{"id":5375,"date":"2023-06-06T07:19:30","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T05:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ampelio.fr\/non-categorise\/juin-2023-creer-activite-oenotouristique\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:49:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T13:49:17","slug":"wine-tourism-tips-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ampelio.fr\/en\/dossier-en\/wine-tourism-tips-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting a wine tourism business: our tips to get started"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wine tourism<\/strong> is the creation of a tourist experience directly connected to the world of wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Booming both in France and worldwide, these activities are increasingly embraced by winemakers. For a wine estate, wine tourism offers the opportunity to gain new visibility, attract a broader clientele of both individuals and groups, and diversify activities and revenue streams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regions like the Loire Valley, this approach also enhances the long-term value of estates: discover the advantages and opportunities of a vineyard in the Loire Valley<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how can an estate successfully embark on a wine tourism journey today? What kinds of experiences<\/strong> can be offered to visitors? And what training<\/strong> is available for winegrowers? In this article, let\u2019s take a closer look at the world of wine tourism!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ch\u00e2teau<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wine tourism in France<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2009, France, global leader in both wine and tourism, created the National Wine Tourism Council<\/strong> (Conseil Sup\u00e9rieur de l\u2019\u0152notourisme<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its mission is to develop wine tourism<\/strong> by opening new opportunities for direct sales, particularly for independent winemakers but also for cooperatives. The Council also works to enhance the attractiveness of wine regions<\/strong> through calls for projects, training programs, information sharing, and professional networking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, wine tourism in France attracts over 10 million visitors every year<\/strong>, with 52% being French and 48% international. This represents a remarkable increase of more than 30% since 2009, when numbers reached 7.5 million visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitor profiles are diverse: wine enthusiasts, cultural tourists, families, and groups. Expectations are evolving too, with growing demand for hands-on experiences, short formats or turnkey weekend packages, and convivial spaces for sharing and discovery<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total annual revenue of French wine tourism is estimated at \u20ac5.2 billion<\/strong>, with visitors spending an average of \u20ac1,250 per stay<\/strong>. Today, more than 10,000 wine estates and cellars<\/strong> welcome tourists across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And these figures keep rising, as wine tourism continues to attract both new visitors and more and more winemakers<\/strong> eager to diversify their activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wine tourism activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wine tourism offers a wide range of possibilities, and each estate can design experiences that highlight its own identity and expertise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each experience is an opportunity to introduce visitors to the Loire\u2019s exceptional diversity \u2014 from Muscadet to Sancerre, explore 10 must-know appellations of the Loire Valley<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the most popular activities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wine tastings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether or not an estate has a fully developed wine tourism program, tastings are the cornerstone of the experience<\/strong>. They are highly valued for the close connection they create between the winemaker and the visitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tastings can be self-guided or hosted by the producer<\/strong>, providing a unique opportunity to share knowledge, tell the story of the estate, showcase the specific character of each cuv\u00e9e, and encourage direct sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some tastings go further, taking the form of sensorial workshops<\/strong>, introductions to organoleptic analysis<\/strong>, or food and wine pairings<\/strong> featuring cheese, chocolate, or other regional specialties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guided cellar tours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A timeless classic, yet essential: the cellar tour<\/strong> is often the first step for visitors. It takes them straight to the heart of winemaking, allowing them to understand the different stages of vinification and appreciate the precision required in the winemaker\u2019s craft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These tours usually end with a guided tasting<\/strong>, a genuine moment of exchange and conviviality. To enrich the experience, some estates also provide educational materials or offer tours in foreign languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Visite<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Oenology classes & masterclasses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many visitors are eager to deepen their knowledge of wine. By offering classes led by the winemaker or a professional oenologist, estates can showcase their expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sessions may cover topics such as the history of wine, winemaking techniques, aromas and defects, or ageing methods<\/strong>. They are designed for both enthusiasts and beginners seeking to broaden their understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring the vineyard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Walks and excursions through the vines provide an authentic, sensory immersion<\/strong>. Whether on foot, by electric bike, off-road scooter, horseback, or 4×4, these activities allow visitors to discover the vineyard in all its diversity: grape varieties, terroir, cultivation practices (organic, biodynamic, agroecological), and local biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These moments foster a strong connection to nature and terroir, enhancing the visitor\u2019s emotional bond with the estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immersive experiences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


<\/strong>Interactive activities turn visitors into active participants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n