Côte du Rhône wine road
 

Are we able to stop at the different wineries or will we need reservations? can we do it on our own or it it best to join a group?
thank you

My itinerary has some info on that. Read it!!!!!!

Stu Dudley

I believe you can do it on your own but you will need to make appointments with the wineries.

I'd just turn up myself, without a booking, after picking up a good list from one of the Tourist Information sites. I think in tasting across most of France over the last 25 years I've never booked, except in two special chateau in Bordeaux, one in Chablis and one in Nuit-St-Georges none of whom did open to the public at all. However do check opening times, most will not be open for lunch.

Côte du Rhône wine road is a bit odd really (more of a marketing exercise than most things I've seen). Why not focus on an AC and taste around that. For example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacqueyras_AOC is pretty good, but it depends where you start and where you finish

Actually the French have been doing "degustation" for some years now. In most of the lists you can download they will state if reservation is required and what languages are spoken. They also give an idea of opening time.

The other reason I don't make reservations is that on holidays time moves, meals take too long, roads get to busy and making someone wait in for you when there is stuff to do makes no sense.

Ah, I've just googled it, it's a Steves's thing. Thought it look odd.
http://www.rhone-wines.com/en/route#
I clicked on the Northern Vinyards route and then at random
Domaine Faury where the opening times are listed, no reservation required at that house.

I'm sorry "appel avant la visite" of the Domaine. I've never called before but hey that's what they are asking for at that one.

There's actually a tasting room by the road near Vacqueras, and a large one on the village square in Gigondas.

We just "showed up" for a tour at Beaucastel in Chateauneuf du Pape on a Tuesday in very early July in '99. They were "booked up" for the entire week. We returned in late September that year, booked an English tour a week in advance, and had a very nice tour with a tasting at the end.

We now go to the "cave" in Gigondas. Just tasting & purchasing.

There is a little more pressure to purchase than there is in the Napa/Sonoma wine country. Fewer tours available in France than in the US, IMO. No gift shops.

Stu Dudley