Picnic in the Vines - A Unique Loire Wine Experience
- 2h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 3 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Step into a moment that feels uniquely special. 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 vineyard (Cabernet Franc & Chenin Blanc), followed by a visit to our 15th-century troglodyte cellar and a wine tasting with explanations in the château courtyard. Then, the moment you’ve been waiting for… Your private picnic: the table beautifully set and prepared just for you - an invitation to slow down and savour. Enjoy a generous, carefully prepared lunch with fresh salads, deli meats, cheeses, and a local Chinon dessert (dietary requirements and allergies happily accommodated with a small supplement), paired with a bottle of our wine. In cooler months, settle into a candlelit vaulted indoor space with sheepskins and blankets. Hosted by the Count and Countess, whose family have owned and cared for the estate since 1636. Tour/tasting may be shared; the picnic is always private.
Inclusions
What's included
- Bottled water
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Wine tasting
- Lunch
- 1 bottle of wine for your lunch
Itinerary
Located just 10 minutes from Chinon, arrive at Château du Petit Thouars, a family-run estate passed down in a direct line since 1636. Begin with a walk through our AOC Chinon vineyards, where Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc thrive. Continue to our impressive troglodyte cellar, carved into centuries-old limestone, where the wines age in French oak barrels. The experience then moves to the château courtyard, for a guided tasting of our wines with clear and engaging explanations. Afterwards, enjoy your carefully prepared picnic in a private setting, with a beautifully dressed table. The food has been sourced from excellent local suppliers, with a preference for organic products including the olive oil and cheese. Your hosts are the friendly Count and Countess du Petit Thouars, owners of the estate, who conduct tours in English, French and Spanish. This is truly memorable Loire Valley experience.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.8
- 5187
- 413
- 34
- 20
- 13
Ratings come from 207 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.
5Incontournable -- Must Do!
This is a lovely family owned business. I first found them in 2015, they were in the early stages of revitalizing the vines. We did a very quick tour and wine tasting. This year, We did the picnic in the vines which included a tour, a wine tasting and an amazing picnic with local and home made foods. We could stay as long as we wanted. We did! We purchased some wine after lunch. I can't believe how much work has been done by this very small team. It is inspiring to see the dedication and passion!
5Hidden Gem
Sebastian and his wife were amazing hosts. Wonderful informative tour, fantastic wine 🍷 and gourmet picnic lunch. Well worth the visit and highly recommended it. Of all the wine tours I have experienced around the world this stands out as unique and informative.
5Wonderful afternoon in French wine country
A great way to spend an afternoon in the Loire Valley. Very interesting history of the chateau and its lineage of owners. We gained a new appreciation of how fickle the business of wine producing can be with ever-changing climate conditions. We tasted a number of the family wines which each had a distinct character and all very nice. The picnic lunch was delicious with a delicious assortment of cheese, pates, and bread. The hosts, DArcy and Sebastian, were extremely warm and friendly.
5Family experience
A passionate owner of his heritage; a chateau; and vineyard. Knowledgeable about his business. Fantastic linguist.
5Picnic at the Chateau
Fantastic little Chateau, with great history. Our second visit, this time with a picnic which was lovely. The wine selection is great and again we have taken a few boxes of wines. Highly recommended
4Beautiful vineyard experience
The wine tasting and cellar and vineyard tour was great. The host and his family were friendly and approachable. It all started a bit late and we weren't sure if we were in the right place while waiting ( but we were in a gorgeous place, shaded under the trees outside his stunning chateau) . Lunch was in a fabulous location in the vineyard with a lovely dressed table and delicious wine. The food was a bit underwhelming for the price. 7 people, 3 baguettes, 2 cheeses, 4 huge slabs of 2 kinds of pate, grated carrot and chopped tomatoes. 2 bottles of wine and 2 very welcome carafes of cool water. It was a great trip and we're very pleased we went and it made a special end to our holiday.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Enter through the black front gates of the château, drive up the long lane, park directly beside the château. Walk into the inner courtyard to find our office.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 80 travellers
- Operated by
- Château du Petit Thouars - Loire Valley Wines
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
How it compares in Chinon
- Its from-price is 33% below the median of the 8 experiences we list in Chinon.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 1 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.
