Explore the Languedoc, France's wildest and most undiscovered wine region, on this unforgettable, private luxury tour
The vast, Southern French region of Languedoc is known for its epic scenery, striking Cathar castles, medieval towns, and its rich Unesco world heritage. It is also one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for wine lovers. And with 320 days of sunshine per year and almost 300 wines rated over 90 points by the Wine Advocate, Languedoc is a sensational destination for wine tasting vacations year-round.
Stretching from ethereal Provence in the East to the Spanish border and Pyrenees in the west, coastal Languedoc forms part of the greater French region of Occitanie. Wine has been made here since the Ancient Greeks planted vines here in the 6th century BC. The Romans continued on with commercial wine production, particularly around their base in Narbonne and exported wine all along the Eastern Mediterranean. The “Narbonnaise” wine gained status as a high-quality source of wine for Ancient Rome. Today it is France’s largest wine region with over 300,000 hectares under vine. Languedoc is one of the most dynamic wine regions in Europe, with many famous “flying winemakers” from New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and beyond all bringing their international experience and fresh ideas.
We have designed this unforgettable private wine tour to showcase the best of the Languedoc’s wine estates, charming towns, picturesque coastal villages, gourmet temples, and secret gems. Your wine escapade begins in Montpellier, where your private chauffeur will sweep you away and head to Languedoc’s most prestigious fine wine estates over the coming week. Learn about the region’s diverse wine appellations like Minervois, Corbières, Saint-Chinian, Limoux, and more. Visit icon wine properties like Mas de Daumas Gassac (trailblazers making IGT wines), Château de la Négly, and Château l’ Hospitalet. Taste quirky wines at boutique properties such as Château Maris, Domaine Sarrat de Goundy, and stunning Les Clos de Paulilles, right on the beach.
Stroll along evocative, cobblestoned streets in Montpellier, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, and of course, fairy tale Carcassonne. Enjoy convivial meals on sun-drenched terraces on the sparkling coast. Savor local delicacies like tangy Oysters from Etang de Thau, Sète Monkfish Bourride (a mouthwatering seafood stew), silky Cévennes Goats’ Cheese, and hearty Cassoulet. And the best part? You will stay in luxurious French Château hotels along the way, just utterly romantic. Contact us for more info on this memorable, food and wine-themed vacation in the delightful Languedoc!
Languedoc Wine Tour Highlights:
- Private luxury Food & wine tour of the Languedoc
- VIP Wine Tastings and Cellar Tours
- Chauffeured Mercedes & professional driver guide
- Visit medieval villages, dreamy coastal hamlets, wild valleys
- Private boat trip and oyster experience
- Michelin starred destination dining and Chic French Bistros
Below is a suggested Itinerary for your private Languedoc Wine Tour
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Montpellier- Aniane- Saint-Drézéry- Puissalicon
Bienvenue! Arrive Montpellier, Mythical wines of Mas de Daumas Gassac
Château Saint Pierre de Serjac - Luxury Château Saint Pierre de Serjac, Puissalicon
- Bistro lunch with a river view
- Private Mercedes with Chauffeur
Arrive Montpellier (airport, hotel, train station), and your private chauffeur will pick you up, let the adventure begin! Kick-off your wine tour in style, with some of the most highly revered wines of the Languedoc! You will enjoy a private wine tour and tasting at super-exclusive Mas de Daumas Gassac. Great vineyards have been planted on this property since the 8th century, during the reign of Charlemagne, although the winery’s history is much more recent. The Guibert family acquired the estate in the early ’70s when they fell in love with the historic farmhouse and the dreamy setting.
Then head to the gorgeous village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert for a casual bistro lunch with a view and free time for a wander. This medieval, riverside jewel built around a 9th century Benedictine Abbey is one of France’s most beautiful hamlets. It is also an official stop on the Camino de Santiago (Saint James Way). You will find quirky shops and plenty of photo ops.
After some fresh air, you will fit in a second private wine tour experience this afternoon at Château Puech-Haut. This premium Languedoc estate is owned by the larger than life wine world personality, Gérard Bru. You will learn all about Monsieur Bru’s “Art of Living” philosophy and taste some fabulous wines. In the late afternoon, head on to your comfortable resort- Château Saint Pierre de Serjac. Bienvenue! You might like to relax at the spa, go for a swim (indoor or outdoor), or just settle in and unwind. There is a great restaurant, onsite.
