Private Food & Wine Tour in Alsace
This private eight-day food and wine tour through Alsace takes you from Strasbourg and Colmar into the vineyard villages of the Alsace Wine Route, with private winery visits, chauffeured touring, Michelin-starred dining, and carefully selected hotels. The charms of Alsace – its gorgeous landscapes, hilltop villages, and excellent gastronomy, to name but a few – are innumerable and irresistible. Endless rows of vines bask in a remarkably sunny, dry climate – the Vosges Mountains to the west shelter the vineyards from Atlantic weather systems and help make Alsace one of France’s driest wine regions.
Culturally, the region is complex, an enticing multicultural melting pot of Germanic and French influences, due to Alsace’s proximity to the German border. Historically, Alsace has often found itself caught between France and Germany. After France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, France ceded most of Alsace to the newly formed German Empire in 1871, a state of affairs that was reversed in 1918 when the region returned to French sovereignty. Alsace was again annexed de facto by Nazi Germany in 1940, before being restored to France at the Liberation.
Today, French and Germanic cultural influences remain visible side by side, an encouraging emblem of European cooperation and cultural diversity. All of this makes Alsace a genuinely fascinating wine region to visit, with a surfeit of cultural, gastronomic and viticultural attractions. For centuries, Alsace’s signature grape varieties – namely Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer – have been grown on a mosaic of soil types. This dramatic terroir variation is one of the region’s key hallmarks, although traditionally Alsatian winemakers often favored a bone-dry, robust style, fermenting their wines to dryness. This contrasted with many classic German styles, which were lighter in body and retained some residual sugar. However, in recent times the distinctions have become blurred, with producers on both sides of the Rhine exploring a broader spectrum of styles. Excellent Pinot Noir is also increasingly being made, along with superb sparkling wines.
Of course, you’ll discover all this – and more – on your luxury wine tour through this enchanting part of France. Signposted by the very best luxury hotels and restaurants, you’ll travel through landscapes that encompass hilltop castles, vine-clad slopes, ancient wine cellars, and half-timbered houses ‘painted’ in vivid pastel colors.
Regional capital Strasbourg and delightful Colmar merit more exploration than one lifetime can afford; Strasbourg is bursting with art and architecture. Its cathedral towers above Strasbourg’s lively old town, while Colmar’s winstubs and bars are renowned for their hospitality and incredible atmosphere. Many wine regions across France would claim to be Europe’s most diverse, welcoming, and gastronomically exciting. It’s this friendly and healthy competition that keeps France in the premier ranks of European wine destinations. But while we don’t want to play favorites (and upset our friends), we can quietly assure you that Alsace is up there with the best.
As featured in
Signature journey
Highlights include private chauffeured touring, winery visits and tastings, Michelin-starred dining, five-star hotels, and time in Strasbourg, Colmar and the villages of the Alsace Wine Route.
Day 1Strasbourg
La Petite France in the medieval fairytale town of Strasbourg
Bienvenue! Your Alsatian adventure awaits. When you arrive at Strasbourg Airport, a chauffeur will warmly welcome you to this enchanting region of France. Sit back, relax, and travel in style to one of our favorite local restaurants – Brasserie Au Dauphin.
A gourmet lunch of the highest quality is in order – this brasserie is renowned for its excellent service, warm atmosphere, and authentic interpretations of Alsatian cuisine. Specialties include “choucroute alsacienne,” a sauerkraut flavored with juniper berries and served hot with local sausages, bacon, pork, or ham knuckle. So quintessentially Alsatian: warm, hearty, and delicious. Munster, the local cheese, will also be available for you to savor, along with sublime, aromatic, and racy Riesling. Afterward, you must try “tarte alsacienne,” a moreish custard tart made with local fruits. Coffee and petit fours to finish would be a nice end.
After lunch, we arranged for Strasbourg’s best guide – the charming Veronique – to share the city’s top secrets and most picturesque sights. Gaze in awe at Strasbourg’s cathedral, a marvel of European architecture. The west facade was completed in 1284; however, the tallest spire was not finished until 1439. It is the perfect counterpoint to the Grande Île – a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. The old city seems tailor-made for leisurely strolls, with its enchanting narrow streets, numerous half-timbered houses, lush geraniums, and inviting street-side cafes. Getting ‘lost’ in this part of Strasbourg is a truly special experience.
