Loire Valley Wine Tour: Discover Bourgueil and Chinon
Join us for an unforgettable Loire Valley wine tour, starting with convenient pickup at the centrally located Tours Tourism Office. Situated in the heart of the city near the train station, the office is easily accessible from major city-center hotels, just a short 10-minute walk away.
Meet your expert English-speaking driver-guide, a connoisseur of Loire Valley wines, who will be waiting with a sign displaying the tour name and the distinctive Ophorus logo. All guides also wear individual name badges for easy recognition. After a brief introduction and overview of the day’s itinerary, step aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned Mercedes minivan equipped with an onboard P.A. system, so everyone can follow the commentary throughout the journey.
Morning Wine Tasting in the Bourgueil Wine Region
The Loire Valley is renowned not only for its splendid Renaissance castles but also for its exceptional wines. Begin the day by immersing yourself in the Bourgueil wine area, where vineyards stretch across gentle slopes and river terraces along the Loire.
Accompanied by your guide, visit a traditional winery to learn about the entire production process, from vineyard work and harvest to fermentation and aging. Bourgueil wines, typically based on Cabernet Franc, reflect a diversity of soils that give them delicate, fruity aromas in their youth and more complex, structured profiles with age. Enjoy a guided tasting of several cuvées and, if you wish, purchase a bottle or two to take home.
Explore Chinon and Enjoy Local Cuisine
Continue to the historic town of Chinon, famous for its well-preserved medieval half-timbered houses, Renaissance façades, and hilltop fortress. Overlooking the town and the Vienne River, the Royal Fortress of Chinon is actually composed of three interconnected castles.
With your guide, learn how Chinon played a key role in French and English history: it was a residence of Henry II of England, the place where Richard the Lionheart died, and the site where Joan of Arc met Charles VII to persuade him to fight the English. Stroll through the old town’s lanes, discover charming squares and viewpoints, and enjoy free time for lunch (at your own expense). Your guide will recommend restaurants and bistros where you can sample local dishes paired with Loire wines.
Afternoon Wine Tasting in the Chinon Wine Region
In the afternoon, head into the surrounding Chinon wine region, known for its expressive Cabernet Franc reds and occasional whites. Visit a carefully selected winery—often a family-run estate—where you’ll gain insight into the specific winemaking traditions of Chinon and how its limestone and sandy soils influence the wines.
Tour the cellar, learn about maceration, aging, and bottling, and then enjoy a guided tasting of several wines, comparing styles from lighter, fruit-forward reds to more structured, age-worthy cuvées. Take in the views over the vineyards and, if you wish, purchase bottles directly from the winemaker.
Return to Tours
After a day filled with vineyard landscapes, historic towns, and memorable tastings, relax on the comfortable drive back to Tours, where your guide will drop you at the original meeting point.
This full-day Loire Valley wine tour is ideal for travelers who want to experience both the wines and the heritage of Bourgueil and Chinon in a single day. Please note that the order of visits and wine regions may be adjusted depending on winery availability.
