Burgundy Wine Tour

UNVEILING YOUR CUSTOMIZED BURGUNDY ADVENTURE: EXPLORE YOUR TAILORED ITINERARY

1. Beaune

   

   Welcome to Burgundy, Bienvenue

   • 5* Elegant, small hotel in historic Beaune
   • Dinner with wines
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   This morning, you will start your tour in Beaune. Arrive by train, or our chauffeur can collect you and drive you to your 5-star Hotel Le Cep. After check in, take some time to relax and get settled in. You will find your welcome pack in your room, including your personalized keepsake itinerary and a hand-selected bottle of wine. Enjoy a treatment at the onsite Spa Marie de Bourgogne; we highly recommend the “Balneotherapy,” 130 water jets of variable intensity designed to simulate blood circulation, just the thing after a long journey. Welcome to Burgundy! This afternoon, you will kick off the wine tour with a fun private wine masterclass at the L’ École des Vins de Bourgogne.

   Enjoy an introduction to the complexities and history of Burgundy’s wine. After the French Revolution in 1789, the vineyards were seized from the church and aristocracy. They were then broken up into smaller holdings and further divided into smaller parcels due to new inheritance laws. A network of Négociants (brokers) emerged, and they became specialized in selling wine from tiny, very localized areas. They are still an essential part of the Burgundy wine business today. Your wine expert will guide you through Burgundy’s integrities, providing you with a solid base for the upcoming region tour.

   After an entertaining and insightful tasting, relax at your hotel or walk through the beautiful Beaune. Enclosed by a 13th-century wall, Vieux Beaune is a visual treat, with quaint narrow streets, timber façades, and effortlessly charming bakeries, wine bars, and pâtisseries.

   Your welcome dinner tonight is at the Michelin-starred Le Benaton. Enjoy creative cuisine and a selection of local wines, with over 400 wines on their list, in their pretty stone dining room or the Italian-style garden courtyard, weather permitting.

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2. Beaune

   

   Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy

   • 5* Elegant, small hotel in historic Beaune
   • Full Breakfast, Lunch with wines
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Start the day with a private tour and tasting at the iconic, family-run négociant Joseph Drouhin. Visit their beautiful cellar in the historic Duke of Burgundy’s Parliament building, built over 2,000 years ago by the Romans — here in a private setting, you will taste 6 (of their 60) fine wines.

   Lunch will then be light at the convivial Maison de Maurice wine bar. Here, you will taste a range of Burgundy wines paired with local cheese, charcuterie, terrine, quiche, and small bites.

   After lunch, you’ll enjoy fresh air, explore remarkable architecture, and explore history. You will rendezvous with your local expert guide and explore the emblematic Hospices de Beaune (also known as the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune). It was built in the 1400s during Burgundy’s Golden Age as a spectacular jewel box beautiful hospital for the poor. Indeed, it was a functioning hospital up until the early 1970s. It hosts the now-legendary wine auction every November; a tradition started in the 1860s to raise money for charity and celebrate the new vintage from the property’s vineyards.

   Your guide will take you through the fascinating history and the wide range of rooms and halls on site, like the old pharmacy and laboratory, the collection of Flemish tapestries, and more. After an insightful visit, enjoy a pleasant walk with your guide to your next Burgundy wine tasting at the highly esteemed Bouchard Père et Fils in the gorgeous Château de Beaune.

   En route, you might pop into the Fallot Dijon mustard shop and mill. La Moutarderie Fallot is a historic Burgundian family business, trading since the 1840s in the original building, and they still make their mustard with traditional stone grinders. Their “Pain d’epices” (gingerbread mustard) is astonishingly delicious! Pick up some goodies here.

   Continue with one last captivating private wine tour and tasting at Bouchard Père & Fils. Founded in 1731 in Beaune by Michel Bouchard, it boasts a rich legacy spanning nearly three centuries and nine generations. Beneath the property, extensive cellars reach depths of up to 10 meters, providing ideal natural storage conditions for Bouchard Père & Fils’ exceptional wines. Within these cellars lies a unique collection of over 2,000 bottles dating back to the 19th century, including the oldest and most treasured wine, a Meursault Charmes 1846. You’ll enjoy a VIP tasting of a selection of their wines, though, unfortunately, not including the 1846.

   The rest of the early evening is yours in the chocolate-box pretty Beaune. Check out your keepsake itinerary for local dining suggestions, and the hotel concierge will help you with any reservations.

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3. Beaune- Côte de Beaune- Chassagne-Montrachet

   

   Côte de Beaune, Chardonnay Paradise

   • Private Château
   • Full Breakfast, Lunch with wines
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   After breakfast, you will hit the road this morning for the legendary “Route des Grands Crus” that winds through the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune; fine wines are in store. The first stop is at Henri de Villamont, a local wine legend. The property is exceptional, with a beautiful house and vineyard-terraced hillside. Taste both whites and reds from this excellent property.

