Limoux & Malepère Wine Tour from Carcassonne | Sparkling & Still Wines of the Languedoc
Just twenty minutes from Carcassonne lies some of the most underrated wine country in the south of France. The Limoux and Malepère wine tour is designed for those who want to go beyond the obvious — discovering two distinct appellations in a single day, from the elegant reds and rosés of the Malepère to the sparkling wines of Limoux that have been making the region famous since the monks of Saint-Hilaire created the world’s first sparkling wine here in 1531. Yes, before Champagne.
The Malepère — A Hidden Gem
We begin in the Malepère, a little-known appellation that rewards the curious visitor handsomely. The grape varieties here will be familiar — Syrah, Grenache, Merlot for the reds and rosés, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay for the whites — but the wines they produce in this particular corner of the Languedoc have a character entirely their own. Our first visit is to one of the leading producers of the appellation, where a private tour takes you from vineyard to bottle, through the winery and into the barrel room — because ageing in oak is about far more than flavour, and understanding it changes the way you taste wine forever. An extensive tasting follows.
Lunch — Classic or Gourmet
Lunch is always a proper part of the day. On the Classic Limoux and Malepère wine tour, we stop at one of our favourite local restaurants for a Menu du Jour that lets the regional kitchen speak for itself. On the Gourmet tour, the setting changes — a wonderful country auberge serving traditional and seasonal local cuisine, with the time and space to enjoy it properly.
Limoux and the Art of Sparkling Wine
After lunch we head to Limoux, where sparkling wine has been made longer than anywhere else in the world. Our visit to a top-class producer here goes deep into the traditional method — the same process used in Champagne, but with a story that predates it by well over a century. What makes Limoux particularly fascinating is its three distinct styles: the crisp and classic Blanquette de Limoux, the refined Crémant du Limoux, and the extraordinary Blanquette Ancestrale — a naturally sweet sparkling wine of rare character that stops most visitors completely in their tracks. Do not leave without trying it.
The Abbey of Saint-Hilaire — Where It All Began
The final visit of the day is the one that puts everything in context. The Abbey of Saint-Hilaire is where Benedictine monks first recorded the production of sparkling wine in 1531 — nearly two centuries before Dom Pérignon. It is a beautiful and surprisingly moving place: the ancient wine cellar, the Romanesque church, the cloister with its softly playing fountain. A peaceful and genuinely historic end to a remarkable day.
Book Your Limoux & Malepère Wine Tour
Fully private, available any day of the week, and combinable with a longer stay with Vin en Vacances. Get in touch to check availability and reserve your place.
Full Day Tours
PRIVATE TOUR PRICES DEPENDANT ON HOW MANY PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY
The price includes the knowledge and guidance of our expert wine guide, pickup and transport, 2 winery visits with tastings, a delicious lunch with wine and entrance fee into the abbey of St Hilaire.
Limoux & the Malepère - Private Half Day Tour available Tuesday to Friday | |
2 people - 200€ per person | 6 people - 100€ per person |
4 people - 120€ per person | 8 people - 80€ per person |
