The Wine Road begins in Pernes-les-Fontaines, where the Nesque flows by the Middle Age ramparts, where 40 fountains gurgle with clear river water.
From the top of the town, views over the Comtadin garden lands, where the river and irrigation canals flow, as they have for centuries of farming activity.
From Pernes-les-Fontaines, on to Saint-Didier, village of fountains and shady plane trees. Slightly farther, majestically on high, the village of Venasque, ranked as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
After Malemort-du-Comtat the Nesque flows above ground again, leading to Méthamis and the entrance to grandiose, arid canyons, where the river narrows.
Here stand the last vineyards prior to the immense scrublands.
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Off the beaten path takes you into the plateau, where orchards of cherry trees replace the vineyards, where land grows scarce and rock takes over. In La Roque-sur Pernes, Le Beaucet (from “Baus” - rock) and Venasque, see how these perched villages are adapt differently to their sites. Rock and water culminate at the Saint Gens sanctuary, where, in the 12th century, the hermit Saint Gens struck the rock and brought forth a spring of water … and wine !
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The VINTNER PATH and the Terroir Hike propose two highly contrasted paths. One is high and rooted in the country, between Malemort-du-Comtat and Venasque, with superb views over the Comtat. The other is aristocratic and secret, on an 18th century estate, tucked into a valley of the Nesque.
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