Lyon to Northern Rhône: Full-Day Wine Tour & Tastings

Summary

Rhône valley vineyards steep slopes wine tastings from Lyon

You’ll join a small group at Place Bellecour in Lyon for a full-day trip into northern Rhône’s legendary vineyards. Taste Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Viognier wines straight from local cellars with your guide’s stories tying everything together. Expect laughter, real conversations with winemakers, and landscapes that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The day started right at Place Bellecour in Lyon — I almost missed our minivan because I was distracted by the bakery smells drifting over the square. Our guide, Julien, waved us over with this easy grin and before I knew it we were winding south toward the Côte-Rôtie vineyards. The city faded out behind us so quickly, replaced by these wild green slopes that looked almost impossible to farm. Julien told us about the history of the Rhône valley as we drove; he grew up nearby and you could hear it in the way he talked about each village. At one point, he pointed out a hillside and said his uncle used to pick grapes there as a kid. That stuck with me for some reason.

First stop: a family-run winery tucked behind rows of vines. The air inside was cool and earthy — like old stone and something sweet I couldn’t place. We tried five or six different Côtes du Rhône wines (Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage… names I’d only seen on bottles before). The winemaker poured tiny glasses and explained each one in this gentle French accent. When I tried to say “Viognier” properly he laughed — apparently my version means something else entirely? Still not sure what. The white was so aromatic it almost tasted like apricots; I kept sniffing my glass longer than anyone else.

Later we wandered through the steepest vineyard slopes I’ve ever seen — honestly, how do they even harvest here without falling? The light bounced off the leaves, and you could hear birds somewhere down the hill but otherwise it was quiet except for our shoes crunching on gravel. It felt old here, like time moves slower between all these vines.

I didn’t expect to feel so connected just sipping wine with strangers, but there’s something about sharing stories over a tasting table that makes people open up. On the drive back to Lyon, someone asked if we’d remember any of the facts about AOC labels or grape varieties — probably not all of them. But that smell of earth in the cellar? I still think about that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Northern Rhône Valley wine tour

• Meet guide at Place Bellecour
• Travel to Côte-Rôtie vineyards
• Taste 5-6 Côtes du Rhône wines
• Visit steep-slope Côte-Rôtie vineyards
• Explore Viognier wine region

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Lyon to Northern Rhône?

The tour lasts a full day including travel time from Lyon to the vineyards and back.

Is pickup included for this wine tour?

Yes, pickup is at Place Bellecour in central Lyon where you meet your guide and minivan.

How many wines will I taste on this tour?

You’ll taste 5 or 6 different Côtes du Rhône wine varieties including Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage.

Are lunch or meals included?

No lunch is mentioned; tastings are included but meals are not specified in the description.

What kind of transport is used?

The group travels by air-conditioned minivan driven by your guide.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

Does this tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions—just dress appropriately for rain or sun.

Will we meet actual winemakers during the day?

Yes, you’ll meet local winemakers who host tastings at their wineries along the route.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup at Place Bellecour in Lyon, guided transport by minivan through northern Rhône’s vineyard country, several wine tastings (about 3cl per glass) featuring top regional varieties like Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, plus plenty of stories from your local guide before returning to Lyon late afternoon or evening.