About this tour
This afternoon excursion ventures into the Northern Rhône, where steep vineyard terraces date back to Roman times. Based just 25 minutes south of Lyon, the tour stops at two family-run wineries to taste Syrah, Viognier and regional appellations like Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and St Joseph. An expert guide leads the 4.5-hour experience in English or French, sampling around 11–12 wines across some of France's most dramatic and historic slopes.
Highlights
- Roman-era terraced vineyards on vertiginous hillsides
- Taste Syrah and Viognier at two independent family estates
- Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and St Joseph appellations covered
- Expert guide fluent in wine history and local landscape
- Afternoon departure, return by early evening
- Small minibus with air-con, max 8 passengers
What to expect
You'll travel by comfortable minibus through the narrow, winding roads of the Northern Rhône, arriving at two established wineries where owners or staff walk you through their cellars and vineyards. At each stop, you'll taste a selection of wines with food pairings and explanations of soil, slope angle and vintage variation. Expect steep terrain during winery visits—the hillsides are genuinely steep and paths can be uneven. The guide contextualises each wine within the appellation system and the region's Roman heritage. By 6:30 pm you're back near Lyon.
Good to know
Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip; terrain is steep and loose underfoot. The minibus is air-conditioned for summer heat. Morning or evening public transport to the meeting point is available if you're without a car. Not suitable for those with spinal issues, pregnancy or serious cardiovascular concerns.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.