Corporate Wine Weekend - based in Avignon, France.
Small Group (8 - 20 people) - example itinerary

Thursday
20:55	Arrive on evening flight from Gatwick to Marseille (BA). Collected at Airport. Driven to Avignon and dropped at hotel at approx 22:30
22:30	Settle into accommodation. Welcome drink at hotel bar and discussion of programme for weekend.

Friday
09:00	Meet at hotel reception and depart for first tasting.
09:30	Domaine du Joncier, Lirac Meet Marine Roussel – a female wine maker who has recently taken over her father’s vineyard after a career as a graphic designer in Paris. Tour of the cellar with the vigneronne and description of the wine making process. Tasting of Lirac (red and white) and her delicious Rose. Comments from : Decanter Magazine "Marine Roussel looks too delicate to make wine, but this relative newcomer has been a welcome addition to Lirac since joining her father in 1994 on their 32ha domaine. She also organises art exhibitions and a lightness of touch is apparent in these understated wines. Restricted yields and the introduction of old Cinsault and Carignan from 2001 have boosted their depth. Another domaine that raises the reds only in concrete vat for two years, these are sappy, refined wines with good purity. The 2001 has more guts than the 2000 vintage, with a smoky, tarry side that shows more tannin on the finale. There is good truth in this improving domaine's wines."
11:00	Domaine de la Mordoree, Lirac Meet the wine maker Christophe Delorme whose mother inherited the domaine in 1970. Taste Lirac red and white, Tavel rose and a Chateauneuf du Pape from this increasingly well known producer. Comments from : www.winejournal.com "CdP La Reine des Bois - Now this was a serious wine, one of that rare breed that inexplicably manages to be refined and powerful in equal measure. Very tannic, full-bodied with great length, yet the final impression is one of elegance, harmony and finesse. This was my favourite wine of the tasting, proof that the ecological-minded practices instilled by Delorme do make a tangible difference to the final quality of the wine."
13:30	Domaine de Mourchon, Seguret Arrive at the Domaine for buffet lunch in the caveau with the wine maker Walter McKinlay and his family, presentation of their wines and (following lunch), tour of the caveau, walking tour of vineyard and tea on the lawn before leaving at 16:00. Comments from : Robert Parker "I can't say enough about these cuvées, which have performed consistently well since I began tasting them several years ago. Much of the credit goes to proprietor Walter McKinlay, who is working in one of the most idyllic and photogenic villages of southern France." www.domainedemourchon.com
16:45	La Pigeade Beaumes de Venise Meet Marine and Thierry, who took over the family vineyard in 1996 and have since built a solid reputation as one of the best producers of the dessert wine Muscat de Beaumes de Venise. Tour of the caveau (which is located in a former travellers’ inn dating from before the arrival of the Popes in Avignon), presentation of the methods of making dessert wine. www.lapigeade.fr
19:00	Arrive back at hotel. Time to change and relax before heading for dinner in Avignon.

Saturday
10:00	Domaine de Valdition, Orgon Tasting of non appellation controllee wines made using a number of unusual grape varieties and unusal combinations, particularly Les Duos and the gold medal winning Rose. Olive oil tasting of Single Cepage olive oils from the Domains. www.valdition.com
11:45	Chateau de Romanin Biodynamic wine producer. Tour of the caveau and the ‘cathedral’, presentation of the principles and methods used in biodynamic production. Tasting of 3 red blends featuring Counoise and Cinsault as well as the more common Syrah and Mourvedre, an unusual white made from Rolle, Ugni Blanc and Bourboulenc and complex Roses made from blends of all of the Cepages of the Domaine. Buffet lunch in the caveau. Comments from : Natalie Maclean "CHÂTEAU ROMANIN' ROUGE 2000 $33.95 AC Les Baux-de-Provence, France Château Romanin: Opulent, dense and rich with black fruit and a real attitude. Age 2-5 years. Score: 90/100" www.romanin.fr
14:45	Domaine d’Eole Meet the wine maker Christian Raimont at this beautiful Domaine where the wine gives most Chateauneufs a run for their money. Presentation of the wines of the Domaine, tasting of Rose, white and two reds which fall within the Coteaux d’Aix en Provence appellation. www.domainedeole.com
16:30	St Remy Visit Chocolatier Joel Durand - sample his chocolates flavoured with thyme, lavender, fresh mint and olives (amongst many other delicious flavours). Continue on to Le Petit Duc - biscuit maker which makes biscuits to medieval provencal recipes. Finish with olive oil tasting at Tous Les Huiles du Monde
18:30	Return to hotel. Relax before dinner
20:30	Palais des Papes Dinner in reception room in Palais des Papes accompanied by wines tasted during previous two days. Some of the wine makers will join us for dinner. www.palais-des-papes.com

Sunday
09:30	Leave hotel with baggage for Cassis
11:00	Domaine de la Ferme Blanche, Cassis. Meet the wine maker at this domaine dating back to the 18th century and sample the unusual and little known white wines of Cassis which are made using Sauvignon, Marsanne, Ugni Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc. www.kysela.com
13:00	Chez Gerard Boullabaisse lunch accompanied by the wines of Cassis.
15:30	Marseille At liberty in Marseille to browse, drink coffee, visit the Chateau d’If or the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Mer.
17:00	Hotel - rendezvous for return trip to airport
17:30	Marignane Airport. Check in for return flight at 19:05

We have similar programmes for Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace etc. If you would like us to provide a quotation for you, please with your requirements.