Wine-related events
Wine festivals, vineyard walks, guided tours of wine estates, winegrowers’ picnics, wine-blending and wine-tasting workshops, end-of-harvest festivals, etc..
Aude offers a host of ways to celebrate wine and the vineyard.
01 Toques et Clochers
Toques & Clochers, one of the great popular events and a favourite among the people of Aude, takes place every year during the weekend of Palm Sunday. The public can visit the village and appellation area of Limoux and taste the wines in the company of the winegrowers. The high point of the event is the wine auction, when money is raised to renovate the bell towers of the villages located within the appellation area, and the gala dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chefs. This explains the name of the event (literally, “chef’s hats & bell towers”)!
A great moment blending prestige and festivity.
02 Les Camins de Boutenac
This very popular event for wine enthusiasts takes place every May. The programme includes vineyard tours in the Corbières-Boutenac AOC production area in the authentic company of winegrowers who have a passion for their work. These tours include tasting sessions and visits to wine cellars and heritage features.
You can spend the evening enjoying the celebrations at Château de Boutenac.
03 Gourmet Trails in La Clape
Spring is the time to set off exploring the Massif de la Clape near Narbonne! It all starts happening in May. Prepare your tastebuds for this vineyard walk departing from Château Le Bouïs in Gruissan and stopping 6 times along the way to enjoy some great wines and gourmet delights prepared for you by famous chefs. Sign up for this beautiful walk to discover the protected habitat and enjoy the scents of the garrigue and the views over the Mediterranean Sea.
04 Vineyard Walks in the Carcassonne area
From May to September, there are guided vineyard tours in the villages around Carcassonne. Each tour ends in a tasting of the wines with a selection of local food specialities. Conviviality at its purest ! Remember to bring a sun hat, walking shoes and sun cream for these outdoor experiences.
05 Sensations Fitou
Every year, July brings to Fitou THE event that must not be missed! This great celebration of the wines of Fitou comes with a host of activities: tastings, growers’ markets, the great walkabout of the wine god, Bacchus, and a huge wine-and-food-pairing banquet, all rounded off with the festival dance!
06 Tastes en Minervois
No doubt about it, this is one of the great wine-tourism events of the South of France! Every September, around a hundred winegrowers invite you to taste their wines. Nearly 200 white, rosé and red wines are selected to accompany meals prepared by famous chefs. You can also sample traditional dishes, let your tastebuds travel with exotic cuisine, or make it quick by opting for Street Food. In every corner you’ll find a different atmosphere created by different musicians.
07 End-of-Harvest Festival in Gruissan
In October, a wonderful moment of togetherness and folkloric entertainment unites visitors of all generations. The programme includes vineyard walks, oyster tasting in the salt marsh, a meal at Le Sablou, a grape-harvest procession and the blessing of the wine in the church.
08 Saint Hilaire Organic Wine Fair
This annual fair takes place in November and offers many chances to taste the produce. Saint-Hilaire Abbey, the historic cradle of Blanquette de Limoux, makes an exceptional setting for this event that combines winegrowing and culture. The wines (sparkling, white, red and rosé) are displayed in the cloister and halls of the abbey. The action-packed weekend includes guided tours of the abbey, an introductory wine-tasting workshop, musical performances, an organic food restaurant, etc.