On this tour, we will cover the Mediterranean coast from Provence to the Pyrenees. The mountains and Mediterranean landscape are beautiful, the Catalan influence on the culture is profound and you will see why these wines are attracting so much attention in the wine world today. Complex geology reflects the tectonic collisions of Spain into France creating the Pyrenees. Very steep vineyards of world-class grenache grow on fractured schist. Just to the north, wildly different terroirs in the Corbières and Languedoc demonstrate how fascinating the geology is here. There is even a volcano or two thrown in.
Wineries of interest include the vines of Pic Saint Loup, Terrasses du Larzac, Aniane, Pézenas, St. Chinian, Minerve, Limoux, the Côtes du Roussillon, Maury, Tautavel, Rivesaltes, Collioure and Banyuls. We will visit some famous vineyards and also meet little-known wine growers who will be the stars of the future.
Come early to explore Montpellier, then free time in historic St. Guilhem-le-Dèsert, ancient Carcassonne and beautiful Collioure.
You will have the opportunity to purchase and ship wine home if you wish.
A professional driver and comfortable bus will transport us from start to finish so there is no need to worry about driving once you get there.
What’s Included:
- Expertise of tour leaders
- Hotel accommodations for 6 nights along the tour route
- Meals as noted in the itinerary (B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)
- Daily wine tastings
- All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
- Transportation between hotels and for all daily itineraries
- Assistance with transport at tour’s end
- All gratuities
- Pre-tour and in-tour information
- Suggested reading list
Adventures off the Beaten Path:
The Wines and Geology of Languedoc Roussillon
What’s Included:
- Expertise of tour leaders
- Hotel accommodations for 6 nights along the tour route
- Meals as noted in the itinerary (B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)
- Daily wine tastings
- All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
- Transportation between hotels and for all daily itineraries
- Assistance with transport at tour’s end
- All gratuities
- Pre-tour and in-tour information
- Suggested reading list
What’s Not Included:
- Passport and all visa fees, photos, immunizations, or other travel documentation fees
- Airfare for flights to and from France
- Train fare or other travel before and after the tour
- Airline or train transfers and baggage handling
- Personal items such as souvenirs or wines that might be purchased for personal use
-Other items noted as optional or not specifically mentioned as included
- Optional travel insurance including cancellation/delay/lost baggage insurance
Rates: Double Occupancy: $5,925/person Single Occupancy: Add $875
• Rendezvous at noon by the Montpellier TGV station. • Arrive a day or two early to enjoy Montpellier, a lively walking city of museums, universities and great restaurants • Tasting in scenic AOC Pic Saint Loup on route to St. Guilhem-le-Désert • Dinner and 2 nights in historic St. Guilhem-le-Désert
• Breakfast at hotel • A little history of the region • Explore cobblestoned St. Guilhem-le-Désert or hike up to the ancient refuge • Dimanche midi French country-style at hotel’s restaurant • Geology of Languedoc and the Midi • Wine tasting and snacks
• Breakfast at hotel • Travel along Cevennes limestone terrain thru Coteaux de Languedoc wine country • Terrasses du Larzac, Pézenas, St. Chinian, Minerve, Cabardes • Lunch adventures in 13th-century walled city of Carcassonne • Visit and tasting in Limoux at Baron d’Arques - a collaboration of Opus-1 and Baron Rothschild • Dinner and overnight at Ch. des Ducs near Limoux
• Breakfast at hotel • Travel thru Cathar country on way to Collioure • Visit 13th century Cathar castle, Chateau Queribus, or • Tasting at top winery in the Roussillon-Villages • Geology of the Corbières and Roussillon - Pyrenees Part 1 • Picnic lunch and visit to the Spanish frontier • Check into waterfront Collioure hotel • Dinner in Collioure
• Breakfast at hotel • Explore Collioure’s lively outdoor market • Lunch on the terraces above Collioure harbor • Geology and wines of the Pyrenees-Oriental, Pyrenees Part 2 • Tour and tasting with AOC Collioure winemaker • Dinner on your own in Collioure
• Breakfast at the hotel • Day trip to beautiful Banyuls-sur-Mer • Tour and wine tasting at top Banyuls winery • Lunch in Banyuls at restaurant on the beach • World’s best vinegar? You decide at Banyuls atelier. • Afternoon to roam around Collioure. • Farewell dinner together at *** restaurant
• Au revoir til we meet again • Guidance with travel to TGV in Perpignan or beyond
This itinerary and lodging arrangements are subject to change based on weather conditions and the availability of scheduled wineries/vineyards.