Loire Valley Wine Tour - Day Tours

Loire Valley Wine Tour - Day Tours

Loire Valley Wine Tour - Day Tours
5
Historical & Heritage ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursWine Tours & Tastings
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Guided tours of the vineyards of the Loire Valley with local experts Colin and Marie-Chantal Elliott. We live in the region, speak the language and are enthusiastic about the wines and the region.Tours are tailor made and may include chateau and garden visits.
Chabris, Berry, France

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Tours and Tickets by Loire Valley Wine Tour - Day Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles96 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
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Rachelle M
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
My husband and I recently traveled with two other couples and their children to a small town outside of Sancerre for a friend’s 50th birthday. I knew I wanted to do something special for her on her special day and was so thankful to find Colin. We knew that touring a bunch of wineries would be boring for the kids so I asked Colin if he would come to us and do a tasting at the chateau we were staying at.

It was great, he showed up with 12 different wines from the Loire Valley and a map that he used in his storytelling of the area-specific varietals and the wonderful winemakers that put their heart and soul in bringing out the terroir of these delightful gems.

Colin was extremely knowledgeable. We were a mix of first-time wine tasters through to someone who worked in the wine industry and we all learned something new. He will truly make your experience a special one!
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happy New Year and thank you for this delightful Trip Advisor review. A private, in-house (or chateau, in your case) tasting is not a common event for us but one which I am keen to do more of; I hope to write a new page to feature on the Loire Valley Wine Tour website shortly. The challenge I set myself was to try to represent the many diverse wines of the whole of the Loire Valley in a single tasting: impossible really, but we had a good go! White, red and rosé, sweet, dry and sparkling were all opened for the evening. Our 20th October Facebook post shows the full range of wines we brought over and I was pleased to raid our cellar for you. Wines came from the length of the region, from Atlantic coast Muscadet in the far west to Pouilly Fumé in the east, and most points in between. I enjoyed the experience and I'm glad you did. Next time we will try to fill in the gaps for you.
Written January 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rishi Barran
Tampa, FL154 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
This was a fantastic tour, and we can't thank Colin Elliott enough for the amazing day he gave us! We booked the Chenin Blanc Tour with Colin as part of our honeymoon. We're so glad that we did. Every place we visited was special, and Colin felt like a longtime friend even though we just met him that day. He drove more than an hour from his home to personally pick us up and even adjusted the time he dropped us off to make sure we made it in time to make it for our balloon ride that ended up being postponed from the day before. We had waited more than a year and a half to finally take this tour because of Covid travel restrictions, and it was definitely worth the wait. Colin was gracious with us every time we had to reschedule and we're so glad we got to do it as planned.

The wines were incredible, and we got a lot of tastings throughout the day. We also were able to buy bottles at all of our stops at incredibly low prices compared to what you'd pay for similar quality French imported options in the United States. We mostly drank whites but were offered some reds as well. Every wine was special in its own way.

Colin made the ride between each of our stops fun with great information about the region, lots of interesting facts about the wines in the area, and good humor. His relationships with the owners of each winery helped us get great access inside the cellars and unique opportunities to see work being done on site. Our adventure took us inside the the caves of Montlouis, to the tasty sparkling wines at Monmousseau, to an excellent lunch in downtown Montrichard, to a family-run vigneron at the Caves du Pere Auguste, to beautiful Chateau Moncontour in Vouvray. It was a day full of laughs and tastes we'll remember for a lifetime.

You'll get to the heart of what the Loire Valley is all about if you book. Highly recommended. Thank you again, Colin!
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am so sorry that I have only just discovered this delightful review. I am very pleased to have contributed in some small way to your honeymoon trip and hope that at each anniversary you will remember the Loire Valley and the time you spent here. I wish you much happiness in your life together and many more wine-based adventures. Thank you for sharing this special holiday with me.
Written June 25, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Richard L
Evanston, IL131 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • Couples
The Wait was Worth it. Having had to delay our visit to France for over a year, the highlight of out first time in the Loire Valley was a day with Colin enjoying the "Best of Reds", lunch in Chinon and a visit to the gardens of Villandry. A perfect combination in the company of Colin who provided appreciated insight into the wines and growing methods of the Loire Valley and expert guidance through one of the most magnificent gardens of the world. A renaissance man in his own right, he kindly shared his life story with us over a wonderful lunch in Chinon. He also orchestrates the shipping of our wine purchases to our home in USA.

We highly recommend the Loire Valley Wine Tour, which can be customized to your own interests. We hope to engage Colin's services again in the future.
Written September 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mrmerlot14
Napa Valley, CA35 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
My wife and I are visiting the Loire Valley for the first time. Being from Napa Valley, we were quite keen to learn about the specific nature of the local red wine growing and production methods and how they may differ from Napa. After a careful review of tour choices, we chose Colin Elliott - he was responsive to our specific interests and suggestions for certain wineries to visit in our email exchange.

