Below is a selection of places I have stayed that are either on wineries or set amidst a vineyard. Beautiful scenery guaranteed!

Rhone Valley

Demoiselle Suzette (bnb)

Super friendly chambre d’hôtes not far from Beaumes de Venise. Spectacular setting looking directly at the Dentelles de Montmirail. The winemaker owner, Richard, is extremely friendly and passionate about his craft. The wines are really drinkable. The rooms are comfortable, there is a swimming pool and terrace, and great walks direct from the property.

Around 70euros a night, bnb.

Domaine Fontaine, Visan (gite)

Run by a Belgian couple, this tiny (1.5ha) vineyard is just on the edge of Visan, with great views of Mont Ventoux. The gite I rented was spacious and comfortable, and the winemaker owner Luc is very happy to explain how he came to be making his own wine and all the love and effort he has put into it. His wine is 100% grenache, strong, not for everyone but worth a taste! Super friendly, great walks from the doorstep.

The gite (2brm) has everything you need though the kitchen is a bit basic. Around 100euros a night.

Domaine de Sévanes, Saint Paul les Fonts, Gard (bnb plus gite)

A beautifully restored country home plonked right in the middle of their 10 hectare vineyard, this charming winery bnb is run by a friendly couple who had given up their hotel industry careers to become winemakers. A beautiful setting, and beautiful food: if they offer dinner, take it! Their wine is pretty drinkable too – a 100% syrah, a 100% grenache and a blend of the two, with names related to their own story around why they bought the domain. They now offer a gite as well. From 60 euros a night.

Mas de Plein Pagnier, Mazan, Vaucluse (gites and bnb)

With terrasses overlooking the vines and the Mont Ventoux, this little hidden treasure will guarantee you nature and calm. The owners are extremely welcoming, the apartments really nicely fitted out and there’s a pool and quiet areas to just chill. The domain also makes grape juice and jam, cherry jam and olive oil. The wine maker Edoaurd is passionate about his craft and explains it well, and the wine is surprisingly good – mostly fruity and sunny, as is typical for the region, but not too sunsoaked and heavy all the same. One of my favourites. Their site is in French but they can be found on booking too (for a slightly higher price). Around 100-110 euros a night.

Chateau de la Selve, Grospierres, Ardèche (gite)

A real haven of peace, with lots of charm and an authentic welcome. Clean, modern, well equipped apartments inside their 17^th Century castle, set amidst lovely manicured grounds and vines all around. The wine cellar is a few minutes’ walk up the driveway, with passionate staff happy to spend literally hours with you explaining the history of the domain and how it is all done. The wine is good quality for the price, the passion that goes into the winemaking is clear. One of my favourites. Around 110 euros a night.

Beaujolais

Studio on winery in Quincié-en-Beaujolais

I stayed in a clean and modern studio apartment on Domaine des Coteaux de Romarand for around 55euros a night. Not organic, but using eco-friendly practices and a friendly welcome, Claudette and Patrick will gladly present you with the fruits of their work. It’s nicely located off the beaten track in a tiny hamlet, with great walks amongst the vineyards all around. Their wine is simple and cheerful, and cheap!

Book through Airbnb here.

Domaine David Beaupère, Julienas (bnb)

Situated a few mins walk from Julienas, this big old country home is full of charm, much like its owners. The room I had was huge and creaky, and I had my breakfast (and apéros) by the fire in the lovely old dining room. It is all old but oh so charming. I went in winter but in summer they have a swimming pool. The winemaker’s mother, Claire, takes care of the bnb side of things and very responsive and friendly.

A visit to the cave to chat with Louis-Clement about how it is all done is fascinating, rich in history, passion and detail. I got to taste a Beaujolais nouveau direct from the barrel. And the wine is excellent quality. I especially liked the ‘3 verres’. Claire is an artist and designs the labels, and her artwork is all around. Recommended! Around 110euros a night.

Burgundy

Clos du Grand Bois, Lugny (bnb)

If you fancy sleeping in a huge wine barrel, this place is for you! I stayed in one of their standard rooms, which are also nice, and a bit more spacious. There’s a communal kitchen area too.

The winery has been in the family for many generations, and if you show a bit of interest you will probably meet several of them. They offer a free tour and tasting, which is really indepth and interesting, and their wine is created with lots of passion and dedication, and inexpensive for the quality (I believe).

The house is set on a huge terrain surrounded by a forest, with some cute walks amongst vineyards and to nearby villages from the doorstep. If you go in Autumn you need only walk 10mins to get an explosion of colours that exemplify its UNESCO world heritage status. Around 70euros a night.

Domaine Borgnat, Chablis (bnb)

With tasteful rooms in their 17th C castle, Domaine Borgnat has been producing wines for five generations. These days their wines fall under the Bourgogne Coulanges-la-Vineuse appellation, and they offer guided visits with tastings every day (extra charge). The building has retained all its charm from the past, with wonky stairs and ceilings and furniture and ornaments from the era. They also offer dinner, and have a pool. From around 110euros a night.