The Best Vineyards and Wineries to Visit in France
France isn’t short on celebrated wine estates - but for the seasoned traveller, the real question isn’t where to go, but how to go deeper.
Whether you’re a Grand Cru devotee or simply someone who finds joy in a perfectly poured glass with a story behind it, this guide brings together France’s most exceptional vineyards: those that offer not just great wine, but extraordinary context. From family-run cellars to iconic estates, this curated list highlights some of the best wineries in France, perfect for travelers seeking world-class wine paired with cultural depth.
These are the estates where history is alive in the soil, where tastings are personal, and where beauty lies not in flash but in precision, craft, and terroir.
At Into the Vineyard, we specialise in creating bespoke France wine tours that connect you with the people, places, and moments that other travellers miss. Below, you’ll find a curated selection of our most trusted vineyard partners, each one handpicked for its legacy, craftsmanship, and immersive guest experience.
Each of the estates featured here ranks among the best vineyards to visit in France for travellers who value authenticity, access, and an emotional connection to place. From the limestone cellars of Champagne to the lavender-laced hills of Provence, these are the wineries that linger in memory long after the last sip.
Looking to explore France’s wine country with intention and ease? Discover our bespoke France wine itineraries to start your journey.
1. Maison Penet, Verzy: Champagne’s Intimate Heritage in a Glass
Tucked into the quiet Grand Cru village of Verzy, Maison Penet is a deeply personal counterpoint to the glitz of Champagne’s more commercial houses. Family-run for over 400 years, this boutique estate offers a rare window into the soul of the region: expressive, meticulous, and refreshingly grounded in tradition.
Visitors are welcomed into the Penet family’s historic 19th-century mansion, followed by a private descent into their limestone aging caves, where silence, cool air, and time converge. Tastings include award-winning cuvées and single-vineyard Grand Cru expressions from Verzy and Verzenay, highlighting Pinot Noir’s structured elegance and the minerality of Montagne de Reims terroir.
What makes the experience unforgettable is its intimacy. When available, guests may dine with Mrs. or Mr. Penet themselves, bringing warmth and personality to every sip. It’s not just a Champagne tasting - it’s a personal invitation into the family legacy.
“We just returned from a fantastic trip to France. The experience was magical—private tastings, special access, and charming hotels we would never have found on our own.” – Jim Brownlowe, Into the Vineyard traveler
What we recommend it for: Understated luxury, multi-generational storytelling, and access to Grand Cru parcels most travelers never encounter.
Ideal for: Champagne purists, collectors, and those who’ve “done” Moët but want something far more meaningful.
2. Pierre Mayeul, Beaune: A Modern Burgundy Legacy in Motion
In the heart of Beaune, behind an unassuming courtyard gate, lies one of Burgundy’s most intriguing new chapters. Pierre Mayeul is less a traditional domaine and more a confluence of legends: Matthieu Bouchard (of the famed Bouchard Aîné et Fils family), Ludivine Griveau (head winemaker at Hospices de Beaune), and Frédérique Hirault have created a collaborative winery that blends heritage with innovation.
At this home-based micro-négociant, visitors are treated to small-production Premier and Grand Cru wines - some crafted from estate vineyards, others through long-standing grower relationships across the Côte d'Or. Tasting directly from the barrel, guests gain a rare behind-the-scenes look at Burgundy winemaking at its most personal and cerebral.
Conversations often turn philosophical: about climate, tradition, and what it means to evolve responsibly in one of the world’s most storied wine regions.
“Into the Vineyard was a top-notch experience. Everything was curated to perfection—from peaceful strolls through quiet vineyards to hidden restaurants we never would’ve found on our own.” - Tereca Dwinell, Into the Vineyard traveler
What we recommend it for: Intimate access to Burgundy’s emerging icons, and a chance to discuss terroir with the very minds shaping its future.
Ideal for: Burgundy enthusiasts, returning travelers seeking deeper nuance, and those curious about the new guard.
3. Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes: Elegance, Elevation, and a Touch of Crystal
Overlooking the golden slopes of Sauternes just next door to Château d’Yquem, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a First Growth from the 1855 Classification - and a jewel of quiet refinement. Since its acquisition by Lalique in 2014, the estate has embraced a new chapter that marries heritage winemaking with French artisanal excellence.
The vineyard’s 36 hectares rest on clay-gravel soils ideal for botrytised Semillon, and the resulting wines are layered, honeyed, and structured - built to age yet seductive young. During a private tour, guests can view a rare vintage stored in Lalique crystal, explore the art-meets-wine ethos of the estate, and dine at the Michelin-starred Lalique Restaurant, helmed by Jérôme Schilling.
For those seeking a full immersion, the on-site boutique hotel offers a strong contender for the best vineyard in France to stay overnight—with luxury, legacy, and a touch of Lalique. ideal for slow mornings, golden evenings, and glass-in-hand strolls through vines kissed by noble rot.
“My Husband & I just returned from a 2-week trip through the wine regions of France. It was absolutely magical. Every hotel, every guide, and every vineyard felt chosen just for us. We felt immersed in the culture—not just tourists.” - Bea Bibi” Myerson
What we recommend it for: A masterclass in balance: of elegance and opulence, heritage and reinvention.
