’s rich history and winemaking secrets, making it a perfect choice for both newcomers and seasoned wine lovers.