Afternoon Wine Tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Avignon

Taste two cellars' wines and see the Pope's ruined palace overlooking the vineyard

This afternoon wine tour from Avignon takes you to Châteauneuf-du-Pape for tastings at two different wineries in the medieval village, with an air-conditioned minivan and guide included. The 13 grape varieties grown here produce complex reds and elegant whites; you'll visit a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the village and its surrounding vineyard. Tours run four hours total and operate in English or French, with seasonal schedule adjustments November through March based on winery hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon wine tour in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

• Travel from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Visit panoramic viewpoint of the village
• Enjoy 2 wine tastings in different wineries
• Return to Avignon

The Experience

Four hours gets you from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape and through two separate tastings without the logistics of driving yourself. The minivan holds eight, so the group stays small enough that the guide can move at a pace that works. You'll taste at two different cellars—the wineries rotate, so the specific bottles change—and the 13 varieties of grapes combined with the region's varied soils mean the wines shift between visits. Reds dominate here, but you'll find elegant whites too.

The village itself sits under the ruins of the Pope's formal summer residence, a medieval stronghold that frames the whole landscape. From the panoramic viewpoint, you see how the vineyard spreads out around the stone buildings and narrow streets below. That view alone explains why this corner of the Rhône Valley commands the prices it does.

The guide speaks English or French and moves the group through each cellar's tasting without rushing. Winter schedules (November through March) shift based on when the wineries open, so the exact timing flexes with the season. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan, which matters on a warm afternoon when you're moving between cellars and standing in tasting rooms.

What’s included

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• live guide in English or French.
• wine tastings at two different cellars in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
• access to the panoramic viewpoint overlooking the village and vineyard.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by A la Francaise Tourisme

Is this one for you?Spend an afternoon tasting two of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's complex reds and elegant whites in the medieval village beneath the Pope's ruined summer residence, then return to Avignon.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the wines at each winery I'll visit?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape's 13 permitted grape varieties and the region's different soil types mean each cellar produces its own blend. The two wineries you visit will show you different expressions of the appellation—one might emphasize bold reds while another balances them with white or rosé—so you taste the range of what the village makes.

How long do I spend actually tasting wine versus traveling?

The four-hour tour includes the minivan ride from Avignon, time at each of the two cellars for tastings, and a stop at the panoramic viewpoint. Most of the afternoon is spent in the village itself; the drive from Avignon takes roughly 45 minutes each way.

Can I go if I'm under 18, or if I don't drink?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years old. Children from age 4 are welcome on the tour, though the experience centers on wine tastings, so younger travelers would be joining adults rather than participating in the tastings themselves.

What happens if a winery is closed when we arrive?

The wineries can change depending on availability and season. From November through March, the schedule may shift based on the cellars' opening hours, so the guide confirms the stops closer to your tour date and adjusts timing as needed.

Is lunch or food included in the tour?

The tour includes the tastings at two wineries and transport by minivan. Food and drinks beyond the wine tastings are not included, so you may want to eat before departure or plan a meal in the village if time allows.