14 Wineries to Visit if You Want to Be an Expert in French Wine

Whether you’re a fan of age-worthy reds, expressive white wines, or legendary Champagnes, France has it all. Throughout the country, there are countless opportunities for casual wine lovers and serious collectors to experience the magic and history of one of the world’s great wine-producing nations firsthand. The 14 producers below all offer fantastic experiences for visitors, no matter how much time or money you want to spend.

Alsace

Domaine Emile Beyer

Located in the lovely village of Eguisheim, visitors can treat themselves to a tasting, tour, 90-minute introduction course to wine analysis, and even a lunch in town. You may never want to leave Alsace after this one.

Domaines Schlumberger

This terrific producer offers free tastings to visitors from Tuesday through Saturday, as well as more formal, yet affordable tours that range from the 12 euro Visite Decouverte to the Visite Aventure, a 50 euro experience that involves drives in 4x4 vehicles through the vineyard, a cellar visit, and an 11-wine tasting. Appointments can be booked here; a visit will thoroughly illuminate why Schlumberger’s Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer — among others! — are so special.

Bordeaux

Château Lagrange

Standout Château Lagrange was listed among the most notable wines of Bordeaux’s Left Bank in the famous 1855 classification, when it was ranked a Third Growth. Today, it offers a lovely selection of options for visitors, like a one-hour classic tour that features four wines to taste, as well as a 90-minute guided blind tasting, and a blending workshop, where you’ll be able to create your own Lagrange from a range of parcels and varieties, with one of the estate’s experts. Check out their website for options and pricing.

Château Pavie

With several tour options, Château Pavie provides a number of delicious opportunities to understand what makes them such a highly respected producer of rich, Merlot-driven wine on the Right Bank. Options span from the 60 euro classic tour, which includes two wines at the tasting, all the way up to the evolution tour, which runs to 2,000 euros for a private group and includes legendary, hard-to-find vintages such as the 2000, 2005, and 2010. All have to be booked in advance online.

Burgundy and Beaujolais

Domaine Laroche

Domaine Laroche is synonymous with some of the finest Chablis available today, and visitors have the option to experience it in a number of novel ways. There are e-bike tours that stop at the 9th century cellars and the Obédiencerie monastery, where Chablis is reputed to have been born, guided tastings followed by lunch at a beloved local restaurant, and even a two-day experience accurately called “The Magic of Chablis,” which includes a tasting, dinner at a partner restaurant, an overnight at Au Vieux Moulin (which is built on the site of an 18th century mill), and more. All of the details and pricing are here.

Georges Duboeuf

Europe’s first wine theme park, Le Parc du Hameau Duboeuf, has to be experienced to be believed. (I did, and I loved it!) The park includes exhibits on winemaking, the Georges Duboeuf winemaking center, a range of gardens, interactive rides, 4-person pedal carts to explore the grounds in, meals at the Café des Deux Horloges – where classic local French dishes are enjoyed in a recreated early-20th-century train station – and of course, wine. Make sure to block out an entire day to experience this 300,000 square foot adventure: It’s time very well spent.

Champagne

Moët & Chandon

From their Imperial bottling to the Grand Vintage and beyond, Moet crafts sparkling wine for all tastes and preferences. The estate itself is gorgeous, and guests have the option of half a dozen experiences, from classic tastings to A La Volee, which offers the unique opportunity of experiencing freshly disgorged bottles from the Grand Vintage Collection and more. It’s all book-able right here.

Billecart-Salmon

Billecart not only produces one of the most iconic rosés in the region, but also a broad range of other fantastic Champagnes. All visits to the estate include a tasting of a non-vintage and its vintage counterpart, a visit to the Clos St.-Hilaire vineyard and gardens, a tour of 17th century cellars, and more. And, it’s free! Just make sure to book online here, as appointments are limited.

Loire Valley

Château de Sancerre

The Loire Valley is home to more stunning châteaux than seems possible for such a small region. On your next visit, stop at the gorgeous Chateau de Sancerre, where you’ll be led on a tour through the region’s history and the château’s land and wines by a sommelier guide – you can also explore the grounds on rented e-bicycles – and taste several wines paired with regional cheeses, ham, and other charcuterie.

Domaine Huet

Among collectors and casual fans of the Loire Valley, Domaine Huet is considered to be one of the region’s great producers. Visits have to be booked ahead of time, as is the case with most producers in France, but the effort is worth it. As Food & Wine executive wine editor Ray Isle notes, Domaine Huet visits “cover the range of Huet wines, sparkling and still, dry to sweet, along with an older vintage.” In-depth cellar tours can be arranged at contact@domainehuet.com.

Rhône Valley and Southern France

Gérard Bertrand

Not only is Gérard Bertrand the largest biodynamic grower of grapes in France, but he’s also one of the most outstandingly hospitable wine pros in the business. There are 90-minute tour and tasting options, half-day excursions, wine master classes, and more. For the most immersive experience, book a stay at the stunning Château l’Hospitalet, the five-star wine resort that you may never want to leave.

Château de Nalys

Visitors to this Châteauneuf-du-Pape stalwart have the choice of either a free, self-guided tour and grape education (a necessity, considering that 13 varieties are permitted in the appellation!) followed by a tasting with a team member, or a guided tour and tasting for just 10 euros. Either way, you’ll leave enlightened and with a brand new understanding of why this is such a beloved region among collectors and sommeliers.