To complete your wine cellar, or offer a good bottle, wine can be purchased in many places: wine merchant, large distribution brand, online wine store... But who other than the wine producer is best placed to talk about their product? This is one argument among many others to buy your wine directly from the producer .
Wine tourism: buying wine differently
Wine tourism is a concept increasingly appreciated by wine lovers. This consists of traveling along the wine routes , to discover a wine region, a terroir, a wine, a winemaker... Wine tourism is then a unique oenological experience which allows you to live enriching and surprising encounters, punctuated by a passion for wine and vineyards.
But wine tourism also offers a new wine buying experience that has many benefits.
Live an exciting human experience
Generally speaking, the aim of tourism is to explore a region, a country, but also its inhabitants and their cultures. In the same way, buying your wine from the producer allows you to get to know and talk with the winegrower, to better understand his passion, his profession, and the history of his vineyard.
Discover new wines
If you let your curiosity guide you through the different wineries, you might be surprised to discover wines you've never heard of, but which are nevertheless worth the detour. The direct sale of wine is an opportunity to discover independent winegrowers who put their know-how at the service of the vine.
Pay the right price for the bottle of wine
Beyond the discovery and human experience that selling from the producer provides, it must be recognized that it is also an interesting way to enjoy wines at the best price . Indeed, without an intermediary between you and the producer, no additional costs are to be expected, and the winemaker simply charges you the price of the wine.
You could even discover generous winegrowers, who will offer you an advantageous offer when purchasing several bottles.
Taste before buying
Wine producers often offer customers the opportunity to taste their wine. While this allows for a friendly discussion, it is also an opportunity to form your own opinion and have a clear idea of the quality of the bottle of wine you are going to buy. With tasting at the producer , you will no longer have any unpleasant surprises when opening the bottle.
Find original wines
It must be recognized that the main wine retailers promote very classic wines, with common specificities, in order to please as many people as possible. If you like originality, go directly to the estates and cellars to discover red wines, white wines and rosé wines that are out of the ordinary.
Producers worth the detour
If you are curious to meet wine producers who are passionate about their profession and their terroir, here is a small selection of wine estates who will welcome you with open arms and introduce you to their wines.
Bern Castle
Nestled in the Provençal hinterland, the Berne estate extends over 1,000 hectares of vines, lavender, forest and olive trees. Provence is queen here, and the organic wines produced on the vineyard bear witness to its generosity and complexity.
You will then be able to visit the vineyard and the cellars, and proceed to a tasting of the estate's wines (rosé wine, white wine and red wine). And if you feel like it, let yourself be tempted by a stay at the 5-star Relais & Châteaux in Bern, to fully experience wine tourism.
The Beauregard estate
Now go to Burgundy, to the family wine estate of Beauregard . Located between the Côte Chalonnaise and the Côte de Beaune, this 16-hectare sustainable agriculture vineyard produces delicate and harmonious Burgundy wines.
You will be welcomed by Jérôme and Stéphanie, the worthy successors of this wine estate which has been passed down from generation to generation for over 100 years.
You will have the opportunity to participate in a commented tasting of 5 wines , and the winegrowers will be happy to answer your questions.
The Saint-Roux castle
Back in Provence, and more precisely in the Var, where the Château Saint-Roux estate welcomes you for a wine tasting and a complete immersion in the heart of Provençal nature.
Here, nature is king, and the organic winegrowers of this estate do everything they can to convey their love of the terroir in their 5 organic wines in 3 colors .
Between innovation and tradition, come and discover the AOC Côtes de Provence wines from this 40-hectare vineyard, and let yourself be tempted by a wine tourism stay by staying in the Château Saint-Roux ecolodge.
The Château de l’Hospitalet
In the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region , the Château de l'Hospitalet is a choice wine tourism destination, for an immersive experience in the heart of Occitanie.
The 1,000 hectare estate opens the doors to an exceptional vineyard and a luxury 5-star wine resort. Between relaxation and discovery of nature, the Château de l'Hospitalet invites you to meet this biodynamic vineyard between land and sea.
You can then take part in a guided tour of the vineyard, on foot or by electric scooter, and taste the estate's red and white wines .
The Ultimate Provence estate
Let's go to Provence, to the eco-responsible vineyard of Ultimate Provence . Between modernity and tradition, the winegrowers cultivate 46 hectares of AOP Côtes de Provence vines in organic farming .
You will then have the opportunity to discover the estate's red wines, rosé wines and white wines, nicely contained in a most elegant signature bottle.
You can then buy your wine directly in the UP boutique , or take part in a wine tasting at the bar, with sommeliers, or in the VIP area, on the mezzanine.
The Cormeil-Figeac castle
To experience wine tourism in a relaxed way, Château Cormeil-Figeac invites you to take part in a tasting “for dummies”, during an introductory workshop without fuss or pretension. You will learn to distinguish the greatest wines, and you will focus more specifically on the estate's Bordeaux wines , and in particular the Saint-Émilion grand cru.
You will also soon be able to stay in this Bordeaux family estate, where guest rooms will be made available, for a complete immersion in wine tourism .
Bertrands Castle
Let's end our tour of wine producers with the Château des Bertrands . Taking advantage of the riches of the Provencal lands, the estate's winegrowers draw on the wine-growing tradition to produce exceptional white wines, red wines and rosé wines.
In the heart of the Var, in the Pays des Maures, the vineyard opens the doors to you to meet know-how and passion, through a tasting of the estate's wines . You will also find all the château's wines in the store, on site or online .
Far from the impersonal purchase made in supermarkets, purchasing wine from the producer invites you to live a unique oenological experience. Then set off to meet a terroir and know-how, to become fully aware of the quality of your good bottles, and also promote the work of winegrowers.