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Puissalicon- Fleury d'Aude- Narbonne- Armissan
Wines of La Clape & Two Michelin Starred Lunch
Château de la Négly - Luxury Château Saint Pierre de Serjac, Puissalicon
- Full Breakfast, Michelin starred Lunch
- Private Mercedes with Chauffeur
Today you will discover the highly rated wines of the La Clape, a Languedoc sub-appellation considered to be one of the finest in the south of France. La Clape is amazingly a World Heritage site that used to be an island during Ancient Gallo Roman times. Indeed the sandy soils here attribute to the finesse of the wines. Unusually this area is equally well known for white and red wines. Your first stop is at the elegant Château de la Négly, an esteemed estate located in La Clape massif facing an undeveloped and beautiful part of the Mediterranean coastline. Taste their best and most expensive wines in situ: their complex reds made with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan; their light and airy rosé; and their excellent whites like the delicious Falaise Blanche, made with Marsanne, Roussanne, and Bourboulenc.
After a morning of magnificent landscapes and impeccable wines, you will be ready for lunch! An elegant spot under the stone arches and crisp white walls will be waiting for you at 2 Michelin starred La Table Saint-Crescent. You will be pampered with a tasting menu and Languedoc wine pairings.
Then it is five minutes to the beautiful 13th-century Gothic Cathedral of Narbonne where you can visit or grab some photos of this outstanding architectural marvel. And then finally it is on to your last wine tasting of the day at Domaine Sarrat de Goundy. This very stylish cellar offers an array of wine styles in a convivial setting and finishes the day on a sweet note with their Banyuls Blanc. Head back to your resort then and free evening.
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Puissalicon- Marseillan- Sète
Oyster Experience & Boat, Noilly Prat Vermouth, Picturesque Sète
Delicious Bouzigues oysters in Marseillan - Luxury Château Saint Pierre de Serjac, Puissalicon
- Full Breakfast, Seafood lunch and Gourmet Dinner, all with wine pairings
- Private Mercedes with Chauffeur
Oyster lovers, you have a truly unforgettable day ahead! Your driver-guide will sweep you away to the darling little village of Marseillan, where you will board a local boat and learn all about the local Bouzigues oyster production. Oyster and mussel farming began commercially in this area in the late 1800s and now accounts for about 10% of national production. Your captain will entertain you with anecdotes and fun facts, and your mouth will be watering by the time you get back to shore. Lunch is at the mythical Tarbouriech oyster shack right in the salt-rich lagoon “Etang de Thau” whose super high-quality oysters are in demand by top chefs around Europe and as far away as Asia. Dine on their terrace where you will take in relaxing views of the waterfront while soaking up the sunshine. A degustation of oysters is in store, of course, along with the famous Tielles de Sète (fishermen’s pie made with spiced octopus) and succulent, Brasucade mussels (cooked over charcoals) with their garlicky house sauce. The seafood feast will be accompanied by the delightful local wine, Picpoul de Pinet- nothing else will do!
After this special oyster extravaganza, you have another fun activity right in Marseillan- a tasting of France’s finest vermouth at La Maison Noilly Prat. This historic distillery dates back over two hundred years, and their vermouth was used to create one of the first martini cocktails, the “Original Dry” back in the early 1900s. Visit the cellar and, at the end of the tour, learn how vermouth is made (with herbs and spices) and taste the full range.
Round off your afternoon with a lazy stroll around the picturesque old port of Sète with its colorful houses and fishing boats. Free time for a little shopping or a photo walk. There are many art galleries here, sidewalk cafes, etc. Tonight back at the resort, you will delight in an exceptional food and wine pairing dinner in their gastronomic restaurant.
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Puissalicon- Narbonne Plage- Carcassonne
Château l' Hospitalet and Dreamy Carcassonne
Château l' Hospitalet vineyards - 5*Hotel de la Cite, Carcassonne
- Full breakfast, Château estate lunch with wine flight
- Private Mercedes with Chauffeur
The famous, professional ex-rugby player Gérard Bertrand is the owner and winemaker of the upscale Château l’ Hospitalet empire. You can look forward to a fantastic morning and lunch here at this beautiful property near the turquoise Mediterranean sea, including a private vineyard tour and tasting of their award-winning wines. Bertrand owns a wide array of properties including Clos d’Ora, Château la Sauvageonne, Château la Soujeole, Clos d’Ora, Clos du Temple, Château Les Karantes, Château Aigues-Vives, Château de Tarailhan and the Estagnère Estate. You will have a chance to taste some of their best wine samplings on a fun workshop while learning about their Biodynamic and Organic farming philosophy. A tasting menu lunch will follow at their bright and cheery l’Art de Vivre gourmet restaurant, with a farm to table concept- all served with a wine flight of their diverse wines.
After a morning of wining and dining, you might recline back in the comfy Mercedes and have a little snooze on the drive to Carcassonne. On arrival, your chauffeur will help you get settled into your next hotel, the magical Hotel de la Cite, set right in the medieval heart of this fortress hamlet. Featured in countless films, this is simply one of the most romantic hotels to stay in France and will create memories to last a lifetime. Free afternoon and evening to explore this medieval gem on your own and enjoy your luxury hotel’s facilities like their Cinq Mondes spa, swimming pool, Michelin starred restaurant right on-site, or their library bar with an air of Agatha Christie.
