In brief. A good wine day means two or three tastings, one leisurely lunch and no more than two or three hours on the road. Choose one region and a base first, book the wineries next, and only then link them into a route. Nearby estates are always better than famous names at opposite ends of a region.
Six steps
- Choose a region. For 3–5 days, one is enough, or at most two neighbouring regions.
- Choose a base. If wine is your reason for travelling, stay near the wineries rather than in a big city an hour away.
- Make a list of estates. Combine one well-known house with one or two small producers.
- Book appointments. Agree the times first and build the day around them afterwards.
- Group visits by area. Visit neighbouring villages on the same day.
- Decide who is driving. Settle this before booking, not at your first tasting.
How many tastings per day
Two or three is the limit before flavours start to blur. A tasting with a cellar tour takes 1–2 hours; a major house or château can take longer. Add driving, lunch and a little spare time, and the day is full.
A convenient first appointment is around 10:00, with the second at 14:30–15:00. If there is a third, make it close to the second and not too late: small estates rarely welcome visitors in the evening.
Distances to allow
The table gives approximate driving times without traffic or stops. Check the specific addresses before travelling: distances within one region can vary considerably.
| Region | Route | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Champagne | Paris — Reims | around 1 hr 45 min |
| Champagne | Reims — Épernay | around 30 min |
| Burgundy | Beaune — Nuits-Saint-Georges | around 20–30 min |
| Burgundy | Beaune — Chablis | around 1 hr 30 min |
| Bordeaux | Bordeaux — Margaux | around 45 min |
| Bordeaux | Bordeaux — Saint-Émilion | around 50 min |
| Bordeaux | Margaux — Saint-Émilion | around 1 hr 15 min–1 hr 30 min |
| Alsace | Colmar — Riquewihr | around 25 min |
| Loire | Tours — Vouvray | around 20 min |
| Loire | Vouvray — Sancerre | over 2 hours |
The main mistake is already apparent: combining Bordeaux’s left and right banks, or Vouvray and Sancerre, in one day leaves little time for the wines themselves. Split them across different days instead. Other pitfalls are covered in “Tourist mistakes in France”.
A sample day in Champagne
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | leave Paris |
| 10:30 | major champagne house in Reims, cellars and tasting |
| 12:30 | lunch |
| 14:30 | small producer near Épernay |
| 16:30 | shopping and a walk through the vineyards |
| 17:30 | return journey, arriving in Paris around 19:30 |
If you would rather not put the day together yourself, there is a ready-made Champagne day trip from Paris.
Lunch
Allow an hour and a half to two hours. Restaurants in wine villages mainly serve between 12:00 and 14:00, so finish your first tasting by midday and book a table ahead. Lunch separates the morning wines from the afternoon wines and gives you a rest. On Sundays and Mondays, small villages offer fewer choices; check in advance.
When to book
- Ordinary dates: 2–4 weeks ahead.
- May to October and wine festivals: earlier, especially for a large party.
- Famous châteaux and small estates: as early as possible. Some accept visits only by appointment and not every day.
- Harvest: some producers are busy and may not receive visitors. Read more in “When to visit France”.
- Winter: many small wineries open only by appointment; others simply close.
If you travel with a driver or on a tour, we can arrange tastings in advance, including with small producers who do not accept visitors without an appointment.
If you drive yourself
France permits 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood, and only 0.2 g for novice drivers. Do not get behind the wheel after a tasting, even if you spat out the wine. Your options include a sober driver in the group, taxis if the estates are nearby, or a chauffeur. Compare them in “How to choose transport for a wine tour”.
Shopping and luggage
Wine quickly fills a boot: a case of six bottles takes up the space of a small bag. If you plan to buy wine, mention it when booking and we will choose a car with a larger boot. Do not leave bottles in a hot car for long. Import rules depend on the country you are returning to; check them in advance.
What to prepare before departure
- a list of addresses and appointment times for each day;
- winery telephone numbers;
- a 30-minute buffer for every transfer;
- a rainy-day plan, such as a cellar or covered market;
- a bottle of water and a snack: tastings do not always include food;
- the ages of any children travelling with you. We provide child seats free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
How many wineries should I visit in a day?
Two or three. Beyond that, you will stop noticing the differences and will not have time to talk to the winemaker.
Do I need a tasting appointment?
Usually yes. Major houses run scheduled visits, while small estates often accept visitors only by appointment.
How far ahead should I book?
Usually 2–4 weeks, but earlier is better from May to October.
How many days do I need for one region?
Usually: Champagne, 2–3 days; Alsace, 3; Burgundy and Loire, 3–4; Bordeaux, 4–5.
Can I change the itinerary while I am there?
With a private driver, yes, within the booked time. Bear in mind that winery appointments are harder to move than the route itself.
Plan your itinerary
Send your dates, region and the wines you enjoy, and I will suggest an itinerary with winery appointments. → All tours in France · Transport in France
