Beaujolais Wine & Castle Private Tour from Lyon - Half Day

Summary

Explore Beaujolais Crus, Castles & Cellars with a Local Guide

You’ll travel through classic Beaujolais villages with a local guide, taste top crus at both a family winery and an old chateau estate, and soak up views from La Madone Chapel—all in half a day from Lyon. Perfect if you want real insight into Beaujolais wine culture without any rush.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we rolled out of Lyon was how the city noise faded fast—suddenly it’s just us, winding through the Beaujolais “Route des Vins.” Our guide, Claire, chatted about “terroir”—not just soil, but the whole vibe of the land. She pointed out Mont Brouilly ahead, a gentle volcano blanketed in vines that have been here for generations. We passed through towns like Régnié and Morgon; each one seemed to have its own rhythm. In Fleurie, I caught the scent of fresh bread drifting from a tiny boulangerie by the main square. The morning air was cool and crisp—perfect for a day of wine tasting.

We stopped at La Madone Chapel. It’s perched up high and honestly, you get this wide-open view over the vineyards—patchwork fields stretching forever. On a clear day (we got lucky), you can spot Mont Blanc way off in the distance. There’s a quiet up there except for birds and maybe someone’s laughter echoing from below.

The real highlight? Visiting a small family winery tucked behind rows of old vines. The winemaker greeted us with stained hands—he’d just finished checking barrels. He explained how Beaujolais wines use “semi-carbonic” maceration; it sounded technical but he made it simple. We tasted in their caveau—a cozy room with mismatched chairs and old posters on the wall. Each cru had its own personality; some were light and fruity, others deeper and earthy.

Later, we drove to a chateau estate—think stone walls, big wooden doors, and that faint smell of oak as you step into their cellar. Barrels lined up everywhere. Our guide poured us different crus from all over Beaujolais while sharing stories about each one’s aroma and balance (I never realized how much goes into every bottle). No rush here—you sip slowly, chat with your group or the winemaker if he pops in again. It felt relaxed and genuine.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Beaujolais Wine Route & Tastings

• Travel Beaujolais Route des Vins, learn terroir and crus
• Visit La Madone Chapel panoramic viewpoint
• Tour small family winery and taste Beaujolais wines
• Visit Chateau Wine Estate cellar and wine tasting

Top questions

How many wines do we taste during this tour?

You’ll try 9 to 10 different Beaujolais crus at two unique wineries—a family-run spot and a chateau estate.

Is this tour suitable for families or people who don’t drink alcohol?

Yes! Kids can join (there are infant seats available), and non-drinkers will still enjoy the scenery, history, and friendly atmosphere.

What should I wear or bring?

I’d suggest comfy shoes for walking around cellars and layers—the weather can shift quickly in the hills.

Will we meet actual winemakers?

Yes—you’ll meet at least one passionate winemaker at the family winery who’ll share insights about their process.

What’s included

This private tour includes transport by Mercedes deluxe minivan, guided visits to two wineries (one family-run, one chateau estate), tastings of 9-10 different Beaujolais crus wines, plus all stories shared by your local guide along the way. Infant seats are available if needed—just let us know ahead of time!