Day-by-day estate-visit plans for Rhone Valley: weekend, first-timer and deep-cellar editions.
Day-by-day plans
3-day Northern Rhone: Cote-Rotie, Hermitage and Cornas ★ 4.9
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Day 1
- Morning
- Arrive in Ampuis (30 min south of Lyon) and visit E. Guigal for the La Doriane Condrieu and Cote-Rotie tasting. Book the private La La La tasting experience two months in advance for access to La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque barrel samples.
- Afternoon
- Drive to Condrieu village (10 min south of Ampuis) for a tasting at Georges Vernay. Focus on Coteau de Vernon single-parcel Viognier. Then continue south to Tain-l'Hermitage (40 min) to check into accommodation.
- Evening
- Evening tasting at M. Chapoutier's cellar shop in Tain-l'Hermitage; the Rousanne Ermitage selection is poured by the glass.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Morning climb of the Hermitage hill with M. Chapoutier's guided vineyard walk; see the terraced granitic parcels (Les Bessards, Le Meal, Les Greffieux) and the Saint-Christophe chapel at the summit.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon tasting at Delas Freres (in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, 5 min across the river) focused on the Hermitage Bessards single-parcel and Saint-Joseph range.
- Evening
- Dinner in Tournon-sur-Rhone at a restaurant using Rhone Valley wines on the list.
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Day 3
- Morning
- Drive 30 min south to Cornas village for a cellar visit with the Clape family at Domaine Auguste Clape. The estate requires an appointment; the Cornas old-vine cuvee is the focus. Also visit Domaine du Tunnel in Saint-Peray (10 min away) for sparkling Marsanne.
- Afternoon
- Visit the Valence wine shop Cave de Pic, operated by the Pic family, for a comprehensive Rhone and Valence region selection. Then drive back to Lyon (1h) or continue south.
- Evening
- Departure from Lyon or Avignon.
3-day Southern Rhone: Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Tavel ★ 4.8
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Day 1
- Morning
- Drive from Avignon to Chateauneuf-du-Pape (20 min). Morning visit to Chateau de Beaucastel by appointment, focusing on the Mourvèdre-dominant Hommage a Jacques Perrin and the Roussanne Vieilles Vignes blanc. Tour the biodynamic vineyards.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon tasting at Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe in Bedarrides (10 min). Focus on La Crau and the standard blend; the estate offers walk-in tastings at the cellar door.
- Evening
- Return to Avignon for dinner. Wine bar on Place Crillon for a by-the-glass Cotes du Rhone survey.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Drive to Gigondas (45 min from Avignon). Morning hike in the Dentelles de Montmirail (1-2 hours), then tasting at Domaine Santa Duc (book in advance). The Hautes Garrigues cuvee is the focus.
- Afternoon
- Short drive to Vacqueyras (10 min) for a tasting at the Clos des Cazeaux; then to Beaumes-de-Venise (15 min) for a Muscat VDN tasting at the Cave de Beaumes-de-Venise.
- Evening
- Return to Avignon. Evening walk through the Palais des Papes quarter to connect the papal wine history with the day's Grenache tasting.
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Day 3
- Morning
- Drive to Tavel (15 min from Avignon). Morning tasting at Domaine de la Mordoree (book in advance); the Tavel, Lirac rouge, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape cuvees of the estate are the highlights.
- Afternoon
- Drive to Lirac (5 min from Tavel) for Chateau d'Aqueria tasting; the blanc and rouge of Lirac AOC offer the right-bank Rhone character at very accessible prices. Then drive back to Avignon.
- Evening
- Farewell dinner in Avignon at a restaurant with a comprehensive southern Rhone cellar.
5-day Grand Rhone: Lyon to Avignon, north to south ★ 4.9
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Day 1
- Morning
- Arrive in Lyon and check in. Morning: visit Vieux-Lyon bouchons for a Cotes du Rhone and Beaujolais orientation. The bouchon tradition (informal Lyonnaise restaurants) pairs northern Rhone wine with charcuterie and quenelles.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon: drive south to Ampuis (30 min) for a Guigal Cote-Rotie tasting and return to Lyon for dinner.