Ideal for: Design lovers, sweet wine skeptics, and travelers who appreciate both art and acidity.
4. Clos Roussely, Touraine Chenonceau: Loire’s Organic Charm with Character
Tucked into the sleepy village of Angé near the majestic Château de Chenonceau, Clos Roussely offers something rare: a Loire Valley winery that feels both authentic and unconventional. Owned by Vincent Roussely, a fourth-generation vigneron, the estate combines historic cave cellars with playful modernity, and wines that reflect the diversity of Touraine’s terroir.
Your visit begins with a stroll through limestone tunnels that once served as wartime hideouts and now store naturally fermented, organic wines. Vincent himself often leads tastings, where you’ll sample everything from vibrant Sauvignon Blanc to elegant Malbec-led blends and lesser-known local grapes like Pineau d’Aunis.
There’s a charming quirk to the experience - perhaps it’s the vintage car collection tucked into a side barn, or the picnic tables set among the vines for an impromptu lunch. Either way, Clos Roussely embodies the Loire’s ability to surprise and delight without a hint of pretension.
“Everything from initial conversations to planning, the actual trip, and even the follow-up exceeded our expectations. The accommodations, transportation, and excursions were perfect. We couldn’t have planned a better trip ourselves and will definitely use Into the Vineyard again!” - Michelle Barker, Into the Vineyard traveler
What we recommend it for: A deeply personal connection to place, paired with fresh, energetic wines that don’t follow the crowd.
Ideal for: Organic wine lovers, culture-curious travelers, and anyone seeking a warm, genuine encounter with Loire winemaking.
5. E. Guigal, Côte-Rôtie: Rhône Royalty with a Rare Invitation
Few names in French wine carry the gravitas of E. Guigal. Based in the historic village of Ampuis in the Northern Rhône, this legendary house has elevated Syrah to iconic status through painstaking vineyard stewardship and precise, age-worthy wines, most famously its “La La” trilogy: La Mouline, La Turque, and La Landonne.
At the Guigal estate, guests can taste rare back vintages in the serene private salon or wander through curated gardens framed by steep vineyards. For those who appreciate a more technical visit, it’s possible to explore the full winemaking process from grape to bottle - including a trip out to the hillsides that birthed the modern Côte-Rôtie revival.
With a strong commitment to traditional vinification and long ageing, Guigal remains a beacon for those who value structure, longevity, and a sense of place.
What we recommend it for: An immersive look at one of France’s most revered domaines, where every detail honours the Rhône’s intensity and heritage.
Ideal for: Collectors, Syrah devotees, and seasoned travelers who appreciate the weight of a great name - and the subtlety behind it.
6. Château La Coste, Provence: Art, Architecture, and Biodynamic Wine
Just outside Aix-en-Provence, one of the best vineyards in France, Château La Coste unfolds like a modern Provençal dream: a sprawling estate where vineyards, sculpture, and biodynamic farming coexist in quiet harmony. If you're the kind of traveler who finds beauty in both a reflective tasting and a Richard Serra installation, this is your haven.
The estate’s Art and Architecture Walk is a curated path through dozens of contemporary installations and pavilions by world-renowned artists and architects, from Tadao Ando to Louise Bourgeois. Yet the wines here - organic, expressive, and often underrated - more than hold their own. Expect structured reds, delicate rosés, and complex whites that speak clearly of clay-limestone terroir.
Lunch on the terrace is a must (or go further with a tasting menu at the on-site fine dining restaurant), and for those who want to linger, La Coste’s private villas offer an indulgent stay immersed in design, nature, and wine. Whether set among the sculptural serenity of Provence, this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful wineries in France to experience in person.
What we recommend it for: A sensory-rich experience where culture, craft, and sustainability intertwine without compromise.
Ideal for: Lovers of modern art, slow luxury, and rosé with a sense of place.
What Are the Best Wine Regions to Visit Near Paris?
If you're short on time but still want an authentic wine tasting experience, Champagne and the Loire Valley are the top regions to consider. Both offer world-class vineyards that are easily accessible from Paris—Champagne is just over an hour by train, and the Loire Valley is under two hours.
While some vineyards are closer to Paris, they often lack the depth and quality of experience found in these iconic regions. For those seeking intimate tastings, historic cellars, and a deeper connection to French winemaking, a visit to Champagne or the Loire delivers far more richness and meaning.
Whether you're planning a same-day return or an overnight stay, these destinations combine convenience with immersion—making them ideal choices for wine lovers looking to explore beyond the city.
Dreaming of a wine escape from Paris that goes beyond the ordinary?
These aren’t just well-reviewed vineyards—they’re places where heritage, craftsmanship, and meaningful connection come together.
At Into the Vineyard, we create custom, immersive journeys to the best wineries in France and beyond—tailored entirely to your pace, palate, and passions. For inspiration on how to balance tastings with cultural depth and exploration, start with this guide to planning your perfect wine country trip.