EXCLUSIVE OFFER
Valençay
20% OFF
Welcoming you to Valencay with reduced rates.
Receive 20% off your guided Valencay wine tour.
From £109
fully customisable bespoke tours
taste with winemakers
Explore incredible vineyards
chauffer driven english speaking
"I'll never forget meeting the winemakers and sampling their wine with them"
"Elite Wine Tour helped me bring genuine world class white wine home"
"The levels of detail that go into producing this wine are unreal!"
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Bespoke, customisable wine tasting & vineyard excursions for you
half day tour
from £98
most popular
as part of a group
- Groups of up to 8
- Chauffer Driven
- 2 Wine Tasting Sessions
- 1 Vineyard Tour
- Taster & Tour Fees Included
- Sample The Finest Wine
- Last Minute from Paris
full day tour
from £109.00
highest rating
best choice for couples
- Private Group
- Chauffer Driven
- Pick-up & drop-off ~ hotel/airport/train station
- 3 Wine Tasting Sessions
- 2 Vineyard Tours
- Tour & Taster Fees Included
- Sample The Finest Wine
- Lunch Included
- 100% Bespoke
- Last Minute from Paris
- Swap Vineyard Tour for Chateaux Visit
2 day tour
from £375.00
Ultimate experience
perfect for private groups
- All benefits of full day tour
- Explore multiple regions
- Rooms overlooking vineyards (optional)
- Swimming pool (optional)
- Last minute from Paris
During your Valencay wine tour you will experience an array of style of blended dry wine made.
Valencay might be more famous for its castle, and its pyramid shaped goats cheese. However, the wine made here is becoming more and more popular as the region expands and improves.
Valencay was awarded its own protected appellation status in 2003.
Prior to 2003, and since 1970, the Valencay wine region only achieved the now-defunct VDQS status. This status was thought of by many as an inferior status, producing inferior wine, to that of the coveted AOC labelled bottles.
Nowadays, Valencay winemakers work diligently and obsess over every aspect of winemaking. From the concepts of developing their blended wines, to the vineyards and the wineries themselves - the vast majority of Valencay winemakers treat their craft as seriously as any regions winemakers in The Loire Valley. Their skill and love of winemaking will be very obvious during your Valencay wine tour.
It is legally stipulated that white Valencay wine must be still, dry and contain a minimum 80% Sauvignon Blanc. Generally speaking, 20% of Chardonnay is also included in the blend. This addition softens and rounds off the rich, sharp edges often associated with a white wine consisting of 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Fie Gris, also known as Sauvignon Gris or Sauvignon Rose, is also sometimes included in the blend. This rare grape is far more delicate to harvest than Sauvignon Blanc, and can add honeyed notes to white Valencay wine.
In comparison with Sauvignon Blanc, Fie Gris is very difficult to manage in the vineyard. At the beginning of the 20th century, almost all of the Fie Gris vines were replaced with Sauvignon Blanc. Fortunately, one man in particular had faith in the Fie Gris variety and went to great lengths to preserve it. Subsequently he was joined by others. Fie Gris was grafted and replanted in strong enough volume to secure its future. Fie Gris rootstock was also grafted and taken to Cheverny, where it was successfully planted and now flourishes in small quantity.
During your Valencay wine tour you will meet the winemakers who helped to save this special grape variety, and bring it back from the brink of extinction. You will also taste the wines, and figure out for yourself whether you can detect Fie Gris, and whether or not you prefer its inclusion.
Red Valencay wine must contain 10% Pinot Noir. Generally there is no more than 10% Pinot Noir added to Valencay wine, as it is a very difficult grape to grow in Valencay’s vineyards.
More favourable in this region are the Gamay and Malbec grapes. These are considered better suited to Valencay’s terroir. Winemakers of Valencay combine the three aforementioned red grapes to create fresh, vibrant, dry red wines of sublime character. During a Valencay wine tour, guests sample red Valencay wine of various blends, with totally differing proportions. This gives great insight into not only the winemaking process, but the person tasting the wine’s personal preference.
Valencay’s magnificent terroir has been likened to a miniature Medoc. Its fabulous flint, and glorious gravel on clay soils give the wines a crisp freshness, and a certain wild attitude. These expressions pair formidably with the region’s famous goats cheese. Both red and white Valencay wines are thought to be equally adept at complimenting and bringing out the strong flavours and partly creamy/partly chalky texture of the deletable, distinct regional cheese.
Cheese tasting, as well as visiting Chateau Valencay, can all be included in a Valencay wine tour.
Mission
Excelling in exceptional bespoke, customisable wine tour experiences available to a diverse global clientele. Providing invaluable insights into Loire Valley wine & the winemaking process whilst keeping things fun.
Vision
Delivering our guests in luxury to organic and biodynamic vineyards. Partnering wine makers producing the very most exceptional examples of all styles & varieties of Valencay wine. Shaping & creating unforgettable memories.
Values
- Innovative & unique client led experiences
- Expertise in wine & grape variety
- World class service in every department