Loire Valley: Vouvray Wine Tour & Food Pairing with Cellar Visits

Summary

Loire Valley wine tasting day trip with cellar tours and food pairings

You’ll ride through quiet Loire Valley villages in a comfy minivan before tasting Vouvray wines straight from local cellars. Touch vineyard soil with your guide, sample sparkling whites and reds paired with cheeses and charcuterie, and share laughter over new flavors. Expect genuine moments—a relaxed pace, real conversations—and memories that linger longer than any souvenir.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I almost missed the minivan that morning in Tours—couldn’t find my other shoe (classic). But our guide, Camille, just grinned when I finally hopped in, a bit out of breath. “No rush,” she said, “the vines aren’t going anywhere.” The Loire Valley air was cool but soft, and as we drove through sleepy villages toward Vouvray, I caught whiffs of fresh bread from a bakery we passed—honestly made me wish I’d skipped breakfast at the hotel.

Our first stop was a vineyard where the ground felt damp underfoot. Camille explained terroir while picking up a handful of chalky soil—she let us touch it, which sounds silly but somehow made the whole wine thing click for me. The winemaker’s dog kept circling our group, sniffing at everyone’s shoes (mine especially). Inside the first cellar, it was chilly and smelled faintly of stone and apples. We tasted sparkling Vouvray and still whites—five in all—and each sip seemed to wake up a different part of my tongue. The goat cheese pairing was… honestly, I’m still thinking about it.

The second stop was another family-run place—a bit less polished but warmer somehow. Their reds surprised me; I didn’t expect to like them so much. There was a moment when someone tried to pronounce “rillettes” and the owner burst out laughing (I won’t say who). We sampled charcuterie with the wines; the rillons were salty and rich. By then, conversation flowed easier—maybe it was the wine or just that everyone felt relaxed. The guide answered every random question we threw at her about winemaking or how locals actually drink these wines at home.

The drive back felt quieter—maybe everyone was full or just happy. Sunlight flickered through the van window onto my hand and I realized I’d barely looked at my phone all morning. It’s strange what sticks with you: the taste of that last glass, Camille’s easy laugh, or maybe just how ordinary fields can feel special for a few hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Loire Valley wine tour and tastings

• Visit vineyard and underground cellar
• Taste sparkling and still white wines
• Pair wines with local cheeses
• Visit wine cave
• Taste Touraine red wines
• Pair wines with local charcuteries

Top questions

How many wines do you taste on this Loire Valley tour?

You’ll taste at least ten different wines during two cellar visits on this Vouvray wine tour.

Is transport included on this Loire Valley wine tasting day trip?

Yes, transport is provided in an air-conditioned Mercedes minivan throughout the tour.

Are local food pairings included during the wine tastings?

Yes, both tastings include local cheeses and charcuteries like rillettes and rillons paired with the wines.

Is this Vouvray wine tour suitable for beginners?

Absolutely—the guide adapts explanations for all knowledge levels from beginner to expert.

How big are the groups on this Loire Valley day trip?

The group size is small—maximum 8 people per tour for a more personal experience.

Are infants or small children allowed on this wine tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome on board.

Does this tour visit both vineyards and underground cellars?

You’ll visit an outdoor vineyard plus two different underground cellars during the morning tour.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable minivan transport from Tours to Vouvray and back, guided visits to one vineyard plus two underground cellars, extensive tastings of sparkling and still white wines as well as reds from Touraine (at least ten in total), generous pairings of local cheeses and charcuteries like rillettes and rillons during both tastings, water available throughout, plus all experiences led by a knowledgeable local guide who adapts to your level of curiosity.