Epicurean Discovery Tour with Wine & Local Specialties
- 1h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 3 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Step into a moment that feels uniquely Loire Valley. Just 10 minutes from Chinon, discover Château du Petit Thouars, a family-run estate where history, wine, and beauty meet. Begin with a guided walk through our AOC Chinon vineyards (Cabernet Franc & Chenin Blanc), followed by a visit to our 15th-century troglodyte cellar, finishing with a wine tasting paired with delicious local specialties in the château courtyard. Hosted by the Count and Countess, whose family have owned and cared for this estate since 1636. This is a unique experience, being welcomed by a friendly member of this historic family and sharing in their passion for the French way of life and wine! Tours are conducted in English, French and Spanish.
Inclusions
What's included
- Guide
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.6
- 528
- 44
- 33
- 20
- 11
Ratings come from 36 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Lovely Day in the Vineyard
My husband and I were given a wonderful tour by Sebastian, the owner of the chateau. He shared the history of the chateau and his family’s connection to it and their passion for wine making. We toured the vineyard and the cave that housed the wine. We asked lots of questions and Sebastian was gracious enough to answer all of our inquiries. It’s a beautiful, working vineyard and winery where we learned so much without feeling rushed.
5Proper French Chateau.
We had a brilliant time at the Chateau with Sébastien, stunning surroundings. Amazing that the house and lands have been in the same family since 1600’s! Wines were lovely, I came away with 6 bottles, good value.
5Wine Making at its Best.
We did not know what to expect when we booked this wine tasting event and boy were we impressed! Sebastian, the owner of the Chateau and vineyard was so personable and very laidback. You could feel a sense of pride he had for his family chateau and the generations of wine making. The wine was unforgettable. I highly recommend this excursion.
5Pleasant and Informative
We spent a pleasant 90 minutes in the company of the Count. It was interesting to hear some history of the castle and his family. More interesting though was learning about the ecological cultivation of the vines. The highlight most definitely was enjoying the wines and a visit of the cellars.
5Intellectual and Gustatory Stimulation Guaranteed
Family run estate with a laid-back environment and some great wines across the region. Sebastien (winemaker) took us on a tour across the estate, discussing its fascinating history, along with details surrounding the vineyards and winemaking process. The wines were well explained and contextualised within the terroir and vintage, and Sebastien was an excellent host. Our tour was roughly 2.5 hours, though this might not be standard, as we did take our time. Whilst card options for payment are accepted, the machine was having difficulties whilst we were around, so I'd recommend bringing cash as a backup.
5Nice little Vineyard
Lovely tour with a really passionate and engaged owner. Not flash but very down to earth. But run down but this added to the charm.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Please enter by the black front gates, drive up the lane and park immediately beside the château.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 88 travellers
- Operated by
- Château du Petit Thouars - Loire Valley Wines
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
How it compares in Chinon
- Its from-price is 59% below the median of the 8 experiences we list in Chinon.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 8.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Chinon
Chinon is a medieval town on the Vienne River in Touraine, under a royal fortress where Joan of Arc met the future Charles VII, in red-wine country.
Chinon lies along the north bank of the Vienne, its half-timbered houses and cobbled streets set beneath a long fortress ridge. The Forteresse royale has three linked castles, and it was here in 1429 that Joan of Arc met the Dauphin and urged him to be crowned. Henry II of England, the first Plantagenet king, died in the castle in 1189.
