My group of 3 did the rose excursion with Brian. I can't think of a more memorable way to celebrate…read moreProvence's bounty of good wine and food than indulge in this one-of-a-kind wine "lesson" (which, for us, was more of a boozy, let's-drink-and-laugh-and-celebrate-life excursion). Brian picked us up from Aix and drove us along a scenic route stretching along Mount Ste. Victoire. We arrived at a local winery where we sampled red, white, and rose wines. We walked amongst the vines, had a great time and eventually made it to a secluded park where we set up a picnic table and drank 2 bottles of rose, ate fresh baguettes from the market and nibbled on fresh strawberries and grapes. All this epicurean goodness while drenched in the golden, Provencale sun and surrounded by the very landscape that inspired Cezanne's paintings. Does it get any better? Only if you have great company to do it with (and I did!). I would relive this afternoon again in a heartbeat. Some quick tips: -This wonderful afternoon excursion was approximately 80 euros a person, which included all the bites, (lots of) wine, and transportation. -I highly recommend it to anyone traveling through Provence who is more comfortable speaking English (although our host was also fluent in French). -Our host was very knowledgeable and personable. If you are serious about tasting wine and learning about it, the Wine in Provence folks have your back. -Wine in Provence offers other great wine tastings, cooking classes and winery tours.

My wife and I are traveling Europe with another couple and stopped in Aix for a few days. We just…read morefinished "The Best of Aix" tour with Hilary and had a great time. She took us shopping in the market, olive oil tasting, to the cheese shop, the wine shop and back for a cooking class to pair a three course lunch we cooked with three wines. We made a quiche, fruit dessert and a little app and it was all delicious! I can't say enough about this tour. Hilary was incredibly bubbly and knowledgable. She was on a cheek kissing basis with everyone, even the cheese guy who scowled at the rest of the locals. I recommend this tour to anyone and everyone traveling in Aix!

We took a cooking class with Mathilde (Taste of Provence) and it was wonderful! We started with a…read morebit of local history and a market tour, and then made a delicious meal together in her cooking studio. We have some food allergies and she worked with us to create a menu, which was wonderful.

We had a really fun experience with Matildhe! The class started out at the City Hall in the…read moreAix-en-Provence city center where Matildhe gave us a brief lesson in the history of the town and showed us the wonders of the open air markets. We then cooked a fabulous meal in her kitchen right in town. Highly recommend.

Gilles was an excellent instructor. My partner and I are beginner cooks, and he was very patient…read morewith us and the rest of our group. We made several delicious dishes, including onion tartlets and artichoke barigoule. I would highly recommend this experience. It was one of our favorite days in Provence.

Our group of seven had the pleasure of spending a day with Gilles! I would highly recommend taking…read morethe time to experience his expertise! He was such a gracious host. Our day started at the market, followed by excellent wine tasting and retired at Gilles house where we prepared our food and ate our freshly made meal! Quite the experience!!

From the owner: En 1956, Pierre Blachon, pharmacien du village réussit à convaincre une poignée de producteurs pour…read moreunir leur savoir-faire, convaincu du potentiel du terroir Muscat et de la magnifique exposition du vignoble. C'est ainsi que Blachon, Haut, Clement, Milhaud, Messonnier, Soard, Mercier & Blanchard ont posé les premières pierres de la cave des Vignerons de Beaumes de Venise.

This organic vineyard with its award-winning wines and comfortable and completely outfitted gites…read more(self-catering apartments and homes) on the property are my idea of a piece of heaven in Provence. The pools help make it even better in the summer, relaxing with a glass of Carmin Brilliant, a fantastic organic wine made from grapes on the property. Vacqueyras is a fabulous destination if you want an authentic and central place to use as a base to tour the countryside of the Vaucluse region....just make sure you have a designated driver to stop at all the other vineyards you pass as you make day trips to include Nimes, Vaison la Romaine, Carpentras, Arles and of course, you get there from Avignon, about 30 minutes away by car. My friends stopped there on their honeymoon and said that it was the best part of their tour through France due to the warm welcome they received including suggestions from the owner, Henri Bungener, as to what to do and see in the area. I go back every time I am in France!

take the time to visit Henri Bungener's excellent family winery in Vacqueyras. He carefully…read moreexplains his specific terroir and how he has adjusted his wine making to accommodate the varied soil types caused by ancient land uplifting dating back to pangea times. My favorite was his 2010 Lao Muse (more expensive at 50 Euros) which was fruity and bold. Good wine prices for his other wines and a chance to meet an excellent wine maker while viewing the Dentelles of Montmirail!