Experience the vineyards of Provence through the eyes of a local expert. Céline, founder of Le Vin à la Bouche, is a professional sommelière who offers bespoke wine tours through the Luberon, the Alpilles and the world-famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Her tours are more than tastings - they are deep, sensory journeys into the vineyards, cellars, and culture of southern France. For several years, Céline has been one of our most trusted local partners. Her wine tours receive consistently glowing feedback from Provence Holidays guests, and her warm, down-to-earth style makes every visit feel personal, informative and beautifully unhurried.
“I had an amazing service teacher who told me I had a very good palate and nose. He gave me private wine lessons in his club after class. I loved it, and I changed my mind - I wanted to be a sommelière instead.”
Céline’s journey to wine began in hospitality school, where she originally intended to pursue a career in hotel reception. That changed thanks to one memorable teacher. After four years of formal training, Céline refined her craft through direct experience in the vineyards and cellars of Provence. Today, she leads private guests through those very same terroirs - guiding them through tastings, appellation knowledge, vineyard history and winemaking techniques. When asked her favourite wine, she replied:
“It is difficult to choose just one. But I would say Châteauneuf-du-Pape, red or white, because there are so many styles. Depending on the blend, the terroir, and the winemaker’s work, you get complexity and choice. That is why I love it.”
Three iconic wine regions, one local expert
“The grape varieties are more or less the same, but what really makes the difference is the terroir - the soil, the climate, the landscape. That’s what creates such different wines in each area.”
Céline's tours focus on three of Provence’s most remarkable regions:
• The Luberon, known for its softer, more approachable reds and scenic villages like Gordes and Ménerbes.
• The Alpilles, where organic and biodynamic wineries are set against the dramatic limestone peaks around Les Baux-de-Provence.
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the most celebrated wine regions in France, producing structured, age-worthy reds and elegant whites.
While the grape varieties overlap across these regions, Grenache noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault for reds; Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Clairette and Viognier for whites, Céline explains that the key to their diversity lies in the soil.
What to expect on a wine tour in Provence
“I select only the best winemakers in each region. I want my guests to learn how to recognise a good wine. I explain everything in a simple, accessible way: the appellations, the terroirs, the fermentation, and how quality is determined. You do not need to be an expert to enjoy wine, just curious. I often combine wine tasting with visits to villages or local markets. I talk about our regional traditions, the history of the villages, the terroir beyond wine, olive oil, food, crafts. Everything is connected.”
Céline creates fully tailored itineraries depending on your interests and location. Tours include private transport in a comfortable van from your villa and personalised visits to carefully selected wineries. You might tour a cellar carved into the rock, taste olive oils at a traditional mill, or pair wine with views of lavender fields and Provençal villages. Some tours include sightseeing stops, such as the ochre cliffs of Roussillon or the medieval village of Gigondas. You can also request visits to Provençal markets or historic monuments along the way.
Céline’s favourite season is spring, when the vines come back to life and the landscapes are at their greenest. Autumn can also be magical, though access to some estates may be limited during the grape harvest. Summer tours are available but can be hot, making a shaded terrace with a glass of rosé even more rewarding.
Wine tasting with a purpose
“I do not refine people's palates - I teach them how to taste. I explain the right method, using simple vocabulary. The most important thing is quality. Once you know how to taste, it becomes easier to identify good wine.”
Céline believes that tasting wine is not about elitism, it is a skill that anyone can develop. Her approach is grounded in simplicity and clarity. For Céline, recognising aromas and flavours is a matter of memory as much as instinct. “It is like training a muscle,” she explains. “The more you taste and smell, the better your memory gets. A sommelière, like an athlete, needs constant training, and that means smelling everything: spices, flowers, fruits… not just wine.”
Whether you are new to wine or looking to deepen your knowledge, a day with Céline offers something far beyond a typical tasting. Her calm expertise, local insight and tailored approach turn each glass into a story, rooted in place, people and craft. From vineyard to cellar, you will leave with more than favourites to take home, you will leave with a true understanding of Provence, one sip at a time.
À bientôt,
The Provence Holidays Team
