We’ve found the four best wine cruises for wine lovers to enjoy luxurious wines in the lap of luxury so you can sip, sip, and sail away!
When it comes to travel, there’s no such thing as one size fits all, and river cruise passengers are no different. Bespoke tours are all the rage, and with good reason. If you’re a history buff, art enthusiast or active adventurer – you have a myriad of options to choose from on your next river cruise. So what’s on the menu for wine lovers? We uncover four of the best immersive wine itineraries to look out for if you’re considering a river cruise in 2025.
Avalon’s Grand France with a Master of Wine
This 15 day Grand France cruise will be sure to satiate any wine enthusiast – after all, isn’t France the birthplace of fine wines?
On this cruise, guests will indulge in wine, cheese and stunning views as it sails along the Seine through some of the most charming and historical parts of France – and that’s just the first part. The second starts the moment you board Avalon’s Suite Ship in Chalon-sur-Saône where a Master of Wine (MW) accompanies you for the remainder of your journey.
With only 450 MW in the world, you’d count yourself lucky to get a one-on-one first hand experience. Just imagine the depth of knowledge that you’ll be able to tap into while sipping your favourite Chardonnay.
Guests will cruise from Tournus (taking in an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar) to Lyon at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône Rivers. Vineyards, culinary tours and immersive tastings are all on the cards to create a memorable experience.
AmaWaterways’ Taste of Bordeaux
If a traditional red tipple takes your fancy, look no further than AmaWaterways’ Taste of Bordeaux cruise. Bordeaux, the cultural capital of everything quintessentially French, will captivate guests as they seamlessly step from river ship to vineyards.
The cruise experience includes taking in historical sites as well, visiting Roquetaillade Castle and Château Boutinet while sailing on the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. But make no mistake, wine takes a lead here, with tours through centuries-old vineyards including tastings of Bordeaux’s finest vintages, an important part of the experience.
The rolling hills of the French countryside accompany you as you step off your cruise and explore by bicycle the cobblestone streets of Southern France, perhaps stopping on the way to enjoy local culinary delights.
Uniworld’s Wine Roads of France & Portugal
For those already familiar with the delights of French wines but have a penchant for trying something new, exploring the wine regions of Portugal and Spain might be the perfect fit.
Uniworld does just that with its Wine Roads of France & Portugal, taking in historic towns in both countries, with a side-step in Spain. You can expect to try some of the world’s best bold reds and dessert wines, from Sauternes to Port.
Visits to meet local vintners at French chateaux and Douro River Valley quintas are part of the experience you can expect to enjoy. The cruise visits Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine-growing district in Europe. The winemaking history goes back 2000 years, when Romans first planted vines in this region.
But where there’s wine, there’s also good food. Cycle amongst the vines and stop to sample authentic culinary delights along the way, before your river cruise stops in Spain where you’ll experience a typical tapas lunch, or feast on an array of Spanish treats in Salamanca’s food hall (one of Spain’s best).
Tauck’s Savouring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence
In a country that’s famed for its cuisine and fine vintages, there’s no doubt that Tauck’s 10-day tour across Paris, Lyon and Provence will leave you with a fondness for all things French.
You’ll discover new and exciting flavours during a tasting at the famous Les Halles de Lyon, an indoor food market that’s been a fixture in the town since 1850 and offers an astonishing assortment of wine, breads, cheeses, chocolates and more. The cruise also takes guests to visit Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and from here to the celebrated wine-growing region of Beaujolais for a scenic countryside tasting.
The river cruise then follows along the banks of the Rhone to Viviers, one of the best-preserved mediaeval towns in all of France, if not the world. From here, guests can opt to take a short drive to Grignan for a walking tour of the town and a truffle farm tour and tasting.
Sail away and enjoy more historical town visits, wine tastings and an exclusive to Tauck, a special evening including a tour, reception and dinner at restored chateau and grounds of the mediaeval Duchy of Uzes.
So there you have it, if it’s wine cruises you’re after, surely one of these top four will take your fancy? Which one will you choose?