- Evening
- Dinner in Lyon's Presqu'ile. Wine bar L'Oenomane or Winebar Les Bacchantes for a northern Rhone by-the-glass selection.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Full day in the northern Rhone. Morning: Georges Vernay in Condrieu for Viognier.
- Afternoon
- Drive to Cornas and Saint-Peray for tastings at Domaine du Tunnel (book in advance).
- Evening
- Drive to Tain-l'Hermitage and check in. Evening: M. Chapoutier cellar shop.
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Day 3
- Morning
- Hermitage hill vineyard walk with Chapoutier guide. Then morning tasting at Maison Paul Jaboulet Aine for La Chapelle.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon at Delas Freres in Tournon. Drive south toward Avignon (2h).
- Evening
- Arrive Avignon. Check in and orientation walk through the Palais des Papes quarter.
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Day 4
- Morning
- Chateauneuf-du-Pape: morning tasting at Beaucastel (appointment required).
- Afternoon
- Vieux Telegraphe in Bedarrides. Then Gigondas (40 min) for Santa Duc.
- Evening
- Return to Avignon. Dinner at a restaurant with a full Rhone cellar.
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Day 5
- Morning
- Morning: Tavel and Domaine de la Mordoree. Then Roman theatre at Orange (30 min).
- Afternoon
- Drive to Avignon for departure, or extend to Rasteau for the VDN cellar (20 min north of Orange).
- Evening
- Depart from Avignon TGV.
Hermitage hill deep-dive: 2 days in Tain-l'Hermitage ★ 4.9
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Day 1
- Morning
- Early-morning vineyard walk on the Hermitage hill before the summer heat. The marked trail starts behind the Chapoutier cellar and reaches the Saint-Christophe chapel in 45 minutes. Views over the Rhone to Tournon and the Vercors are spectacular.
- Afternoon
- Extended tasting session at M. Chapoutier: Crozes-Hermitage through to the single-parcel Hermitage cuvees (L'Ermite, Le Pavillon, Le Meal, La Sizeranne) and the white Ermitage de l'Oree. All biodynamic.
- Evening
- Dinner at Maison Jaboulet's tasting table, paired with the La Chapelle vertical.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Morning tasting at Delas Freres in Tournon for the Les Bessards single-parcel Hermitage and Hermitage blanc Maison Blanche.
- Afternoon
- Optional visit to independent growers: Marc Sorrel (small estate, granite parcels; appointment required) and Jean-Louis Chave (appointments extremely limited, mostly trade allocation).
- Evening
- Final tasting at Chapoutier cellar shop before evening departure.
Dentelles de Montmirail weekend: Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes-de-Venise ★ 4.7
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Day 1
- Morning
- Morning hike in the Dentelles de Montmirail from the Gigondas trailhead: the 3-hour circuit through lavender garrigue and limestone pinnacles. Views over the vineyards to Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the distance.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon tastings in Gigondas village: Domaine Santa Duc (appointment recommended), Domaine des Pallieroudas, and the local cave cooperative.
- Evening
- Short drive to Vaison-la-Romaine for dinner and overnight. Vaison's Roman ruins and medieval upper city are worth an evening exploration.
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Day 2
- Morning
- Morning visit to Vacqueyras producers: Clos des Cazeaux and Le Sang des Cailloux (terraced old-vine Grenache; appointment recommended). Both estates can be visited on a single morning.
- Afternoon
- Afternoon visit to the Cave de Beaumes-de-Venise for a Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise VDN tasting and a tour of the Beaumes-de-Venise rouge (the appellation's dry red, often overlooked). Then drive back to Avignon or Orange for departure.
- Evening
- Return via Orange for the Roman theatre, or depart from Avignon TGV.
Itineraries in Rhone Valley, FAQ
When is the best time to visit Rhone Valley for wine?
Peak wine-travel season in Rhone Valley is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
Do I need an appointment to taste at Rhone Valley estates?
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
What hours do Rhone Valley cellars and tasting rooms keep?
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
How does tipping work at Rhone Valley tastings?
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
What is the one wine to try in Rhone Valley?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Rhone Valley rewards trust.