Languedoc Private Wine Tour

Your private chauffeur will greet you at Montpellier Airport. Let the adventure begin! Kick off your wine tour in style with some of the most highly revered wines of the Languedoc! Enjoy a private wine tour and tasting at super-exclusive Mas de Daumas Gassac. Vineyards have been planted on this property since the 8th century, during the reign of Charlemagne, though the winery’s history is much more recent. The Guibert family acquired the estate in the early ’70s after falling in love with the historic farmhouse and dreamy setting.

Then head to the gorgeous village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert for a casual bistro lunch with a view and free time to 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 opportunities.

After some fresh air, enjoy a second private wine tour 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 about Monsieur Bru’s “Art of Living” philosophy and taste some fabulous wines.

In the late afternoon, proceed to your comfortable resort—Château Saint Pierre de Serjac. Bienvenue! The resort is a magnificent Château Hotel set on 200 acres, featuring a vineyard, hotel, restaurant, and Cinq Mondes spa. You may want to relax at the hotel spa, go for a swim (indoor or outdoor), or simply settle in and unwind. The on-site restaurant serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine made with freshly sourced, local ingredients. The menu evolves with the seasons, reflecting the finest offerings from nearby markets.

Today, discover the highly rated wines of La Clape, a Languedoc sub-appellation considered among the finest in southern France. The limestone massif of La Clape was still an island in the 13th century and is now a protected natural site. Reds dominate production, but the appellation is also known for distinctive whites built around Bourboulenc.

Your first stop is the elegant Château de la Négly, an esteemed estate in the La Clape massif facing an undeveloped, beautiful stretch of the Mediterranean coastline. Taste their best and most expensive wines on site: complex reds made with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Carignan; a light, airy rosé; and excellent whites like the delicious Falaise Blanche, made with Marsanne, Roussanne, and Bourboulenc.

You’ll be ready for lunch after a morning filled with magnificent landscapes and impeccable wines. An elegant spot under stone arches and crisp white walls awaits you at the two-Michelin-starred La Table Lionel Giraud at Maison Saint-Crescent. You will be treated to a personalized tasting menu tailored to your tastes and dietary requirements, paired with Languedoc wines.

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.

Finally, head to your last wine tasting of the day at Domaine Sarrat de Goundy. This stylish cellar offers an array of wine styles in a convivial setting, with a tasting of the estate’s La Clape wines.

Head back to your resort, then enjoy a free evening.

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 the late 1800s and now accounts for about 10% of the national output. 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 in the salt-rich lagoon “Etang de Thau,” whose super high-quality oysters are in demand from top chefs across Europe and as far away as Asia. Dine on their terrace, where you will enjoy relaxing waterfront views while soaking up the sunshine. A degustation of oysters is in store, along with the famous Tielles de Sète (fishermen’s pie made with spiced octopus) and succulent Brasucade mussels (cooked over charcoal) 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, enjoy another fun activity in Marseillan—tasting France’s finest vermouth at La Maison Noilly Prat. This historic distillery dates back over two hundred years, and its vermouth helped create one of the first martini cocktails, the “Original Dry,” in the early 1900s. At the end of the tour, visit the cellar, learn how vermouth is made (with herbs and spices), and taste the entire 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 shopping or a photo walk. There are many art galleries, sidewalk cafes, and more.

Tonight, back at the resort, enjoy an exceptional food-and-wine pairing dinner at their gastronomic restaurant.

The famous professional ex-rugby player Gérard Bertrand owns and runs the upscale Château l’Hospitalet. Enjoy a fantastic morning and lunch at this beautiful property near the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, including a private vineyard tour and a tasting of its award-winning wines.

Bertrand owns a wide array of properties, including Clos d’Ora, Château la Sauvageonne, Château la Soujeole, 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 in 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 Cité, 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 Guide-recommended restaurant right on-site, or their library bar with an air of Agatha Christie.

After a sumptuous breakfast under the 12th-century castle’s turrets, it’s wine time again! Just over half an hour’s drive from Carcassonne, you will find the vineyards of Minervois-La Livinière, recognized as a separate appellation in 1999.

Your first stop is at Château Maris, one of the principal, most exciting stars in the Languedoc. Like many of the best wine estates in this part of France, they use biodynamic, environmentally friendly, and sustainable winemaking methods. 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, organized nearby at another vineyard just outside the citadel of Carcassonne, the family-owned, friendly O’Vineyards. First, visit the winery with the owner and winemaker, Joe O’Connell, then sit down for a casual, fun lunch with 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, visit the gorgeous Domaine de Baronarques, acquired by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and her children in 1998 and managed by the family company Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. This superb estate in the Limoux appellation features a charming manor house dating back to the late 1800s, lush gardens, and pine trees. The winery and vineyards have benefitted from significant investment and Rothschild family expertise, and this shows in the first-rate wines made here. Visit the celebrated estate and taste refined wines made from a blend of Bordeaux and Mediterranean varietals.

Arrive back in Carcassonne after a half-hour drive, and the evening is yours.

Today, you will visit an area near the Spanish border, 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 on the sparkling Côte Vermeille coast of Roussillon. This historic stone farmhouse with ochre shutters and trendy Nautical décor is only steps from the sea. You will taste eight of their wines, including our fave rosé, outside overlooking the water under a canopy of Mediterranean pine trees and surrounded by grapevines.

Next on this itinerary is one of the loveliest towns: Collioure. This village is famous for its exceptional light, which radiates from the deep blue sea and inspired 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 much 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 in Banyuls-sur-Mer at Clos Castell, a ‘Vigneron Indépendant’ whose cellar at Mas Guillaume is housed within fortified walls dating from the 12th century. Learn all about these idiosyncratic dessert wines on a casual tasting. Then, carry on to your last hotel of the trip, located on its private island. Enjoy a free evening to relax at the spa, the beach, and more.

Enjoy a free morning at the Thalasso Spa and resort facilities. At your preferred time, depart for the airport in Perpignan or Carcassonne, or 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.