Private Northern Rhône Cheese and Wine half day Tour from Lyon

This half-day tour explores the steep granite hillsides of the Northern Rhône, the origin of two of France's most distinct wines: Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu. Your day begins in Lyon, where your chauffeur-guide will meet you at your accommodation.

The first stop is a working goat farm in the hills. You will see how everything is done by hand, following the process from the herd grazing on the slopes to the cellar where the small rounds of cheese age. The visit concludes with a tasting of Rigotte de Condrieu, the local goat's cheese that shares its appellation with the region's white wine.

A short drive then takes you to a wine estate, where you'll be welcomed by the winemaker or a member of the team. The tasting includes five to six wines, focusing on the two grapes that define this part of the Rhône. You will sample Syrah, the only red grape permitted in Côte-Rôtie, known for its notes of pepper, violet, and dark fruit grown on terraces so steep they can only be worked by hand. You will also taste Viognier, the grape behind the full-bodied, floral white wines of Condrieu. The host will guide you through each tasting, explaining the appellation and the specific parcel, sharing the story behind each wine. Depending on the weather, the tasting takes place on the estate's patio or in the dedicated tasting room.