Two intensive days discovering the exceptional wines of Provence

Two days of Provençal wine, neatly organized. You’ll connect Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, St Victoire, and Luberon in a single trip, with six vineyard tastings and serious time to see the sights around Aix. I also like that this is private, so your guide can flex when you need to slow down, ask questions, or adjust the pace.

One possible drawback: the schedule is tight and 16 hours is a lot of time in a car and tasting rooms. If you prefer long, lazy afternoons in just one village, you may feel it is a bit of a sprint.

Key highlights worth marking

• Six vineyard visits with tastings across two days, focused on Provence wine styles from rosé to reds and whites
• Private guide + flexible pacing, so the day adapts to your group
• Aix-en-Provence Old Town and its centuries-old cathedral, not just vineyards
• St Victoire appellation views from steep slopes, tied to the landscape that inspired Paul Cezanne
• A proper lunch with wine pairing at a well-regarded local restaurant (weather permitting on a terrace)

Provence wine in two tight days: what you get for 16 hours

This is built as an intensive, organized two-day Provence sampler. You start at 9:00 am and the total time is about 16 hours, with an air-conditioned vehicle doing most of the heavy lifting between regions. You also get a mobile ticket, plus pickup from your hotel or villa in Marseille and several nearby towns.

The big idea is simple: you get both the wine and the visual Provence. It is not only tasting rooms. It also includes a meaningful block of Aix-en-Provence sightseeing, including Old Town and a centuries-old cathedral. Then you branch out to the wine regions that made Provence famous for rosé, and for the reds and whites that go along with it.

Because it is private, you are not stuck in a fixed herd tempo. Guides associated with OohProvence have a track record of being responsive to the group, including families with small kids, and history and architecture questions that keep popping up in Aix.

Price and value check for $1,561.98 per person

At $1,561.98 per person, this is not a bargain tour. But it can still feel like good value depending on what you would otherwise pay to cover transportation, tastings, and lunch yourself.

Here is what is included that helps justify the price:

• Wine tastings at six vineyards over the two days
• Coffee and/or tea breaks during the route
• Lunch each day, typically a 3-course meal with wine pairing, plus bottled water and coffee
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Hotel or villa pickup in several common Provence base towns
• A private format, meaning your group is the only one

If you were to plan this on your own, you would still need a driver, a route that links Cassis to Aix and then up toward St Victoire and out to Luberon. You would also be paying for multiple vineyard visits and meals. The main thing you are buying here is time savings and a guided flow that keeps you moving toward the best wine areas without turning the trip into constant logistics.

If your priority is slow travel, or if you can already comfortably manage wine tastings and car rentals, the high price may sting. But if you want one organized package that mixes Provence sights + quality tastings, it makes more sense.

Cassis vineyards to start, with a coastal first impression

Your day begins in Cassis, on the Provence coast. The schedule includes a visit and wine tasting at a number of reputable vineyards, with enough structure to introduce you to the local style before you shift inland toward the Aix area.

This stop is listed at about 4 hours. Even though the itinerary format compresses the details, the practical result is that you get multiple tastings rather than a single quick pour. That matters because Provence wines vary a lot by sub-region and even by producer, so tasting across vineyards early helps you build a reference point for what you like.

Also, do not underestimate the value of an early coffee or tea break during the day. After sitting in the car and doing your first rounds of tasting, that little reset helps you keep your attention on what you are smelling and tasting, instead of feeling rushed or foggy.

Aix-en-Provence: Old Town walking time plus rosé-focused wine country

A big reason people pick this tour is that it gives you time in Aix-en-Provence, not just a quick drive-by. You’ll visit the Old Town and see a centuries-old cathedral, plus other top sights and attractions packed into the day.

Then comes the wine focus. Over the two days, your route is centered on Côte d’Aix and Mt St Victoire, areas known for exceptional rosé, along with reds and whites. The pairing of sightseeing plus wine regions is smart. You see Aix in the way it is meant to be seen, and then you connect that with where the wine styles are coming from in nearby hills and valleys.

One of the standout strengths in the Aix portion is how much the guides are able to make history feel usable. In previous tour experiences led by guides such as Laurent and Christopher, guests have praised the way the route turns into a living walkthrough of architecture and local context. That is exactly what you want on a first (or second) visit to Aix: stories tied to the streets you are standing on.