Your accommodation for the evening will be at the luxurious Regent Petite France Strasbourg, a 5-star address that exemplifies the best in discreet and pampering service. Once a 17th-century mill, this historic structure was also the home of Glacières de Strasbourg, which produced blocks of ice for local shops, breweries, and residences throughout the region. Today, guests can combine historical charm seamlessly with contemporary luxury.
After check-in, take time to unwind and enjoy the facilities. The Spa facilities are world-class, and be sure to experience the SkinCeuticals skincare treatments. The hotel’s bar is the perfect spot for a post-spa drink, with views over Petite France.
Day 2Strasbourg
Michelin Restaurant 1741
Start the day in style! Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and perhaps a river stroll before your first masterclass in Alsatian wine. A short distance away from your hotel is Strasbourg’s leading wine education center, where your host will guide you through the complexities of the Alsace region. Central to understanding Alsace is the concept of terroir stratification. The idea that one vineyard is superior or inferior to another is at the heart of most French appellations – the Grand Cru appellation, first established in 1975, was designed to designate the best vineyards in Alsace. Some of the most famous include Geisberg and Rosacker. Riesling grown on these hallowed sites can last a lifetime.
By this time, you must be hungry. We’ve arranged a gourmet lunch for you at the renowned Michelin-starred restaurant, 1741. What better place to enjoy the finest Alsatian wines than in this ‘temple de gastronomie’? Each course will be a complete indulgence, harmoniously marrying classical local dishes with sophisticated, contemporary culinary techniques. The tasting menu changes regularly with the seasons and the chef’s inspiration, with carefully considered wine pairings offered throughout the meal.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. However, we can recommend visiting the Palais Rohan, a majestic former residence of the city’s bishops. Located in its basement is the fascinating Musée Archéologique, which transports visitors from the Paleolithic period to 800 AD. If you’re in the mood for something more straightforward, consider strolling around the old town and stopping at small artisan bakeries and coffee shops. Try Kougelhopf, a traditional local cake baked in a circular Bundt mold that pairs perfectly with a cappuccino.
After an afternoon of sightseeing, return to your luxurious accommodations to unwind. The evening is yours to enjoy as you please, though the Cellar Tours Personalized Keepsake Itinerary includes recommended nearby restaurants, and the hotel concierge will make any reservations you require.
Day 3Strasbourg – Obernai – Gertwiller – Scherwiller – Barr
Colorful houses in Obernai
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Your chauffeur will take you to the heart of Alsace — Obernai, just 31km south of Strasbourg, feels like a different world. An unspoiled, idyllic walled town, Obernai is perfect for a relaxing, scenic morning stroll. Maybe even enjoy a coffee before your VIP tour and tasting at Alsace winery Zeyssolff.
Founded in the late 18th century, Zeyssolff is synonymous with terroir-driven, artisan winemaking in Alsace. After your detailed foray into the terroir, history, and Grand Cru wines of the domaine, we’ve organized a fun and delicious lunch at a charming and intimate restaurant called La Couronne.
The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is so infectiously buzzy that few diners ever want to leave. Enjoy three signature Tarte flambée or Flammkuchen, all paired with exquisite wines. The recipe is simplicity itself, but the results are gastronomic magic. The dough is rolled out very thinly into a typical rectangle and topped with various ingredients, including Munster cheese, crème fraîche, sliced onions, and lardons — or all of the above! It is then baked to perfection. Sweet fillings are also available to round off any lunch in style.
In the afternoon, your chauffeur will take you to the delightful village of Barr. We want you to finish the day on a high note, so enjoy a VIP tour and tasting at Klipfel, a boutique producer firmly committed to making expressive, site-specific wines in Alsace.
After the tasting, your driver will take you to your nearby accommodations, the 5 Terres Hotel & Spa. Relax, unwind in your room, use the spa, and stroll through Barr. The choice is yours.
Day 4Barr - Saint-Pierre - Illhaeusern - Orschwiller
Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg
After a gourmet breakfast at your spa hotel, we’ve prepared an itinerary that puts most other luxury experiences to shame. Today is all about discovering the inner soul of Alsace, both contemporary and historic. Enjoy a relaxed morning—perhaps a spa treatment is in order?—before departing for one of Alsace’s leading microbreweries.