We visited four wineries over the day. Colin even took the time to walk us out into a few vineyards to show us the pruning and vine management techniques. As the day progressed, Colin’s friendly style and cultural knowledge came through immensely. He became a new friend , more than just a driver and guide!

Colin’s passion for wines really made a difference in our opportunity to learn more about the wines of Chinon, Bourgueil and St Nicolas de Bourgueil . He also made time to visit a Chateau and describe the history related to its presence.

We had the best experience, thanks to Colin.

We had the best time, learned a lot and had fun!
Written June 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is very kind of you to write such a flattering review and I am, of course, delighted you had a good time with me, touring, tasting and learning. The only thing I insist upon is that guests enjoy themselves!
Written July 15, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kyle35
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
What a wonderful day my wife and I shared with Colin on the Natural Wine tour. Colin was a wonderful host for our day trip from Paris. Met us promptly at the train station, and took us to 3 really special wineries, lunch in Chinon, concluding by getting us back to the station on time for our return train. He is incredibly knowledgeable and imbedded in wine culture even beyond the Loire valley. He taught us many new interesting facts about the world of wine.
He was a great driver, in a clean car, and was very professional. I couldn't recommend this trip enough for those interested in seeing/leaning about the Loire Valley.
Thank you, Colin for the wonderful memories
Written July 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was a pleasure to meet you and show you some of what the Loire Valley has to offer. I am delighted you bought wine so that when you open it you will remember this day out of the many experiences you enjoyed during your honeymoon tour. Thank you for the kind review; I hope you will be back soon.
Written July 15, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TheBriteStuff
Los Angeles, CA35 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
We feel so fortunate to have booked a two day Loire Valley tour with Collin. My husband and I were visiting France for the first time on our honeymoon and unfortunately did not know much of the language. As Americans, to have a British guide who spoke perfect French was such an asset in bridging any cultural gaps and making sure we were learning about all the wines we were tasting and the history of the area. Collin has great relationships with many vintners and we enjoyed meeting the families who owned these beautiful properties. We purchased about 5 cases of wine which Collin shipped back to US. After taking a group tour in the Rhône which a bit disappointing, I would say it’s definitely worth it to book a personal guide instead. Will visit again!
Written November 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review your tour. I am sorry your earlier Rhone tour (with another tour company) didn't give you as much pleasure but am delighted that we were able to leave you with a much more positive experience. The Loire Valley has so much going for both in terms of the wine and the culture generally and we try to introduce clients to the best that the region has to offer. I am pleased you received your wine in time for the holidays and trust it will remind you of your two days with us. It was a pleasure to tour with you and it's always special to be part of a honeymoon. I'm just an old romantic! I hope we will see you again soon. Colin
Written December 13, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elizabeth B
Chicago, IL4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
Colin was a fantastic host and guide throughout the loire valley for the day. We chose the Best Reds tour with a visit to the gardens. Colin communicated perfectly prior to our trip regarding pick up and was very timely. He helped us navigate around the valley both by driving and communicating with the locals. He helped us purchase and ship wine back to Chicago.

Could not have asked for a better day in the loire valley and very much advise anyone to seek out Colin’s services.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind review. For some reason I am not informed of these by Trip Advisor so yet again I am responding very late. I am delighted you enjoyed your time with me and hope to see you both again. Thanks again for your recommendation.
Written November 8, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rex M
Dallas, TX3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Couples
Colin is a charming, engaging Englishman, who was a pleasure to talk to as he drove my wife and me around the French countryside and as we dined at a fabulous restaurant in Vouvray for lunch. It is obvious that Colin knows and loves the wines of the Loire.

Colin picked us up at our B&B, a chateau near Bléré. We visited four wineries during our one day tour. Three of the four wineries are regular stops for Colin in Vouvray and the Touraine – the owners and their staffs were friendly and informative and the wines were excellent and reasonably priced.

