Provence Wine Tours: Chateauneuf-du-Pape & Rose
Provence wine tours: Chateauneuf-du-Pape reds from Avignon, Provence rose, Bandol and the Luberon, what to taste, when to go, and how to book.
The short version: Provence wine tours cover two worlds. In the Southern Rhone, around Avignon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape makes powerful Grenache-based reds from vineyards covered in big round stones. Toward the coast, Provence is the rose capital of the world, with Bandol making serious reds too. Day trips from Avignon or Aix-en-Provence take you to two to four wineries for tastings, usually with lunch in a village. Here is where to go and how to book.
At a glance
| Area | What to taste | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Chateauneuf-du-Pape | Grenache-led reds, rich and spicy | Avignon |
| Tavel / Cotes du Rhone | Tavel rose, Rhone blends | Avignon |
| Cotes de Provence | Pale, dry Provence rose | Aix, Saint-Tropez |
| Bandol | Mourvedre reds and rose | Marseille, Toulon |
| Luberon | Fresh reds and whites among hill villages | Avignon, Gordes |
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Named after the popes who summered here in the 14th century, Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the Southern Rhone’s star appellation. Its vineyards are famous for the galets roules, smooth stones that store the day’s heat, and its reds blend up to 13 grapes, led by Grenache. Most tours start in Avignon, combine two or three estates, and often add the hilltop villages of the Luberon or a stop for Tavel, France’s most famous rose.
Provence rose and Bandol
Head toward the coast and the wine turns pink: Cotes de Provence makes the pale, dry rose the region is known for. Near Toulon, Bandol makes some of France’s best Mourvedre reds. For the coastal side, see our guide to Saint-Tropez wineries to visit.
Our pick: the Avignon Full-Day Wine Tour around Chateauneuf-du-Pape (4.8 stars, small group of 8) visits three or four wineries with a specialist guide and lunch.
Compare regions: the best wine tours in Europe.
Compare all the regions: the best wine tours in France.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine tour in Provence?
For reds, a Chateauneuf-du-Pape day trip from Avignon; for rose, a Cotes de Provence or Saint-Tropez winery tour. Many full-day tours combine wineries with Luberon villages.
Can you visit Chateauneuf-du-Pape without a car?
Yes. Organized day trips from Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille include transport, which is the easiest way since tastings involve wine.
When is the best time for Provence wine tours?
Spring through October; September brings the harvest. Some tours run seasonally, roughly April to October.
Book a Provence wine tour
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