Provence and the Rhone Valley
2015
Trip Highlights
Three rich days of vineyard and winery visits including organic and biodynamic producers Experienced oenoguide who can give useful insight into all aspects of viticulture and winemaking Wine paired lunches Fantastic hotels
These are our recommended hotels for your trip. The first property is located in the heart of Avignon and would be a great place to explore the town from on the evening of your arrival. The other options are our favorites for winery visits. You can view the location of the hotels HERE
Hotel La Mirande - Avignon
Ideally located in the heart of Avignon, this 5* property is housed within a medieval Cardinal’s palace. Affiliated with the prestigious “The Leading Hotels of the World” brand, this property conveys an elegance and charm of earlier times.
Into The Vineyard – www.IntoTheVineyard.com Email: [email protected] Tel: 1 604 629 1173 | Fax: 1 604 899 9401 Suite 328 - 1085 Homer St. Vancouver, Canada, V6B 2X5
Hotel Option 1 - La Coquillade
Located on a hill overlooking a winery estate, the Domaine de La Coquillade boasts exceptional views of the Luberon and Mont Ventoux. This charming hamlet contains six sumptuously furnished residences, the oldest dating back to the 11th century. Experience a blend of authenticity and ecology in the heart of the vineyards.
Hotel Option 2 - Chateau Mazan
Set in stunning landscaped gardens, Château de Mazan was built in 1720 and many of the original and later features are still apparent: the wonderful staircase, the 19th century tiled floors, the Franck brothers’ Enlightenment creation, the impressive Marquis’ library, the old Provencal casement windows, the Empire chimney…
Into The Vineyard – www.IntoTheVineyard.com Email: [email protected] Tel: 1 604 629 1173 | Fax: 1 604 899 9401 Suite 328 - 1085 Homer St. Vancouver, Canada, V6B 2X5
The Rhone Valley and its wines
The Rhône Valley has wine making history dating back over 2600 years and is the origin of two of the most important varietals in the industry. Thanks to the Popes moving to Avignon in the 13th century there was a surge in regional winemaking with the increased demand. The various AOC wines of the Rhône Valley region are produced by over 6,000 wine growing properties including 1,837 private wineries and 103 cooperatives. Syrah, which is believed to have originated in or close to the Northern Rhône region is the only red grape variety permitted in red AOC wines from this sub-region.
The winery tours
During the tours you will visit the vineyards and cellars of leading wine domaines in premium Rhone villages including the cru villages of Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Rasteau, Châteauneuf du Pape in the Southern Rhône and Hermitage, St Joseph, Cornas and Crozes Hermitage in the Northern Rhône.
As we visit the scenic vineyards our guide will explain the local appellation and the local wine-growing culture - in particular the notion of "terroir". He will contrast the vineyard/terroir - driven approach of the Rhône appellation to the more cellar-driven approach of the New World.
As you visit the cellars our guide will explain key elements of the winemaking process which are specific to the region. We will taste four to five wines per estate during which our guide will explain the tasting characteristics of the Rhône grape varieties, the ageing potential of the wines and the varying influences of the terroir and cellar methods on the wines that we taste.
At the domains visited we will supply a small selection of cheese with which to taste and appreciate the wines.
As seasoned wine tourists we will tailor our time together accordingly. Here is our proposed agenda
Into The Vineyard – www.IntoTheVineyard.com Email: [email protected] Tel: 1 604 629 1173 | Fax: 1 604 899 9401 Suite 328 - 1085 Homer St. Vancouver, Canada, V6B 2X5
Day 1
Your day begins with a Comfort Class high speed pre-booked train trip to Avignon from Paris you will be met at the train station and transferred with your luggage to your hotel afternoon to explore the City of Avignon.
Day 2 - Southern Rhône
You will be met this morning at 9 am by your guide for the next 3 days
Chauffeured private tour visiting the vineyards and cellars of four leading wine domaines in the Southern Rhône with a food and wine pairing lunch at Domaine la Garrigue / Les Florets in Gigondas (also producing Vacqueyras wines). Two wineries in Chateauneuf in the morning , then a winery lunch and a final leading winery in Rasteau.
For Chateauneuf, we recommend any of Domaines Montpertuis, Vieux Telegraphe, Font de Michelle, Grand Veneur, la Janasse, Roger Sabon, Charbonniere, or Cristia
For Rasteau, we recommend Domaine la Soumade which is the leading producer in this village.
Day 3 – Northern Rhône
Full Day chauffeured private guided day visiting the vineyards and cellars of three or four leading wine domaines in the Northern Rhône with a food and wine pairing lunch at Chapoutier.
In the Northern Rhône we recommend any of Domaines Alain Voges (Cornas & St Peray + great sparkling!), Bernard Grippa (St Joseph), Paul et Vincent Jaboulet (ex-owners of Paul Jaboulet) and Chapoutier (possible lunch).
Into The Vineyard – www.IntoTheVineyard.com Email: [email protected] Tel: 1 604 629 1173 | Fax: 1 604 899 9401 Suite 328 - 1085 Homer St. Vancouver, Canada, V6B 2X5
Day 4
Chauffeured private tour visiting the vineyards and cellars of four leading organic and biodynamic wine domaines in the Southern Rhône with a light picnic-style food and wine pairing lunch at one of the wineries, Chene Bleu in Crestet.
We recommend any of Domaine Roche Audran (Biodynamic), Domaine Viret ("Cosmoculture"!), Chene Bleu (Organic with some Biodynamic) and Domain Richaud (Organic with some Biodynamic).
