Knowledgeable guides. Great spots to stop.

Last week while visiting our daughter we went on this tour, and were very impressed. Our guide; Mathilde, was knowledgeable and easily approachable. Her enthusiasm for the wines of Chateauneuf du Pape was infectious, and we would strongly recommend her to anyone who wants to learn more about the delicious wines of the region.

Great tour, could have been improved if the driver acted as interpreter for the winery staff.

We joined this wine tour and were so glad we did. Travel was in a comfortable 8 seater minibus, so eight people max plus our guide. After meeting at the tourist office pickup point our excellent guide Florian drove us to the first stop an old established vineyard with Chateau, using mostly old methods with underground maturing areas and storage spaces. Awesome seeing the storage of the tens of thousands of bottles. Pauline the vineyard guide was excellent and very patient! So glad she had time to show us around and entertain us in a lovely little tasting room. Plenty of samples and a white Chateauneuf du Pape, certainly the first the four of us had tried. We then had a pleasant walk down a road between fields of vines as it was a bonny day and venue were quite close and probably quicker than by road. The second visit was a quite different experience after the more traditional visit. It was a larger visitor centre and a more modern appearance, still using the old vats but there was large rooms for tour groups and it was clearly aimed at that market. The tour here was shorter but equally well delivered, then we retired to a smart sampling stall just for us out in the retail area. Here we received several tastings from the vineyard with a totally immersive sampling then drinking lesson on three wines. It was really enjoyable to learn from someone who loved her job and was so good at it. Just sorry i can't remember her name as she deserved a mention as well. There was a more gift oriented shop here as well. Last stop was a quick visit to the original Chateauneuf du Pape, sadly partially blown up by the retreating Germans in WWII. It is still an impressive frontage with great views over the Rhone and surrounding area to Avignon. On this clear day we could clearly see the Palace of the Popes standing proudly about Avignon. Then its return time to Avignon to complete our approx 4.5 hour tour, well worth the fee we paid for this tour. Thanks again to Florian, Pauline and unfortunately nameless for the friendly, professional and very patient care we were shown that day. Thanks from the Orkney 4. How you guys put up with the other two on the tour, we don't know, you must be saints.