Located just 1.5 hours from the mountain and 3 hours away from the ocean, Lyon – graced by three major rivers- is replete with historical monuments and provides ample opportunity for wine tourism activities. With its two hills providing a breathtaking backdrop, we invite you to explore what this charming city has to offer in terms of vineyards and partake in Top Wine Tours near Lyon!
The beautiful city of Lyon, watered by three major rivers, the Rhône, the Beaujolais and the Saône, is rich in historical monuments but also in wine tourism activities.
Both for their landscape and for their history, we invite you to discover what the Lyon vineyards contain and top wine tours near Lyon!
Wine Tours near Lyon and its surroundings
As the culinary capital of France, and one of Europe’s most distinguished destinations for gastronomy, it is hardly shocking that Lyon boasts an unparalleled selection of exquisite wine and gourmet experiences.
With its bustling city center filled with traditional restaurants (Bonchon Lyonnais), avant-garde wine bars, as well as world renowned star chefs populating lavish eateries – visitors from all over are sure to be delighted!
This esteemed reputation is heavily attributed to its prime position in the breathtaking Rhone Valley wine region.
As a result, local wineries are extending hospitality by offering mesmerizing experiences and tours for all you oenophiles out there! They offer an intimate look into their vineyard stories and wine-making processes that will leave you with lasting memories from your trip to Lyon.
Discover this Top 5 list where you will find wine tour from Lyon and exquisite wine tastings near Lyon.
1. Tasting of Prestige Cuvées at the Château de la Greffière, 1 hour from Lyon
Since 1924, 4 generations have succeeded each other at Château de la Greffière in order to vinify the different terroirs of their appellations.
Step into the past at our family estate’s Museum of Vine and Wine, where you can explore a plethora of 2000 tools used by craftsmen such as carpenters, blacksmiths, coopers, and winemakers. Discover their trades from years gone by – it will be an unforgettable experience!
Come with us to the winery and take a tour of the cellar alongside one of our vintners. He will be more than delighted to explain each step from vine-to-bottle for you! If you’d like, explore our 18th century vaulted cellar as we offer tastings that allow your discovery od Château de la Greffière wines.
Everything has been taken into consideration at the estate: while adults taste wine, kids can explore and discover various fruit juices from around the Château.
A bottle of wine is offered with each visit, book your wine tour at Château de la Greffière now!
2. North of Lyon: Beaujolais & Pérouges
Several other charming villages surround Lyon. If you’re looking to make your next getaway one of a kind, look no further than the enchanting and picturesque villages of Oingt en Beaujolais and Pérouges. These two villages are among the 152 most spectacular sites of France wineries ! To join an exclusive group tour, head over to Place Bellecour right beside Lyon’s Tourist Office – don’t miss out on this incredible adventure!
Reunited with your guides, you’ll soon be exploring the Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées region of France – widely recognized as one of the most beautiful wine regions. You’ll also take a tour of Oingt, an ancient medieval town that is sure to captivate! During this journey, you will have the unique opportunity to visit a local winemaker’s estate and gain invaluable insight into how they craft their renowned Beaujolais wines.
Let your imagination wander back in time to the home of the first filmed Three Musketeers movie, Pérouges! This charming and picturesque village is made up of varying homesteads that date as far back as the 13th century. Stroll around this quaint medieval environment, browse through artisanal stores or even sample some local wines and delicacies for an unforgettable experience before making your way back home.
Book your Lyonnaise getaway.
3. Mâcon and the Beaujolais des crus
There are many picturesque villages to visit around Lyon, so don’t miss this opportunity! During your journey in the north of the city of light, cross several small villages such as Vergisson and Pierreclos.
Your driver-guide will be happy to introduce you to the “Sphinx” of nature on an archaeological site, which has become one of the essential symbols of southern Burgundy.
You will then visit a family wine estate where you will meet the winegrowers, their history, their profession and their vines. Visit the wine cellar, learn all the secrets of making and aging Chardonnay wines in barrels and taste several white wines.
