About Tours for Wine Lovers

For the past 20 years, Vin, a dedicated wine lover who is fluent in French, Spanish and Italian, has shared his love of food and wine with many fellow wine lovers. He has a Ph.D. in French but has learned more about culture through wine and cuisine than any textbook.

Wine tour participants enjoying the 1996 Piedmont
trip at a tasting of Barolo wines.

Vin's philosophy is to focus each tour on one region. Unlike most tours that spend one night in an area and then move on, Vin plans his tours so you can unpack your suitcases. By the time you leave, you have become very familiar with the area since you will have visited a cross-section of life: villages and farms as well as castles and modern facilities; and most importantly you will have met people from the area. Vin's philosophy in one sentence: "To learn about a culture through its food and wine and to have FUN doing it."

Do you have to be a wine expert to go on these tours?
Absolutely not! As long as you like cuisine and wine, you'll feel at home. After 15 years experience, Vin knows how to satisfy the winemaker and the wine novice. Incidentally, Vin encourages a non-snob approach to wine.

Why are Vin's tours so reasonably priced compared to other advertised tours?
Vin wants to help wine lovers realize their dreams. He removes all the hassles involved in arranging VIP tours and affords everyone the chance to visit wineries in a fashion usually reserved for wine notables and dignitaries. As proof of his success. Vin is proud that in 1998, over 80% of the participants were repeat travelers!

What kind of people go on Vin's tours?
All ages, from honeymooners (yes, people have used Vin's tours for their honeymoon) to retirees, from physicians to lawyers, teachers, housewives, and businessmen - the one thing they have in common is a camaraderie and zest for unique experiences.

What kind of hotels do we use?
Vin selects his hotels from the red Michelin Guide known for its high standards, usually with air-conditioning, always with private bath. You are usually staying in one of the top hotels in the area.

What about meals?
A few years ago Vin went from providing no meals to breakfast and one major meal each day. He felt he could provide a better cultural experience for participants than if left on their own. We have had lunch with Baron Ladoucette in his private dining room in Chateau Nozet; we've also had a cookout in a vineyard under the moonlight. We've eaten at 3 stars and at no stars. Everyone feels that the meals are one of the highlights of the tours. They trust Vin's judgement and expertise to come up with the best possible dining experiences within budget.

What do you like best about the tours?
The people who travel with us make our tours wonderful experiences. Each has a different background and they come from all areas of the country. We have literally made friends across the country and I look forward each tour to renewing friendships and meeting new people - it's all very exciting!