Fêtes des Vins de Vacqueyras

The Fêtes des Vins de Vacqueyras: Over Fifty Years of Wine Passion

Since 1973, every summer has seen the rebirth of the Fêtes des Vins de Vacqueyras, one of the oldest wine festivals in Provence. This popular event celebrates the Vacqueyras AOC appellation, recognized as a communal appellation since 1990 and one of the few in the southern Rhône Valley to hold this status. In 2025, the 52nd edition will take place from July 12th to 14th, during the Bastille Day weekend.

Vacqueyras and its Exceptional Appellation

Nestled at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, these limestone cliffs that cut across the Provençal sky, the village of Vacqueyras is surrounded by 1,400 hectares of vineyards. The clay-limestone soil and rounded pebbles, a legacy of the prehistoric Rhône, give Vacqueyras wines their unique character: powerful and spicy reds dominated by Grenache, fruity rosés, and aromatic whites based on Clairette and Roussanne. The appellation comprises about sixty estates, some of which have been family-run for generations.

Strolling Wine Tasting: The Heart of the Festival

The original format of the Fêtes des Vins de Vacqueyras is the "dégustation ambulante" (strolling wine tasting) organized in the streets and squares of the village. Winegrowers from the appellation set up their stands and welcome visitors for guided tastings of their vintages. It's a unique opportunity to meet the producers, understand their working philosophy—increasingly focused on organic and biodynamic agriculture—and discover the diversity of their wines, from age-worthy bottles to more accessible cuvées for immediate enjoyment.

Visitors purchase an official festival glass—a precious souvenir of the event—and wander freely from stand to stand, guided by their taste buds and the advice of the winegrowers. Children are not forgotten, with dedicated areas and activities.

Gastronomy and Provençal Art de Vivre

The Wine Festival would not be complete without Provençal gastronomy. Throughout the weekend, local producers and food artisans offer their specialties: olives and tapenade, goat cheeses from the Dentelles, charcuterie, lavender honey, aromatic herbs, and regional olive oils. "Tables d'hôte" (communal dining tables) and local restaurateurs serve gourmet meals made with local products, enhanced by Vacqueyras wines.

Tasting workshops led by oenologists and guided food and wine pairing sessions allow both novices and seasoned amateurs to deepen their knowledge of the appellation and refine their senses.

Open-Air Concerts and Entertainment

Music is an integral part of the festive atmosphere in Vacqueyras. Concerts featuring Provençal music, jazz, blues, and popular hits liven up the evenings on the village square, under the century-old plane trees. Local and regional bands perform on stage, creating a warm and convivial atmosphere. Street entertainment—theater, dance, circus arts—completes the program throughout the weekend.

A Village and Landscape to Discover

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to (re)discover Vacqueyras and its surroundings. Walks in the vineyards are organized with the winegrowers, allowing visitors to understand the terroir by walking among the vines. The nearby Dentelles de Montmirail offer breathtaking panoramas of the vineyards and Mont Ventoux. The neighboring medieval village of Gigondas, the Château de Lacoste, and the picturesque villages of Les Baux-de-Provence are all within driving distance.