At the start of the afternoon, take the Route des Crus du Beaujolais and once again admire the charming villages as well as the magnificent castles. The tour invites you to stop at a second renowned wine estate and taste several Beaujolais wines.
This visit includes a tasting of at least 10 wines. Walking shoes and a warm jacket are recommended.
Book now your escapade in the vineyards of Mâconnais and Beaujolais des Crus.
4. Taste the Cuvées of a winemaker!
Discover the Domaine de Prapin which has an 11-hectare vineyard oriented on the hillsides of the communes of St-Laurent, Agny, Taluyers and Mornant. You will find hundred-year-old vines there which produce wines typical of the Coteaux du Lyonnais.
The winegrowers of the estate will share their passion and their terroir with you around an aperitif rich in flavors. Discovery of organic wines accompanied by farm products from the Monts and Coteaux du Lyonnais, guided tour of the estate, vinification and aging, then the cellar are on the program.
Gourmands will be able to enjoy sausage, terrine, rillette, cheese, apple pie… All this accompanied by wines that suit them. What happiness!
Book now! The visit and tasting lasts about 2 hours and takes place exclusively by appointment from Monday to Saturday, from 5 people. This is the perfect time to invite family and friends to gather around an unusual activity!
5. Tasting and visit to a family estate
The Domaine de Fond-Vieille is a small family winery of 15 hectares located in Oignt, this village that is now familiar to you. Former medieval city of Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées, the estate cultivates its vines there in a reasoned way in order to favor quality while respecting the environment.
The Domaine promises a pleasant moment with friends or family to discover the best of Beaujolais. Various services are offered: wine tasting, guided tour of the cellar and tasting accompanied by a Beaujolais mâchon, mâchon dinatoire or winegrower’s meal.
Have you just found your happiness among the services offered? Don’t wait any longer and book it now because the Domaine only accepts visits by reservation. This allows them to prepare properly in order to welcome you as warmly as possible.
Visit Lyon, city of lights
Do you still have some time left? Take the opportunity to visit Old Lyon, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière or the Parc de la Tête d’Or. Stroll around and enter a Lyonnais cork for lunch or dinner to taste the specialties of the city.
But above all, don’t forget to look up during your walk because Lyon is full of magnificent murals on its buildings, more than 150, for your greatest pleasure!
FAQ & Useful resources
Is Lyon famous for wine?
Yes indeed! Thanks to the blessed terroir of the Rhone Valley wine region, Lyon is not just famous for gastronomy, but also for tremendous wine. Just to mention major vineyards near Lyon:
– Beaujolais
– Coteaux du Lyonnais
– Coteaux du Rhône
What wine region is near Lyon France?
Lyon is literally in the Rhone Valley wine region, but also close to the Beaujolais wine region.
What time of the year is best for wine tours near Lyon?
Lyon can be considered at the beginning of south of France, where you start to see palm trees and feel a slow lifestyle. All year long the city has something to offer, including a Christmas Market in the winter – but wine tours are particularly appreciated in:
– Spring: because the temperatures are not too high, days are bright and the area it’s not the peak season yet. Consider May as an excellent time to visit Lyon and surrounding wineries.
– Summer: it’s better to avoid August, when temperatures are really high and the city is crowded with tourists. July is a slightly better month during the summer, but September is even better, especially considering that you can outdoors during a wine tour, it can quickly be hot.
– Fall: it’s always a nice period to try wine-tours as autumn colors turn vineyards into a beautiful setting of colors, and when the weather makes sight-seeing much more enjoyable.
What food is Lyon famous for?
Traditional restaurants in Lyon are called the Bonchon Lyonnais, and they serve local specialties such as:
– Quennelle lyonnaise: a special kind of a dumpling;
– Saucisson brioché: dry sausage into French brioche
– Tablier de sapeur: a flat tripe dish
– Local cheese: Saint Marcelin
– Local dessert: Praline tart, Praline Brioche