   Your next appointment will be at the beautiful Domaine Comte Senard in Aloxe-Corton. First, visit their 14th-century stunning cellar before sitting down to a relaxed wine-tasting lunch of classic cooking in their bright and cheery dining room.

   After lunch, the next stop is an architecturally intriguing wine château—the captivating Château de Meursault, boasting an astonishing 1,000 years of history, a claim that few estates can make! The wines produced here are mid-level and refreshing, but the object of this visit is to breathe in the history and admire the property’s beauty, as there are few like this in Burgundy. Enjoy a private tour of the magnificent Cistercian wine cellars and conclude with a Grand Terroir Tasting of their finest crus.

   In the late afternoon, check in to the beautiful Château de Chassagne-Montrachet, where you’ll have exclusive use of the Château. What a treat. Relax and settle in. You will sleep in a magical vineyard tonight! We’ve arranged dinner for you this evening at the popular local restaurant Aupres du Clocher in nearby Pommard, known for its incredible wine list.

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4. Côte de Nuits – Dijon

   

   Côte de Nuits & Clos de Vougeot

   • 5* Boutique hotel in Downtown Dijon
   • Full Breakfast, Lunch with wines, Dinner with wines
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Today, you have a later start to take advantage of the lovely grounds and Château. You can go for a bike ride or a jog in the vines, check out a contemporary art exhibition, shoot a game of pool, or relax over coffee and a book. At 11 a.m., you will enjoy an on-site private cellar tour and a wine-tasting lunch at the beautiful Château de Chassagne-Montrachet. You will be captivated by the striking cellars dating back to the 11th century.

   After lunch, transfer to the captivating Château du Clos de Vougeot, where you will have some free time to wander around the vines and museum, take photos, and enjoy the panorama. Remarkably, the walled 50-hectare vineyard, founded in the 12th century by the monks of Citeaux, is divided among 80 owners! The storied and much loved Château was also built for the monks (to house them and their wine cellar and press) and is now home to the Chevaliers du Tastevin- rock stars in the wine world.

   Next in store is a private tour and tasting at Château de La Tour in Vougeot, whose parcel in the grand cru Clos de Vougeot is considered one of the best. Enjoy it!

   Then head to the ancient capital of the Dukes of Burgundy—lovely Dijon—in the early evening. Lively Dijon is a beautiful cosmopolitan city with a postcard-pretty medieval core. Renaissance mansions and darling half-timbered houses make up most of the historic center. Chic shops, historic pharmacies, bakeries, and many artisan mustard makers line the cobblestoned back streets. Convivial bistros and Michelin-starred gourmet shrines grace the town, and you are spoiled for choice when it comes to winning and dining. Check in to your boutique hotel, La Cloche, and enjoy some free time to relax and rest.

   Dinner tonight is a gourmet extravaganza at Two Michelin-starred l’Hostellerie du Chapeau Rouge under the leadership of Chef Willian Fachot. You will feast on a personalized tasting menu, including dishes like Bream from the river Saône; Pike dumplings with Aquitaine caviar; and Veal sweetbreads with Flavigny anise, all paired expertly by the restaurant sommelier.

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5. Dijon- Côte de Nuits- Dijon

   

   Best of Côte de Nuits

   • 5* Boutique hotel in Downtown Dijon
   • Full Breakfast, Lunch with wines
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   After a delicious breakfast, meet your driver this morning and head to the leading premium estate, Domaine de la Vougeraie, in Premeaux-Prissey, adjacent to the picturesque Nuits St Georges. At the helm is Jean-Charles Boisset, a staunch supporter of biodynamics. He is convinced that only living soils can provide vines with the necessary nutrients to produce top-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This ambitious domaine encompasses almost 42 hectares of vineyards and produces a wide range of wines from 36 different appellations. You will have the opportunity to taste some of their finest selections.

   Next, embark on another private tour and wine tasting at Domaine Rene Leclerc in Gevrey-Chambertin. Highly praised by Robert Parker, this small, high-end winery produces exceptional wines, such as their old-vine Rene Leclerc Clos Prieur and their cellar-worthy Premier Cru Les Lavaux-St-Jacques. You’ll taste various wines and engage in a lively conversation with your effervescent hosts.

   After a delightful morning of wine tasting, you’ll be ready for a relaxed and cozy lunch experience at Domaine Trapet. You’ll dine ‘table d’hôte’ style, enjoying soul-warming Boeuf Bourguignon paired with estate wines. The venue radiates charm, featuring a cozy ambiance complete with a large open fireplace, wooden-beamed ceilings, modern furnishings, and French windows that offer picturesque views of the garden.

   In the afternoon, head to Marsannay for your final wine tour of the Côte d’Or at Château de Marsannay. A vertical tasting will be specially organized for you, featuring a refreshing rosé considered one of the best in France—perfect for late afternoon when your palate may be more saturated.

