4 Best Sights in Provence, France

Put yourself in the hands of an expert under the arched ceilings of this new, state-of-the-art tasting room set in an ancient wine cave. This is a great opportunity to sample the region's majestic reds and dazzling whites side by side, or you can custom-design your own tasting from the 200 wines offered by the 120 estates represented here. All of the wines can be purchased at Vinadea, just above the Vinothèque.

If you're disinclined to spend your vacation sniffing and sipping, climb the hill to the ruins of the château. Though it was destroyed in the Wars of Religion (1562–98) between Catholics and Huguenots and its remaining donjon (keep) blasted by the Germans in World War II, it still commands a magnificent position. From this rise in the rolling vineyards, you can enjoy wraparound views of Avignon, the Luberon, and Mont Ventoux.

There's no better way to learn about the local wine production than to spend an hour at the Musée du Vin Maison Brotte, a private collection of wine-making equipment displayed in the caveau (wine cellar) of the Brotte family.

Held in the wine cellar of her "wine B&B" in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Danièle Raulet-Reynaud's informative classes (in English) cover everything you'll need to know about this world-class appellation: tasting, buying, storing, serving, and pairing. A master sommelier of France, gastronomic cook, vice president of the Women Vignerons of the Rhône, and a charming raconteur, Raulet-Reynaud has taught wine courses around the world for 40 years. Her popular Apéro Fun (€30) Friday workshops are a wonderful way to spend an hour or an afternoon learning about and tasting these magnificent wines.