Gigondas for Rhone Valley Wine Tasting

Gigondas Village

We are blessed to have a house in Sablet, France and live as locals several times a year. We love our location at the base of the Dentelles de Montmirail, surrounded by vineyards as far as you can see. There is plenty to do in the area, starting with wine tasting. For sporty types, the Vaucluse is popular for hiking, climbing and cycling.

Gigondas is a village renown for its red wine, is 3.5 kilometres to the south of Sablet. We think Gigondas is one of the prettiest of all Côtes du Rhône wine villages and one you should visit, especially if you love red wine.

Wine Tasting in Gigondas

The word village feels like a big word for this hamlet, home to 549 people (2016) nestled against the flack of the rugged peaks of the Dentelles de Montmirail. However, the small town packs a punch for its wine production reputation with an AOC designation. The wines from Gigondas are often compared to Châteauneuf-du-Papes but are more affordable.

When you turn off for Gigondas, follow the road up through the lower village, passing a succession of cafés and tasting rooms (caves) before arriving at Place Gabriel Andéol. The Mairie (town hall) and Caveau du Gigondas (winegrowers cooperative) are located in this plaza. If you like red wine, plan to stop in at the Caveau du Gigondas, where you can taste more than 100 wines from 80 local vineyards.

Caveau du Gigondas (website)
Place Gabrielle Andéol
Open daily 10h – 12h and 14h – 18h (19h in July and August)

Gigondas Don’t Miss

One of our favourite wine producers in Gigondas is Domaine la Bouïssière.

Hiking: There are several marked trails of differing levels of difficulty, from the village into the Dentelles de Montmirail. However, like hiking anywhere, prepare for the weather, wear appropriate shoes and don’t walk alone.

Dining: A meal at Michelin-starred L’Oustalet is worth every Euro, reservations are required. There is a more casual wine bar (Nez!), and if you want to make an evening of it book a night in one of the three guest rooms.

Du verre à l’assiette is a perfect choice for lunch. The menu includes salads, tartines (open-faced sandwiches) and wine, of course. Closed on Wednesdays.

Worth Seeing: Visit 11th century Sainte Catherine Church with its central tower in the village. Located not far from the town is the Romanesque chapel of Saint-Cosme and Saint-Damien.

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Michel and Shirley

Michel and Shirley, live in wine country, in Windsor, California. They have a full family with two beautiful daughters and five amazing grandchildren. Michel's day job is as CEO of Chancellor Health Care, a company which provides housing and services to older adults.

Previously a co-owner of a popular French bistro called Bistro des Copains located in Western Sonoma County California. The Bistro was closed in early 2015, after nine years!

In 2008, after searching for years and visiting many houses they bought a 17th century stone village house in the medieval village of Sablet which is in the Vaucluse region of Provence France.

Please read about the Sablet House (available for rent) and follow their blog Our House in Provence.