Quotations and Recommendations

Wine tours must take you into the actual vineyards and wineries where you can get the whole atmosphere of French winemakers.  We focus on small ten to one hundred hectare vineyards, often with family owned wineries.  Here you will find generations of tradition and passion for wine. The mainly French owners will give you a warm welcome and a number have at least one English speaking staff member and often younger well trained vignerons who have had international experience.

Just to name a few vineyard people like Elisabeth & Patrick Blancheton of Chateau Molhiere in Duras with barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc; Caroline and Sean Feely of Haut Garrigue in Sassignac in the Bergerac region with organic Sauvignon Blanc wines; Giles & Ruth de Latude of  Baronnie de Borgarde near Beziers in the Languedoc with award-winning Cabernet Franc; Serge Bessieres & Caroline Drumond working wonders with Malbec at Chateau Plat Faisant at  in the Cahors region,  Yannis Cherat of Domaine du Chene producing excellent cognac and Pineau des Charentes at St. Paliais de Phiolin in the Cognac region; Myriam & Patrice Heraud at Chateau le Vallon des Perriers in Clisson in the Nantes area of The Loire making exceptional Muscadet.   These are just a few of the vineyards and winemakers you will find in our regional sections.   

Read what Stephen Tanzer, publisher of the bimonthly newsletter International Wine Cellar, says.

"If you visit smaller wineries or regions that aren't overrun, chances are you'll get to meet the owner of the winery, who can take the time to walk you through everything about the wine."

Wine Tours France supports the Vigneron Independent organisation which has an emphasis on producers who grow the grapes, make the wine and sell it to the public. They say, "Discover the diversity and wealth of our wine heritage by meeting independent wine makers." Look for their sign when visiting cellars.

When tasting at small winemakers’ cellars remember making wine is their passion and selling wine is their livelihood, so please show respect for the product, and if possible make a purchase — we always do.