Avignon: Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Gigondas Small-Group Wine Tour

Summary

Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tasting with local stories from Avignon

You’ll start your day leaving Avignon behind for vineyard roads and village squares in Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Taste Côtes du Rhône wines with a local guide who shares stories you won’t find in any brochure. There’s laughter over tricky French names, earthy reds poured by winemakers themselves, and quiet moments among sun-warmed stones—leaving you with more than just a memory of good wine.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Avignon in this minivan that smelled faintly of lavender (or maybe that was just my scarf), and I realized I had no idea what to expect from a “small-group wine tour.” Our guide, Camille, waved at everyone as we passed through the narrow streets—she seemed to know half the town. First stop: Gigondas. The name sounded almost like a drumbeat when Camille said it. She told us about the Romans calling it Jucunditas, which apparently means “to give oneself up to joy.” That felt about right after my first sip—earthy and bright at the same time, if that makes sense. There were old men playing cards outside a café and you could smell bread baking somewhere close by.

The drive toward Châteauneuf-du-Pape was all rolling hills and those crazy big pebbles in the fields—Camille called them “galets roulés.” She explained how those stones soak up sun and keep the vines warm at night. I tried to picture it but mostly just noticed how quiet everything got out there, except for our group laughing about who could pronounce “Châteauneuf-du-Pape” without butchering it (spoiler: not me). The tasting itself was…well, I’m still thinking about one of those reds. Deep, kind of spicy? The winemaker poured with this little nod like he’d seen every reaction before.

I didn’t expect to learn so much about grape varieties or why some bottles have embossed papal crests on them—it’s all tied to history here. Camille kept things light though; she joked that after two tastings nobody cares about soil types anymore. Maybe true. We had bottled water between stops (needed it), and there was no rush anywhere. At one point I just stood outside and listened—wind in the vines, someone’s radio drifting from down the lane. Kind of perfect in its own way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine tour in Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape

• Travel from Avignon to Gigondas
• Learn about Gigondas winemaking history
• Visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region
• Discover soil and grape variety details
• Taste wines from Côtes du Rhône

Top questions

How long is the small-group wine tour from Avignon?

This is a half-day tour departing from Avignon.

Which villages are visited during the wine tour?

The tour visits Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Is wine tasting included on this day trip?

Yes, professional wine tastings are included at each stop.

Does the tour include transportation?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned minivan is provided.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; minimum drinking age is 18 years.

Is pickup included for this Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tour?

The tour includes pickup in Avignon; check details when booking.

Are service animals allowed on this small-group wine tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks French and English during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes transport in an air-conditioned minivan with a friendly driver-guide, professional wine tastings at both Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, plus bottled water along the way so you can actually remember what you learned—and tasted—by the end of it all.