Wine Tours in France - Provence
In September the focus of Provence moves away from tourists, beaches and sun, and the dance of the grape harvesters begins, tractors coming and going on country roads with trailer loads of freshly picked grapes, cellars and wineries burst into 24 hour a day action and the sweet smell of fermenting juice hangs heavy in the air - yes the Vendanges are underway.
A wine tour of Provence lets you enjoy the fruits of the grape harvest in an “assemblage” of the 13 grape varieties that go to make up the powerful reds and delicate ample whites that spring from this region.
ONE DAY SAMPLE TOURS - we are happy to make suggestions as to vineyards to visit, however on guided tours you make find that the properties used may differ from those shown below.
Côtes du Ventoux
A ONE DAY Côtes du Ventoux TOUR - wines, vineyard walking tour, lunch and award-winning vineyard chateau visit
This one day tour takes in:
Exploring the Ventoux district. Ventoux is a small wine region with many interesting vineyards.
Learning about the Ventoux appellation system and about the vineyards
The village is attractive and has a number of restaurants and cafes plus excellent caves for tastings.
Tasting award-winning Ventoux wines
On the road
Once you get off the D22 highway you will find numerous small vineyards and wineries. A loop from Robin along the D29/D3 to Apt will keep you occupied for several days of tasting!
The photo above from Meberbes looks out across the valley with about 10 vineyards and wineries along the road.
Our selection
From the vineyards available we have selected three as a typical sample. All are within 15 minutes of each other but each offers distinctive differences.
Domaine Faverot - small, award-winning, organic and AOC Côtes du Luberon
Domaine de Tara - small, award-winning AOC Côtes du Ventoux
Cave du Luberon - large, AOC Côtes du Ventoux and AOC Côtes du Luberon wines
Domaine Faverot
As our accommodation was at Domaine Faverot we sampled most of their wines. It is a family run winery and cellar, established in 1920 and restored in 1999 by François Faverot de Kerbrech, winemaker, and his delightful wife Sally.
The Domaine is surrounded by pine woods and wild herbs. It covers 7 hectares of vines planted in the appellation controlé area of Côtes du Luberon. The varieties are Syrah, Grenache, Mouvèdre and Carignan for the reds and rosé and Grenache Gris, Rolle and Roussanne for the white.
The vines are cultivated organically without recourse to chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.
Contact www.domainefaverot.com/french-wine/index.html
Domaine de Tara
The mother and daughter team of Frederique and Francoise run Domaine de Tara.
The vineyard enjoys a superb location, lying at the foot of the village of Roussillon, and facing the Monts de Vaucluse, Mont Ventoux and the village of Gordes.
The vineyards of Domaine de Tara cover 10 hectares (about 25 acres) of land, and are entirely situated within the Côtes du Ventoux AOC area.
Contact www.domainedetara.com/gb/page1.html
Cave du Luberon
The large cooperative is located in Maubec. The cellar uses traditional winemaking methods to produce Côtes du Ventoux and Côtes du Luberon appellation wines from noble varietals such as Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault
The cooperative favours the development of the rural fabric of the region and maintains activities related to artisanal, commercial and tourist facilities in the town. An excellent reception and display of equipment and wines.
Contact www.caveduluberon.com