Wine tour in Provence for group of 6

I am curious to know what is included in this 1800 Euros wine tasting tour.
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A wine tasting session directly at the winemaker with visit of the cellars costs between 15€ and 30€

Our experience, multi times, in Italy is that wine tasting in Italy is very different than CA. The first big difference if you are solo is that an advance reservation is required and there is always a fee. Don't know if that would apply to France but I would assume so. I am guessing that your annoyed agents were unhappy you just showed up. In Italy we have been turned away from tasting room when we walked in even though there was no one else there.

Your proposed tasting tour does seem high but hard to judge without knowing the schedule. The van rental could be the wild card. Does that include a driver?

You could also try reaching out to a local TI for recommendations. I did a wine cellar tour in Beaune and they left us alone until the end when they asked how much wine we wanted to buy; when we said no thanks we didn't care for it, they said it's flinty and Americans don't care for it.

Unfortunately most wineries that work with tour operators for tours and tastings have only one goal: to sell their wine.

Try something like this instead: (use an online translator)

https://www.routedesvinsdeprovence.com/routes/escapade-en-famille-entre-verdon-et-provence-verte/

Other examples:

At "Domaine de la Font Des Pères" (Bandol wine) visit and tasting is 14€.
You can even have a picnic in the vineyards for 12€, they will prepare a homemade meal for you
(but you have to buy the wine)

https://www.lafontdesperes.com/shop/16-activites

The "Mas Sainte Berthe" can be visited for free and there is a marked pedestrian route in the vineyards.
(and it's organic wine!)

https://www.massainteberthe.com/

At the "Château de la Galinières"
You will have a visit of the vineyards, of the cellars, a tasting of 5 wines and an oenology course for 12€, it's organic wine too

https://www.chateaudelagaliniere.com/en/visits-and-tours.html

I have dozens more for you

hey hey Kaye
wow that seems like a lot for a wine tour, wonder what it really includes. like you say very extreme!
long story short, had planned to stay in avignon few years back planning wine tour, then everything fell apart and we never went.
pandemic, no traveling, death in family. but did keep the site for the tour. you can check it out, email him for more questions/answers, he speaks english. don't compare experiences from france to california, not the same at all.
we did a champagne tour in reims in a CV2 car thru country side, growing the vines area, private winery which we liked but totally different what i thought.
ventoux-decouvertes.com
email him what you want to do and cost per car not per person.
many tours have raised their rates/tours higher than i've seen after losing much in pandemic and people are paying the prices so i'm sure they will be around.
other tours go to only "those places" to get kick backs unless you want certain places to see then they charge you high private tour rates, a cat and mouse game.
alafrancaise.fr/ provence
scroll around and see if something interests your gang
thecrazytourist.com/ 15 best aix-en-provence tours
many tours are by getyourguide.com which is 3rd party.
hope this helps and gives you ideas. have fun and enjoy
aloha

Your problem is that whilst French people see Californian wineries as tourist attractions that make a bit of wine, French wineries are working farms. They don't have staff, they don't have restaurants, and they rely on wine sales because that's what they do. It's difficult finding winemakers that take non-buying visitors, and those that do charge about the same as 4 bottles of wine per person.

So when a winemaker acts as if you are taking them away from other jobs it's because that's what you're doing. For reference, the man who makes the Sauvignon-Blanc served in first class on American Airlines is a friend of ours, and it is him, his son, and occasionally his father that work the winery. They plant the new vines, do the pruning, make, bottle and market the wines themselves. That leaves little time for showing people around that won't be buying.

1800€ seems slightly high, but 300 euros per person for a day's touring sounds about right.

I assume you tried Wine Uncovered with Olivier Hickman, because I think that is in the RS Guide. Was the pricing high?

I think definitely in many domaines of the south you will need a reservation for a tasting (or for a specialized pairing or visit with the winemaker -- but even in California you will need a reservation for something like that). However, I find the wine tourism pretty well developed compared to years past, with tasting rooms open (without reservation) and either free or modest fees (compared to Napa).

They are all in the business to sell wine, and we customarily find something we like to buy (that is also true in California as well, as we are within easy reach of various wine regions).

Hi,

I would inquire from Tourist Offices in whichever city you are staying. Several years ago, I was in Aix, Marseilles and Avignon and I was set up on wine tours through pamphlets and information from the Tourist Offices in two of those cities. I recall paying less than $200 E for the day and had a great time. I was alone and shared a van with 3-4 other strangers, which may not be for everyone, but it worked out extremely well for me. As you have a group, I suspect it should not be an issue for you.
Good luck,

We had two fabulous wine tasting tours with Olivier Hickman this past summer (I found him in RS book Provence). Two different groups. One time 8 people. One time 6 people.

You have to email for the cost of a private tour but we paid 650 euro for 3/4 day with three visits including the 100 euro for the van he rented for the day to drive us. That was just the right amount of time for us.

With one group we brought our own picnic for lunch. With another group we had lunch at one of the vineyards he arranged. Lunch was extra but about 35 euro/pp.

Both times we had a great visit. One group was more sophisticated. The other a bit less. But Olivier read his audience brilliantly. He is energetic, enthusiastic, and patient. I would highly recommend him.

This is his website: https://www.wine-uncovered.com/

Thank you everyone for your replies. I did have quotes from Olivier Hickman and may end up going with him. Due to our location, 3/4 day tour for 6 was 980 euro with him. I'm glad to hear others have had a good experience with him.

As for others' comments, we did not have to make a reservation previously. we just chose the wineries that RS noted were walk-in. We always buy something whether we love it or not as we feel that is part of the deal. I do recognize that we are pulling staff from their other jobs and that this is what made them impatient to get back to work. That is why I was thinking a tour might be better because the tour guide is likely to have a working relationship with the wineries he frequents and then the vinters may feel like they are getting something in return. Also, he may also be able to speak to us more about the wine of France as we love to learn as part of the sipping experience.

We just used Avignon Wine Tours for the second time. They are found in RS guide for France and Provence. The tour was FABULOUS both times. François is both humorous and extremely knowledgeable about wines and wine tasting. His lesson on tasting at the first stop is fantastic. I finally fully understand what I should be looking for when tasting wine. Very affordable also at just €100 per person for a full day tour. He is obviously respected by winery managers and even one winery owner, all who greet him warmly as an old friend. This was another great find by Rick Steves!