For wine lovers, there’s perhaps no better destination than Europe. Whether you’re in France touring a wine region or gazing out over Italian vineyards with a glass of Prosecco in hand, European wine tours offer an inspiring mix of wine discovery, gorgeous scenery, and cultural experiences. While you could plan out your own route and hit all of the most notable wineries in a region on your own, taking a group trip with one of the most well-respected tour companies in the world makes taking that wine-focused vacation even easier, and gives you more access to European growers and wine makers.
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Many of the best wine tours in Europe are river cruises, but there are plenty of land-based options as well. On both river and land tours, local guides will take you to some of the most famous wineries and tourist attractions as well as to hidden gems. No matter which wine-producing country you want to see, there’s a group tour to fit your wine taste and preferred travel style.
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These 10 European wine tours take travelers from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the rivers of Germany and France. During the multi-day trips, you’ll see many of the region’s top sites, enjoy wine at sought-after wineries, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
1. G Adventures Tuscany to Cinque Terre: Wines, Villages & Unforgettable Walks
Italy is known for its wines, and on G Adventures’ Tuscany to Cinque Terre: Wines, Villages & Unforgettable Walks, travelers get to sample wine and visit a mix of villages and larger cities. The weeklong trip starts in Florence, where you’ll meet your guide and other travelers before setting out on a walking tour of the city to see Giotto’s Bell Tower and Palazzo Vecchio. Day three is when the real adventures begin, with a train ride to the village of Riomaggiore for a hike along the beautiful coastal path that link the Cinque Terre villages.
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The wine tasting tour continues with time in Cinque Terre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, the group visits medieval towns, enjoys wine tastings at family-owned wineries, and samples regional dishes. The trip ends in the Chianti Region, where the Tuscan countryside comes to life with morning hikes and afternoon winery visits.
- Length: 7 days
- Starting price: $1,699
- Group size: Up to 12 people
2. Tauck Rhine Connoisseur: Montreux to Brussels
When you join Tauck Rhine Connoisseur: Montreux to Brussels tour, you’ll get both land and water. The first three days of the trip are spent at a hotel near Lake Geneva. From here, travelers visit the iconic Lavaux Vineyards, known for its terraced growing system. Other highlights include seeing the Matterhorn and walking across the PeakWalk by Tissot, the world’s only suspension bridge that connects two peaks.
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After stepping onto the msEsprit river cruise ship, you’ll embark on a cruise to Strasbourg, where everyone can choose their own adventures ranging from from wine tastings to bike tours. As you cruise down the Middle Rhine Valley, you’ll see plenty of historic castles and charming villages. In Dusseldorf, try a walking tour or a craft beer tour; and in Antwerp, enjoy walking past the Gothic-style cathedral that took almost 170 years to build.
- Length: 11 days
- Starting price: $6,790
- Group size: Up to 130 people
3. Contiki Food and Wine in a French Chateau
Younger travelers looking for a fun way to get into wine tours should check out the Contiki Food and Wine in a French Chateau tour. The trip is a four-day “mini adventure” with just eight people. The tour kicks off in the Beaujolais Wine Region, where the group stays in a stunning 16th-century chateau in the middle of a working vineyard. Day one includes time in the nearby village and a three-course dinner.
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No trip to France would be complete without a day all about food, which is exactly what happens on day two in Lyon. The day starts with a foodie walking tour, a trip to a local market, and a cooking class before heading back to the chateau for dinner and more wine. The final day is spent trying Beaujolais Nouveau wines from various vineyards around the chateau before bidding adieu to France on day four.
- Length: 4 days
- Starting price: $665
- Group size: Up to 8 people
4. Avalon Waterways Danube Dreams For Wine Lovers
The Danube Dreams For Wine Lovers from Avalon Waterways is an eight-day river cruise that features stops in four countries known for their wine regions: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. The trip starts in Budapest, where you’ll have the opportunity to either go on a hike or see the city’s wine cellars. Day three takes the group to Bratislava, Slovakia, where the city’s castle beckons you to explore its beautiful hallways and scenic overlooks.
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Other highlights of the river cruise include a day in Vienna and visits to the iconic Vienna Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Durnstein-Wachau Valley, you’ll take a winery tour that illuminates the spot’s 900-year history of winemaking. The wine theme continues onboard the ship with wine tastings hosted by the onboard Master of Wine.
- Length: 8 days
- Starting price: $2,899
- Group size: Up to 166 people
5. Viking River Cruises Chateaux, Rivers & Wine
Step aboard a Viking River Cruises departure with the Chateaux, Rivers & Wine river cruise tour. The trip starts in Bordeaux, France, where you’ll tour the city and see highlights like the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux and Place des Quinconces. The first winery visit takes place in Sauternes, where you’ll visit a chateau to learn how the sweet wine is made.
