Picnic in the Vines - A Unique Loire Wine Experience
Description
Step into a moment that feels uniquely special. 10 minutes from Chinon, discover Château du Petit Thouars, a family-run estate where history, wine, and beauty meet. Begin with a guided walk through our vineyard (Cabernet Franc & Chenin Blanc), followed by a visit to our 15th-century troglodyte cellar and a wine tasting with explanations in the château courtyard. Then, the moment you’ve been waiting for… Your private picnic: the table beautifully set and prepared just for you - an invitation to slow down and savour. Enjoy a generous, carefully prepared lunch with fresh salads, deli meats, cheeses, and a local Chinon dessert (dietary requirements and allergies happily accommodated with a small supplement), paired with a bottle of our wine. In cooler months, settle into a candlelit vaulted indoor space with sheepskins and blankets. Hosted by the Count and Countess, whose family have owned and cared for the estate since 1636. Tour/tasting may be shared; the picnic is always private.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Located just 10 minutes from Chinon, arrive at Château du Petit Thouars, a family-run estate passed down in a direct line since 1636. Begin with a walk through our AOC Chinon vineyards, where Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc thrive. Continue to our impressive troglodyte cellar, carved into centuries-old limestone, where the wines age in French oak barrels. The experience then moves to the château courtyard, for a guided tasting of our wines with clear and engaging explanations. Afterwards, enjoy your carefully prepared picnic in a private setting, with a beautifully dressed table. The food has been sourced from excellent local suppliers, with a preference for organic products including the olive oil and cheese. Your hosts are the friendly Count and Countess du Petit Thouars, owners of the estate, who conduct tours in English, French and Spanish. This is truly memorable Loire Valley experience.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Reviews(200)
Expensive for what we got at the picnic. 75 euros /person. You better eat for this amount. The experience is fun, but overblown.
Hello, Hartelijk dank dat u de tijd heeft genomen om uw ervaring met ons te delen. Het spijt ons dat u vond dat de ervaring de prijs die u heeft betaald niet volledig rechtvaardigde. We willen alleen graag verduidelijken dat de prijs die via TripAdvisor wordt aangeboden hoger is dan onze rechtstreekse prijs, vanwege de commissie die door het boekingsplatform wordt aangerekend. Onze eigen prijs voor deze ervaring is lager. Onze Picnic in the Vines is bovendien bedoeld als een volledige wijn- en wijngaardervaring, inclusief de lunch, de rondleiding, uitleg over ons domein en onze biologische wijngaarden en natuurlijk de degustatie van onze wijnen. We begrijpen uiteraard dat de waarde van een dergelijke ervaring persoonlijk is. We zijn in ieder geval blij te lezen dat u de ervaring zelf leuk vond, en danken u voor uw feedback. Met vriendelijke groet, D’Arcy – Château du Petit Thouars
We were delighted by the visit, the explanations, and the welcome, which was very kind and with a lot of simplicity and kindness. The explanations are very interesting and one understands better the work that allows for obtaining quality wines (the tasting was proof of that). The picnic is a very pleasant moment and the basket provided contains very good products. I highly recommend it.
Very good time spent at the castle and in the vineyards. After a quick tour of the vineyards and the winery, we were able to taste the estate's wines presented by the owner himself. These organic wines are very nice, at reasonable prices. Then we followed up with a picnic with a magnificent view of the castle and the surrounding countryside. The picnic included very good products (pâtés, rillettes, goat cheese), all of which paired very well with a bottle of the Cuvée des Georges, their light red. Great time, very warm welcome, good wines, and a magnificent castle!
Fantastic little Chateau, with great history. Our second visit, this time with a picnic which was lovely. The wine selection is great and again we have taken a few boxes of wines. Highly recommended
Warm welcome, very friendly host, available for a presentation and information about the castle, the vineyard, the winery, tasting of his wines... Neat picnic, with good products.
An owner with a passion for his profession. He produces wine with passion. Don't expect a splendour castle. The setting is pure, original. Nice table set by the vines with beautiful local products and a bottle of wine from the domain.
The wine tasting and cellar and vineyard tour was great. The host and his family were friendly and approachable. It all started a bit late and we weren't sure if we were in the right place while waiting ( but we were in a gorgeous place, shaded under the trees outside his stunning chateau) . Lunch was in a fabulous location in the vineyard with a lovely dressed table and delicious wine. The food was a bit underwhelming for the price. 7 people, 3 baguettes, 2 cheeses, 4 huge slabs of 2 kinds of pate, grated carrot and chopped tomatoes. 2 bottles of wine and 2 very welcome carafes of cool water. It was a great trip and we're very pleased we went and it made a special end to our holiday.
Beautiful discovery, the guide who was the owner told us about his castle and his vineyards with love, followed by a charming picnic in the shade of the trees, my friend and I were delighted with this moment.
A wonderful experience. The tour was conducted by a descendant of the family that have owned the chateau for 400 years and he is passionate about the heritage and the vines. A tour of the vineyards and the caves was followed by wine tasting and a lovely picnic lunch in the grounds of the chateau. Highly recommended.
A unique and great experience. Such fun! Very professional presentation and tour of the vineyards followed by a lovely wine tasting. Finally a perfect picnic with a view over the estate. Excellent!
