If you’re buying, Gigondas and Vacqueyras win on value for money and variety. Also, a number of their domains now offer visits and activities among the vines. They have woken up.

Won’t disagree that the chateau ruins in CdP are atmospheric, and I enjoyed the knowledgeable tour at Beaucastel some years back. Only, my wallet is still whimpering.

l'Oustalet restaurant in Gigondas is owned by the Perrin family who own Chateau Beaucastel. One trip we did a lunch at l'Oustalet which the chef prepared based on the Perrin wines, then a tour at Beaucastel. The family now has a winery in Gigondas as well.

GIgondas is a lovely village, so very picturesque, and is very well set up for tastings, with many, many tasting rooms. Chateauneuf du Pape is of course the more prestigious name. To add to the recommendations, the tasting room for Domaine Olivier Hillaire is near the center. They have a fresh take on the CdP that I really like, to the point that I buy in stateside (it can be hard to find and sells out, due to its high ratings). The Famille Perrin has a central tasting room, right in the main square/intersecton of CdP. You can taste/buy all of their wines, including the roses of Miraval, which they bought from Jolie-Pitt.

I have been in western Provence in later May (separate trip). The narrow paths of Les Baux were already relatively thick with people.

Looks like you have too many choices for your trip!

""Domaine Olivier Hillaire"

K&L in Redwood City has the 2019 CdP on "pre-arrival" for $35. Do you buy it there? Great price!!

Stu Dudley