Discover the diverse terroir of Côtes du Rhône wine of the beautiful Rhône River Valley wine region featuring Lyon and Avignon with one of Chicago’s leading wine experts, Jim Bryant.
We meet in Lyon and enjoy a walking tour of the historical city center. Before checking into the 5-star Intercontinental hotel. Meet your fellow travelers for a cocktail toast. The following days we explore up to 17 select wineries with private tastings lunches with wine pairings and gourmet dinners!
Tour Highlights:
This tour is followed by the
2025 Mediterranean Crystal Food & Wine Cruise.
You may partake in one or both of these incredible experiences!
Wine Tour Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to changes and substitutions of similar or enhanced elements.
Depart the United States on September 8, 2025
Day 1: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 (Lyon)
- Meet the group directly at the hotel in Lyon – Check into your 5-star hotel InterContinental Lyon
- Afternoon walking tour of the historical city center of Lyon – Back to your hotel
- Welcome cocktail at your hotel followed by dinner in a private salon – your guide will present you with your itinerary
- Overnight in Lyon
Day 2: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (Lyon)
- Breakfast at the hotel – Meet your guide in the lobby and board your private coach
- 10:00 AM – start your day with a visit atGuigal . Start your experience with a visit to the museum at your own pace followed by a commented tasting of 4 references from their most prestigious Rhône Valley appellations
- Lunch at a restaurant which holds a cellar with over 600 references on the wine list
- Afternoon visit at the domaine Pierre Rostaing
- Second possible visit and tasting at the Domaine Degache Frères
- Back to the hotel- time to refresh
- Meet your guide in the lobby and board your private coach
- 6:30 pm Board your private boat and cruise on the Saône river
- Disembark in front of Paul Bocuse famous restaurant
- Dinner at the restaurant – Back on your coach and transfer to your hotel
- Overnight in Lyon
Day 3: Thursday, September 11, 2025 (Lyon)
- Breakfast at the hotel – Meet your guide in the lobby and board your private coach
- 8:00am Transfer to Burgundy
- Meet your expert local guide upon arrival
- Full day with visit of 2 wineries
- Lunch at local restaurant or vineyard – Back to the hotel
- Dinner at leisure – Overnight in Lyon
Day 4: Friday, September 12, 2025 (Lyon)
- Breakfast at the hotel – Meet your guide in the lobby and board your private coach
- Morning visit and tasting atChapoutier
- Lunch atChapoutier for a wine pairing meal
- Afternoon visit and tasting Delas frères domain
- Back on your coach and transfer to your hotel
- Dinner at leisure – Overnight in Lyon
Day 5: Saturday, September 13, 2025 (Lyon to Avignon)
- Breakfast at the hotel – Meet your tour guide in the lobby and board your private coach
- Drive to the domaine Auguste Clape for a visit and tasting
- Lunch at leisure on route
- Afternoon visit and tasting at Domaine Gourt de Mautens – Jerome Bressy
- Drive to your 5-star Hotel d’Europe
- Dinner at the hotel Michelin-starred restaurant – Overnight in Avignon
Day 6: Sunday, September 14, 2025 (Avignon)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Meet your tour guide in the lobby and board your private coach
- Morning visit and tasting at the domaine du Pegau
- Continue on to le Clos des Papes for a visit and tasting
- Lunch at a restaurant in Châteauneuf du Pape
- Minivan service at disposal for the afternoon
- Afternoon visit at Château La Nerthe for a visit and tasting
- Extra visit of the day: Domaine Vieux Télégraphe for a visit and tasting
- Dinner at leisure – Overnight in Avignon
Day 7: Monday, September 15, 2025 (Gigondas)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Meet your tour guide in the lobby
- Day in Gigondas
- Morning visit and tasting at the Chateau de Beaucastel
- Continue on to the Caveau du Gigondas
- Lunch at L’oustalet restaurant
- Minivan service at disposal for the afternoon
- Afternoon visit and tasting at Chateau de Saint Cosme – Drive back to the hotel
- Dinner at leisure – Overnight in Avignon
Day 8: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 (Courthézon)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Meet your tour guide in the lobby and board the private coach
- Morning visit and tasting at the Chateau Rayas
- Continue on to Le Clos du Caillou for a visit and tasting
- Lunch at a restaurant in Courthézon – Back to the hotel
- Farewell dinner at the hotel Michelin-starred restaurant – Overnight in Avignon
Day 9: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 (Depart to Monaco)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check-out
- Transfer to Monaco
- Farewell Lunch at the Chevre d’Or – Les Remparts restaurant
- Drop off at Monaco pier
About Our Host
Barrington resident Jim Bryant is pursuing his passion and love of wine as an international wine consultant.
This follows a 30-year career in senior financial and general management positions at two Fortune 100 companies.
He writes a bi-monthly article called “Down Cellar with Jim Bryant” for Quintessential Barrington.
Jim has hosted Travelex International’s series of wine cruises and land tours for many years.
