Some answers to the questions you ask us!
How do I book my Vineyard Tour?
Look at the Tour dates section on the the Left-hand side of each page on the web site where you will find a list of dates of forthcoming Vineyard Tours. Look at these dates and decide which ones best suit your likely travel arrangements.
Once you have decided on a date contact us directly on 0845 652 1218 or by email on info@vineyardpartners.com We can then confirm the availability of places and book you onto your preferred tour.
If for some reason we have no places available on your first choice tour date then we can suggest other dates which might be suitable.
Can I take a friend or relative with me on the Vineyard Tour?
If you have purchased an Artisan or Vigneron Package two people are already included in the package. If you want to bring an additional friend or family member along you can book them onto the same tour as you, but there will be a supplementary charge of £30 for all adults and young people over 16, children between 13 and 16 are charged at 50% of the adult rate , £15 (23 Euros). Children under 13 are free of charge. This includes the full tour, wine tasting and lunch at, or near the Domaine.
You can include guests on the Tour at the time of booking. If you want to add additional guests closer to the time of the Tour –after you have booked- please contact us and we will try to accommodate you, although this may nor always be possible.
If you are bringing children under 13 please let us know as we will need to ensure that the Tour has the capacity as we limit the number of people on our Tours.
Can a partner or friend share the accommodation with me?
Our chamber d’hôte and hotel accommodation is for two people so a partner or friend is included in the price. However, you may be asked to pay a small supplement for breakfast for the second guest. Normally the rooms will have a double bed, so if you do not want to share a bed please request twin bedded accommodation when you book. Twin bedded accommodation is in short supply so we may not always be able to comply with your request. We will let you know when the accommodation is confirmed.
Why do I have to buy a minimum of a case (12 bottles) of wine to qualify for the Vineyard Partners Dividend of a 12% reduction in the cellar door price?
We have built close relationships with our Partner Domaines and they have agreed to offer the Vineyard Partners 12% Dividend to our Members only. Non-Members do not get this discount. All of our Domaines sell their wines at a reasonable price which reflects the reality of the costs of production –these are hand crafted wines, not mass produced ‘branded’ products. Therefore to ensure that the Vignerons receive an appropriate return on their wines we have agreed to limit the 12% discount to purchases of 12 or more bottles.
Do the wines purchased from the Vineyard Partners include the 12% discount?
Yes, all our wines purchased from the Vineyard Partners Wine Selection pages on the website include the 12% discount. For the prices ex-cellar we show you the difference between the cellar door price and the vineyard Partners price. If you purchase wine for shipping to our warehouse in Calais, or for delivery to your home address in the UK (UK VAT and Duty paid) the 12% discount is included in the quoted price.
Where we have special wine offers that include 6 bottles of wine we have negotiated special rates from our Partner Domaines and these prices include the 12% discount.
How can I personalise Vineyard Partners Membership as a special wine gift?
If you are buying a Vineyard Partners Membership as a gift we can include the following:
* A personalised message on our Gift Membership
* Special gift wrapping
* Send your Vineyard Partners Membership Gift Pack directly to the address of the recipient
There a many other things we can include if you want this as a very special wine gift. We can organise a taxi from the airport to the accommodation, we can arrange a special meal for two in a local restaurant.
If you want to organise a large party of people to enjoy a Vineyard Tour, a reception at a local restaurant –we can even arrange to have a party catered for by a Michelin starred Chef- or a minibus to transport your party to and from the vineyard and the restaurant, just let us know and we can personalise a wine gift package for you.
Will the lunch during the vineyard tour cater for special dietary needs?
We will certainly try our best to cater for any dietary needs you or your party have. We can cater for vegetarians and will try our best to provide lunch if you, or a member of your party are Vegans.
Please let us know in advance of your dietary requirements.
I have some difficulty with physical mobility will I be able to enjoy the Vineyard Tour?
We have designed our vineyard Tours to be accessible to the widest possible audience. However, our desire is to show all aspects of the story of wine from the vineyard to the bottle and these are working farms. The tours involve spending some time in vineyards, which can involve walking up hill and on un-mettled tracks. In the Chai there are often steps which need negotiating to see the full story of the journey of the grapes from the field to the cuvees.
For customers with limited mobility we endeavour to provide all the information that is part of the tour and to accommodate your needs.
Please let us know if you have limited mobility when booking your Tour and we do our best to accommodate your needs.
How do I get from my accommodation to the Vineyards?
You are require to provide your own transport from your accommodation to the Vineyard. If you use your own car please be aware that the French drink driving laws are, contrary to popular myth, stricter than those in the UK. The French blood alcohol limit is only 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood as compared to 80 mg in the UK. Further, in recent years the French authorities have really cracked down on drink driving and road blocks to check alcohol levels, even on minor roads, are not uncommon.
As part of the wine experience that we deliver at Vineyard Partners we show you how to appreciate wine without swallowing!
If in doubt we would recommend that you hire a taxi to take you to and from the Domaine. Ask your chamber d’hôte or hotel for details of local taxi services.
If there are a number of people in your party we can organise a minibus to take you to and from the Vineyard. Please contact us for details.
Are the French Drink Driving laws strict?
The French drink driving laws are, contrary to popular myth, stricter than those in the UK. The French blood alcohol limit is only 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood as compared to 80 mg in the UK. Further, in recent years the French authorities have really cracked down on drink driving and road blocks to check alcohol levels, even on minor roads, are not uncommon.
To find out more contact us at
info@vineyardpartners.com
or on 0845 652 1218
(charged at local call rate from UK land lines).
