FRANCE

Southern Rhône Wine Tour and Cru Villages

Discover the beauty, history, and world-class wines of Southern France on this immersive Southern Rhône wine tour, designed for travelers who want to experience the region beyond the bottle. Centered in the historic Roman city of Orange, this unforgettable journey combines intimate winery visits, charming Provençal villages, and exceptional food, making it one of the most rewarding Provence wine travel experiences available.

From the iconic vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to the CRU villages of Cairanne, Rasteau, Séguret, Vacqueyras, and Gigondas, this Southern Rhône Valley wine tour offers a deep dive into the appellations that define Southern Rhône winemaking. Guests will enjoy private tastings at boutique estates, explore medieval hilltop villages, and meet the winemakers behind some of France’s most celebrated wines.

A highlight of the week is attending the renowned Les Printemps de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the premier Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine festival, where dozens of producers gather to showcase the best wines of the appellation. Combined with curated winery visits, regional cuisine, and authentic village life, this tour offers an unmatched opportunity to experience the soul of the Southern Rhône.

Whether you are passionate about Grenache-based wines, curious about the effects of terroir, or seeking an unforgettable Southern Rhône wine tour, this itinerary blends wine education, cultural immersion, and culinary discovery into one extraordinary journey through Provence and the Rhône Valley.

At the end of our tour, you will return to Avignon, where you can connect to other cities by train. You can extend your trip with a visit to Provence, Languedoc, or Lyon at the beginning or end of the tour.

2027 Dates

April 1-8, 2027

Sample Itinerary for our Southern Rhône Wine Tour:

Day 1- Avignon to Orange

Your Southern Rhône wine tour begins at the Avignon TGV Station, just outside the city’s medieval walls. From there, we travel north into the sun-drenched landscapes of Provence. Our destination is Orange, the historic Roman city that will be home base for the week.

After checking into the hotel, we’ll set out on an introductory walking tour. Along the way, you’ll see Orange’s charming squares, cozy cafés, and impressive Roman monuments. Next, we gather for a welcome lunch in a unique cave restaurant carved into stone. It’s the perfect spot to toast the start of the journey. Afterward, the evening is yours to explore this remarkable city at your own pace.

Day 2- Chateauneuf-du-Pape and the wine festival

Our first day is spent in the legendary village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of France’s most iconic wine appellations. Our morning begins at a winery just outside the village, where we’ll enjoy a private tasting with panoramic views over the vineyards and the Rhône Valley beyond.

Afterwards, we’ll head into the village itself, wandering its winding cobblestone streets, exploring wine shops and tasting rooms, and enjoying lunch together. In the afternoon, we’ll attend the renowned Les Printemps de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, an annual celebration dedicated entirely to the wines of this prestigious appellation. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to taste an extraordinary range of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines and meet the producers behind them.

Your tickets to the Les Printemps Wine Festival are good for three days. So, let us know if you’d like us to drop you off at Châteauneuf-du-Pape on Saturday and Sunday after our tours. Afterward, you’ll need to take an Uber or taxi back to Orange, which is just 15 minutes away.

Day 3- Cairanne

Today’s Southern Rhône wine tour stop is Cairanne, one of the region’s rising stars. As you probably noticed, Rhône wines are known by village name rather than grape variety. This reflects the deep connection between place and wine here.

We begin with a morning winery visit and tasting. Then, we head to lunch at a local restaurant known for its Provençal flavors. Afterward, there’s time to stroll through quiet village streets before we visit our second winery for a tasting. We’ll return to Orange mid-afternoon.

Day 4- Rasteau

Sunday morning kicks off at Orange’s local farmers market. It’s a wonderful chance to browse regional cheeses, fresh bread, olives, and handmade spreads. Be sure to gather a few favorites, because today’s lunch is a vineyard picnic.

Our destination is Rasteau, an appellation especially close to our guide Tom’s heart. Rasteau produces powerful reds, and it’s a place of old friendships and deep wine connections.

Day 5- Seguret

Listed on Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, Séguret is one of the prettiest villages in France. Perched on a hill overlooking the Rhône Valley with narrow cobblestoned streets, it’s a highlight of any Southern Rhône wine tour.

Today, we visit two wineries for tastings. Between stops, you’ll have free time to explore Séguret’s small galleries and ancient stone walls. For lunch, we head to the terrace of the highly rated La Bastide Bleue. From there, you’ll enjoy a Provençal meal with stunning views over the village.

Day 6- Vacqueyras

In the morning, you’ll have time to wander the village of Vacqueyras. Its maze of narrow streets climbs toward a hilltop church, offering both beauty and authenticity around every corner. Grab a coffee and pastry at a local café, then settle into Vacqueyras’s peaceful atmosphere. From there, we head to two of our favorite wineries for tastings. For lunch, we visit a beloved local restaurant — one highly recommended by the very winemakers we’ll meet today.

Day 7- Gigondas

Our final full day of wine tasting takes us to Gigondas, home to some of the Southern Rhône’s most celebrated wineries. Surrounded by the dramatic limestone peaks of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Gigondas produces bold, structured wines with serious character.

We start with a winery visit and tasting in the morning. Then, we head into the village of Gigondas, where you can explore local tasting rooms, browse wine shops, and take in the scenery. After lunch, we make one final winery stop on the way back to Orange for a last taste of the Rhône.

For those hoping to bring a piece of this trip home, several wineries offer international shipping.

Day 8- Leave Orange

This morning, our transportation returns to Avignon, with drop-off at the TGV station for those continuing south or west through Provence or beyond. Alternatively, guests may depart directly from Orange by train, with convenient connections north to Lyon and other destinations.

Whether your journey ends here or continues onward, we hope you leave with a deeper appreciation for the wines, villages, and traditions of the Southern Rhône.

***Pickup/Dropoff in Avignon, France.

What’s included:

Hotel for 7 nights
6 lunches
Orange city tour
Ticket to Les Printemps Wine Festival in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Visit 6 Rhone villages
wine and picnic at a winery
Tasting fees are included at 10 wineries
Transportation to/from Orange
Pick-up/Drop-off at Avignon TGV station

What’s not included:

Flight to/from Marseille, Nice or Paris airports
Train to/from Avignon before or after the trip
Any lunches or dinners not mentioned above
Any shopping, souvenirs, wine, etc, that you buy on your own.

Cost of the Tour

This is a small group tour of 8 people max.
The cost of this week-long tour is USD $4800 / EUR $4150 per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement is an additional USD $750 / EUR $650.
A deposit of $600 USD/EUR per person is due to secure your spot on the tour. The deadline for the first deposit is due by December 1, 2026 to secure your spot.

The remaining balance can be paid in monthly payments. Final payment due February 1, 2027.

Payment will be made through Zelle (USA) or PayPal. Fill out the contact form below, and we will email you the payment details.

Check out our FAQ page for culture and cancellation policies.