I'm planning a 2-week trip to Provence at the end of May & would like to visit a few vineyards in, perhaps, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Beaumes de Venise, and Gigondas (or any other towns in the area or Vaucluse). Has anyone been to any vineyards in this area where they had a nice experience? If so, how easy was it to find these places & did you need to make an appointment? We are social wine enthusiasts and fairly knowledgable (in other words, we won't be buying cases, but a few bottles of wine we enjoy). Any help would be appreciated!

We did a few wine tastings in Chateauneuf-de-Pape and enjoyed them. Easy to find--don't forget they close from 12-2. No appointments. There is also a chocolatier just outside of town that is superb! We have been to several Provencal wine tastings here and one was from Cassis that was truly elegant. Sorry I don't have the name. Also the Vaucluse--just did one Wednesday--I can come up with that name later.<BR>It was pointed out to us at one dinner (here--a benefit) that Provencal wines are really meant to go with food--not always great "stand alone" wines.

Thank you for your reply, Gretchen. I'll have to look up that chocolatier! Do you remember needing appointments for the tastings outside of Chateauneuf-du-Pape? If you can find the name of the one in Vaucluse, that would be great!

We tasted only in the village and had a good time. There are many "caves"in town where you go into a cool cellar directly from the street.Samples are freely given and the people were very friendly.Many europeans were there buying cases to transport home in their cars.

<BR>La Pigeade and Domaine Durban are two<BR>Beaumes de Venise producers that have<BR>tastings. The track to Durban is quite<BR>dramatic and the vinery beautifully sited. The owners of La Pigeade were<BR>extremely friendly and welcoming - <BR>actually, the Durban folk were great too!<BR><BR>There are tasting rooms in almost every<BR>wine village - Gigondas, Vacqueyras,<BR>Cairanne and Seguret. <BR><BR>Don't need appointments for the majority of tastings. For fun go to the<BR>hypermarche just north of Avignon - they have a *huge* selection of wines!<BR><BR>We'll be there at the end of May too -<BR>wonderful area!

Thank you all for your help! My local wine store is also contacting some of their suppliers to arrange some appointments for me. I just hope I have enough time!

If you plan to visit the individual vineyards,these days many of them only allow visits with an appointment.<BR><BR>There is a good site that gives you maps and information with the listings of vineyards in several areas... Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Bandol & Cassis, Cotes du Luberon (which includes the AOC vineyards here in Les Baux)<BR><BR>www.provenceprestige.com<BR><BR>PB

We have done quite a bit of wine tasting in Provence--some of our favorites are Vieux Telegraphe, Domaine de la Janesse, Beaucastel, Chateau Nerthe--on the road going into Gigondas is Saint Cosme--a wonderful wine and very nice reception. We have rarely had an appointment and even during harvest we have been welcomed.

We did wine tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape two years ago. If you go on to www.provenceweb.com and click on Chateauneuf, the tourist office there will send you info with a list of all the vineyards and whether appointments are necessary - for the most part they are not. We also enjoyed wine-tasting in Gigondas. Happy travels.

Thank you again for your helpful information--I've printed this out so I can check out all suggestions. I'd also like to try some of this wine before I go so I have an idea of what I like.

are wineries open on the weekend? i might stop by avignon/chateuneuf du pape on a saturday or sunday on my way up to paris, and was wondering if it would be worth the stop for 1 or 2 nights. if most places to taste wine/tour wineries are closed on sat and/or sun, i may nix the idea. any advice?

Bamboo,<BR><BR>Almost all are open on Saturdays and although some are closed on Sunday, some will be open at least in the morning.<BR><BR>PB