Wine Trails of Rhône Valley

Introduction
Provence France
Chateauneuf du Pape is southern France’s most prestigious wine village. Grapes have been grown here for 700 years. The best way to discover these vineyards is by foot, strolling between the gnarled vines from one estate to the next.

Based in the heart of Chateauneuf du Pape you’ll have lots of wine-tasting opportunities. You can choose to includes a half-day’s guided wine tour with a local wine expert. Then, walk in the heart of the Cotes du Rhone region, in the hills above Gigondas, where the vines hover high above the Rhône Valley, and the views are breathtaking. You finish your trip in Vaison la Romaine, France’s largest Roman archaeological site, also famous for its Tuesday morning market.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Walking through the famed vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape
- The majestic "Dentelles de Montmirail" mountains
- Vaison la Romaine: France’s largest Roman archaeological site

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Wine B&B in Chateauneuf du Pape
Night 3 & 4: Les Floret in Gigondas
Night 5: Evêché in Vaison la Romaine

The Wine B&B in Chateauneuf du Pape
Located right in the heart of the village, this quiet vinegrowers’ house offers 4 comfortable guestrooms, all featuring air conditioning.
Your host will share with you the art of provencal lifestyle, her passion of cuisine and secrets of French wines and cheese.

Les Floret in Gigondas
Les Florets has been a family property since 1960. The current owners are representatives of the third generation. The bedrooms feature antique furniture as well as  warmly coloured hardwood floors and fabrics. They are equipped with air conditioning, flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi and a safe. The rooms offer calm and elegance, overlooking the ancient trees of the inner courtyard.
You are welcome to make use of the pool and hillside terraces, dotted with sunbathing spots, overlooking the valley.

L'Evêché in Vaison la Romaine
This B&B is housed in a beautiful restored house dating back to the 17th century. It offers 5 cozy bedrooms featuring ancient furniture and paintings that contribute to their charming atmosphere. The rooms all have their own bathroom and free Wi-Fi access.


Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as 1 packed lunch (on Day 4) and one dinner (on Day 3).

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Riding

Trip Difficulty: easy with moderate options
Walks are generally from 2-4 hours on easy terrain, with some climbing up to perched villages

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

PLEASE NOTE All of the wineries are closed on Sunday. Therefore, if your trip starts on Saturday, we recommend you to do the Mont Redon walk on Sunday and the Vaudieu, Nalys & Solitude walk on Monday.

Day 1: Arrival
Make your own way to Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a beautiful medieval town. The city has lots of cobbled streets and is full of history with its famous Pope’s Palace and St Benezet bridge.
Please, arrive at Avignon train station for 4:30pm, so that you can catch your transfer to your accommodation in Chateauneuf du Pape.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Châteauneuf du Pape

Day 2: Vaudieu & Nalys & Solitude Wine Estates
After breafast taxi transfer from your hotel in Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
A splendid easy loop walk lets you disocver the heart of the Chateauneuf appellation, strolling on farming tracks in between the parcels of vines of the Vaudieu & Nalys & Solitude wineries. These 3 widely-known wine estates are all happy to share their savoir faire with you during a wine-tasting. The reds are deep and heavily spiced, while the surprising whites have notes of almond, spice, and honeysuckle.
In the afternoon, free time in the lovely Chateauneuf du Pape village, to wander from one wine shop to the next all the way to the castle OR enjoy a half day wine tour (extra fee).
Hiking about 7 km (2h45) + 100m / - 100m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Châteauneuf du Pape

Day 3: Mont Redon
Today, you explore Chateauneuf du Pape and its famous vineyards. This village was chosen as the summer residence of the Popes of Avignon. It was the popes who brought the vines here in the 14th century. Complete with a castle built atop its hill, only a set of ruins remain, from which the views extend far into the horizon.
You walk through the vines, alongside tracks packed with the red rocks that were deposited here 15 000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. These rocks absorb the heat during the day and emit it at night, keeping a constant warmth in the vineyards, and helping produce powerful and spicy reds. 
In case you wish to walk longer, we recommend a small detour to Chateau Mont Redon with optional wine tasting at this estate.
In the afternoon, free time in the lovely Chateauneuf du Pape village. Then, transfer to Gigondas.
Hiking about 11 km (4h15) + 150m / - 150m with shortcut 8,5 km (3h15) +100m / -100m
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Gigondas

Day 4: Dentelles de Montmirail
Today’s walk is through the vines of Gigondas, in the southern Rhône region. The town sits high above the Rhône, overlooking a sea of vines. The old stone houses with their clay tiled roofs are separated by narrow cobbled streets. Take the time to explore the village before your walk takes you to the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a set of chiseled limestone cliffs that soar almost improbably in the sky. The steep hills have been carved into terraces, planted with rows of seemingly inaccessible vineyards. Views of the Rhône Valley and Provence’s highest mountain: Mont Ventoux.
There are plenty of wine tasting opportunities in the village.
Hiking about 11 km (3h30) + 300m / - 300m // Shorter option : 5 km + 200m / - 200m // Longer “Dentelles ridge” option : 12 km + 450m / -450m
Meals included: Breakfast & Picnic Lunch
Overnight in Gigondas

Day 5: Gigondas to Vaison la romaine
Today is the last walking day of the trip, with a lovely walk to the town of Séguret, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The walk leads you underneath the cragged peaks and above the Rhône Valley, on paths and farming tracks through vines and olive orchards. You pass above the village of Sablet before reaching the medieval wooden entrance gates of Séguret, its homes set in superposed rows, all clinging to the rock. Along the cobbled streets, you’ll find a tea house with succulent cakes, the perfect reward after a day’s walk.
At the end of the walk, transfer to Vaison la Romaine: France’s largest Roman archaeological site.
Hiking about 10 km (3h30) + 300m / - 380m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Vaison la Romaine

Day 6: Departure
End of your trip after breakfast.
Take time wandering through the expansive Roman ruins before crossing the 2000 year-old bridge, on the way up to the Medieval village. Perched dizzyingly on the rock above the Ouvèze River, the cobbled streets between Vaison’s medieval homes lead up to the ruins of the 12th century feudal castle, from where the view extends to the entire town and to far-reaching countryside. Don't miss the fabulous Tuesday morning market !


OPTIONAL HALF-DAY WINE TOUR (not possible on Saturday’s, Sunday’s & bank holidays) - please inquire for rates
You can choose to do this before or after your walk on Day 2 or Day 3 with pick up/drop off in Châteauneuf du Pape
Participate in a half day wine tour of the Southern Rhônes premium wine villages. A local wine expert will reveal a wealth of secrets about the vines and explain the key elements of the wine-making process as you visit the cellar and taste four to five different wines at a local wine estate (depending on the wine expert you visit 1 or 2 wine estates). The tasting characteristics, ageing potential and varying influences of the terroir and cellar methods will all be described.

Rates and Dates for Wine Trails of Rhône Valley

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Chateauneuf du Pape
Airport: Marseille
Transfer: Avignon

Climate:
                                    Vaison la Romaine area