Beaujolais Private Food & Wine Tour

Pick up this morning at your hotel in Lyon or Lyon airport and head to the bewitching Beaujolais wine country. The first stop is in Chasselay, just 20 kilometers north of Lyon city. This tiny village is home to the Guy Lassausaie restaurant, where an incredible welcome lunch awaits you.

The current owner and head chef, Guy, is the fourth generation of his family to lead this now 2 Michelin-starred eatery. You will feast on a mouth-watering tasting menu with creations based on typical Lyonnaise dishes with an exotic touch, perfectly paired with exquisite wines. Dishes include Steamed Lobster Marinated in Apple Cider Vinegar, Crunchy Salad with Granny Smith Apple and Fennel, Steamed Sea Bass, Creamy Green Asparagus Soup, and Roasted Veal Fillet and Sweetbread.

After lunch, you will visit some of the most emblematic historic hamlets, such as Anse, Oingt, or Alix. A local guide will lead you through a fantastic walking tour. Anse, historically crucial for defense, is a fascinating medieval town; highlights include the chapel of Saint Cyprian and its modern spire, which, despite only being erected in 2005, fits perfectly with its ancient surroundings. Oingt proudly holds the “Les Plus Beaux Villages” status: narrow cobblestoned streets lined with elegant, golden stone houses and magnificently preserved monuments.

In the early evening, settle into your fairy tale lodgings, Chateau de Bagnols, a member of Relais & Chateaux – a real castle dating back to the 13th century, amid vineyards and forests lined with lavender. This delightful setting will be your romantic abode for this tour, so make yourself at home and explore this wondrous castle. Go for a cycle or horse cart ride among the vines, or stroll around the impeccable gardens before enjoying a glass of wine in the drawing room. Free evening to relax on-site. We have an included dinner here on your last night. So you might just fancy some light nibbles tonight; you won’t be hungry after lunch.

After a leisurely breakfast, your chauffeur will be waiting to take you to Château Thivin. Steeped in history, dating back to the 13th century, you will receive a private VIP tour with friendly hosts Evelyne and Charles Geoffray, who take great pride in sharing their experiences and stellar wines, including Côte de Brouilly, Brouilly, Beaujolais Villages, and Beaujolais rosés from Odenas; some of the most impressive examples of ancient practices, supreme terroir, and modern techniques. These fruity wines will undoubtedly awaken your appetite, and lunch follows at Michelin-starred Auberge de Clochemerle.

Chef Romain Barthe leads the realm here. The pleasure and pride he takes in enhancing the flavors and textures of ‘nature’s gifts,’ as he refers to his raw ingredients, are expressed in each dish. Sit back and relax in the convivial and stylish dining room, or join Romain and his team at the ‘host’s table’ in the kitchen for an enjoyable behind-the-scenes experience.

After lunch, it’s a short 5-minute drive to nearby Salles-Arbuissonas-en-Beaujolais, a charming ancient town that dates back to Palaeolithic times. Some beautifully preserved highlights today include the 10th-century Romanesque cloister built by the Cluny Monks and the 11th-century church with its immaculately preserved original door.

You will then move on to the lovely Domaine de Thulon in Régnié. Family run, husband and wife team Annie and René have further elaborated on their successful holding, expanding from the original 8 hectares to 17, producing award-winning wines, including Beaujolais-Villages Rosé, Beaujolais-Villages Rouge, and Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, White Beaujolais-Villages (Chardonnay) Regnie, Chiroubles, and Morgon-Charms. There is a strong emphasis on organic and biodynamic practices, with the next-generation son and daughter, Laurent and Carine, extremely hands-on in the business. Enjoy a private tour and tasting with your endearing hosts.

Then it’s back to your heavenly château for a free evening; you might like to relax and unwind in the spa.

You are in for a real treat this morning: a private visit to the gorgeous Château de Javernand. Not only is this one of the most picturesque estates in the region, but owner Arthur Fourneau and his friend and business partner Pierre Prost can also be confident that their vines are on some of the best terroirs of Chiroubles. The resulting wines are the definition of finesse. After a stroll around the stunning grounds, your tasting will include their white Macon villages, Chiroubles Vielles Vignes, and the very special Chiroubles Indigene.

Then, it is just over half an hour’s drive to Château de Buffavent, an elegant 16th-century country house surrounded by darling gardens. Admire the luscious vineyards that spread across the rolling hills as far as the eye can see before sitting down to a wine-tasting lunch in the stunning dining room or pretty terrace. Lovingly prepared local delicacies will be perfectly paired with their sumptuous wines.

A digestive walk follows at Mont Brouilly; the striking Notre-Dameaux-Raisins Chapel perched on the top of Mont Brouilly is a must-see if nothing more than the magnificent panoramic views. Reaching nearly 500m above sea level provides the perfect lookout over the Beaujolais wine country. The chapel was built in 1857 to protect the surrounding vineyards and is still a place of pilgrimage today.

We have a magical finale to this idyllic day: sipping wine at the renowned Château de Pizay. Probably one of the oldest and most famous estates, and now a beautiful hotel, you can wander around the immaculate gardens and relax on the terrace with a glass or two of their finest – santé!

A free evening back at your hotel or a taxi ride out with our suggestions.

This morning, you will visit the esteemed Château des Jacques, steeped in viticultural history and regarded as a top Beaujolais producer for many years. Further improvements and innovation have enhanced this stature under the ownership of Louis Jadot and winemaker Guillaume de Castelnau, who has been at the helm since 1996. Dense, concentrated, structured, and capable of aging – honestly, among the most majestic Beaujolais on the market. After such a scrumptious tasting, you will be ready for lunch.

Today, your table awaits at Japanese/French fusion Michelin-starred restaurant Au 14 Fevrier – real art on a plate. The tasting menu is spectacular, each dish building on the “wow factor.” Such mouth-watering delights might include: ‘Grilled scallops with a smooth egg yolk sauce scented with white truffle’ or ‘Pan-seared duck foie gras wrapped in a red pepper crepe with fennel and mushrooms à la crème.

Château de Juliénas is on the agenda this afternoon. Rich in winemaking heritage dating back to the 14th century and now encompassing over 40 hectares of vineyards in Juliénas, Fleurie, and Moulin-à-Vent, it stands as the largest independent estate in Juliénas. You will receive a VIP greeting from hosts Thierry or Aurélia, followed by a fascinating tour taking in the authentic 18th-century cellars and concluding with a tasting of some of their superior liquids.

Then it’s back to your Château to freshen up for your farewell dinner at the remarkable Le 1217 on-site restaurant. There is something quite special about the contrast of the intricately detailed, ancient stone walls and creative dishes served to you. The perfect harmony of exceptional ingredients is lovingly prepared and served in the most beautiful setting, complemented by superb wines!

This morning, you will have time to visit one more estate, the utterly delightful Chateau de Bellevue, for a private tour and tasting. This quaint 19th-century stately home has the prettiest gardens from which you can look out over the village of Villié-Morgon. The tour will take in the impressive vatting room and cellars and finish with a tasting, including Château de Bellevue-Morgon, as well as choice wines from their other estates in Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, and Saint-Amour.

Lunch follows at Les Platanes de Chénas, offering a delicious farmhouse meal with a gorgeous view. Relax and savor the tasty regional dishes while admiring the stunning landscape from the tree-sheltered terrace.
After a long, leisurely lunch, head back into Lyon for drop-off at your hotel or the next port of call.