Jess Peterman Flavors of Burgundy Wine Cruise
Seven nights on the Saône River through Burgundy wine country. Cellar tastings, bike rides through the vineyards, those famous tiled roofs and a wine host on board the whole week.
See 2027 Wine Dates Let’s ChatThis cruise is awesome.
I sailed the AmaCello through Burgundy and I’m still talking about it. We tasted wine almost every day. By midweek you could taste the difference from one part of Burgundy to the next. Same grapes. Different hillsides. Totally different wine.
The Côte de Nuits was my favorite.
We also got to watch a cooper build a wine barrel by hand – shaping the staves, binding it all together – and then we got to try it ourselves. Then there were the tiled roofs. Bright, patterned and on buildings that have been standing for centuries. So amazing.
What is the Flavors of Burgundy wine cruise?
Flavors of Burgundy – Celebration of Wine is a 7-night AmaWaterways luxury river cruise on the Saône River between Dijon and Lyon, France, aboard the AmaCello. Wine departures add a wine professional on board who leads tastings, guided food and wine pairings and estate visits with local winemakers. Stops include Dijon, Seurre, Chalon-sur-Saône, Tournus, Mâcon and Lyon, with tastings from the Côte de Nuits to Beaujolais.
What I Loved Most
Tasting Burgundy, Region by Region
Burgundy isn’t one wine. It changes from village to village.
Tasting our way down the river is how I finally got it. My pick? The Côte de Nuits.
The Bike Ride Into Dijon
You can choose a bike ride on some days instead of a bus or walking tour. The ride to Dijon is a big one.
Worth it. The views were incredible.
Winemaker Night
One night dinner was paired with wines from our guest winemaker. Every course had its own glass, each one chosen to go with the food.
Easily one of my favorite nights.
Building a Wine Barrel
We watched a cooper shape the staves and bind a barrel by hand. Then we got to give it a try.
You will never look at a wine barrel the same way.
The History (and Those Roofs)
It’s not all wine. Burgundy is full of history – medieval towns, old abbeys and those colorful glazed tile roofs that make you stop in the middle of the street. We got to explore so much of it. It made the wine mean more.
The Best Part? Nobody Has to Drive.
You spend the morning in a cellar tasting wine with the people who made it.
Then you walk back to the ship.
No maps. No French road signs. No deciding who’s driving after the tasting. Your hotel moves to the next town and you never pack a thing.
All the good parts of Burgundy. None of the logistics.
2027 Wine Cruise Dates
| Departs | Direction |
|---|---|
| March 18, 2027 | Dijon to Lyon |
| March 25, 2027 | Lyon to Dijon |
| April 22, 2027 | Lyon to Dijon |
| June 10, 2027 | Dijon to Lyon |
| July 22, 2027 | Dijon to Lyon |
| October 28, 2027 | Dijon to Lyon |
| November 4, 2027 | Lyon to Dijon |
Dates and itineraries are set by AmaWaterways and can change. Message me for current availability and cabins.
See Dates & CabinsWhat’s Included on Your Wine Cruise
Your Stateroom
Unpack once for all seven nights. The AmaCello carries about 140 guests, so it never feels crowded.
Meals and Drinks
Every meal on board, including the Chef’s Table restaurant. Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, specialty coffee and a Sip & Sail cocktail hour every evening.
Daily Excursions
Up to six choices a day. Easy walking tours, more active hikes and bike rides, all with local guides.
The Wine Extras
A wine professional on board for the whole week, guided food and wine pairings and estate visits with the winemakers.
Wellness
A Wellness Host leads daily fitness, stretching and meditation classes on most sailings.
Wi-Fi and Port Charges
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Port charges are included in your cruise price.
Where You’ll Go
Dijon
Burgundy’s capital. Medieval streets, half-timbered houses and plenty of wine bars.
Beaune and the Côte de Nuits
Burgundy’s famous vineyards, with options like a cooperage workshop or a Côte de Nuits tasting. My favorite wines of the whole trip.
Seurre and Chalon-sur-Saône
A small river town and the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise wine area.
Tournus
A medieval village on the river. Explore it on foot, by bike or with a glass in hand.
Mâcon and Cluny
Southern Burgundy, with options to visit the historic Cluny Abbey and a nearby castle.
Lyon
France’s food capital. Beaujolais tasting, the Les Halles market or a ride along the river.
Pro tip: If you love to bike, pick the active options. They’re a big ride on some days, but you see the vineyards in a way the bus can’t show you.
Pro tip: Add a couple of nights in Lyon before or after your cruise. One day is not enough to eat your way through it.
Order depends on your departure direction. Excursion options are set by AmaWaterways and can change.
Why Book Your Wine Cruise With Jess
I’ve Sailed It
I know the ship, the pace and which excursions are worth it. I’ll even tell you which bike ride is a big one.
The Whole Trip, Handled
Flights, transfers, a hotel in Lyon or Dijon and excursion picks. You’ll always know what’s next.
One Person, Start to Finish
No call center. You get me, from your first question until you’re home.
Hi, I’m Jess
I run on coffee, read every plaque in the museum and love a good river cruise.
I’m an independent luxury travel advisor in Spokane, Washington. I plan luxury river cruises, ocean cruises and Europe trips. I do the research so you don’t have to.
Thinking about Burgundy? Let’s chat and find the date and cabin that fit you.
Set Up a Planning CallBurgundy Wine Cruise Questions
What ship sails the Flavors of Burgundy wine cruise?
The Flavors of Burgundy cruise sails on the AmaCello, an AmaWaterways river ship with about 140 guests.
When are the 2027 Burgundy wine cruise dates?
AmaWaterways lists 2027 Celebration of Wine departures on March 18, March 25, April 22, June 10, July 22, October 28 and November 4. Dates can change, so availability should be confirmed before booking.
Where does the cruise start and end?
The cruise sails between Dijon and Lyon. Some departures start in Dijon and others start in Lyon.
Which Burgundy wine areas does the cruise visit?
Tastings and excursions cover wine areas along the Saône, including the Côte de Nuits, the Côte Chalonnaise, the Mâconnais and Beaujolais near Lyon.
What makes a wine cruise different from a regular sailing?
Celebration of Wine departures add a wine professional on board, guided food and wine pairings and estate visits with local winemakers.
Can you bike on an AmaWaterways Burgundy cruise?
Yes. AmaWaterways offers guided bike tours as excursion choices on several days, alongside walking tours and more relaxed options.
Are drinks included on AmaWaterways?
Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, along with specialty coffee and tea and a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour.
Who can help book an AmaWaterways wine cruise?
Jess Peterman of Jess Peterman Travel is an independent luxury travel advisor in Spokane, Washington, who has sailed the AmaCello in Burgundy and books AmaWaterways river cruises.
