Rhone Valley Food & Wine Tour
Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph: three names that became international on slopes no machine will ever reach. A full day to string them together, eight wines to grasp what sets them apart, and a forgotten medieval village where a few hectares worked by hand produce one of the rarest appellations in France.
- Duration
- Full day — 8 h
- Stops
- 2 to 4 wine estates
- Tasting
- 8 wines minimum
- Departure
- Lyon
- Price
- See the calendar
A tour across three appellations of the Rhône valley
Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph: three names that have gained international standing over the past fifteen years, on tiny surfaces and slopes that machines cannot reach.
A full day makes it possible to string them together and grasp what sets them apart, something neither a map nor a label explains.
Estate visits and tasting: eight wines at least
The itinerary includes at least eight wines across two estates, and can go up to four for the most curious.
Houses handed down from generation to generation, and younger winemakers with a contemporary eye: both coexist in the valley and do not make the same wines.
A forgotten village, a tiny appellation
The afternoon leads to a medieval village ringed by vines, home to one of the most confidential appellations in France: just a few hectares, worked by hand.
On the way, your Insider will show you the pear in the bottle, a local tradition whose principle never fails to surprise.
What your Insider can also arrange
The stops below are examples, not a set programme. They are here to give you ideas: the day's agenda is then decided together with your Insider.
A wild plant expert
He teaches you to spot, pick and use the edible and medicinal plants growing between the vines. You never look at a roadside the same way again.
Lunch in a castle that used to be a ruin
It still was, a few years ago. It has been brought back since, and it is now one of the places where we stop for lunch.
An apple orchard, and the man who runs it
The valley does not only produce wine. Visiting an orchard and meeting its owner puts the vineyard back into the farming landscape it belongs to.
A truffle hunt, dog included
You head out with a truffle hunter and his dog, then lunch is built around whatever was found. Available as an option, at extra cost, and subject to the season.
A private tasting of rare bottles
Some of the most prestigious and rarest wines in the valley are not poured over a counter. We can arrange that tasting privately, as an option and at extra cost.
None of this is automatic, and this list is far from complete. Every outing is put together for the people living it: yours will be one of a kind, and it will never have been run in exactly this way before. Your Insider will contact you before departure to pick, among these experiences and many others, the ones that best match what you are after.
A private tour, the Insiders way
A local Insider who knows the region and its best addresses by heart, a private vehicle, and nobody at the wheel but him.
Book this tour
Full day — 8 h. Pick your date: the calendar shows availability and the price for your group size.
A question before booking? Email us at thomas@insidersexperience.com or call +33 6 98 78 29 28.
Practical information
Included
- Transfer from Lyon: train to Vienne (20 min) or private car as an option
- Private full day with a local Insider and his vintage Range Rover
- Tastings at 2 to 4 wine estates, 8 wines minimum
- Lunch at a local table with wines (or a picnic / private barbecue, your choice)
- Wi-Fi on board
Not included
- Driving: your Insider takes the wheel, you can taste
- Travel from any city other than Lyon
- Your wine purchases on site
Meeting point
Private transfer or train from Lyon, train tickets sent in advance if you choose that option. Pick-up possible near Vienne or Valence.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. After that, the booking is charged in full.
Frequently asked questions
How many estates do we visit?
Two at least, up to four if you want to push on. Eight different wines in total in any case.
Can we have a picnic instead of going to a restaurant?
Yes, as an option when booking: a picnic or a private barbecue, depending on the season and the mood.
What is this confidential appellation?
Just a few hectares, around a medieval village of the valley, worked entirely by hand. Your Insider will tell you more on the spot; it is the kind of place that has to be earned.