The region has a long association with brewing. However, Brasserie La Saint-Pierre is a very different proposition. This family-owned brewery is a niche producer of delicious craft beer, some of the best in France, in our opinion.
After a VIP tour and tasting, we’ve arranged something genuinely exceptional. Lunch at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant L’Auberge de l’Ill is the ultimate gastronomic treat in Alsace. It offers a complete and unrivaled package with a superb setting, exceptional culinary technique, and a wine list showcasing only the best wines from Alsace. We don’t want to spoil it for you, but the Auberge de l’Ill salmon soufflé remains on the menu.
After a long, enjoyable lunch, we’d like you to enjoy a true historical monument of Alsace. Perched on a forest-covered hill, the imposing red-sandstone Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg is a must-visit sight. It was restored between 1900 and 1908 under Kaiser Wilhelm II. Your chauffeur will then drive back to your hotel so you can freshen up, relax, and enjoy an evening at leisure. The village of Barr has plenty of local winstubs and cafes to whet your appetites. Your friendly hotel concierge can make recommendations and reservations for you.
Day 5Barr – Ribeauvillé – Riquewihr – Ammerschwihr – Kaysersberg
Maison Trimbach, Ribeauvillé
Today, you’ll experience the best and brightest of Alsatian winemaking, set against a backdrop of utterly gorgeous, picturesque towns and villages. Start your day in Ribeauville, a strong contender for Alsace’s prettiest village. Nestled in a valley, Ribeauville is utterly picture-perfect. Legendary Grand Crus such as Osterberg and Geisberg surround it. To the west and northwest of the village, you’ll find the remains of three hilltop castles, all worth exploring.
Thirsty? We hope so, as Maison Trimbach understands a thing or two about Grand Cru winemaking. Since the 17th century, Trimbach has made some of Alsace’s most exceptional wines. Clos St Hune, the vineyard’s most lauded and celebrated offering, is a majestic Riesling that commands top dollar. This detailed and fabulous introduction to Trimbach’s wines is only rivaled by a visit to breathtaking Riquewihr. The 13th- and 16th-century ramparts, alleyways, and small squares are fantastic for exploring. Hugel, another legendary address in Alsace, is at the heart of the village. Led by the 13th generation, the Hugel family has been inexorably linked with the region’s development and prosperity for centuries. Their wines are uniformly excellent: terroir-driven, structured, age-worthy, and profound.
After your VIP tour and tasting at Hugel, prepare to be dazzled by the high gastronomy at the Michelin-starred restaurant La Table du Gourmet. Maestro chef Jean-Luc Brendel is known for his innovative, sophisticated approach to local cuisine. The restaurant sommelier will pair the wines to enhance the flavors of each dish.
After lunch, you’ll have ample time to explore Riquewihr in more detail. In a sense, the best experiences come from unexpected alleyways or boutique shops rather than grandiose sights. Riquewihr exudes a timeless quality and charm best experienced on foot. However, the 13th-century Dolder is an impressive stone and half-timbered gate, topped by a 25m bell tower. It possesses some of the best views in Alsace.
Your chauffeur will then take you to the day’s final winery. Founded in 1614, Jean-Baptiste Adam boasts a more colorful history than any other wine producer in Alsace. Flanked by the granite slopes of the Grand Cru vineyard ‘Kaefferkopf,’ the estate has survived the Thirty Years’ War, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars, and began exporting at the end of the 19th century. Today, they make a small range of excellent, fruit-driven, complex whites. Your luxury wine introduction may feature their organic Pinot Gris Pur-Granite, formerly known as Les Natures. The Grand Cru Riesling Kaefferkopf is another exceptional wine – among the best Rieslings in Alsace.
We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s packed adventure, as it’s time to relax and ease up the pace a little. Your chauffeur will whisk you away to the plush and upmarket Hotel Relais & Chateaux Le Chambard. Check in, relax, and order a glass of Riesling. Dinner is at your discretion; however, we highly recommend the hotel’s excellent bistro. The food, service, and wine pairings will impress.
Day 6Kaysersberg - Eguisheim
Gourmet dining at La Table d'Olivier Nasti.
After another gourmet breakfast, your chauffeur will take you to the village of Eguisheim. It’s another gem in Alsace’s rich mosaic of quaint villages – its gentle streets are ideal for strolling, shopping, and sightseeing. Enjoy the soft and relaxing pace of a restful afternoon in Eguisheim – there are plenty of cafes and bars if you need a well-earned glass of wine. We will make suggestions for a light lunch as dinner tonight is substantial.
