Châteaux, Wine & the French Art of Living Well over 8 days, 7 nights
Learn MoreExperience the romance, flavors, and elegance of France on this 8-day journey through the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. Begin in the Loire, where you’ll stay at a charming boutique hotel and explore fairytale castles like Chambord, savor lunch at a family-run estate, and enjoy a walking tour of historic Tours. Then travel by train to Bordeaux—one of the world’s most celebrated wine capitals. There, uncover the medieval streets of Saint-Émilion, taste wines at Grand Cru Classé estates, and indulge in regional specialties. A cooking class introduces you to Bordeaux’s iconic pastry making, while a guided food tour brings the city’s past and present to life. With curated meals, expert-led tastings, and elegant accommodations, this is the ultimate French escape for wine lovers and culture seekers alike.
Arrive in France and travel from Paris to the Loire Valley, settling into your elegant château hotel. Meet your guide and fellow travelers over a welcome dinner featuring regional wines. A relaxing start to your French journey!
Accommodation 4-star Maison Rabelais in Amboise Included Meals Welcome DinnerDiscover the architectural grandeur of Château de Chambord, a Renaissance masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a guided tour and a gourmet lunch with wine. Return to Tours for an evening at leisure to dine as you wish.
Accommodation 4-star Maison Rabelais in Amboise Included Meals Breakfast, LunchAccompanied by a local and passionate guide, set off to a farm to explore one of the most famous and Terroir-specific goat cheeses with Protected Designation of Origin. After discovering the intricacies of this log-shaped goodness, we’ll proceed to a wine estate visit in Vouvray for a tasting.
Accommodation 4-star Maison Rabelais in Amboise Included Meals Breakfast, LunchAfter breakfast, board the high-speed TGV train to Bordeaux. Settle into your city-center hotel and enjoy a delightful welcome dinner celebrating Bordeaux cuisine and wines.
Accommodation 4-star Hôtel Indigo Chartrons in Bordeaux Included Meals Breakfast, DinnerVisit the medieval village of Saint-Émilion (UNESCO World Heritage Site, classified in 1999). Visit & tasting: Beautiful family-run estate and a historic Chateau Lunch: At a prestigious Grand Cru Classé château — 3-course + drinks (including 2 glasses of wine). Cooking Class: Pastry-making class at the Chateau.
Accommodation 4-star Hôtel Indigo Chartrons in Bordeaux Included Meals Breakfast, DinnerHistorical food tour of Chartrons — a city proudly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your expert guide will guide you through Bordeaux to give you a global understanding of French gastronomy and Bordeaux specialties. Then a visit to Musée du Vin et de la Negoce, the perfect place to understand the creation and evolution of the wine trade in Bordeaux. Includes a tasting with 3 different wines.
Accommodation 4-star Hôtel Indigo Chartrons in Bordeaux Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerVisits & tastings: Experience two beautiful châteaux — one a prestigious 1855 Classified Growth (Grand Cru Classé) estate and the other a charming family-run winery Enjoy the scenic drive along the famed Route des Châteaux. Lunch: 3-course picnic lunch on site with drinks (including 2 glasses of wine). Farewell Dinner: 3-course dinner together at a local restaurant with drinks (including 2 glasses of wine)
Accommodation 4-star Hôtel Indigo Chartrons in Bordeaux Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAfter breakfast, bid farewell to Bordeaux and transfer at 9:00 AM to the TGV station for onward travel to Paris or your next destination. Bon voyage!
Included Meals Breakfast
At Crush Wine Experiences, our mission is to introduce you to your favorite craft winery or distillery.
Experience the City of Tours, France – A lively yet elegant hub of the Loire Valley, Tours charms with its historic old town, bustling cafés, local markets, and a relaxed French rhythm that’s easy to fall in love with.
Stay in the storybook town of Amboise – Wake up in one of the Loire’s most picturesque villages, crowned by a royal château and set along the river, offering an intimate, small-town base with big history and undeniable charm.
Discover the wines of the Loire Valley, including Vouvray – Taste your way through one of France’s most diverse wine regions, from crisp Sauvignon Blancs to the iconic Chenin Blancs of Vouvray, celebrated for their freshness, elegance, and sense of place.
Sam Kimball is not just a sommelier; he’s a storyteller. With years of experience and a deep passion for wines from the Loire and Bordeaux, he’ll introduce you to the art and science of wine tasting. From elegant Loire selections to the exquisite wines Bordeaux, you’ll taste the diversity of the region’s wine heritage on this tour.
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Read what our satisfied customers have to say about us on Google
We attended the Tuscany 2022 and Sicily 2023 wine tours and they were fantastic! Sam is a great host and really knew how to maximize the enjoyment of everyone on the tour. He selected great wineries, restaurants and places to stay. He took us to places we would never have found on our own or on other tours. The selection of the local tour guides could not have been better. We have already signed up for 2024 Naples and 2024 Sardinia. I highly recommend Crush Wines Italy Tours!
Laurene M. This was my 5th trip with Sam and Crush Wine Experiences. The small group size, knowledgeable tour and local guides; as well as itineraries that immerse you in the food, wine and culture of each destination makes every trip unique. Looking forward to the next adventure!
Irenka Jakubiak Sam offers the best wine tours and more. Every itinerary is thoughtfully planned and local guides provide the most memorable experience in every city. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each tour I’ve taken and am planning more in 2024. Tours taken include 2023 Flavors of Sicily Tour: Small group tour of 9 days and 8 nights traversing Sicily with a sommelier and expert local guide. 2021 Barolo and Barbaresco Tour: 8 days and 7 nights exploring Piedmont Italy.