Along with plenty of vineyard visits throughout the trip, guests will get hands on with some of France’s most famous food and drinks. Activities include learning about hunting for truffles in Dordogne, blending their own cognac in Cognac, tasting oysters in Cap Ferret, and visiting a local market with the Viking chef to learn about the regional cuisines of France.
- Length: 8 days
- Starting price: $2,599
- Group size: Up to 190 people
6. Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise: Food & Wine
Over the course of a week, travelers with the Adventures by Disney tour Rhine River Cruise: Food & Wine will visit four countries and have plenty of fun. The adults-only Disney trip starts in Basel, Switzerland, where guests enjoy a Swiss cheese and wine reception at the start of the cruise. The tour then moves to Breisach, Germany, where the group samples Riesling wine in Riquewihr.
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Other highlights of the cruise include a wine tasting in Cave Historique Des Hospices, which was once a hospital that dates back to 1395; a wine tasting at the Adolf Störzel vineyards, a favorite in the Rudesheim region; and a canal cruise through the vibrant city of Amsterdam.
- Length: 8 days
- Starting price: $5,699
- Group size: Up to 158 people
7. Road Scholar Beyond the Vineyards: Sample Northern Portugal & Spain
Portugal and Spain have some impressive under-the-radar wine regions that are on par with Europe’s big hitters like France, Italy, and Germany. With the Road Scholar Beyond the Vineyards: Sample Northern Portugal & Spain tour, you’ll be able to visit some of these hidden gem wine regions and see historic sites over the course of two weeks. The trip starts in Porto, Portugal, with an orientation session and a city tour that includes a stop at Porto’s Cais da Ribeira, the beautiful riverfront path that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Wine highlights of the trip include a wine tasting in the terraced valleys of Pinhao, the chance to sample sparkling wine in Aveiro, and tasting Albarino wines in the Rias Baixas wine region. History buffs will also enjoy the walking tour of Segovia (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site), where travelers will see the Roman Aqueduct and the Alcazar.
- Length: 15 days
- Starting price: $4,699
- Group size: Up to 24 people
8. Abercrombie & Kent Tailor Made Italy: A Foodie Adventure
Families in search of a private adventure to Italy will enjoy the Abercrombie & Kent Tailor Made Italy: A Foodie Adventure. The 10-day tour starts in Rome, where you’ll taste your way through the city, make your own pizza, and try local wines. The tour continues to Florence, where travelers can enjoy a wine tasting near the Duomo and a visit to the Podere le Ripi winery for a wine pairing lunch.
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Wine figures heavily into this private tour, but there’s also plenty of time spent seeing the major sights. On this tour, travelers visit both Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery in Florence and the 12th-century Duomo di Parma in Parma. You’ll also learn how to make pasta and pizza from local chefs.
- Length: 10 days
- Starting price: $15,995
- Group size: Just your family
9. Exodus Travels Tuscan Hills & Chianti Wines – Premium Adventure
Travelers who want to get out and explore the wine country of Tuscany find a great match in the Exodus Travels Tuscan Hills & Chianti Wines – Premium Adventure. The small group tour takes place over eight days staying at the private Villa Arnilu near the charming town of San Gimignano (which is famous for its towers). Each day, there is a hike or walk, which can be up to four hours long, though the views and wine tastings are worth the effort.
Highlights of the tour include a visit to the the Ricasoli Estate, where Chianti Classico was first made; an olive oil tasting in Lucca; and a walking tour and visit to an eco-friendly wine estate in Certaldo.
- Length: 8 days
- Starting price: $3,149
- Group size: 7 to 15 people
10. Collette Italy’s Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy
Celebrate Italian culture with the Collette Italy’s Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy tour. The 12-day guided tour starts in Stresa, Italy, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner and beautiful views of Lake Maggiore and the surrounding mountains. While in Stresa, you’ll also visit a local cheese maker and try some specialties while sampling local wine. Then take the train to Cinque Terre, where you can visit terraced wineries or shop along the cobblestone streets.
This tour in Italy continues to Tuscany, where you’ll see the marble quarries used for for Michelangelo’s statue of David. You’ll also venture to Chianti to try local wine and learn how to make an authentic Tuscan lunch. The trip ends in Venice with a glass-blowing demonstration, a visit to St. Mark’s Square, and a walking food tour to sample local meats, cheeses, and wine.
- Length: 12 days
- Starting price: $3,549
- Group size: Up to 44 people
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