Day in Burgundy with 14 tastings: my test
My verdict: this is the option I recommend first to someone visiting Burgundy just once and who has a full day. Eight and a half hours, a maximum of eight participants, fourteen wines tasted from village to grand cru, and both Côtes in the same day. Two caveats, which I detail below: the commentary is in English, and lunch is not included.
The itinerary, step by step
The order of visits changes slightly depending on the availability of the domains, but the framework is stable. Here’s how the day is structured.
- The meeting point. In front of the Beaune tourist office, 6 boulevard Perpreuil, at the Porte Marie de Bourgogne. It’s an easy landmark, a few minutes’ walk from the center; arrive early, the minibus won’t wait indefinitely.
- First part of the morning, Côte de Beaune. A domain near Beaune, where the guide offers white wine tastings and discusses the local appellations: Saint-Aubin, Meursault, Corton-Charlemagne are mentioned in travelers’ comments.
- Late morning, the drive. Heading up to the Côte de Nuits via the Route des Grands Crus, with photo stops that make the tour’s reputation: the Clos de Vougeot wall on the vineyard side, and the Romanée-Conti plot in Vosne-Romanée, a few minutes further south.
- Lunch. It is not included. The guide takes the group to a restaurant he knows, and each person pays their own share. Bring a way to pay on site, and tell the guide in the morning if you are vegetarian or have allergies.
- Early afternoon, a cellar. In Nuits-Saint-Georges, a tasting in a cellar with the winemaker. This is the most interesting part of the day in my opinion: you’re underground, discussing vintages, and questions get direct answers.
- Mid-afternoon, Chambolle-Musigny. A stop at a wine shop in the village, the last series of tastings, and a chance to buy if a wine stood out. Purchases are at your own expense.
- The return. Drop-off in Beaune around 17 h 45, at the same location.
Out of the fourteen wines, you go from village to premier cru to grand cru. That’s a lot for one day: spit, drink water, and eat in the morning. I mention this because end-of-day fatigue comes up often in reviews, and it rarely comes from the tour itself.
Generally included
- Air-conditioned minibus transport for the day
- Guide accompanying you from departure to return
- 14 tastings spread across three locations
- Cellar visit in Nuits-Saint-Georges with the winemaker
- Photo stops at Clos de Vougeot and Romanée-Conti
Not included
- Lunch (restaurant recommended by the guide, at your own expense)
- Entry to the Château du Clos de Vougeot
- The bottles you take home
- Tips
What works
- Maximum of eight people: you can hear the guide and ask questions
- Both Côtes in the same day, which no half-day tour offers
- A real cellar with a winemaker, not just tasting counters
- Rating of 4.9 out of 311 reviews, the largest base of the six options
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before, deferred payment possible
Good to know
- The commentary is in English: without a minimum of English, the day loses half its appeal
- Lunch not included, to be paid on site
- Clos de Vougeot is seen from the wall, you don’t enter the courtyard
- Not suitable for people with reduced mobility
- Often sells out in high season
Who it’s for, and who it’s not for
For you if you’re staying in Beaune or nearby, if you understand English, if you want to understand the hierarchy of appellations rather than collect photos, and if you’re willing to dedicate the entire day to it. It’s also the best choice for someone just starting to taste Burgundy: fourteen wines compared in one day teach more than three bottles opened six months apart.
Not for you if you’re traveling with children, if you need an accessible vehicle — consider the half-day from Dijon or the private day instead —, if your main goal is to see the inside of the château, or if you only have a half-day. In the latter case, the 2 h 30 walk covers the same ground in less time.
What travelers say
The reviews almost all focus on the guides, mentioned by their first names.
«Emanuel super engaging, knows everything about Burgundy» — Mark, Australia, August 2026
«Virginie very knowledgeable, adapted the tastings to our preferences» — Garrett, United States
«Most memorable day, we tasted a Clos de Vougeot, lunch at a small restaurant was very good» — Jean-François, United Kingdom
«We tasted more than 16 wines including grand cru and several premier crus» — Yuki, France
Adam, from the United Kingdom, describes the same guide as «incredibly knowledgeable, friendly», Chris, from Australia, finds Virginie «passionate», and Noelle, from the United States, simply writes that they exceeded her expectations. A note on Jean-François’s comment: tasting a Clos de Vougeot during the tour does happen, but it’s not guaranteed. The clos has over eighty owners and what you taste depends on which domain is open that day.
Book early, especially from May to September. The tour departs with a maximum of eight people, and weekend dates sell out weeks in advance.
Other options
ShortestCôte de Nuits: guided walk through the vineyards (2 h 30)
PrivateBurgundy vineyards: private day tour with driver-guide
At the châteauLunch and tasting at La Table de Léonce, at Château du Clos de Vougeot
Frequently asked questions
Does this tour go inside the Château du Clos de Vougeot?
No. The stop is at the wall, on the vineyard side: photo, explanation of the terroir, then you move on. To see the four presses and the Grand Cellier, you must enter through the ticket office or book the lunch at La Table de Léonce. Entry times are on hours and tickets.
Is lunch included?
No, it is at your own expense: the guide takes the group to a restaurant he knows, and each person pays for their meal on site. Bring a payment method and notify the guide of any dietary restrictions at the start.
Do you need to speak English?
The commentary is in English only. If that’s an issue, the Côte de Nuits walk and the half-day from Dijon are also available in French.