Wines of the World: Loire Valley, France

Hilary - The Winemom
Oct 28, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 6

A recent solo trip to visit my sister turned into an unforgettable girls' adventure as we dove head-first into French wine culture and lively landscapes.

Collage of Loire Valley vineyards, wine bottles, Saumur-Champigny label, Parnay sign, and text "France's Finest Vines" on white circle.

Our journey began in the lovely Loire Valley Region, where we meandered along the Loire, sipping the stunningly diverse vintages of the Saumur & Parnay communes while soaking in the rich history of the sophisticated cities surrounding.

Map of Loire Valley, France, highlighting Saumur, Tours, and Parnay with French flags. Text reads "Loire Valley, France"

Maison Ackerman

We started off in Saumur with a stunning tasting experience at Maison Ackerman in their astonishing underground troglodytic limestone caves (the highest in the Loire Valley with some areas over 20m high!) which serve as a cellar, a games room (including the traditional Boules from the region), and a fabulous exhibit for temporary experimental artworks.

Dimly lit cave interiors with stone walls. Metal gate with "Ackerman" text. Person playing a ball game on sandy surface, casual mood.

Ackerman is the oldest sparkling wine house in the Loire Valley, producing exceptional bubbles of the Saumur & Crémant de Loire appellations according to the méthode traditionnelle since 1811. They even offer non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice for the little ones, making it a special experience for all ages.

Wine bottles on a wooden counter with tasting glasses. Background features a wine shop setting, visible windows, and people conversing.

Château du Clos Lucé

Next, we headed off to the family-friendly Château du Clos Lucé, a phenomenal interactive museum (and Leonardo da Vinci’s last home) where we explored the exceptional local vineyards of the Loire area while immersed in da Vinci’s genius.

Da Vinci-themed studio with art supplies, notebooks with sketches, and a portrait painting. Brick walls, rustic vibe, text: "A peek into Da Vinci's Studio".

From his workshop to the gardens, we were transported into his world, with life-sized models of his inventions bringing his ideas to life. The grounds were not just educational but also enjoyable for all ages, with picnic & interactive play areas for a fun day out!

Garden triptych: People explore a lush garden under a vibrant blue sky. Center features kids near a fountain. Right shows a wooden bridge.

Delight in a diverse range of culinary choices - ‘La Terrasse Renaissance’ is a charming crêperie serving breakfasts, lunches & gourmet snacks on the terrace overlooking the magnificent Château d’Amboise, while ‘La Table du Moulin’ serves light lunches in the shade of the park trees. For an immersive medieval French dining experience, visit L’Auberge du Prieuré - revel in Renaissance-inspired cuisines… chicken confit, salmon aumônière, leek tredura… truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Wine bottles on a barrel, fresh produce at a market stall, and a cozy outdoor restaurant with umbrellas and a sign saying "Le Clos du Roy."

Château de Parnay

Stone archway and vineyard scenes under cloudy skies; a sign reads "Méridien de Greenwich." Text overlay: "Walking Tour of Parnay."

Our next stop took us to Parnay where we enjoyed a peaceful walking tour of the countryside, soaking in the beauty of the little things on the way to our first winery - Château de Parnay, the flagship of the AOC Saumur Champigny.

Wine glass and bottle on a table; sign reads "OUVERT, Come in! We're open". People at a wine bar with wooden barrels in the background.

What an informative wine tasting with a very knowledgeable young man who happens to be a Masters of Wine! He gave us a tasting of their traditional method bubbly (made from pure Chenin), followed by exceptionally delicious & well-priced Chenin Blancs & Cabernet Francs, the typical varietals of the Loire region.

Sign for Loire-Anjou-Touraine park, leafy greenery by a rocky cave, and a building for Chateau De Parnay wine tasting. Cloudy sky.

What a joy discovering & comparing these French varietals to their South African counterparts!

Wine dispenser with bottles, a glass of red wine labeled "Chateau de Parnay," and a person pouring wine. Modern setting, blue displays.

Château de Targé

Château de Targé, a family-owned estate on the Parnay plateau overlooking the Loire, was next on our list with a small, relaxed private tasting of 10 family wines – savour their renowned Saumur-Champigny wines alongside award-winning cuvées (blends) & delicious Cabernet Francs, all on tuffeau (local limestone).

Various wine bottles and glasses on a wooden table, set against a textured wall. A menu and some red contents in a glass are visible.

Domaine de Rocheville

Just up the road from Château de Targé was our final stop in the luscious Loire Valley, Domaine de Rocheville – a grand modern building (created in 2004!) perched high in the vineyards with breathtaking panoramic views and a sunny deck for tastings.

Wine glasses on a table and deck at Domaine de Rocheville, surrounded by vineyards. A brochure is visible, with partly cloudy skies.

Contemporary architecture overlaps with ancient tradition in their troglodytic cellars to produce charismatic Chenins & Cab Francs. I even had the honour of meeting the owner who is collaborating with South Africa & Ken Forrester to promote Chenins globally!

Wine bottles on wooden racks, modern art on a white wall, a hand holding a glass of red wine, and bottle caps arranged in a triangle pattern on a table.

Discover Rocheville with guided cellar tours, vineyard walks or drives, and gourmet wine tastings in the spacious tasting room or on the scenic terrace.

Three people stand on a vineyard path under a cloudy sky. Lush green vines surround them. One person poses under a tree. Calm atmosphere.

Stay tuned for the next part of our trip, as we head south to the Cognac region, Bordeaux, and beyond, sharing more of our awesome adventures!

*Please note: all information is correct at the date of publication, 2024. See websites below for up-to-date info!

Children play on wooden structures in a park. Signs with Da Vinci drawings hang nearby. Trees and greenery surround the area.

Contact Me – Hilary - at hello@winetots.com for more details on your favourite Wineland spots to visit & to book a personalised tour of your own – behind the scenic routes of the Plett & Cape Winelands & beyond!

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Click here to check out our previous blog “Eden to Addo - WineTots Winter Holiday Family Tour ”!

Important info:

Maison Ackerman: https://www.ackerman.fr/en/ ; contact@ackerman.fr ; (+33) 2 41 53 03 21

Château du Clos Lucé: https://vinci-closluce.com/en/place-presentation ; (+33) 2 47 57 00 73

Château de Parnay: https://chateaudeparnay.fr/en/estates/chateau-de-parnay-2/ ; (+33) 2 41 38 84 85

Château de Targé: https://chateaudetarge.fr/en/ ; bienvenue@chateaudetarge.fr ; (+33) 2 41 38 11 50

Domaine de Rocheville: https://www.domaine-de-rocheville.fr/en/ ; (+33) 2 41 38 10 00