The more I travel, the more appellations I discover, the more winemakers I meet, the more wines I taste, and the more I love this noble product. I am full of admiration for the work done by these men and women to keep this ancient tradition alive, and I am beginning to better grasp the importance of the climate, the terroir, the grape varieties, and the expertise required to create good wine, as well as to craft a unique product, distinct from the neighbor’s. This long introduction is to try and help you feel the passion that drove me during a stay in the south of France this summer to discover the Vacqueyras wine appellation.
The Vacqueyras vineyard extends over the 2 communes of Vacqueyras and Sarrians in the Vaucluse department, covering an area of 1,300 hectares, and is operated by about 200 winegrowing families. The appellation has been a recognized “cru” within the Côtes du Rhône since 1990 and produces all 3 colors of wine: red, white, and rosé. Even though red remains the very dominant wine of this appellation (about 95% of total production). For the reds, the 3 main grape varieties of Vacqueyras are Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
For practical information, when traveling by train from Paris, you arrive at the Avignon TGV station (only 2h45) which is the closest, and then you have to rent a car on-site, as otherwise, it is unfortunately impossible to get around by public transport in the area…
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Table of Contents
The Vacqueyras Wine Festival
This wine festival takes place every year around July 14th and is actually the oldest in the Rhône Valley, apparently. It is the perfect opportunity to discover and visit the very pretty village of Vacqueyras, with its narrow streets and undeniable charm, located at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail. At the top of the village, you can find the remains of the Vassadel castle, the former lords of the place.
In the streets, set up in the locals’ garages, it’s the perfect occasion to discover the winemakers of the appellation through a very pleasant tasting route. You absolutely shouldn’t miss the famous gourmet lunch on July 14th (in 5 steps + Provençal break), which gathers over a thousand guests under the plane trees of the Cours Stassart in a purely Provençal atmosphere, and which I am not likely to forget! Perhaps one of the best July 14ths of my life. And obviously, on that occasion, the Vacqueyras wine flows freely…
Obviously, if you are passing through the area at that time of year, I cannot recommend highly enough that you stop by Vacqueyras to experience the crazy atmosphere of this popular festival!
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Visit the estates of the appellation
The best way to discover the appellation is, obviously, to take a little tour of the estates, and I have selected a few for you to help you find your way.
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Domaine le Clos des Cazaux
This estate offers a superb panorama over the vines, and it is also the opportunity for a rare encounter with an enthusiast with a very educational approach, Jean-Michel. If you go there, don’t hesitate to give a quick call beforehand to make sure Jean-Michel is there; it would be a shame to miss such an encounter. Take the opportunity to say a quick hello from me!
Domaine le Clos des Cazaux
315 chemin du Moulin 84190 Vacqueyras
closdescazaux@wanadoo.fr
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Domaine de la Tourade
This family estate offers activities around the 70s. You can discover the vineyard through a retro ride aboard a 1965 VW van, and you can also rent them to discover the region in a “combi-gite”.
The tip: cellar tour every day at 4:30 PM
Domaine de la Tourade
1215 route de Violès 84190 Gigondas
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Arnoux & Fils
The Arnoux family has been winemaking since 1717 on the terroirs of Vacqueyras and Gigondas, and today they own a vineyard of about forty hectares.
To taste:
- The 1717 cuvée in red 2012 (price of the bottle €48), the house’s signature wine, the name of which recalls the antiquity of the estate.
- The house also offers very good Vacqueyras red wines from old vines (notably the Lestours Clocher – €26).
- I also really liked their white cuvée, Seigneur de Lauris (€18.60).
Arnoux & Fils
Place Pousterle 84190 Vacqueyras
Tasting cellar open in summer every day from 10 AM to 7 PM
in winter from Tuesday to Saturday from 8 AM to 12 PM and from 2 PM to 6 PMThe little extra: an olfactory course to train yourself to recognize aromas in the family’s tasting cellar
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Domaine les Amouriers
The name of this estate comes from the Provençal spelling of mulberry trees, which is therefore Amouriers (I’m telling you this because I found it super cute!). Its history dates back to the year 1928, the date the first vine of the estate was planted. The estate has offered organic certified wines since 2014 and has a 30-hectare vineyard.
To taste:
- In red, Les Genestes and Les Truffières, made with old vines.
Domaine les Amouriers
5801 route de la Garrigue de l’Etang 84260 Sarrians
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Domaine Les Cardelines
This wine estate offers the 3 appellations Vacqueyras, Côtes du Rhône, and Ventoux. Its winemaker, Frédéric Guintrand, offers an atypical profile, as he is respectful of ancient and natural methods; his father was even at the origin of organic methods in the region. His primary desire is to make a little, but good, by carefully monitoring his winemaking; he puts all his love into his vats to extract the best. We did not have the opportunity to discover this estate during our trip to Vacqueyras in 2017, but we tasted this “Réserve 2015” bottle – price €21 – (see photos below) in 2023.
Domaine Les Cardelines
343 chemin des abreuvoirs, 84190 Vacqueyras
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The Cooperative Winery
This cooperative winery is the union of 80 winemakers of the appellation, and it is actually the only vinification cellar of this kind in Europe. As a bonus, we had the chance, with a blogger friend from Lyon, Louise Grenadine, to visit the premises and the “production” part of the cooperative. It is the perfect place to take a tasting break and make a few purchases to bring back bottles, obviously, from your stay in the area.
To taste:
- A very nice sparkling wine, the Perle de Muscat.
Rhonéa – Les Vignerons de caractères
258 route de Vaison la Romaine 84190 Vacqueyras
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Where to stay in the Vacqueyras area?
There are many bed and breakfasts with winemakers in the region, which can be a charming accommodation option. Unfortunately, since we did our little weekend around July 14th, everything was full…
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Safari Hotel
We therefore went to Carpentras (about 20 min by car from Vacqueyras) to the Safari Hotel. The hotel is located a little on the outskirts of the city, so it is quite noisy because it is near the expressway. Its big plus remains its outdoor pool, super pleasant in summer after a good day of walking. We were also not fans of the city of Carpentras, but well, we only saw it at night, so it perhaps requires us to go back one day to form another opinion…
Safari Hotel
1060, av. Jean-Henri Fabre, 84200 Carpentras
Price: €300 for 2 nights for 2 people with breakfast
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The Oiselet educational farm
This atypical haven of peace, as close as possible to nature and existing for over 20 years, allows the public (with a large proportion of children) to enjoy the benefits of the farm and nature. There are plenty of unusual accommodations (yurt, barrel, cabin…) very nice in this place, and I think that if I come back to the area, I would love to test them!
On the program: a fun course, games and riddles, farm visits, activities, stays in a yurt, a sales corner for organic farm products, and on-site dining.
Ferme pédagogique de l’Oiselet
1234 route de la Garrigue de l’Etang 84260 Sarrians
open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM in winter and from 9 AM to 6 PM in summer
Farm Tour: €6 for adults / €5 for children and disabled persons
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Thanks to the Vacqueyras wine appellation for their invitation and for these discoveries.
I hope that with all this, I have made you want to discover Vacqueyras and its wines, and if you also have your own tips and good addresses for this destination, do not hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my travel articles below:
⇒ All my articles on the PACA region
⇒ All my articles about wine
⇒ All my articles about wine tourism
MY WINE TOURISM DISCOVERIES
⇒ The Burgundy Wine Route
⇒ Lirac Wines
⇒ Vacqueyras Wines
⇒ Cognac, discover the city and its alcohol
⇒ Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
⇒ The Percée du Vin Jaune in the Jura
⇒ Luberon Wines
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization mandatory before any use
