Private French Wine Tour & Exclusive Cellar Encounters
Celebrating 25 Years of Passionate Wine Expertise
Uncorking the Essence of French Wine
Let’s be honest: true luxury isn’t about ticking boxes on a standard itinerary; it’s about access to the unfindable. You aren’t looking for a scripted tour led by guides with shallow knowledge. You are seeking the rare, the exceptional, and the authentic soul of French wine. That is exactly where we begin.
Picture yourself standing with your feet in the soil of a Grand Cru vineyard, smelling the limestone and wet earth, surrounded by the silence of the vines. Led by experts who live and breathe these landscapes, you won’t just visit a tasting room; you will step into hidden cellars and family-run estates where authenticity reigns. Here, every bottle holds a multi-generational story, and every sip unveils the true essence of the region. With us, you go beyond the clichés to discover French wine like a true insider.
Imagine strolling through the historic villages of Burgundy or Bordeaux, where the air is heavy with the aroma of the harvest and ancient vines twist toward the sun. Every turn reveals a new terroir waiting to be understood. You’ll meet passionate winemakers eager to share the secrets of their craft—not the rehearsed speech given to tourists, but the honest heritage behind each vintage. In cool, candlelit cellars, you’ll sample exquisite varietals, from delicate Pinot Noirs to powerful blends, each paired perfectly with local gastronomy.
As you sip a glass of Grand Cru in a private salon, the sommelier will reveal the unique alchemy of soil and climate that gives these wines their distinctive character. This is more than just a wine tasting; it is an immersion into a rich 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 the heart of France.
With us, you will leave the wine regions with more than just crates of exceptional vintage. You will leave with the memory of an adventure that engaged all your senses. The wine routes we travel are more than paths on a map; they are a deep dive into a culture that values quality, patience, and the simple, profound 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.
Beyond the Bottle: Heartfelt Wine Journeys in France
What I offer is something different—something deeply personal and profoundly authentic. It’s not just about tasting wine; it’s about understanding the soul behind every bottle, the generations of dedication that have shaped each vineyard, and the unspoken traditions passed down through time.
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—where the vines have stories to tell and the people who tend them welcome you as more than just a visitor.
We’ll meet the artisans whose hands craft each bottle, hearing their stories and witnessing their passion firsthand. We’ll visit centuries-old châteaux, walk through ancient cellars lined with dusty barrels, and stand among the vines as the morning sun bathes the landscape in golden light.
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.
Authentic Connections & Hidden Treasures of French Wine Country
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. It’s in the scent of the earth after the rain, the way the morning mist lingers over the vines, and the quiet patience that turns grapes into something timeless.
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. You’ll run your fingers through the rocky earth, taste wines where they were born, and feel the rhythm of the vineyard through the hands of those who have devoted their lives to it. This is Burgundy beyond words, an authentic, sensory journey into the heart of terroir.
The Land, Passion & Stories Behind Every Bottle
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.
Your Unforgettable Wine Journey Awaits—Let’s Create It Together
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. Each pairing was meticulously curated to highlight the delicate interplay between the rich umami of the truffles and the nuanced depth of the Champagnes, creating a dining moment unlike any other. Guests didn’t just taste the wines—they experienced their evolution, their complexity, and the stories woven into each bottle.
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 Rhône 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.
FAQ: Planning Your French Wine Tour
We operate in all major French wine regions, with deep expertise in Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, the Rhône Valley, and the Loire Valley.
Absolutely. Many clients combine a Champagne tour with history in Reims, or pair an Alsace wine tour with the region's famous Christmas markets.
Not at all. Our tours are tailored to your level. Whether you are a Master of Wine or a curious beginner, our guides adapt the experience to ensure it is engaging, educational, and accessible.