THE FACILITIES (Interior and Exterior)

The area outside the winery

1. The «Rhône Valley, a Land of Welcome » enamel Quality Charter plaque should be visibly displayed at the entrance to the winery.

2. The winery’s surroundings should be well maintained, clean and tidy.

3. The winery has a dedicated customer parking area, located within 200m of the winery (at least a sign and suitable parking surface).

4. Quality signposting should be located from the roadside up to the entrance of the winery (a series of sign boarding: specific to the estate and supplied by Inter Rhône).

Inside the winery

5. The winery premises are fitted out and clearly identifiable as a reception facility.

6. There should be fully equipped toilet facilities and a water distribution point available for visitors.

7. Seating must be provided.

8. The premises and all the equipment used must be kept spotlessly clean (floors, wine tasting and any other product tasting material, spittoons, glasses, toilets, water distribution point)

WINE TASTING

9. A free wine tasting should be offered spontaneously.

10. Staff should be capable of presenting the establishment and its activity.

11. In no event should the purchase of wine be mandatory after tasting.

12. The glasses used should be wine tasting glasses (at least INAO quality).

13. The number of glasses should meet the winery’s reception capacity.

14. Spittoons should be clearly available and their use recommended to customers.

15. Individual bottles should be available for purchase.

16. Wines should be served at the correct temperature (a refrigerator should be available for the whites and rosés).

17. Soft drinks should be offered to children (fruit or grape juice only)

18. An alcohol test kit should be offered to the customer (free or charged).

SALES

19. Opening times are visibly displayed at the winery entrance and should be observed.

20. A member of staff should always be on duty during opening times.

21. The winery must provide technical information sheets on the wine displayed (at least in French).

22. Prices are visibly displayed alongside each product for sale.

23. All communications (brochures, website, etc) should show adherence to the «Rhône Valley, a Land of Welcome» charter by displaying the appropriate logo or symbol.

24. Rhône Valley tourist route brochures should be available for customers.

25. The customer should be given a detailed receipt for any purchase of goods or services.

26. The winery ensures that telephone calls are answered promptly during opening times.

27. Outside opening times, an answering machine must giving the name of the estate along with the opening days and times (the caller should be able to leave a message).

28. Payment methods accepted should be displayed.

29. Payment by bank or credit cards must be accepted.

30. Reception staff converses pleasantly and cordially with customers from their arrival to their departure.

31. Environmentally friendly packaging material (recycled and recyclable bags and boxes) must be offered to customers.

1. The winery is open 5 days a week all year round including a Saturday or Sunday.

2. The temperature of the winery is appropriate whatever the time of year (heated in winter, kept cool in summer)

3. The winery has appropriate lighting (neon lights are forbidden)

4. The winery’s decoration is related to the vine and to wine (a Rhône Valley wine region map should be displayed in the winery)

5. The winery must provide information and advise customers on local gastronomic specialities, cultural heritage, tourist spots, local produce and the other certified wineries.

6. English language technical information sheets on the wines for sale are available.

7. Foreign languages spoken by permanent staff should be displayed.

8. Opening times in English are displayed at the entrance to the winery.

9. The estate has a website presenting the winery, reception facilities, and other tourist activities.

10. The winery provides wheelchair access.

1. Crystalline or crystal glasses are available for wine tastings.

2. The estate provides wheelchair access.

3. The estate has a website with an English language version presenting the winery, the reception facilities, and providing information on other tourist activities.

4. The winery offers delivery within France for a minimum of 24 bottles.

5. The winery offers other services: advice on winery visits, restaurant reservations or accommodation bookings.

6. Reception staff must be qualified and trained in reception techniques (smiling, approachability, responsiveness to customer expectations).

7. Reception staff should speak English as a minimum.

8. The winery should provide information on group visit arrangements: by appointment, opening days and times, languages spoken, reception and tasting facilities.

9. Outside opening hours, an answering machine giving the name of the estate along with opening days and times in English is recommended.

10. Bags or boxes are offered for carrying purchases.