Organise a weekend of cellar tours in Provence
Wine tourism and cellar visits
The history of wine tourism
The history of wine tourism began in the 1970s in the United States, and more specifically in the state of California. At that time, a trend was born and developed in several states of the country: that of tasting wines directly where they are produced, in particular during cellar visits wine bars. Gradually, this new trend spread to other countries, and wine tourism began to develop worldwide.
Wine tourism is a much later arrival in France, despite its worldwide recognition in the wine sector, and it was in 2009 that the Conseil Supérieur de l'Œnotourisme (French wine tourism board). It was created with the aim of economically developing this sector of activity and its potential.
Benefits of wine tourism and cellar visits
Tasting wines and expanding your knowledge
Wine tourism allows wine lovers to discover a wide range of wines, each with its own grape variety, smell and colour. As well as tasting the wines, tourists also develop their wine vocabulary, which they learn from the estate's oenologist. They discover that climatic variations have a major impact on wine quality and learn about wine-making techniques.
When you visit an estate, you also have the privilege of discovering all the work involved in the vineyard and sharing time with those involved in making the wines. But the Grail of wine tourism is the visit to the cellars wine. This is the last stage in the winemaking process, and one of the most important, because resting is what gives the wine its expected flavour.
Discover a region through a variety of activities
The combination of food and wine is the key to a successful holiday exploring a region. In fact, wine tourism also means discovering regional dishes while tasting wines that enhance them. So gourmet pleasure is part of the trip, but not the only one! Exploring a region also means taking an interest in its culture and history. Visits to châteaux, monuments or museums are often organised to do just that.
If you're feeling more sporty, you can take part in activities on the estate, such as hiking or cycling. And after your physical exertion, you can enjoy a moment of well-being in the swimming pool, spa or massages offered on certain holidays.
Château de Berne for cellar tours
The estate
The Château de Berne estate offers a vast natural setting with 515 hectares of parkland. To visit the estate and be in complete harmony with nature, you can take one of the 100 km of footpaths. These paths will allow you to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
Mountain bikers love the Domaine de Berne for its 4 routes along the paths surrounding the vines and the park. The routes vary in difficulty, making them ideal for the whole family.
A gym, yoga classes, a tennis court and a petanque area are available to guests of the estate.
The vineyard and our oenologist
The Domaine de Berne vineyards are located in one of the six main areas of the Côtes de Provence appellation known as the "Haut-Pays", because they are planted on limestone hills at an altitude of over 300 metres. The altitude plays an important role in the development of the wines, thanks to the cool nights. The vines were awarded 'Organic Agriculture' and 'High Environmental Value' certification at the beginning of 2021, demonstrating the importance the estate places on preserving nature and the hands that work on it.
The new Château de Berne rosé cuvée was created with the help of Alexis Cornu, the famous oenologist from the Château de Berne estate.
Visits to wine cellars
Château de Berne offers you the chance to visit the cellars of the estate every day of the week from 10am to 6pm. Our sommeliers will give you a guided tour, depending on the package you choose. To remind you of this exceptional moment, products are available in the cellar shop.
Château de Berne has everything you need for a complete and dazzling wine tourism experience. Its vineyards, cellar visitsA weekend in Provence is sure to be a wonderful memory.
