Wine Safari

Or should we say Mike's Wine Safari.
Because this concept has been within Mike Rijken ever since he began working in France. After finishing hotel school in Bavaria, he puts his first footsteps in 1983 in Paris. There, he learned the language, and took courses at the Wine Academy of Steven Spurrier. Briefly, he returned to Holland and worked in a one-star Michelin retaurant as Chef de Partie.

In 1984, he worked in the heart of Burgundy (Beaune). His multiple talents served well in the kitchen and restaurants of a chain of Brasseries. In Burgundy, he led wine tours from the Hotel Le Cep (in Beaune), into Puligny-Montrachet and Pommard.

Although he worked for hotels and restaurants in Holland, and helped to manage a wine importation business, his heart has remained in France, serving as a link and spiritual guide between the French, and visitors interested in the best of wine and gastronomy.


After meeting his Dutch wife, Vivian, in Burgundy, they moved to the south of France. For 13 years, Mike was the hospitality / pr manager for the prestigious Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The family Perrin sent him around Europe and the USA - whenever a good word was needed. With his background as a chef ; superb tasting skill ; and fluency in four languages, he can immediately explain why a wine may complement certain food ; what influences the wine ; how they may develop etc.

Most important, his personality and experience make his wine discourses a fun and rewarding pleasure for beginners and experts alike. He created the company Wine Safari to share his passion, and to facilitate people discovering more about the Rhône region - especially small, quality properties and lesser known regions. Educational, Fun, and Surprisingly simple to have a Sensational experience, with knowledge that really matters. It will make you want to return to Provence again and again.

You will discover the famous appellations such as the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages (18 villages), 16 "Crus des Côte du Rhône" (such as Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise, Rasteau, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras...), Ventoux, Luberon, Lirac, Tavel, Clairette de Die, Côte du Vivarais, Duché d'Uzès....

Mike Rijken will take you to a wine estate (chosen according to your criteria). During the drive, you will be given explanations about the region, the vineyards and wine growing (the grape varieties, the soil, the way of trimming the vines…). Once at the wine estate, you will be received by the owner and winegrower or an oenologist from the estate's wine cellar.

You will learn everything there is to know about the wines. You will also learn how to taste and appreciate wine. Purchases are possible at the estate.

Set off to discover the famous appellations such as the Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Château-Grillet, Saint-Péray or Cornas.

Mike Rijken will take you to 2 wine estates (chosen according to your criteria). During the drive, you will be given explanations about the region, the vineyards and wine growing (the grape varieties, the soil, the way of trimming the vines…). Once at the wine estate, you will be received by the owner and winegrower or an oenologist from the estate's wine cellar.

You will be given explanations about the estate's wines. You will also learn how to taste and appreciate the wines. Purchases are possible at the estates.