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It may seem like a long way to travel, but the end goal will be well worth the journey. If you are planning a vacation to the south of France, so much the better. You will be treated to 60 wine growers whose passion is exquisite, quality wine production. In a small, but incredibly beautiful area called “Ctes de Provence,” this tiny plot of land is immense in its love of wine. Taking in parts of Var as well as a part of Bouches-du-Rhne, Provence is a wonderful stop on an incredible tour to experience the fine wine from France.

An indigo sky, azure sea and miles of white, sandy beaches welcome you to an area where limestone cliffs and medieval villages give way to miles of sharply-scented pine forests that provide shelter to tranquil lakes and lazy rivers.

On the flipside, there is a bustling metropolis complete with all modern conveniences, or you might elect to stay in an old world style country house with 17th and 18th century antiques and explore the wine regions of South West France. In Provence, all of this is possible as you take leisurely walks along sunshine filled paths that are warm and inviting. You will enjoy the lush nights, scents of jasmine, wild thyme and lavender filling your senses with joy.

Perhaps because of the breathtaking beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and the abundance of tourist attractions found in Nice, Cannes, and elsewhere along the French Riviera, companies that offer traditional wine tasting tours, in spite of the excellence of its wines, often overlook Provence.

2600 years ago, Phoenicians came to France and built the first of many vineyards to honor their god, Bacchus who is the god of wine. A legacy was left behind, that of full-bodied wines that possess a fullness and sparkle as rich as the vineyards they are grown in.

In Provence, as everywhere in the Mediterranean, you will find the people full of warmth, spontaneity, and a “joie de vivre.” As you will soon discover, any of these master oenologists (winemakers) will be delighted to introduce you to the wines they have become famous for; and share a little of the region’s history with you.

If you have luck on your side, your host will be in a generous and share some of the tightly held secrets of blending food with the correct wine to create some that most French winegrowers have a passion for.

Winemaking all throughout France is a serious business. It is the same in Provence where winegrowers have won awards and the prestigious “AOC” designation (Appellation d’Origine Controlee) on their bottles of wines. This is one of the highest awards available in French winegrowing, and it guarantees the buyer that the wine is an appellation wine. Winegrowers must pass tests and rigorous inspections.

It is a coveted award bestowed only by the Ministry of Agriculture in Paris and is a truly a prestigious title of an AOC labeled wine.

As you will discover from the first delicious sip, the Ctes de Provence winegrowers are experts in utilizing traditional methods when harvesting and bottling their wines. Their deep respect for the soil, the climate, and the different varieties of grapes they use comes through in the quality and taste of each bottle.

Provence is situated in the heart of winemaking country at the “Maison des Ctes de Provence” which boasts and outstanding selection of appellation wines.

If you are not worried about the thickness of your waist (or your wallet), a visit to the four-star restaurant the “Bacchus Gourmand” is a must, where you can savor real Provencal cuisine accompanied (of course) by the perfect bottle of a Ctes de Provence wine.

You can taste home-cooked meal, try out one of the out of the way cafes that are tucked on the narrow side streets of any villages, and your chef who is most times also your host will be happy to recommend a wine to you.

Your tour can include a wine tasting course, if you choose, at one of the many vineyards. You will be treated to an education and deeper understanding of wine from its robe or color, to its bouquet (perfume) as well as its body or strength and all that goes into the servicing and conservation of the wines from wine cellars to table.

Visiting Provence and touring their wonderful vineyards and wineries would not be complete without taking home a bottle or two which you can drink and reminisces about later.