Private French Wine Tour & Exclusive Cellar Encounters
Celebrating 25 Years of Passionate Wine Expertise
Uncorking the Essence of French Wine
Let’s be honest: you’re tired of “luxury” wine tours as bland as bargain-bin Merlot. Enough of guides with shallow knowledge and cookie-cutter itineraries, chasing commissions over real connections. You’re after the real thing—the rare, the exceptional, the authentic soul of French wine. That’s exactly what we offer.
Picture yourself with your feet in the vineyard, tasting the terroir, smelling the earth, surrounded by those who understand wine down to its roots. Led by experts who live and breathe these landscapes, you’ll step into hidden cellars and renowned estates where authenticity reigns, where each bottle holds a story, and every sip unveils the true essence of the region. With us, you’ll go beyond the clichés and discover French wine like a true insider. Welcome to a journey unlike any other.
Imagine strolling through picturesque villages, surrounded by rolling hills covered in lush vines. The air is filled with the aroma of grapes ready for harvest, and every turn reveals a new vineyard waiting to be explored. You’ll meet passionate winemakers eager to share stories of their craft and the heritage behind each bottle. In cool, dimly lit cellars, you’ll sample exquisite reds like Pinot Noir and Merlot, each paired perfectly with local gourmet delights. Our tours take you to historic chateaux, where centuries-old traditions meet modern winemaking techniques.
As you sip a glass of Grand Cru in an elegant tasting room, the sommelier will reveal the unique terroir that gives these wines their distinctive character. The experience is more than just a wine tasting; it’s an immersion into a rich wine culture that celebrates both the art and science of viticulture. Between the sips and the sights, you’ll realize this is not just a trip but an unforgettable journey into French wine culture. The blend of culinary delights, breathtaking landscapes, and world-class wines makes our tours a must for any wine enthusiast.
With us, you’ll leave the wine regions behind not only with bottles of exceptional wine but also with memories of an adventure that engaged all your senses. The wine routes you’ll travel are more than paths on a map; they are a deep dive into the heart of a culture that values quality, tradition, and the simple joy of sharing a glass of wine with new friends.
Why Choose Our Bespoke Wine Tours?
Unmatched Expertise: With 25 years of experience, we have an in-depth knowledge of French wine regions and privileged connections with renowned winemakers.
Exclusive Access: Thanks to our family and friendship ties with talented winemakers, you can expect private meetings with them on their estates, many of which are usually closed to the public.
Tailored Experiences: Each tour is customized to meet your specific interests and preferences, ensuring a truly personalized and unforgettable experience.
Expert Guidance: Your tour will be led by fine wine professionals who will provide insightful knowledge and fascinating stories about the wines and regions you visit.
Exclusive Wine Tours: An Invitation to the Authentic Soul of French Wine
I spent 15 years deeply immersed in the vineyards of Burgundy, sharing the life of a vigneron whose love for the land and its fruits ran as deep as the roots of the vines themselves.
Those years gave me not only an intimate understanding of winemaking but also a profound connection to the rhythms of the vineyard. I nurtured the vines through the seasons—feeling the soil’s warmth in spring, bracing against the chill of winter pruning, and celebrating the quiet joy of harvest under a golden autumn sky.
Though our paths have since diverged, the experiences we shared remain a part of me, woven into the fabric of who I am. They are more than memories—they are the foundation of how I see the world and how I share it with others.
I’m Marie Tesson, and at Journeys of a Lifetime, my goal is to open the doors to this extraordinary world for you. Not as a distant guide, but as someone who has lived and breathed the stories that make every bottle of wine a living piece of history. I understand that you’re not looking for just another wine tour. You’ve already savored fine wines, traveled to famous vineyards, and experienced the allure of wine regions around the world.
What I offer is something different—something deeply personal and profoundly authentic.
With me, you’ll go beyond the surface. Together, we’ll step into the hidden corners of France’s wine regions, places usually reserved for those with deep roots in the community.
We’ll meet the artisans whose hands craft each bottle, hearing their stories and witnessing their passion firsthand. We’ll visit centuries-old chateaux, walk through ancient cellars, and discover the secrets of terroir—the soul of every great wine.
This isn’t about following a script or ticking off a list of landmarks. It’s about immersing yourself in the life, the culture, and the heart of French winemaking.
Wine, Family, and Tradition
At Journeys of a Lifetime, I invite you to embark on truly extraordinary experiences centered around the world of wine.
My bespoke wine tours of France are carefully crafted to give you privileged access to its most coveted vineyards and estates, and so much more. Drawing on the personal friendships and family connections
I’ve cultivated with some of France’s most talented and passionate winemakers, your journey will include private meetings with these artisans on their estates—many of which are closed to the public and steeped in history and tradition.
