Beaujolais Wine Tour from Lyon: Private Guide, 2 Wineries

Taste Beaujolais the way locals do: two wineries, one guide, no group.

A private half-day wine tour from Lyon takes you through the rolling vineyards and golden-stone villages of southern Beaujolais, with stops at two working wineries where you taste sparkling, white, rosé and red Beaujolais wines. Your guide—speaking English, Spanish or French—leads you through the medieval streets of Oingt, explains the region's terroir and the unique semi-carbonic maceration process that defines Beaujolais winemaking, and walks you through the basics of tasting. The tour runs about 4.5 hours and includes a 30-minute transfer from Lyon, a Mercedes minivan, and 8 wines across both stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Discover Beaujolais wine region and tastings

• Transfer from Lyon to Beaujolais
• Explore southern Beaujolais and panoramic view
• Visit Oingt medieval town and learn terroir
• Taste sparkling white and rosé Beaujolais
• Visit second winery and learn wine making
• Taste several red Beaujolais wines
• Return to Lyon

The Experience

The drive from Lyon takes 30 minutes through rolling hills dotted with vineyards and quaint medieval towns built in golden ochre stone. You'll stop first in Bagnols for a panoramic view of the region, then move into Oingt, one of France's 157 most beautiful villages, where narrow streets wind past artist studios and craftsmen's boutiques. Your private guide walks you through the warren of alleys and begins explaining the Beaujolais terroir, geography and history as you move through the village.

At the first winery, you're introduced to the sparkling white and rosé Beaujolais—wines most visitors never encounter—and your guide teaches the basics of sniffing, swirling and sipping. You'll learn how French wines are classified between generic, villages and crus appellations. A short drive brings you to the second winery, where you meet a winemaker and learn about the semi-carbonic maceration process unique to Beaujolais: grapes are picked by hand and never crushed at all. You then move into the caveau (the winery's tasting room) and taste several red Beaujolais in an authentic atmosphere before the drive back to Lyon.

What’s included

• Private guide in your choice of English, Spanish or French.
• Mercedes minivan pickup and transport from Lyon.
• wine tasting of 8 wines across two wineries.
• visit to the medieval village of Oingt.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by KANPAI TOURISME

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to taste Beaujolais wines the way they're made—at working wineries with someone who knows the region—without navigating the roads or arranging stops yourself. The private guide and fixed itinerary mean you move at one pace and learn as you go, and the two-winery structure lets you compare styles and meet the people behind the wines.

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Top questions

What exactly is semi-carbonic maceration and why does Beaujolais use it?

Semi-carbonic maceration is the winemaking process unique to Beaujolais where grapes are picked by hand and left whole instead of being crushed. Your guide and the winemaker explain how this method shapes the flavor and character of Beaujolais wines during the tour.

Will I taste red wine, or just white and rosé?

You taste all three. The first winery introduces you to sparkling white and rosé Beaujolais, then at the second winery you move into the caveau and taste several red Beaujolais wines in the tasting room.

How much time do I spend in Oingt?

Oingt is one of the main stops on the tour. Your guide leads you through the medieval streets and explains the region's history and character as you walk, though the exact time depends on the day's flow and your pace through the village.

Is lunch included in this tour?

This is a wine-tasting tour without a meal component. The 4.5-hour tour includes two winery stops with 8 wines total, but you'll want to plan lunch separately before or after.

Can I book this tour in a language other than English?

Yes. Your private guide speaks English, Spanish or French, and you choose your language when you book.

What kind of vehicle will I ride in?

You travel in a Mercedes deluxe minivan with your private guide for the full tour, including the 30-minute transfer from Lyon and all stops in the Beaujolais region.