Into The Vineyard – www.IntoTheVineyard.com Email: [email protected] Tel: 1 604 629 1173 | Fax: 1 604 899 9401 Suite 328 - 1085 Homer St. Vancouver, Canada, V6B 2X5
Terms and Conditions
INCLUSIONS: 4 hotel nights 3 full days guided winery visit with transportationo and guide as mentioned in the itinerary Lunches as mentioned in the itinerary 4 breakfasts Comfort class high speed rail Avignon - Paris
EXCLUSIONS: International Airfare Gratuities Dinners Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
PRICING
Price will varies based on travel dates and hotel choices click HERE to contact an advisor.
A non-refundable deposit of 30% is required at time of booking Full payment due 90 days prior to travel and is non-refundable.
Unless otherwise specified, no insurance is included in the prices we offer. Into the Vineyard suggests that you purchase travel insurance, against the following risks. Personal Injury, trip Cancellation, trip interruption, repatriation and loss of luggage Ask your advisor for a quote.
No rooms or excursions have been held at the moment. Availability and price are guaranteed at time of booking.
In case of cancellation of a booking, the customer must inform Into the Vineyard by a recorded delivery letter with acknowledgement of receipt, as early as possible: the date of the acknowledgement of receipt will be considered as the cancellation date in order to calculate the cancellation fee.
For trips including land services (“a la carte” tours, itineraries for individuals) and travel packages, the cancellation fee will be as follows:
Into The Vineyard – www.IntoTheVineyard.com Email: [email protected] Tel: 1 604 629 1173 | Fax: 1 604 899 9401 Suite 328 - 1085 Homer St. Vancouver, Canada, V6B 2X5
Into the Vineyard reserves the right to adjust the trip price based on market currency fluctuations, any variation in the currency exchange between currency of payment and currency of country(s) of travel posted by the Federal Reserve of America that is in excess of 3% at time of final payment can be added to the cost of the trip at time of final payment. To guarantee the aforementioned quoted price you retain the option to pay the full amount at your discretion.
As far as possible, Into the Vineyard will satisfy amendment requests. If these requests concern an extension of the stay, an increased number of persons, or the purchase of additional services, these amendments will be charged in addition to the original price. For any other amendment, a fee per person will be charged.
Some international and in-country or regional airfares have advance purchase and ticketing requirements which will be communicated at time of reservation. Additional payment to cover the costs of the airline tickets will be requested in order to issue the tickets. Airline tickets carry penalties as per rules of the fare. Penalties are also imposed for any changes to the air reservations made after ticketing.
We reserve the right to request additional deposits if required by hotels and suppliers. This will be communicated at time of confirmation of booking.
Any complaint for non-fulfillment or poor fulfillment of the travel contract should be made on the spot, and referred either to the offending provider of service or to Into the Vineyard. The complaint must describe the grievance and be made within 24 hours.
If you have not obtained satisfaction, please send your complaint through registered mail, and join all written evidence within 15 days after the end of your trip. The length of our investigation will determine the delay in our response to your complaint.
Into the Vineyard shall not be held liable for any inconvenience due to Loss/theft of plane tickets at the customs or check-in, non-presentation, or presentation of documents (ID card, passport, visa, vaccination certificate, etc.) which have expired or have an insufficient period of validity or do not conform to the indications on the back. In case of a failed check-in, there will be no refund of the package fare. Unexpected incidents due to a third party: wars, political upheavals, strikes external to Into The Vineyard, technical hitches external to Into The Vineyard, congestions on the roads or in the air space, hijacking, bankrupt of a service provider, bad weather, delays, engine failures, thefts of luggage or other goods. No refund of any kind will be made because of delays and itinerary changes due to the incidents mentioned above – e.g. change in the length of the tour initially planned or of a connection. Possible additional expenses (taxes, hotel, parking) will be payable by the customer.
Into The Vineyard – www.IntoTheVineyard.com Email: [email protected] Tel: 1 604 629 1173 | Fax: 1 604 899 9401 Suite 328 - 1085 Homer St. Vancouver, Canada, V6B 2X5
Cancellations imposed by circumstances of the greatest importance and/or linked to the customer’s safety, and/or on the command of an enforcing authority. Into The Vineyard reserves the right to modify planned dates/times/itineraries if the customer’s safety cannot be ensured. The customer cannot claim any refund.
Services that will not be used (transfers and excursions) will not be refunded. Services that are voluntarily modified on the spot are subject to our service providers’ conditions: additional services that entail an extra cost will have to be paid directly by the customer and will not entail Into the Vineyard liability.
UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES Trip costs do not include items not specified in the itinerary. Although Into the Vineyard will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, on rare occasions it may be necessary to make an adjustment to these arrangements. Should such adjustment be necessary, a substitute will be offered when and where possible. If war or terrorist activities threatened or actual, civil unrest, closures of airports or seaports, industrial action threatened or any other event outside the control of Into the Vineyard which causes either delays or extends the holiday or compels a change in the holiday arrangements.
Into the Vineyard reserves the right to substitute hotels or services of equal or greater quality Into the Vineyard cannot accept liability for any resulting loss, damage or expense and any refund will be subject to deduction of reasonable expenses.
ENTRY DOCUMENTS A valid Passport is required for your trip. A Visa may be required for your trip we recommend checking with the Consul General of the Country you intend to visit. Into the Vineyard is not responsible for assuring that people travelling on Into the Vineyard trips have the necessary entry documents.
Into The Vineyard – www.IntoTheVineyard.com Email: [email protected] Tel: 1 604 629 1173 | Fax: 1 604 899 9401 Suite 328 - 1085 Homer St. Vancouver, Canada, V6B 2X5