Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie and Saint Joseph
This morning, check out of your hotel and meet your guide at your reception. En route to Lyon, set out for the northernmost appellations of the Rhône valley - Côte Rôtie, Condrieu and Saint Joseph.
You'll begin in the village of Ampuis, home to the elegant Côte Rôtie AOC, known as some of the world's most prestigious Syrah-based wines. Côte Rôtie is also known for its small-scale, family-owned wineries and traditional winemaking techniques. The name "Côte Rôtie" translates to "roasted slope" in French, which refers to the steep terraced vineyards that are situated on south-facing slopes overlooking the Rhône River. You’ll climb steeply up through the terraced vineyard hillside of the Cote Blonde and the Cote Brune, before being welcomed for a tour and tasting at a winery such as Domaine Jamet, Domaine Bernard Levet, Domain Jasmin or another similarly wonderful winery.
Enjoy lunch in a local gourmet restaurant suggested by your guide and offering regional flavors (to be paid directly).
We continue this afternoon towards Condrieu, a village which lends its name to the famous white Rhône wine. Learn about its grape, the Viognier, which is known for its floral aromas and rich, full-bodied flavors. The grape is notoriously difficult to grow and harvest, and almost disappeared completely just a few years ago. Visit the scenic vineyards as your guide explains the local appellation and viticulture discovering characteristics of the Condrieu grape varieties, ageing potential of the wines and the varying influences of the terroir and cellar methods. For our visit and tastings in Condrieu, we'll visit properties similar to Domaine E. Guigal, Château Grillet, Domaine Georges Vernay, and Domaine Pierre Dumazet.
You will end your day with a visit to an estate of the appellation Saint-Joseph, a little further south, where you will discover a wine a little more rustic which is characterized by it’s spicy aromas.
As your day of tastings comes to an end, your guide will take you to your new hotel in Lyon.
Lyon
Lyon’s setting at the confluence of the Saône and the Rhône is a spectacular riverine landscape overlooked from the heights to the west by the imposing Notre-Dame de Fourvière church and from the north by the hilltop neighborhood of La Croix Rousse. Meanwhile, La Confluence Project at the southern tip of the Presqu'île (the land between the Saône and the Rhône) has reclaimed from the rivers nearly a square mile of center-city real estate that has become a neighborhood of parks, shops, restaurants, and cultural sites.
Home to 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, Lyon is acknowledged as the gastronomic capital of France. Alternatively, you may wish to dine in one of the 20-odd official bouchons which offer an antidote to luxury fine dining. In these unpretentious eateries, you may find yourself being seated at a long table – typically covered in a red-checkered tablecloth – next to fellow diners. Bouchons tend to be bright, loud, and busy, their walls often packed with pictures and clippings that attest to their long history.
Additional Options for Day 13
Villa Florentine Lyon - Junior Suite
Breathtaking panoramic view of the city, architectural showcase inspired by the Italian Renaissance, customised services, ideal location in the centre of Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: for over 20 years, La Villa Florentine has been offering its vision of a luxury hotel, highlighting all the codes of French art de vivre to make your stay an unforgettable experience. La Villa Florentine welcomes you to one of its 29 rooms and suites with its own unique charm. All throughout your stay, take advantage of our wellness area, with a heated panoramic swimming pool and whirlpool, sauna, steam room and cardio-training room.
Hotel de l'Abbaye Lyon - La Signature
Located in the heart of Lyon's peninsula, in the Ainay district, the Hôtel de l'Abbaye is an authentic, intimate and charming place. From the hotel you can reach the famous Place Bellecour, the largest square in Europe, in a few minutes on foot. This place, full of history, has been carefully renovated while taking care to preserve its old soul. The hotel has twenty-one comfortable and spacious rooms, 3 atmospheres on 3 levels: 70s, rawstyle and cocooning. Different categories of rooms are available to suit your needs. In the restaurant l'Artichaut, you will be able to taste a market cuisine concocted with care by our Chef according to the seasons.