From the chalky soils of Champagne to sun-drenched Provence, France offers a true embarrassment of riches when it comes to wine tourism.
Its vineyards and wineries are spread top to bottom across the country, and take in some of its most diverse and picturesque landscapes. To really understand the nation’s winemaking culture, a tour of its producers is a must – these are some of the most beautiful wineries to visit in France. Prepare to ship more than a case or two home.
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Château de l’Engarran, Laverune
Château de l’Engarran has been producing wine since the 1600s and, thanks to its immaculate preservation, is regarded as one of the most beautiful wineries in France. It produces a number of red and white wines, but as is characteristic for this part of the country, its rosès are top draw, with distinct menthol notes.
Covering around 160 acres on the outskirts of Montpellier, the estate itself is the epitome of quintessential French charm. The archetypal château, which was built in 1700s and renovated in the 1800s, opens out to manicured gardens that can be exclusively hired for private events.
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Four generations of women have shaped the Château de l’Engarran winery and its surrounding landscape with a focus on sustainability and biodiversity, seeing the estate awarded certification from Terra Vitis (a French body that examines the wine-growing industry’s social, environmental, and economic impact) in 2004.
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Château Cos d’Estournel, Bordeaux
Cos d’Estournel is a picture-perfect French winery, and while most visitors come to witness the unique production techniques, the beauty of this Bordeaux estate is an undeniable draw. The estate is known for its commitment to innovation, which it applies to every aspect of wine production in order to maximize the potential of its grapes as well as preserve the natural environment.
Cabernet Sauvignon makes up the bulk of the vineyards, with a smaller portion of land dedicated to Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Cos d’Estournel proudly notes that some of the vines on the 247-acre vineyard date back to the early 20th century, and though these vines harvest little, what they do yield is integral to the estate’s identity.
While the technology behind the making of Cos d’Estournel’s wines is avant-garde, the estate’s château is formidable in its historic beauty. Unlike others in the area, the château was built in the early 1800s with the intention of acting as a winery, not as a residential property. The chateau’s architecture has clear Indian influence, with elegant arches and elephant motifs seen throughout – both of which are excellently preserved thanks to a 2008 renovation.
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Château Lafite-Rothschild, Bordeaux
Just a short distance away from Cos d’Estournel is Château Lafite-Rothschild, which, as the first French château acquired by the Rothschild family back in 1868, has a long and rich history. Any self-respecting oenophile will instantly recognize the Château Lafite-Rothschild name: the estate’s eponymous red is regarded as one of the best in the world, with certain vintages sold for record-breaking amounts at auction.
Aside from its fame for producing some of the most expensive wines in the world, the beauty of the winery is also a significant draw. The Renaissance-style château is impressively grand and, at over 275 acres, the surrounding vineyards are some of the largest in the region. Like Cos d’Estournel, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most common grape variety at Château Lafite-Rothschild, with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot also grown in smaller quantities.
Château Lafite-Rothschild’s vaulted, circular cellars are also of particular interest: when they were rebuilt in 1987 by renowned Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, they were the first in the world to break from the linear organization more traditionally used for wine.
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Champagne Ruinart, Champagne
No list of the most beautiful wineries in France would be complete without a mention of the Champagne region in the northeast of the country. And as the oldest Champagne house in the world, the Ruinart estate is a must-see. Ruinart primarily grows Chardonnay grapes in its hilltop vineyards, with the chalky soils of the region making for ideal growing conditions.
However, while the vineyards of Maison Ruinart are undeniably picturesque, it is the underground action that attracts visitors. The house’s distinctive chalk cellars (Crayères) are the deepest in the region. In 1931 the cellars were recognized as a national monument, and in 2015 received classification as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Such is their importance, Ruinart has transitioned to a 100-percent paper bottle case as an alternative to plastic packaging, with the white, chalky texture of the case designed to imitate the cellar walls.
Despite being the oldest, Ruinart is also among the more forward-thinking Champagne houses, is one of a select few to be awarded France’s Viticulture Durable en Champagne certification in recognition of its sustainable commitments.
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Clos de Vougeot Castle, Burgundy
Burgundian Château du Clos de Vougeot was built as a wine farm by monks in the 12th century. In the 16th century, a Renaissance-style château was added to the estate, which sits in the heart of the sprawling surrounding vineyards. Although the estate no longer actually produces wine on-site, it remains a symbol of Burgundy’s rich and long-standing wine-making history.
In 2015 Clos de Vougeot became the headquarters of the Climats de Bourgogne (the vine plots of Burgundy), the same year it was recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site, making it a hotspot for tourists exploring France’s revered wine regions, with guided and self-led tours of the abbey and surrounding landscape both available.
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Château Sainte Roseline, Provence
Along with its swathes of lavender fields and picture-perfect Mediterranean coastline, Provence is best-known for its crisp, pale rosés, which are as indicative of an aprés-ski as they are a Riviera summer. The region has many of the most beautiful wineries in France, but our top pick is Château Sainte-Roseline, which is centered around the 11th century Roseline Chapel.
The estate covers around 272 acres of vineyards, with 11 different grape varieties. It produces red and white wines as well as the signature rosés – its most celebrated bottles include the award-winning Roseline Prestige. As well as a series of immersive winery tours and tastings, Château Sainte-Roseline also invites its guests to peruse its impressive collection of contemporary artworks and the relics of Saint Roseline herself.
