During your Loire getaway, immerse yourself in the world of renowned vineyards, learn about innovative winemaking techniques and enjoy tastings your palate won't forget! Whether you're a wine lover or just curious, we've selected the best Loire wine cellars for you. For us, the tasting and cultural experience of the region's wines is an integral part of the trip.
In this article, find our complete guide, including tips and photos, to enrich your wine and tourism itinerary in the Loire Valley.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Tips for visiting wine cellars in the Loire Valley: the essentials
Wine-tasting options in the wine-growing regions are varied and renowned. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a curious neophyte, we strongly recommend you try this experience! Here are our tips for planning your cellar tasting in the region.
How to choose a wine cellar
When selecting Loire wine cellars, consider the following criteria:
- Wine quality: check the reputation of the wines produced, their aromas, flavours and specific characteristics.
- Awards and distinctions: awards won by the winery guarantee recognition of quality, and are sometimes indicated on the official website or on site.
- Tour experience: check out the options available (guided tours, tastings, events, food and wine pairings).
- Explanation of winemaking techniques and innovations: the winery's conventional and innovative methods are interesting to discover during the tour.
- Location: consider the proximity of the winery to your itinerary (including accommodation, see below) in the Loire Valley to best plan your activities.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Our 3 favorite wine cellar visits in the Loire region
Before discovering our detailed opinions on the different caves in the Loire, here are our 3 favorites:
- Cellar Ambacia in Amboise - book your tasting
- Domaine Filliatreau in Saumur - read our article (coming soon)
- Cellar troglodytes Ackerman à Saumur - read our article (coming soon)
Best time to visit wineries
Wine tastings are available all year round! If, like us, you prefer to avoid the crowds and enjoy the mild Loire climate, the best periods are April to June and September to October. In spring, the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists. In autumn, you can watch the grape harvest and take in the beautiful, colorful scenery. In summer, it's hotter, which can be uncomfortable during your stay, and crowds are heavy. Finally, in winter we also love the atmosphere of the Loire Valley, with its end-of-year festivities and authentic towns and villages. But visiting out of season also means shorter visiting hours and less favorable weather.
Practical advice
- Duration: wine tastings with cellar visits generally last 1h30, longer if you opt for a special experience (cycling, lunch, château visit...).
- Storage and transport of wine purchased after tasting: be careful about the temperature at which bottles are stored during transport, as wine doesn't like heat! You can also order it on site and have it delivered to your home. Finally, transport the bottles head-up and make sure they don't bump into each other.
- Free or paid tasting: depending on the winery, they may offer paid tastings and give you a bottle to take away at the end. Some charge for tasting several wines, and then purchase bottles separately. There are also free tastings of certain wines at Chambord, for example.
To find out more, read our article on how to find your way around the vineyards and wines of the Loire here.
Wine tasting and special experiences
If you'd like to include a wine tasting and cellar visit on your tour, opt for an original experience like this:
- Tastings combined with bike rides - see details
- Tastings with lunch (food and wine pairing) - see options
- Tastings combined with châteaux visits - find out more
You can also find our ideas for the best Loire Valley wine route tours here and the best wine tastings here.
1. Ambacia cellars in Amboise
Ambacia Cellars, wine merchants since 1874 (formerly Caves Duhard), promises an experience that will awaken your 5 senses! For around 1h30, immerse yourself in 15th-century troglodyte caves carved out of limestone and taste wines accompanied by dishes selected by a sommelier. Our bistro, L'Ambacia, also offers local produce all year round, from farm to table to plate! Ready to drink in almost 150 years of wine history through the collection of vintage wines from this renowned regional winery?
Book your wine tasting at Ambacia Cellars of Amboise
2. Domaine Filliatreau, Saumur
Another favorite during our Loire tour: Domaine Filliatreau near Saumur. This winery is nestled in a troglodytic setting in the artists' village of Turquant. After our wine tasting, we had the opportunity to visit the estate and its vineyards, much to our delight. The troglodyte dwellings will surprise you! Marvel at a fascinating sensory light and sound show entitled "La Grande Vignolle". Our visit to this harmonious blend of vineyards, troglodytic cellars and historical heritage was a real treat. This showcase for Domaine Filliatreau wines will charm and amaze you, as it does us, with its many facets.
Our article dedicated to Domaine Filliatreau in Saumur will be available soon!
3. Troglodytes Cellars Ackerman in Saumur
We were keen to visit Cellars Ackerman, the Val-de-Loire's 1st and oldest house of fine bubbles. Founded in 1811 and dug into ancient tufa quarries, they provide the perfect setting for aging wines. The staging and lighting effects captivated us, as did the secrets of the great vintages and Saumur's winegrowing history. Our favorite moments: the guided tour for an immersive oenological exploration, the contemporary art exhibitions and the food and wine pairings to better appreciate the Loire terroir!
