Toulouse isn’t just a city of pink bricks and vibrant street life — it’s also a fantastic place to explore wine culture. The city’s proximity to Southwest France’s renowned wine regions means you can sample everything from local reds to lesser-known varietals without leaving town. Among the options, we particularly like Explore Toulouse Wine Bars with a Local Wine Expert for its cozy atmosphere and insider knowledge, perfect for those who want to sip and learn in a relaxed setting. If you’re craving a full-day adventure, the Cité de Carcassonne and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour offers an immersive dive into medieval history paired with wine tasting, ideal for history buffs and wine enthusiasts alike.
Whether you prefer wandering through intimate wine bars or exploring historical towns with wine tastings along the way, Toulouse offers a variety of tours to match your interests. Read on for detailed reviews of each top-rated experience to help you plan your perfect wine getaway.
Quick Overview
Our list covers a range of wine tours in Toulouse, from short, guided walks to full-day excursions. These include:
- Walking wine bar tours that focus on local wines and small-group intimacy (Explore Toulouse Wine Bars)
- Private full-day trips to medieval Carcassonne and nearby vineyards (Cité de Carcassonne and Wine Tasting)
- Half-day regional tours to Gaillac with visits to wineries (Gaillac Wine Half Day)
- Specialized tasting workshops pairing cheese and wine (Cheese & Wine Workshop)
- Extended tours exploring Cathar country and vineyards (From Toulouse Cite de Carcassonne et Wine Tasting)
Below, each experience is explored in detail to help you decide which fits your interests and schedule.
1. Explore Toulouse Wine Bars with a Local Wine Expert
For those who prefer a relaxed, hands-on approach, this small-group walking tour of Toulouse’s intimate wine bars is a standout. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours and is perfect for discovering the city’s cozy wine scenes. Your guide, a local wine expert, takes you through two to three hidden gems, each offering a different vibe and wine selection.
What makes this tour special is the focus on lesser-known wines of southwest France, giving you a taste of regional varietals you might not find in typical wine shops. You’ll learn wine tasting techniques and enjoy local snacks like charcuterie and cheeses to enhance each sip. Guests consistently praise the personable guides and the opportunity to build confidence ordering wine like a native. One review notes, “Jessica was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed hanging out in these cozy wine bars.”
This tour is ideal for travelers who want to maximize their time in Toulouse while enjoying an authentic, social experience. The relaxed pace and insider tips make it a great choice for casual wine lovers and curious newcomers alike.
Bottom Line: An engaging, intimate way to taste regional wines and learn how to order wine in France, perfect for those wanting local flavor with a friendly guide.
2. Cité de Carcassonne and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour from Toulouse
At number 2, this full-day private tour combines medieval history with wine tasting — a fantastic choice if you’re interested in the region’s past as well as its vineyards. The trip begins with a scenic drive to Castelnaudary, famous for the Canal du Midi and its UNESCO-listed canal system, where you’ll enjoy a quick stop.
Next, you’ll explore the walled city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its twisting alleys and medieval ramparts transport visitors back in time. The tour includes about three hours to wander independently, soaking in the history and architecture. The highlight for wine lovers is a visit to a small vineyard, where you’ll taste local wines directly from the source (more info).
Guests praise the personalized experience, with Olivia, the guide, noted for her engaging storytelling and knowledgeable commentary. The tour is a full-day, so it’s best suited for those who enjoy a mix of history, scenery, and wine.
Bottom Line: A comprehensive day trip for history buffs and wine lovers wanting a private, tailored experience that includes exploring a UNESCO site and tasting regional wines.
3. Toulouse: Wine Bar Walking Tour with a Local Wine Expert
If you love the idea of tasting wine in lively, authentic settings, this walking tour offers a spirited look at Toulouse’s best wine bars. Over 2.5 hours, you’ll visit 3 different bars, each with its own style, and sample a variety of local wines.
Led by a certified French Wine Scholar, your guide unpacks France’s AOC/IGP system, helping you understand what makes certain wines unique. During the tour, you’ll gather around a delicious apéro platter of local cheeses, charcuterie, and bread while sipping wines that showcase the region’s diversity. The guide’s expertise turns the experience into an educational journey as well as a tasting adventure.
Guests enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the chance to learn how to describe wines—a skill that makes ordering in France much easier. One reviewer remarks, “Jessica was very personable and knowledgeable,” highlighting how this tour offers both fun and learning.
