Embark on a highly recommended Small Group full day wine tour Private Shore Excursion from Saint Tropez Cruise Port and visit Classified Growth wineries that produce exceptional and delicious wines.
Meet your English speaking driver/guide
Today, we will come and pick you up at your cruise ship in Saint Tropez port of call. Meet your English speaking driver guide who will go over the itinerary and program of the day on this private tour in the French Riviera. Then board your premium A/C vehicle and begin to make your way to the vineyards of Provence far from the crowds and large bus tours.
Depart from Saint Tropez and reach the Côtes de Provence wine region
Saint Tropez is certainly one of the most famous villages of France. Fashion boutiques, high end Cafés and terraces, luxury yachts for all to contemplate are just but a few features that make this area so unique. Here you will discover the marina and stroll through the small streets of this picturesque fishermen village, a well known resort that attracts jet setters from all over the world. After a short drive, it will be time to reach your first Cru Classé Winery.
The Cru Classé Wines of Provence
In the heart of the Provence wine region, a few wineries obtained the status of Cru Classé (Classified Growth) in 1977 with 4 criterias to be met: direct selling of the wines, wine to be bottled at the property, to market the wines only 18 months after the vinification and the use of a name present before 1935.
Originally, 23 out of 300 properties comprised the Cru Classé and today only 18 wineries are still present in this Classification the 5 others having disappeared with time. No modification of the Classification is programmed which means that no winery can be added for the moment.
Tasting at a Cru Classé Winery
Our first stop will be in a Cru Classé winery of Côtes de Provence. Located at an altitude of 190 meters (625 feet) at the foothill of Notre Dame des Anges, the vineyard benefits from both the Mistral wind and the shade of the mountain range. The soil here is composed of a mix of clay and schist (shale) with certain areas made up of sand and others made up of rock.
Nine grape varieties are used to blend the wines including Syrah (Shiraz), Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon to name the most known. The range of wines include reds, whites and rosés and you will have the opportunity to taste these local wines during a commented tasting session.
Visit & Wine tasting in a second Cru Classé Winery
After your first stop, time to move along to the next winery that is on your program for this day trip in the Provence wine region. This winery covers 300 hectares (740 acres) among which a large amount are part of the Cru Classé vineyards. The soil of the property is composed of clay and limestone and the vineyard is exposed to the sea breeze and enjoys ideal conditions for growing top quality wines.
The wines produced on the estate include 85% of Rosé, 10% of Red Wine and 5% of White. All the wines are made with the grapes harvested from the estate. Enjoy the stunning setting as you discover the estate and family’s history while visiting the cellars and gardens. Then enjoy a tasting during which you will learn about the various steps to tasting a wine.
Lunch in a local restaurant
The Provence region of France is known for its culinary delights. After your second winery visit, it will be time to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. You can either plan this directly with your guide and ask for recommendations in the morning of your tour, or it is possible for us to arrange a pre-booked lunch reservation in a carefully selected restaurant of the region.
End the day in style with a final Provence Wine Tasting Experience
Arrive at your last winery visit of the day that is also a Cru Classé Provence wine estate. Located just a few kilometers from Saint Tropez, the vineyard is ideally situated to the west of the plain that links the foothills of the Maure Mountain Range to the Mediterranean Sea.
The winery produces remarkable Rosé wines with some of the highest vine stocks of the Côte de Provence appellation that are located at an altitude of around 450 meters (1500 feet). Here, follow a guided tour of the property and learn how the wine is made. Then, participate in a commented wine tasting session of 4 Cru Classé Wines paired with Cheese & cold meats.
If you think that 3 visits & tastings is too much on this full day tour, then is is possible to replace the last visit with the visit of Port Grimaud, a 50 year-old Marina that was designed by a visionary architect from the Alsace region who dreamt up this modern day, lakeside city. Here, it is possible to follow a walking tour or a small boat tour.
After the visit, it will be time for us to make our way back to your Cruise Ship in Saint Tropez. Upon arrival this will be the end of your St Tropez Shore Excursion and the end of our services.
