Criterion Wine Tours

Name: Criterion Wine Tours
Address: London, GB
Telephone: +442089932006
Price range: ££

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Criterion Wine Tours

Hand-crafted, small group wine and food tours to the best wine destinations in the world.

17/08/2026

Sometimes even the wine tour people need to sit back, relax and enjoy the wine! 😉🍷✈️

As part of our travels, we made a stop on the journey from Kingston to Toronto at Norman Hardie Winery in Prince Edward County, Ontario - and what a fantastic visit!

We enjoyed an amazing tasting with assistant winemaker Dave, including some exciting 2025 barrel samples. Highlights for us were the Melon de Bourgogne (the grape behind Muscadet), Riesling and John Bil Cuvee. 🍇

And, of course, no winery visit is complete without lunch… a delicious pizza was the perfect finishing touch! 🍕

Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and we’re so grateful to Dave, Erica and the whole hospitality team for making our visit so special.

07/08/2026

One of the highlights of our Champagne Weekend was a visit to the iconic Champagne Pommery in the heart of Reims. Renowned as one of Champagne’s great Grandes Marques, Pommery is home to an extraordinary network of 18 kilometres of chalk cellars, carved 30 metres beneath the city and recognised as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our guided tour took us deep underground, where the historic cellars have been transformed into a unique gallery of striking contemporary art. The contrast between the centuries-old chalk caves and the bold, modern installations created a truly memorable experience.

After exploring the vast underground labyrinth, we enjoyed a tasting of one of Pommery’s elegant cuvées – a wonderful opportunity to experience the style and heritage of one of Champagne’s most celebrated houses.

23/07/2026

Champagne Dauby - a Grand Cru experience 🍾

Another of our family Champagne house visits took us to CHAMPAGNE DAUBY Mère&Fille in the beautiful Grand Cru village of Aÿ, home to the famous Bollinger Champagne House. A family of winegrowers for several generations, Champagne Dauby has been producing its own wines since 1956 and is now run as a unique mother-and-daughter business. 2026 July Champagne Final Itineray.docx

We were warmly welcomed by Francine, who gave us a fascinating insight into the history of the family, the winery and the traditions that make Champagne Dauby so special. Our visit included a tour through the cellars, a look at the winemaking process and, of course, a tasting of five exceptional Champagnes, each showcasing the character of this outstanding Grand Cru terroir.

From exploring the ancient chalk cellars to relaxing in the sunshine with a glass in hand, it was another memorable stop on our Champagne adventure and a wonderful opportunity to discover another family producer with a real passion for quality.

19/07/2026

Our Champagne Weekend got off to a fantastic start with a visit to Champagne G.Tribaut in the beautiful Premier Cru village of Hautvillers - famous as the ‘birthplace of champagne’ due to the Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, who lived and worked at the Saint-Pierre Abbey there.

This family-run Champagne house has been growing grapes since 1935, but only producing its own wines since 1978. It is now proudly managed by the third and fourth generations of the Tribaut family.

We were delighted to be welcomed by Valérie Tribaut, who gave us an engaging insight into the family’s history, vineyards and winemaking philosophy before guiding us through an excellent tasting of five superb Champagnes. 🥂

With breathtaking views across the vineyards, wonderful hospitality and exceptional wines, it was the perfect introduction to the Champagne region and set the tone for a memorable weekend ahead.

17/07/2026

First day of our Champagne region wine tour and, after an early start from London via the ferry, evening in Reims at Le Wine Bar getting to know everyone was a welcome stop 🥂 🍷

25/06/2026

Everyone recognises the great Champagne houses, but some of the region’s most exciting wines come from small family growers whose names rarely appear on supermarket shelves.

Many of these producers farm just a few hectares of vines, crafting wines that reflect their village, vineyard and family traditions.

Visiting Champagne offers the rare opportunity to discover these hidden gems alongside the world’s most famous labels.

Join us on our Champagne tour in July - just a couple of places remaining 👉 https://criterionwinetours.com/product/champagne-wine-tour-2026/

10/06/2026

What makes Champagne different from every other sparkling wine in the world? Surprisingly, one of the biggest factors lies beneath your feet.

Much of the region sits on deep layers of chalk, formed millions of years ago from ancient seabeds. This remarkable soil stores water, reflects sunlight and helps create the freshness and elegance that Champagne is famous for. It’s one of the reasons wine lovers travel from around the globe to experience this unique corner of France.

04/06/2026

Hidden gems are often the most memorable 🍷😉

Our Rioja journey took us to the village of Briones and the boutique winery , where Lorena guided us through the history of this family-owned winery, from its beginnings in the 1990s to its reputation today as one of Rioja’s finest small producers.

🍇 Just 50,000 bottles produced annually, making it one of Rioja’s most respected boutique producers.

🏛️ Historic cellars in the heart of Briones, where centuries-old stone walls provide the backdrop to the winery’s story.

🍷 Exceptional Rioja Alta wines, showcasing both elegance and a strong sense of place.

✨ A clear vision and relentless focus on quality, which has earned Miguel Merino a devoted following among Rioja enthusiasts.

🇬🇧 And for those in the UK, the wines are available through Davy’s.

A fascinating visit and a memorable tasting, thank you!

27/05/2026

In Rioja Alavesa we visited Sierra de Toloño, the small and highly individual winery founded by winemaker Sandra Bravo in the village of Villabuena de Álava.

Working with old vineyards high in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria mountains, Sandra follows biodynamic principles and focuses on producing wines that express the character of each vineyard site as naturally and transparently as possible.

The visit offered a fascinating look at a different side of modern Rioja - small-scale, thoughtful and deeply connected to the landscape. From the dramatic mountain setting to the cellar itself, everything reflected a clear sense of place and purpose.

Experiences like this are a reminder that Rioja is far more diverse than many people imagine, with a new generation of producers helping to redefine the region while remaining closely tied to its history and vineyards.

22/05/2026

Another fantastic day in Rioja 🍷🇪🇸

An exceptional visit to VIÑEDOS Y BODEGAS DE LA MARQUESA - VALSERRANO where 5th generation winemaker María de Simón welcomed us into one of Rioja Alavesa’s most historic family wineries.

From tasting barrel samples deep inside the atmospheric underground cellar, to learning about generations of winemaking tradition, the visit finished with a superb guided tasting accompanied by plentiful tapas in a beautiful setting. The perfect combination of wine, food and hospitality! 🍇🧀🍷

Address

London

Telephone

+442089932006

Website

https://criterionwinetours.com/

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