The Rhône Valley, land of festivals

As part of the famous Avignon Festival of performing arts  – now in its 78th year – the Wine Bar offers a comprehensive programme of events for festival-goers. Every evening, winemakers from estates and wineries across the Rhône Valley gather at the Wine Bar to introduce a selection of 15 to 20 Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages wines from their portfolio. These evening tastings, complete with live music, are an unforgettable experience in the historic Maison des Vins in Avignon.

The Jazz in Vienne festival, first hosted in 1981 and now in its 43rd year, has become something of a classic. It’s France’s leading jazz festival, attracts over 200,000 visitors a year and enjoys an enviable reputation abroad. In 2024, for the seventh consecutive year, the festival is partnering with Côtes du Rhône wines, and festival–goers will have the opportunity to taste not only Côtes du Rhône appellation wines, but Condrieu and Côte Rôtie Crus too.

In 2024, the Vacqueyras Wine Festival celebrates its 51st birthday. This venerable old lady of the Côtes du Rhône, founded in 1973 by wine broker Maurice Seignour and a host of Vacqueyras winegrowers, is an annual celebration of this special terroir just a stone’s throw from the magnificent Dentelles de Montmirail, and produces complex, concentrated red wines. With bingo (in Provençal!) music, dancing, wine-tasting and a famous gourmet dinner, the programme is jam-packed with colourful events.

As winter approaches, the Côtes du Rhône gear up to celebrate Millévin, a festival held on the third Thursday in November to celebrate the new vintage. It’s a vibrant, gourmet event featuring a variety of activities, a parade of Rhône Valley Brotherhoods and, of course, tastings of new and vintage wines. Once again, the nerve centre is Avignon, capital of the Côtes du Rhône.  Make this your opportunity to enjoy some southern warmth and hospitality before winter sets in!