Circuit Vignobles et Découvertes en vallée du Rhône

Description

Whether you're a wine lover or just a bon vivant...this is the holiday for you! The Ardèche opens the doors of its cellars and vineyards to meet passionate winegrowers. To promote this incredible oenological heritage, the "Vignobles & Découvertes" label has been awarded to three regions: "De Cornas en Saint-Péray", "D'Hermitage en Saint-Joseph" and "Vignobles Sud Ardèche". We invite you to discover each of them in turn.
3 days for a complete panorama of the richness of Ardèche wines: from Côtes du Rhône Grands Crus to IGP Ardèche. 3 days to feast your eyes and taste buds!

Day 1: Tournon-sur-Rhône- Saint-Péray- 15 km
Start your tour with a visit to the prestigious crus Saint-Joseph, Crozes Hermitage and Hermitage. Take the time to visit Tournon castle, its quays and its historic center, where you'll enjoy a pleasant stroll, before driving along the panoramic route (via the Route de Pierre), which offers some of the finest views of the terraced vineyards (including the famous Colline de l'Hermitage) and the Rhône Valley. Continue on to Saint-Romain-de-Lerps and don't miss the Belvédère du pic with its 360-degree view, where on a clear day you can see Mont-Blanc, Vercors and Gerbier. Then head back up via the D86 to discover another Côtes du Rhône grand cru, the AOC Saint-Péray and its still and sparkling white wines. For a closer look at this winegrowing heritage, you'll be spoilt for choice with the many vineyard tours on offer in these appellations: on foot, electric bike, gyropod, kubelwagen?

Day 2: Saint-Péray- Viviers- 61 km
This second day continues with a visit to Château de Crussol. Further on, stop off at Soyons, with its caves and leaning tower. The only vestige of medieval fortifications, it offers a magnificent view over the Rhone Valley vineyards. You then leave the territory of the crus to enter the vineyards of the Sud Ardèche and its wines with southern accents. Make your first stop at Cruas to visit its abbey church, a jewel of Romanesque art in the Ardèche. Continue on to Rochemaure, where you'll discover the Himalayan footbridge built in 1858 and restored in 2003, and the château overlooking the Rhône valley from the top of its neck, ideal for a picnic break!

In the afternoon, discover the origins of vine-growing with a visit to the ancient Gallo-Roman city of Alba-la-Romaine, capital of the Helvian people over 2,000 years ago. Numerous remains discovered under the vines attest to the importance of the wine trade. The name "Vallis vinaria", meaning "wine valley", which later gave rise to the name of Valvignères, a wine-growing commune near Alba, bears witness to this.

Day 3: Viviers - Saint-Martin d'Ardèche - 27 km
After a refreshing night's sleep in Viviers, climb up to the Joannade viewpoint, where you'll enjoy a magnificent view of the Episcopal city. A short stroll to the port is just as energizing. "Head south towards Bourg-Saint-Andéol. On the way, stop off at the village of Saint-Montan, a medieval treasure nestled between 2 valleys. Now's the time to start touring the cellars to discover Côtes du Vivarais or Côtes du Rhône Saint-Andéol wines. A break at Domaine Notre-Dame-de-Cousignac is a must. Raphaël makes his wine grow with music (among other innovative projects), unless you prefer the American-style winery at Château les Amoureuses. Further south, the Saint-Marcel estates age their wines in the local cave, while the Saint-Martin estates welcome you with their feet in the water, overlooking one of France's most beautiful villages, Aiguèze. The Ardèche gorges are yours!


And to make the most of your weekend, play it safe! Test your blood alcohol level with a breathalyser, and if it's positive, make a commitment not to drive.