How does one gain access to wineries in this area?

If you want an excellent tour of one of the famous Chateauneuf du Pape wineries, book an English tour at Beaucastel – perhaps the most famous winery. Phone 04 90 70 70 60. As I remember, the tour is about 1½ hours and it’s quite informative. Book a couple of days (perhaps a week) ahead. Getting to Beaucastel is a little difficult. I’ve wandered back & forth a few times – even after getting there OK once. Beaucastel is just south & a little east of Orange. I think I got there by going to Jonquieres then traveling on the road that is a bridge over the A7 just to the west & near the freeway exit. Follow the signs to Beaucastel.

Stu Dudley

Sounds interesting. Is there a charge, or is the tour free?

Here are a couple of links to previous posters asking your same question.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...which-ones.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...uf-du-pape.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-provence.cfm

Have a great trip!

I've visted some wineries without a tour but with tastings.

Beaucastel is free - at least it was in '99 - last time we were there. We've visited other wineries in France since then. I've never been charged any money for a winery tour or a wine tasting.

Stu Dudley

Sounds great. We are planning a side trip just for this purpose. Thanks for the insight.

DaveMM

Thanks to all and especially the links. Looks great.

Ourstar

We've visited the region on many occasions and I always have wine exploration as an agenda. Beaucastel does not charge (in 2008) and definitely requires an appointment. Its the most passionate and informative presentation of the terroir, process and wine I have ever experienced.

But Cotes du Rhone wineries include much more than the expensive Chateauneuf du Pape wines. The wine villages of Rasteau, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne and many others provide many affordable opportunities. Wineries can be visited with or without an appointment and as previously stated, we have never been charged. It is common to taste in a courtyard, officelike setting or even a family's living room--classic California style tasting rooms are not the norm. I always find it interesting to see Parisian visitors picking up cases to ferry back home. The Cooperatives are interesting as well with their "filling station" set-ups. The best is in Gigondas--great variety of classic Cotes du Rhones which are poured from generic small bottles with handwritten labels.
Have fun--Paul.