Weeks before we left for France, I had sent a list of a handful of exceptional wineries to Colin and asked that he try to get us into one or two if possible and let him know what kind of experience we were looking for. Several didn’t work for one reason or another or Colin was concerned that the experience might not be what we were looking for, but as Colin told us, he begged, pleaded, perhaps even groveled to get us into Clos Naudin, which I had considered to be the most desirable on my list and least likely to be able to spare the time for two tourists and their guide. While I was surprised that he was able to get us in, I was thrilled when Colin told me that we were going to meet Philippe Foreau, the proprietor and grandson of the founder Clos Naudin, which has been handed down from father to son since the late 1920s. (We even rushed a bit at lunch to ensure we would be on time.) M. Foreau, gracious and accommodating, personally conducted the tour of his cellars and poured his exceptional wines for us (recommending the perfect food pairing for each along the way). M. Foreau is passionate about, and justifiably proud of, his wines and Colin was the perfect guide for the Clos Naudin tour, enthusiastic and engaged – he was thoroughly enjoying himself, as were we. One of the great testaments to Colin was that, although M. Foreau speaks no English and we are limited to phrase book French, Colin’s translations made our conversations flow effortlessly, whether we were discussing fermentation processes or M. Foreau’s grandfather carving the caves out of the hill below the vineyards beginning almost 90 years ago. Our tour was one of the highlights of our entire trip to France and we really couldn’t have done it without Colin.

As others have mentioned, Colin has gone to some lengths to set up an arrangement with a shipper who can get your wines back home. My recommendation is to reserve that service for higher end wines that may be hard to come by when you are home and to squeeze less expensive bottles into your bags. While we bought a substantial amount at Clos Naudin, I now wish we had bought more – particularly now that I’ve realized that it is impossible to find the lovely 2007 Clos Naudin Reserve Brut back home and I’m now in a conundrum about when I should open the ones I have.

One side note: While we did not take advantage of Colin’s tours of Loire chateaux, given that Colin is a horticulturist by training and a professional garden designer and teacher of garden design, I suspect he would be fantastic at chateaux with extensive gardens – I would think, especially, Chateau Villandry.

In short, we couldn’t be happier that we engaged Colin and we enthusiastically recommend him to you.
Written December 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Rex, Thank you for the review of your trip – it had me blushing from top to toe! I remember the tour well of course, partly because I was afraid I would not be able to provide what you wanted; that list of winemakers, sent to us via your travel agent, was a veritable Who’s Who of the Loire Valley wine industry and I imagined many would not speak to mere mortals like me. In the end it all went very well and the Clos Naudin visit was certainly a highlight of my year. Thank you for causing it to happen. I am sure that I can help you buy and ship some more bottles and I would be delighted to have an excuse to go back. The bottle of Clos Naudin Reserve Brut 2007 that you kindly gave me was opened when our son came to visit from England: it was a really special family moment. I trust you will do much the same over the fast approaching holiday season and that you will warmly remember your time in the Loire Valley.
Written December 9, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Dawn H
Austin, TX135 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017
We added this to our trip and I must say I wasn't sure about an all day long wine tour..............but, OMG is was the highlight of our trip. What glorious countryside to enjoy from the comfort of the luxury tour bus that brought us around the area. Hugo, our tour guide, brought the castles we visited to life with his rich storytelling of the owners and their mischiefs of the time. The wine tasting was exceptional as was the luncheon. To this day, I have become a rose wine drinker. Who knew rose wine wasn't all sweet??? It was a magical day with many wonderful memories and new friends met.

I strongly encourage you to add this tour to your Paris visit. It is a nice balance of city bustle with countryside ambiance. Enjoy!
Written February 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is always a pleasure to know that visitors have enjoyed their day out in the Loire Valley. As a wine district there are many surprises in store, with high quality but low priced sparkling wines, world-class whites from both Sauvignon and Chenin and, as you say, the delicious dry rosé. A chateau or two, a great lunch, a few wine tastings......what could be better?
Written March 1, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Willard T
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2015 • Couples
My wife and I were looking for a great wine tour in the Tours region of the Loire Valley and we certainly were not dispointed. But Colin and Chantel offer so much more! We toured with Colin and Chantel led a different tour. Our paths crossed, but each tour was tailored to the desires of their guests so we did not see what Chantel's group saw.

Our day with Colin was filled with his wealth of information and insights. He is certainly a wine expert on the Loire, but we were amazed by his knowledge of French history. We visited Chenonceau, and Colin gave us a better tour of the chateau than we could have expected. No headsets for us! Room by room, and floor by floor, Colin was spot on with just the right amount of explanation and detail.

Did I mention that Colin is an expat from England? Chantel is a French girl. Colin has a wonderful way of bonding with strangers, but his understated and charming manner are an instant comfort to spend the day with.

There is so much to see, and wine to taste in the LoireValley we may have to return again soon. We definitely will tour with either Colin or Chantel if we do! It was an exceptional day!
Written September 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review: you are too kind. Obviously I had to keep you away from Marie-Chantal and her tour as much as possible. If you saw how much fun they were having you were bound to abandon me and go over to her group! I enjoyed the company of you and Jo and of course we would be delighted to welcome you back any time. There is so much more to see. Thanks again. Colin
Written September 24, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Loire Valley Wine Tour - Day Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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