Wine tourism consists of travelling or discovering a region through its wine heritage. There is a whole microcosm around wine and wine-making. In France, wine has been cultivated for thousands of years.
The Var, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, is one of the country's most prolific wine-growing areas, and boasts several appellations d'origine, including Côtes de Provence.
Exploring the vineyards, tasting the finest vintages, visiting cellars and museums and exploring France's most beautiful wine-producing villages is a real pleasure! Here's more information to help you organise your next wine-tourism trip.
Wine tourism: a trendy theme
In France, many regions boast vast vineyards. Although the cultivation of vines is deeply rooted in French culture (dating back to around 600 BC), it is only recently that wine tourism has reached such a level of popularity with the general public. Previously reserved for a certain elite, the world of wine has now been democratised.
Since then, wine tourism has become more fashionable than ever. The aim is to introduce tourists from all walks of life to the world of wine in the broadest sense of the term (the winegrower's craft, culture, production, traditions and much more).
Oenotourists, as they are known, can go and meet the winegrowers and discover all the secrets behind the creation of a wine. The activities on offer generally include visits to estates, vineyards, tastings of different vintages and so on. They are also an opportunity to find out all about the theory behind wine-making, the different grape varieties, the terroirs and the different professions involved in wine production (owner-winemakers, cellar masters, grape-pickers, etc.).
Wine tourism: how do you choose a winery to visit?
If you want to discover a winery and spend a wonderful holiday in Provence or elsewhere in France, it's important to prepare your stay well.
Before choosing your destination, make sure that the domain you are interested in is open to visitors (individuals or groups). What's more, some estates are only open at certain times of the year.
Another important aspect is the nature of the activities on offer to ensure that your stay matches your expectations. In addition to visits, some estates may offer more immersive introductory workshops, which are generally very popular.
If you want to enjoy a stay on a wine route, you'll also need to prepare the various stages of your trip to avoid unpleasant surprises when you get there.
The good news is that wine estates can be visited all year round. Each season brings its own particular beauty, as in autumn when the vines change colour from green to orange and even to sumptuous reds that sometimes seem barely real.
Note: if you want to see the grape harvest in full swing, September and October are the best months to plan your trip.
The Domaine du Château de Berne, an exceptional wine tourism destination
Château de Berne is a magnificent estate of over 1000 hectares, situated in the heart of Provence. The estate produces red, rosé and white Côtes de Provence wines from 175 hectares of organically-farmed vines.
Individual visitors and groups are welcome all year round.
What wine tourism activities are on offer at Château de Berne?
Château de Berne offers a comprehensive tour of the estate, its vineyards set on magnificent limestone plateaux and its cellars, led by the estate's expert sommeliers.
During your visit, you're likely to meet the oenologist Alexis CornuThe estate has hired a team of experts to create exceptional wines.
Of course, you won't want to leave without a tasting session in the Château de Berne's huge cellar. As an added bonus, you'll be given invaluable advice on how to match your wines and reveal their full aromatic complexity.
You should also know that Bern Castle has a number of top-of-the-range restaurants, as well as a hotel and a Spa where you can stay and dine in exceptional surroundings.
The final word:
If you're looking for a prestigious wine tourism destination, Château de Berne en Provence offers you an immersive visit to the heart of Côtes de Provence wine production.
To find out more about the Château de Berne vineyard and organise your visit, simply contact the establishment. You can also obtain more information by clicking here for more information.