A practical tip for the Aix portion

Wear comfortable shoes. Even if the pace feels manageable, Old Town walking plus winery time adds up. If you are the kind of traveler who likes to stop for photos, that is fine, but tell your guide. A private format means your guide can build in those pauses without derailing the day.

Puyloubier and St Victoire slopes, the Cezanne inspiration angle

Next up is Puyloubier, tied to the St Victoire appellation. This is one of the more atmospheric sections of the tour because the wine is directly connected to geography.

The vineyards here face the steep slopes of Mt St Victoire, a mountain that inspired Paul Cezanne. That matters because it gives you a mental picture while tasting. You are not only thinking, This is a rose or a red. You are thinking, This wine comes from terrain that shapes how grapes ripen and how the landscape looks.

This stop is shorter on the itinerary line, but the theme is clear: you get a focused look at a specific appellation rather than generic Provence wine tasting. If you want your Provence trip to feel more like a coherent story, St Victoire helps a lot.

Luberon wineries and meeting the winemakers

The route also includes Luberon, a wine region that often gets less attention than the headline names, even though it offers plenty to taste. Here, the tour emphasizes unique and lesser known wines, with visits to wineries and cellars.

This part also includes time to meet the winemakers, which can make a real difference. When someone explains the why behind the bottle, you usually taste with better ears. You start noticing whether the wine is driven by freshness, structure, or more fruit-forward comfort. That kind of context is hard to replicate if you just show up for a basic tasting without a guide.

The Luberon segment is listed at about 4 hours, so it is not a quick stop. You have time to slow down inside the cellar atmosphere and keep the focus on the wines, not just the view.

How the day stays pleasant: tastings, breaks, and lunch with pairing

Wine tours can go two ways. Either you drift into a fog of small sips, or you keep a rhythm that helps you stay sharp. This itinerary is built to manage the rhythm.

You get:

• Coffee and/or tea breaks between sightseeing stops, always included
• Lunch each day at a local renowned restaurant (weather permitting on a terrace)
• A 3-course lunch with wine pairing, plus bottled water and coffee
• An air-conditioned vehicle for the stretches between regions

That lunch detail is not filler. A 3-course meal with pairing helps reset your palate and gives you something to compare your tasting impressions against. If you are picky about food, you are also less likely to end the day hungry and cranky.

A note on pacing

Because there are six vineyard visits with tastings spread across two days, you should expect a steady flow. You will learn more when you can concentrate, so go in with a plan:

• Take notes if you like to remember later
• Pace yourself at each tasting
• Drink water between tastings, not just at lunch

Who this private Provence wine tour fits best

This is a strong match for:

• You if you love Provence rosé but also want to taste reds and whites without guessing where to go
• You if you want a single trip that links Aix-en-Provence sights with multiple wine regions
• You if you prefer a private day where your guide can adjust to your group, including a slower pace for kids or extra time for questions
• You if you want someone else handling the route, timing, and winery-to-winery transitions

It may not fit as well if:

• You are looking for a very slow vacation with minimal driving
• You already have a detailed wine itinerary and want total independence
• You want only one region, not a cross-province tasting journey

Booking decision: should you book this tour?

If you want a structured, high-effort Provence experience that mixes Aix sightseeing with real vineyard tastings in Cassis, St Victoire, and Luberon, I think this one is worth serious consideration. The private format and included meals matter because they turn the day into something you can actually enjoy, not just survive.

If you are price sensitive or you hate car time, compare it to what you could do independently. With a tour this set up, the value mostly comes from the combination of transport, six tastings, and lunch with pairing, plus the guide’s ability to keep the day coherent.

FAQ

How long is the tour and what time does it start?

The experience is about 16 hours total, and it starts at 9:00 am.

Is pickup included, and where does the tour pick up from?

Yes. Pickup is included from your hotel or villa in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles, St Rémy de Provence, Lourmarin, and Gordes.

How many vineyard visits with tastings are included?

Across the two days, there are six vineyard visits with wine tastings.

What is included for lunch?

Each day includes lunch at an exceptional local renowned restaurant, and weather permitting you may lunch on a terrace. Lunch is a 3-course meal with wine pairing, plus bottled water and coffee.

Is there a coffee or tea break during the tour?

Yes. The tour always includes a break for coffee and/or tea during the visits.

Is this tour suitable as a shore excursion from the Port of Marseille?

No. The tour is not suitable as a shore excursion to/from the port of Marseille.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, with free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling later than that does not refund the amount paid.