Le Tasting Room, situated close to Tours and Amboise, offers unique Loire wine tours that stand out from the rest. Run by Cathy and Nigel Henton, English wine professionals with 35 years of experience in both France and the UK, our tours are led by individuals who actively work in the wine industry. This means you’ll get an insider’s peek into grape growing and winemaking in the Loire, providing an authentic and enriching experience. Tours and tastings begin at our countryside home in Noizay, in the heart of the Vouvray appellation, or from central Amboise. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the world of Loire wines.
Cathy
My passion for wine ignited right after I left school, leading to a vibrant career in the UK with major wine and spirit companies. Driven by a desire to deepen my expertise, I founded my own wine education business and, in 2003, returned to Plumpton College for two years to hone my practical skills. I hold a WSET Diploma Level 4 (1986) and a Higher National Diploma in Wine Studies (Viticulture & Oenology, 2005). Today, I run our wine education and tour company, serve as the export manager for Lionel Gosseaume, and work part-time with Vincent Carême during the summer months.
Nigel
For 15 years, I worked in agriculture and agricultural research while nurturing a secret passion for wine. In 2003, I pursued this passion by retraining in viticulture at Plumpton College and subsequently managing Breaky Bottom Vineyard in Sussex under the mentorship of Peter Hall. I hold a WSET Advanced Certificate and a National Certificate in Farm Management. In addition to collaborating with Cathy, I also work with several growers, focusing on the viticulture side of the business.
Why come on a Loire wine tour with us?
We’re well-qualified with 35 years of experience in the English and French wine trade, complemented by qualifications in vine growing, winemaking, and the sales and service of wine. We personally lead all the tours and tastings, ensuring an authentic and knowledgeable experience.
Our tours are more than just wine; they’re an exchange of cultures, personal stories, and a shared passion for wine. We love getting to know our guests and sharing a bit of our lives with you. You’ll have lots of fun and learn loads, too. With very small groups, our days are highly personal yet informal, and we tailor the tastings to suit any level of knowledge.
You come as clients and leave as friends, which is our greatest pleasure.
In the morning, Cathy leads a tutored tasting of six different wines from six appellations. Unlike most tours that focus on a single region (such as only tasting Sancerre in Sancerre), you’ll gain a broader understanding of the Loire Valley by sampling wines from at least seven different producers.
Enjoy a home-cooked lunch prepared and served by us, featuring our own garden herbs and salads, and cheese sourced from the specialty shop France Fromages in the covered market Les Halles in Tours.
Our wine tours are ‘slow’ tours. We take our time, savoring the peace and tranquility of the Loire Valley. We enjoy a leisurely lunch and visit just one winery in the afternoon. After a morning of wine tasting with Cathy, this is just the right pace.
If you’d like to spend more time with us, we can arrange that too. An extra day or two of winery visits is a lovely way to consolidate all that you’ve learned.
