Loire Valley

Wines and Chateaux of the Loire Valley

This morning, you will be met by your local guide after breakfast. Following introductions, set out to The Estate of Chambord, a national game reserve as large as the town of Paris. The chateau de Chambord is a unique monument by its architecture and proportions. Leonardo da Vinci probably took part in the conception of the project. With more than 400 rooms and its double spiral staircase, Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley. Explore this Renaissance masterpiece, from its views of the Grand Canal to the wealth of its local flora and fauna.

Around lunchtime, you will be brought to the city of Blois. Known for its light facades and blue roofs, its pedestrian streets gracefully preserving the flavour of lost centuries, and its serene atmosphere. Your guide will give you a brief panoramic introduction to the town, its Chateau and pedestrian streets.

Next, we have arranged for you to enjoy a wine and cheese lunch at a local wine estate in Touraine Amboise.

Later, continue to Touraine Oisly vineyards, located in Cour-Cheverny, discover their wines produced from the Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny controlled origin, as well as a new and unique variety, Romorantin, or the ever popular Sauvignon Blanc. Be seduced by its unique qualities. Relish a tasting paired with local delicacies.

Following our visit, we will be welcomed at a local estate, such as the organic vineyard Château de Minière for a tour and tasting. Discover of the red Cabernet Franc wines from this area and taste the diversity of wines produced in the different terroirs.

Your guide will return you to your accommodation at the end of your charming day to enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Chateau de Chenonceau and Touraine

After breakfast this morning, rejoin your private guide as you set out for a charming day discovering the wines and chateaux of the Loire Valley.

Our first stop of the day is at Chateau of Chenonceau. Admiring the impressive arches of the Château Chenonceau from the south bank, and views of the Loire Valley countryside’s forest and vineyards, you will drive along spotting bird and wildlife on the shores. Demonstrating a mix between Renaissance and Gothic architecture, this Loire Chateau is one of the best known in the valley, particularly for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens. Also referred to as “Chateau des Dames”, famous for the great feminine figures such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici who lived in it, the castle forms a bridge which spans the River Cher. You will be joined by a private historian guide at the estate for a visit.
Around midday, you will be welcomed at an organic winery such as Clos Rousselly in Touraine Chenonceau. Enjoy a tour around the estate and in the troglodyte caves before tasting of a great range of organic wines. After your visit, sit down to a gourmet farm to table lunch at the winery including wine and local and organic products.

Next, we stop at one of our favourite producers in Touraine for a large tasting of sparkling wines and some unique grape varietals.

If time permits, visit another estate in Montlouis. Perhaps your guide will bring you to Domaine Lise et Bertrand Jousset where you will be met and either taken into the vineyards to start your tasting experience, or brought on a visit of the cellar.

Return to your hotel at the end of the afternoon around 6PM.

Cooking Class with Villandry & Vouvray Wine

You will be joined by your private guide at the hotel this morning as we make our way to our nearby cooking school.

Continue the morning with some gastronomy. You will be welcomed by a professional Chef at a restaurant in Ingrandes for a hands-on cooking lesson. Listen to the chef's philosophy, "a zero-kilometer menu", and begin to understand the importance of supporting local agriculture. You will even have the opportunity to pick the produce for your class from the on-site vegetable garden. Spend about an hour preparing the meal, before sitting down to indulge in your creation, as a 3-course lunch accompanied by Bourgueil wine.

Our next stop of the day will be at a winery such as Domaine Vincent Carême in Vernou. Vincent Carême has been producing organic wines for quite some time, and is striving towards a classification in bio dynamism. Stroll through the vines and hear the recount of the history of the winery, and descriptions of the soil, climate, and geography that shapes the fruit produced. The grapes are picked by hand and pressed gently and then the natural yeasts are allowed to do their work. Your walk will end in the ancient cellar where you will experience a tasting of different whites typical of Vouvray, including sparkling, dry and half-dry wines, to be paired with cheeses.

Your guide will deliver you to your accommodations in Tours at the end of the afternoon for check in.

Sauvignon Blanc Discovery

Home to the purest expressions of Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé are two little villages that do a number for the wine varietal. The cooler climate in this area slows down the ripening of the vine, allowing the grape time to develop, giving a balance between its acidity and sugar levels and allowing for intense aromas.

Set out with your private local guide today to discover some fine examples of these Loire Valley wine styles.

Begin the day with a special visit to a goat cheese farm such as La Brissauderie farm where you will be taken on a tour to learn about the art of cheese making. Following the tour, enjoy a cheese tasting of different styles and ages including Chavignol PDO paired with Sancerre wine.

Continue on for a short stroll in the vineyard of Sancerre with a winemaker from Domaine Vincent Graal or similar. Your guide will present an introduction to the influential terroir and the approach of the wine-growers in this area. Discover the different plots of the wine estate and enjoy a tasting in the vineyard

Lunch brings the opportunity to try local dishes and further explore regional wines (to be paid directly).

For a change of pace, we will stop in at La Maison des Sancerre "museum", to further our education of the surrounding appellations, Sancerre particularities and the wine culture. Admire the town of Sancerre as well as feast your eyes on La Tour des Fiefs.

Conclude the day at another winery such as Domaine Henri Bourgeois, one of most important producers in the area. A private visit of the impressive cellar will be offered, followed by a prestige tasting of Sancerre, Pouilly Fumé and other Sauvignon wines.

Western Touraine

Meet your private guide after breakfast and set out to explore intricate wines of the Loire Valley.

This morning begins with a visit and tasting at a Vouvray vineyard such as Domaine Huet where you will enjoy of an extensive range of white wines typical from Vouvray, specifically Chenin Blanc.

Next, you are welcomed for a visit of an authentic winery in Bourgeuil, Domaine de la Chevalerie in Restigné. With a long family history of talented winemakers, the knowledge of the estate vines has been passed down with immeasurable precision and care. A family member or colleague will accompany you and your guide into the head to the 11CE cellars, among the oldest in the regions, where their vintages, which are occasionally offered for sale, are stored.

Continue this afternoon, with a tasting of the day near the village of Cravant-les-Coteaux in Chinon. You will be welcomed into the caves of a producer such as Domaine Pierre, and mature your pallet for wines of bio dynamism with a generous tasting of the domain’s fleet.

Your day concludes back at your boutique accommodations, where your guide delivers you for the remainder of the evening.

Check out this morning and say a fond farewell to France. You will be met by your private driver and transferred to the train station.

Rail Journey - Saint-Pierre-des-Corps to Paris CDG Airport
Comfort Class Tickets

On arrival into the airport station make your way to the check in counter to catch your departing flight.

Au Revoir!