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Carcassonne - La Livinière- Saint-Polycarpe
Minervois Cru and Limoux wine tour at Rothschild Estate
Domaine de Baronarques - 5*Hotel de la Cite, Carcassonne
- Full breakfast, Casual winery lunch with estate bottlings
- Private Mercedes with Chauffeur
After a sumptuous breakfast under the 12th-century castle’s turrets, it’s wine time again! Just over half an hour’s drive of Carcassonne, you will find the vineyards of La Livinière, the first “Cru Classe” of the Minervois appellation. Your first stop is at Château Maris, one of the major, most exciting stars in the Languedoc. As with many of the best wine estates in this part of France, they employ biodynamic, environmentally friendly, and sustainable methods in their winemaking. Learn about their passionate beliefs and taste excellent examples of their lauded wines, including rich single grape Syrah, delicate white made with Grenache Gris, and their sexy rosé whimsically named “Blushing Nymphe.”
You will be ready for lunch by now, which will be organized nearby at another vineyard just outside the citadel of Carcassonne, the family-owned, friendly O’Vineyards. Visit the winery with the owner winemaker Joe O’Connell himself first and then sit down to a casual, fun lunch prepared by owner Liz. This estate is extraordinary, with sublime views of the Black Mountains and the Pyrenees, and the atmosphere is pure joy.
In the afternoon, then, visit the gorgeous Domaine de Baronarques, run by Baron Philippe de Rothschild. This superb estate in the Limoux appellation features a bewitching manor house dating back to the late 1800s, lush gardens, and pine trees. The winery and vineyards have benefitted from significant investment and expertise by the Rothschild family (who also own Château Mouton Rothschild, Opus One Winery, and Viña Almaviva) and this shows in the first-rate wines made here. You will have the opportunity to visit the celebrated estate and taste their refined wines made with a blend of Bordeaux and Mediterranean varietals.
Arrive back in Carcassone after a half-hour drive, and the evening is yours.
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Carcassonne - Port-Vendres- Collioure- Banyuls- Saint-Cyprien
Artist's Collioure and Banyuls
Beautiful port town of Collioure - 5* Relais et Châteaux Thalasso & Spa Ile de la Lagune, Saint-Cyprien-Plage
- Full breakfast, Michelin starred tasting menu lunch with wine pairings
- Private Mercedes with Chauffeur
You will be visiting an area near the Spanish border today, famous for its pastel-colored seaside hamlets that have long attracted artists, and pristine coastal scenery. The drive is a little longer, so start earlier today, sit back and relax. Your first stop is at the spectacularly situated Les Clos de Paulilles located on the sparkling Côte Vermeille coast of Roussillon. This historic stone farmhouse with ochre shutters and trendy, Nautical décor is found only steps from the sea. You will taste eight of their wines, including our fave, their rosé, outside overlooking the sea under a canopy of Mediterranean pine trees, and surrounded by grapevines.
One of the loveliest towns included in this itinerary is next- Collioure. This village is famous for its exceptional light, which radiates from the deep blue sea here, which led to an art movement called the “ Fauvist Mouvement.” Many artists have lived and worked here, including Georges Braque, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Tsuguharu Fujita. You can see many of Collioure’s landmarks immortalized in their paintings such as the 17th-century Notre-Dame-des-Anges (once a lighthouse, and now the dominant, beautiful structure on the skyline here), the medieval Château Royal de Collioure with its rugged, dramatic coastal vistas, the 14th century Moulin de Collioure and so many more. You have a major treat next- a gourmet Michelin starred lunch in the most beautiful setting right over the half moon bay, the shore, and the hamlet of Collioure at La Balette. Bliss.
End your afternoon on a sweet note at Banyuls- sur-Mer at Clos Castell, a “Vigneron Indépendant” whose wine estate includes a partially renovated medieval castle. Learn all about these idiosyncratic dessert wines on a casual tasting. Then carry on to your last hotel of the trip, which is located on its private island. Free evening to enjoy the spa facilities, the beach, etc.
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Saint-Cyprien-Plage- Perpignan or Carcassonne airport
Au Revoir! Spa time and safe journey onward
See you again soon, Au Revoir! - None
- Breakfast
- Private Mercedes with Chauffeur
Free morning to enjoy the Thalasso Spa and resort facilities. At your preferred time, departure for the airport in Perpignan or Carcassonne, or indeed your next port of call.
We hope you have had the food and wine journey of a lifetime on this route through the Languedoc, the “undiscovered” Riviera.