Imagine tasting exceptional wines and prestigious grands crus in the very cellars where they were created, guided by experts who bring each glass to life with their stories, passion, and deep knowledge.
Together, we’ll delve into the intricate art of winemaking, exploring everything from the delicate care of the vines to the centuries-old techniques used in the cellars. These experiences are not just exclusive—they’re personal. I work to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes every moment feel special, weaving conviviality and originality into every encounter.
My goal is to help you develop a profound connection to the regions we explore. I want you to feel the heartbeat of each vineyard and understand the unique terroirs that shape every bottle.
With my deep local knowledge and trusted relationships with winemakers and regional experts, I’ll introduce you to some of the most celebrated names in the wine world. At the same time, I’ll open the door to hidden gems—smaller, lesser-known estates that hold secrets and surprises waiting to be discovered.
By traveling with me, you’re not just visiting wine country—you’re becoming a part of it. Together, we’ll venture into iconic vineyards and uncover emerging terroirs, where tradition meets innovation.
You’ll meet the people whose lives are entwined with the land, sharing in their stories and passion, and come away with a deeper appreciation for the culture and craftsmanship that defines French wine.
Understanding the terroirs and their complexity
Curious to feel the soul of a terroir? To know if it’s just a story—or something real? With us, it’s the land itself, the climate, and especially the people who work it, who bring that story to life.
Imagine yourself in Burgundy, walking along vine-bordered paths, each step drawing you closer to the iconic stone pillars etched with ‘Bâtard-Montrachet.’ These silent sentinels, marking the entry to storied vineyards, are portals to a world where terroir speaks. Crossing these thresholds, you enter a landscape where limestone and clay soils, nurtured by a unique climate, shape wines of remarkable depth and complexity.
Accompanied by passionate winemakers, you’ll discover how every nuance in the soil and each shift of sunlight influences the wine’s character. This is Burgundy beyond words, an authentic, sensory journey into the heart of terroir.
In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, walk with us into the famed La Crau vineyard, where ancient, sun-warmed stones—the galets roulés—blanket the ground. These stones, smoothed by time, hold the day’s heat and release it slowly into the vines at night, crafting wines of extraordinary power.
A few steps away, on the sandy soils of Piedlong, the same Grenache grape transforms, showing a delicate, velvety side. Here, you’ll not only taste the difference but feel it in your bones, guided by the people who understand these vineyards like family, each element of the land revealing a new layer of the wine’s soul.
Champagne is shifting beyond a single taste or grand maison identity. Today, vignerons like Anselme Selosse are championing terroir, crafting single-parcel wines in places like Avize’s Les Chantereines and Les Carelles. Using biodynamic methods and oak fermentation, Selosse captures each parcel’s unique character, from Avize’s chalky elegance to Aÿ’s clay-rich depth. Champagne now invites you to taste its land, its diversity, and its soul
Crafting Unforgettable Moments: A Showcase of Our Wine Expertise
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of organizing remarkable wine-focused events that bring people closer to the heart of French wine culture. These are not just concepts—they’re experiences we’ve crafted for our clients, each one tailored to their vision and enriched by the unparalleled connections we’ve built across France’s most prestigious wine regions.
We’ve welcomed guests into the legendary cellars of Moët & Chandon in Epernay, where they enjoyed an exclusive Dom Pérignon tasting dinner surrounded by the history and magic of Champagne. These evenings, paired with expertly curated dishes, offered a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship behind some of the world’s finest vintages.
One of our most exceptional collaborations took place at one of the most prestigious Champagne Houses, where we organized a one-of-a-kind wine degustation. Each glass was paired with a bespoke opera and musical air, carefully designed to reflect the depth and character of the wine. This sensory journey, hosted in the heart of that Champagne house, elevated the experience to an artistic performance where sound and taste intertwined, leaving guests in awe of the harmony between wine and music.
For those seeking an intimate connection to both wine and craft, we’ve organized private tastings in renowned cellars in Paris, followed by a dinner in historic venues. And for something truly extraordinary, we paired aged Champagnes with a truffle-themed dinner in a Parisian gastronomic restaurant, where the finest Alba white truffles added an unforgettable dimension to the wine experience.
These are just a few examples of the events we’ve brought to life—each one celebrating the rich traditions, artistry, and unmatched elegance of French wine culture. Whether in the heart of Paris, the rolling vineyards of Champagne, or historic estates of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, the Loire Valley or the Rhone Valley, we’ve made our clients’ visions a reality, always with wine at the center of the experience. Let us do the same for you.
Contact Us for your Wine Journey
Are you ready to explore the heart and soul of French wine? I would love to help you create a journey that’s as personal and unique as your tastes. With 25 years of passion and hands-on experience, I’ll guide you to the hidden treasures and unforgettable moments that make French wine so special. Let’s start planning your bespoke adventure together—reach out, and we’ll begin this incredible journey.