   To conclude the day, you’ll enjoy a scenic, short drive back to Dijon in the early evening and have some free time. Dinner is at your discretion tonight, but we will provide tips on where to dine in Dijon.

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6. Dijon- Chablis-Vézelay- Dijon

   

   Chablis, Vézelay and Hot Air Balloon over Vines

   • 5* Boutique hotel in Downtown Dijon
   • Full Breakfast, Lunch with wines
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Chablis is the most northern sub-region of Burgundy and is known for its elegantly mineral-rich Chardonnays. You will visit two of the best, most sought-after wine estates: Domaine Laroche and William Fevre. It’s a 90-minute drive northwest to Chablis, so sit back and either rest your eyes or engage in friendly conversation with your charming chauffeur. You will arrive by 10:30 a.m. at your first destination: Fevre.

   The Chablis crafted at Fevre is quite irresistible! The quality of their hospitality is renowned; you’re sure to feel very welcome and learn all about the region: sample flagship wines and special varieties like the Grand Cru Les Preuses or the Premier Cru Vaillons.

   Before lunch, stop at the stunning Domaine Laroche for a relaxed tasting and a vineyard tour. The winery excels in exceptional craftsmanship, producing high-quality Chardonnay wines. It seamlessly blends traditional winemaking techniques with modern innovations to create complex and elegantly balanced wines.

   For lunch, you’ll dine at the iconic Au Fil du Zinc, a gastronomic haven nestled among vineyards in the picturesque heart of Chablis. Housed in a 12th-century water mill, the restaurant features a dining room with exposed stone walls and original wooden beams, while the terrace offers views of the Grand Cru vineyards. Head chef Mathieu Sagardoytho will prepare a tasting menu exclusively designed for you, featuring dishes like Smoked trout, Cèpe mushrooms, figs, and beetroots; Pork seasoned with Vaudouvan (French curry), Savoy cabbage, wild mushrooms, and winkles (shellfish), all complemented by excellent wines.

   As you journey back to Dijon, you have two more memorable experiences. First, visit the hilltop hamlet of Vézelay, one of Burgundy’s most enchanting locales. Its Benedictine abbey, dating back to the 9th century, houses the relics of St. Mary Magdalene and is situated along the pilgrim’s route. The basilica is exquisite and is a UNESCO-protected site. You’ll have some free time here to explore the charming local shops or perhaps take a guided mini-tour of the abbey’s historic art (optional).

   Before returning to Dijon, another highlight awaits a balloon ride over the peaceful countryside and crisscrossed vineyards. Upon landing, celebrate with a toast of bubbly—a truly thrilling experience! The evening is yours to relish—choose to dine at our recommended gourmet restaurants in Dijon or enjoy an optional evening activity such as a nightcap wine tasting (booking required).

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7. Dijon

   

   Market & Cooking in Delightful Dijon

   • 5* Boutique hotel in Dijon
   • Full Breakfast, Cooking Class Lunch with wine, Dinner with wines
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   This morning, you have a fun culinary treat in store: a private guided tour of the 19th-century Les Halles market led by your host for the morning, Chef Pierre. Together, you will explore the food market designed by Gustave Éiffel (think Éiffel Tower in Paris). The displays of fresh produce are incredible, and the aromas of pungent cheeses, ripe fruits, and freshly baked bread will have you salivating. Under Pierre’s expert guidance, you will select your ingredients for your upcoming cooking class and carry on to an elegant nearby flat where you prepare and cook a three-course meal together, sipping wine and enjoying funny tales of local gastro folklore. Then sit down and enjoy lunch with your chef, savoring the fruit of your efforts—accompanied by beautifully paired wines!

   After lunch, in the late afternoon, enjoy a leisurely, digestive walk through the charming streets of Dijon. Your guide for this segment, a local art historian, will show you the best of what Dijon has to offer. A visit to the Burgundy Museum—choose between Musée de la Bourgogne or Musée des Beaux-Arts— is fascinating. Your guide will regale you with amusing anecdotes and intriguing historical facts unique to the region. Stop and make a wish on the tiny stone owl carved on the exterior of the beautiful Église Notre-Dame. Legend has it that good luck will come your way if you give the owl a little rub with your left hand. Next, your guide will take you up the 15th-century Tour Philippe le Bon in the Palais des Ducs (just over 300 steps), and you can enjoy dramatic views over magical Dijon from the top.

   Dinner tonight will be a relaxed and cozy affair at the wine lovers’ haunt, Dr. Wine. Enjoy light dishes like basil-marinated shrimp with lemon cream, thyme-scented roast baby lamb chops, and cherry Clafoutis, with wines from Chassagne-Montrachet and Chambolle-Musigny.

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8. Dijon

   

   Au Revoir La Bourgogne!

   • None
   • Full Breakfast
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   This morning (or afternoon, check out is at noon), at your preferred time, your chauffeur will transfer you to your next port of call, such as the Dijon train station. We hope you had the time of your life on this enchanting journey through the Burgundian wine country!

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