Rhone Vineyards

Chateau Beaucastel

Guigal barrel

The Rhône

17 - 22 March 2013

The Rhône is France’s second largest quality wine region, and on this trip, internationally acclaimed wine consultant, Steven Spurrier will show you its essence.

Due to the popularity of this tour, we have arranged a second Autumn tour date in November. This tour will be led by the superb Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW and include her choice of illustrious wine estates and tastings. Details of Rhone Reserve, 3-8 November.

The Northern Rhône vineyards start just south of Lyons. This is the homeland of Syrah, one of the greatest red grapes and three lovely white varieties, Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier. We start in Lyons, with a Michelin star dinner and next morning head for the vineyards of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Cornas, where Steven will arrange for us to visit the absolute stellar estates in the company of the winemakers or owners.

We stay in the attractive town of Valence on the left bank of the Rhone in the 5* Hotel Pic and on one of the evening’s you can elect, if you wish, to dine on the exquisite cuisine of Mme Sophie Pic, the only three star Michelin female chef.

Moving south we visit Steven’s chosen estates in Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is still the top wine of the region, although it is adjusting to being more a ‘first among equals’ as Gigondas and others jostle for importance.
 
Our base for the latter part of the tour is a 5* hotel in Avignon, with its famous unfinished bridge and the Palais des Pâpes, home to several Popes during the 14th century.

This special tour will have just 16 participants and we are already accepting bookings. Steven will be making his personal selection of the top estates to visit in autumn 2012.