When ready, your chauffeur will return you to your luxury accommodation in Kaysersberg. Enjoy the late afternoon with relaxing walks, shopping, and photos in the postcard-perfect center of Kaysersberg, famous for its ornate Renaissance Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) and, next door, the red-sandstone Église Sainte Croix.
After some time to relax at your hotel, dinner is at an exceptional two-Michelin-starred restaurant – La Table d’Olivier Nasti. The experience will be memorable and worthy of a long discussion afterward. Nasti is one of France’s greatest unsung gastronomic heroes, an extremely talented chef who enhances classical flavors with textbook precision, offering a range of multi-textured, sophisticated and yet accessible dishes. The restaurant’s sommelier splendidly pairs all courses.
Day 7Kaysersberg - Turckheim - Colmar
Beautiful vineyards of Haut-Rhin
The penultimate day of your Alsatian adventure includes a visit to two very prestigious wineries, gourmet cuisine, and a tour of Colmar, often called the ‘Venice of Alsace.’ It’s an accolade that is well deserved, but before you arrive in Colmar, we’d love to introduce you to some friends of ours. Domaine Weinbach wrote the book on hospitality – founded by monks in the 17th century, this family-owned estate prides itself on organic farming, low yields, and an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability. Their whites are excellent across the board, food-friendly, and approachable wines for the discerning sybarite.
However, there is always competition in Alsace. After your VIP tour and tasting at Weinbach, we’d like you to experience a masterclass in precision winemaking at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. This family has been making Alsatian wines of unparalleled depth and refinement for centuries; today, they cultivate over 42 ha with holdings in six Grand Crus: Rangen, Goldert, Hengst, Brand, Sommerberg and Wineck-Schlossberg, much to the envy of their neighbors. Using biodynamic viticultural methods – combined with serious know-how in the cellar – results in wines of impeccable length, depth, and purity of fruit expression. You’ll discover all this and more during the VIP tour and tasting we have arranged.
But there are more exclusive and unmissable experiences to come. When you’re ready, the chauffeur will take you to Colmar, a small city of almost indescribable beauty. Lunch is at your leisure – we will gladly offer some suggestions – and we want you to have plenty of time to explore Colmar on foot. In addition to your free time, we have arranged for an expert guide to show you the choice highlights, including Petit Venise, Musée Bartholdi, and the Temple St-Matthieu. The medieval streets of Colmar’s old city are lined with dozens of half-timbered houses, numerous boutiques, and, of course, street-side cafes. Many visitors love to get ‘lost’ for an afternoon, so after your VIP tour is finished, why not explore a little yourself.
The evening unfolds at a leisurely pace. Relax in your luxury accommodation – Hotel-Relais & Châteaux – La Maison des Têtes – before a farewell dinner at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Girardin. It’s the perfect setting for your final gala dinner – sumptuous contemporary décor, faultless service, and imaginative, sophisticated cuisine. Run by Marilyn et Eric Girardin (originally from Strasbourg), the restaurant strikes a delicate balance between modernity and tradition. This restaurant’s contrasts, flavor combinations, and ingredient quality are outstanding. We wish you Bon Appétit!
Day 8Colmar - Strasbourg
See you again soon, Au Revoir!
It has been such a pleasure hosting you this week. We hope you’ve enjoyed a rewarding, exciting, and relaxing trip through Alsace’s gastronomic, scenic, and cultural delights. After breakfast, your chauffeur will take you to your final destination in Strasbourg. Bon Voyage!
Genevieve has spent more than 20 years creating private food and wine journeys across Spain, Portugal and France. She regularly visits the regions featured in these collections, meeting with winery, hotel, guide, and restaurant partners and exploring new experiences. She also reviews feedback from Cellar Tours guests. Her role is to help travelers choose the wine region, itinerary style, and pace that best match their interests—not simply the destination with the most famous name.
International flights, travel insurance, personal expenses, optional spa treatments, gratuities and meals or tastings not listed in your itinerary are usually not included unless specifically stated.
All wine visits and tastings are private and pre-arranged for your party.
Yes, 100%. Share mobility considerations, allergies, dietary preferences, and pacing needs early so we can adapt hotels, transport, restaurants, and visits wherever possible.
