Amboise: Caves Ambacia Wine Tasting & Cellar Tour

Summary

Loire Valley’s troglodyte caves reveal wine secrets with every glass

You’ll wander beneath Amboise in centuries-old caves, taste three Loire Valley wines led by a sommelier, and explore 150 years of local winemaking history with stories from those who live it every day. Try your senses in a playful aroma game, sample cheeses if you want, and catch glimpses of the river outside — it’s an experience that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Jean-Pierre greeted us at the entrance to Caves Ambacia with that kind of quiet pride you only see in people who’ve spent their lives around something special. He handed me a little corkscrew as a joke — “for emergencies,” he said — and then we ducked inside the cool, limestone tunnels just as the rain started outside. The air changed instantly; it smelled like old stone and a bit like apples left in a cellar too long. I kept brushing my hand along the rough wall, half expecting some ancient story to rub off.

Our guide (I think her name was Elise?) led us through these echoey corridors lined with bottles, some so dusty you could barely read the labels — apparently, the Duhard collection goes back over 150 years. She let us peek at a bottle from 1874. “Still drinkable,” she claimed, grinning when someone gasped. The best part was this little sensorial thing they did — we closed our eyes and tried to guess different scents swirling up from glasses: honey, wet grass, something floral I couldn’t place. I got maybe one right. Li laughed when I tried to say “chenin blanc” in French — probably butchered it.

The tasting itself felt almost like a class but not stuffy at all. Three wines, each poured by Elise (who really knew her stuff), and she’d nudge us to notice things — how the Vouvray clung to the glass or how the red left your mouth feeling sort of chalky. We shared a cheese platter (optional but honestly don’t skip it) and watched barges drift by on the Loire through this tiny bistrot window. It’s weird how wine can make you feel both light and thoughtful at once — I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Caves Ambacia wine tour and tasting

• Experience 5 senses stimulation
• Discover 150 years wine history
• Taste 3 exceptional wines

Top questions

Is this wine tour in Amboise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible including transportation options.

How many wines do you taste during the Caves Ambacia tour?

You’ll taste three exceptional Loire Valley wines during the guided class.

Is there food included on this wine tasting tour?

A cheese or charcuterie platter is optional; you can add it when booking or onsite.

Does the tour include exploring historic wine cellars?

Yes, you’ll visit 16th-century troglodyte caves and see parts of the Duhard wine collection spanning 150 years.

Can I bring infants or use a stroller on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller throughout the visit.

What’s included

Your day includes entry to Caves Ambacia’s historic cellars in Amboise, a guided sensorial experience awakening your five senses, discovery of rare vintages from 150 years of Loire Valley winemaking, plus a relaxed tasting class with three selected wines led by an expert sommelier. Optional cheese or charcuterie platters are available if you want to pair local flavors with your glass before heading out again.