Our article dedicated to Cellars Ackerman in Saumur will be available soon!
4. Maison Louis de Grenelle underground cellars in Saumur
We enjoyed our visit to Maison Louis de Grenelle in Saumur, which produces exceptional sparkling wines. Located near the Notre-Dame-de-Nantilly church, this tour combines wine tasting with a historical account, ideal for wine enthusiasts. Renowned for its quality sparkling wines, the house offered us a varied range, including crémants de Loire and special cuvées. Why not take a bottle home with you? Exploring the ancient tuffeau quarries, once used to build the Châteaux of the Loire, was also fascinating during our stay.
Book your visit here. Maison Louis de Grenelle is one of our must-see ideas for Saumur!
5. Château de Brissac cellars near Angers
On the Anjou wine route, we marveled at the Château de Brissac, nicknamed the "giant of the Loire". Did you know that, at 7 storeys, it is the tallest castle in Europe? The estate boasts a 26.5-hectare vineyard, cultivating several AOCs, the most local of which is Anjou Village Brissac. The wines, made from the "five centuries of vines", are vinified directly at the château. Taste them during your visit to the vaulted stone cellar for a complete, immersive experience!
Read our article on Château de Brissac near Angers
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
6. Château de Cheverny cellars
On the border of the Touraine vineyards, you'll notice that the AOC Cheverny wine-growing area is hilly and crossed by 3 rivers. Renowned for its château, Cheverny is also famous for its Maison des Vins. Strategically placed at the entrance to the estate, push open the doors of this unique venue and discover the Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny appellations. With a high-tech tasting system unique in Europe, taste up to 100 AOC Cheverny (red, white, rosé) and AOC Cour-Cheverny (white) wines. During the tasting, your children can enjoy grape juice and discover the secrets of the Chenyver donkey with a game booklet.
Find out more about our visit to Château de Cheverny
7. Château de Chambord cellars
A symbol of the Châteaux of the Loire, the Domaine de Chambord boasts a Maison des Vins offering a unique sensory and visual experience with AOC Cheverny and Cour Cheverny. Walk on glass slabs above the bottles in an uncluttered space, and then taste up to 50 AOC Cheverny white, red and rosé wines, as well as AOC Cour-Cheverny. Your tasting can be guided or self-service, with information on the wineries provided via a connected system. In our opinion, the 2 options on offer are interesting: free discovery of the day's wines, or a choice of wines for a fee, with a glass and a magnetic card.
Book your ticket to visit Château de Chambord here
8. Cellars of Chenonceau's Dômes du Château
The iconic Château de Chenonceau, one of the most beautiful jewels of the Loire Valley! Did you know that wine tastings are held in the Dômes cellars in the stone basement of this majestic Renaissance building? Enjoy one or more Touraine-Chenonceaux AOC wines in this unique setting. Linked to the world-renowned château of the same name, this appellation reflects a perfect harmony between nature and architecture. The wines of Touraine-Chenonceaux, in a semi-continental climate, offer luminous whites and intense reds, testifying to passionate know-how.
Our selection of options for visiting Château de Chenonceau and its cellars:
- Guided electric bike tour with picnic and wine - Find out more
- Guided tour (tasting available on site) - Reserve your place
- Admission to Château de Chenonceau (on-site tasting not included). More info
- Chambord and Chenonceau with wine tasting - Reserve your place
9. Wineries near the Nantes vineyards
Head west to discover the unique terroir of the Pays nantais. This vineyard, caressed by the Atlantic winds and located between the mouth of the Loire and Ancenis, impressed us with its flat landscapes. We tasted lively, aromatic wines such as AOC Coteaux-d'Ancenis, Muscadet and Gros Plant du Pays nantais (or Folle Blanche). Did you know that the Berligou grape variety, rediscovered by passionate winemakers, flourished here as far back as the 15th century? Complement this historical and sensory discovery with a tasting in one of the cellars near Château de Clisson, such as the Cave des Muscadets.
See wine tasting options at a winery near Nantes
10. Cellars in Vouvray and Chinon
Come with us to the splendid vineyards of Vouvray, renowned for its elegant wines. Soak up the local know-how on a visit to the troglodytic cellars of Vouvray. You'll notice that these wines, mainly made from the Chenin grape, have golden hues. Their brilliance sets them apart visually, which intrigued us greatly.
Less than an hour's drive away, the medieval town of Chinon. Its emblematic wines and historic fortress won us over. The Chinon AOC revealed surprising terroirs from one winemaker to the next. In conversation with these craftsmen, we learned about the impact of history and climate on these grands crus. The vineyards and troglodytic cellars will leave you speechless, before you embark on a meal in the heart of the vineyards, combining tradition and gastronomy.
Opt for a lunch with a cellar tour and wine tasting
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