Ideal for those wanting a social evening with genuine local flavor, this tour combines cultural insight and relaxed tasting.
Bottom Line: A lively, educational walk through Toulouse’s best wine bars, perfect for those who want to enjoy local wine culture without leaving the city.
4. Gaillac Wine Half Day Tour from Toulouse
For a half-day escape into regional wine, this tour to Gaillac is a top pick. Known for its winemaking heritage dating back to the 2nd century B.C., Gaillac’s rolling hills and vineyards are a beautiful backdrop for tasting. The tour includes visits to two wineries, where you’ll sample sparkling, white, rosé, and red wines.
This experience is especially appealing because it offers a hands-on look at the winemaking process, along with guided tastings. The driver and guide are praised for their friendly professionalism and wealth of knowledge about the region. Visitors often comment on the ease of booking and the smooth, comfortable transportation.
Guests say, “This was so easy to book, and the driver was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable,” making it a hassle-free way to explore regional wines. The tasting sessions are well-paced for a half-day trip, giving you enough time to savor and learn without feeling rushed.
Bottom Line: A value-packed, scenic tour ideal for those wanting to sample a diverse range of Gaillac wines and visit historic vineyards without dedicating an entire day.
5. From Toulouse Cite de Carcassonne et Wine Tasting
This full-day excursion takes you beyond Toulouse to Carcassonne and nearby vineyards. The trip runs from 9 am to 5 pm, focusing on Cathar country and its vineyards. While details are limited, expect a blend of historical sights and wine tasting.
The tour includes visits to vintneries and opportunities to learn about local wine production, paired with guided walks through the medieval Carcassonne fortress. This experience suits travelers who want a comprehensive taste of the region’s history and wine culture. It’s particularly attractive for those wanting a full-day, guided, all-in-one experience that combines outdoor exploration and wine.
Since reviews aren’t specified, we recommend this for those who appreciate structured groups with a focus on regional heritage. The itinerary promises a balanced day with cultural and gustatory highlights.
Bottom Line: An all-in-one day trip perfect for history enthusiasts who also want to taste regional wines in a guided setting.
$580 per person
6. Toulouse: Cheese & Wine Tasting Workshop with a Cheesemaker
Finally, for a deliciously different experience, this cheese and wine workshop pairs sensory games with expert guidance in a lively city-center bar. Led by a former cheesemaker, the 1.5-hour session features tasting 5 local cheeses, each paired with 2 glasses of wine and accompaniments like bread and jam.
What sets this apart is the interactive format—participants play sensory games and learn to describe the cheeses and wines they prefer, making it both fun and educational. The friendly atmosphere and team activities foster a relaxed vibe, perfect for socializing.
Guests mention discovering the art of cheese tasting and enjoying a good vibes bar with a local flavor. The experience is suitable for small groups up to 20, making it an intimate setting to expand your palate and meet new people.
Bottom Line: An engaging, flavorful workshop ideal for cheese lovers and those wanting a fun, hands-on tasting experience in Toulouse’s city center.
$527 per group up to 20
How to Choose the Right Wine Tour in Toulouse
When selecting a wine tour, consider your interest level and schedule. If you love discovering hidden wine bars and want to learn tasting techniques, the Explore Toulouse Wine Bars offers an intimate, local flavor. For a full-day immersion in medieval sites and vineyards, the Cité de Carcassonne and Wine Tasting is ideal, especially for history buffs.
If you’re short on time but want a regional experience, the Gaillac Wine Half Day provides a quick, scenic escape. Those seeking a fun, social atmosphere should consider the Wine Bar Walking Tour, while cheese enthusiasts will enjoy the cheese and wine workshop.
Booking early is recommended, especially for private tours and popular experiences, and consider the seasonality—some tours may be more enjoyable in warmer months. Think about your budget, interests, and how much time you want to dedicate to wine tasting to pick the perfect experience.
In Summary
Toulouse offers a variety of wine experiences suited to all kinds of travelers. For a casual, educational evening, the Wine Bar Walk is perfect. For a full-day adventure combining history and wine, the Carcassonne trip delivers a memorable outing. If your goal is to sample regional wines without leaving Toulouse, the Gaillac half-day makes for a scenic, relaxed trip.
No matter your choice, these tours provide a rich taste of Toulouse’s wine scene, ensuring you leave with a fuller glass—and a fuller belly of knowledge. Be sure to book early and select the experience that best matches your interests and schedule. Cheers to discovering the wines of southwest France!