Experience the Midi!
South of France Wine Travel, Exploration, and Discovery with the insiders!
March 10-17 2016
This region in France is not only inspiringly beautiful, but is rich in Roman history set in decidedly French tradition.
From the wonderful Provençal cuisine influenced by rich produce and the Mediterranean Sea, to the vines and olive trees that cover the landscape surrounded by the wildly aromatic scrub oak and garrigue forests. This is an experience for the senses!
Day 1- Arrival.
Shuttle pick up at the Nimes airport/ TGV station to our resort for a meet and greet reception and dinner later that evening.
Day 2- Vaison La Romain, Domaine Julien Masquin, Chateauneuf du Pape,
We are off to Vaison la Romain. To a fantastic city with wonderful charm and amazing historical sites. A great place to wander, see ancient ruins, and bask in a café or two in this picturesque city in the Vaucluse. Then off to Chateauneuf du Pape! The most famous (and expensive, thanks to Mr. Robert Parker) appellation in the Southern Rhone. We’ll enjoy a lunch with Julien Masquin. After a leisurely stroll through CdP we will stop in at Julien Masquin’s Cave in Chateauneuf du Pape, sampling different barrels, we’ll see what Julien has in store for us in the coming vintages. Then back to Escaune for dinner.
Day 3- Foulaquier , Pic St Loup, Sommieres
We will visit Sommieres and the famous Saturday Marché. Everything you could imagine from this region in France famed for its culinary products. After the market head to the petanque terrain and its bar is not to be missed! Lunch is at our favorite Italian restaurant in the town square. After lunch, its off to the famous wine region in the Languedoc, Pic St Loup. This is beautiful wine country. Mas Foulaquier is a winery with a fantastic reputation. Pierre makes award winning wines in this up and coming region! We’ll visit the tasting room, winery, and vines. Then back to Escaune.
Day 4- Avignon, Clos de Caveau
After a lovely leisurely breakfast we will be off to one of the more beautiful wineries of the trip, Clos de Caveau, in Vacqueyras. (This may be Adrienne’s favorite AOC in the Southern Rhone.) There is an interpretive trail through these picturesque vines. We’ll meander and meet Henri in the winery. Then off to Avignon to take in the impressive Palais du Pope and the Pont du Avignon. Dinner is back at the resort, our lovely little home away from home.
Day 5- Nimes, Aubais, Aubai Mema
After breakfast we are off to Nimes to take in the famous Arena and the Maison Carre. We will pop in to the famous Les Halles de Nimes for a light market snack on-the-go before visiting the Jardins de la Fountaine for a relaxing stroll and more Roman history in this very French city. Afterwards, we head to Aubais and Aubai Mema Winery for a tasting with Organic/Biodynamic winemaker, Mark Haynes. Then a stroll through this amazing medieval hilltop village, and dinner at one of our favorite authentic local restaurants in this beautiful town in the department of the Gard.
Day 6- Saint Remy de Provence, Les Baux des Provences, and Ou Ravi
Les Baux des Provence. We’re here on the cusp of the Luberon! This is arguably one of the most beautiful regions of France. Baux is a listed heritage site, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France. A hilltop tour of the village’s ruins provide breathtaking views of the surrounding country and an insight into the Roman history of this region. From here it’s a very short drive to Ou Ravi, one of our fave restaurants in the area. Then to Saint Remy de Provence. It’s a wonderful town In Provence. After shopping and exploring this lovely little city its back to Escaune for dinner.
Day 7- Pont du Gard, Uzes, Domaine Charite
We take a short trek to the lovely town of Uzes for their famous market, wander the historic Roman sites of the origin of the source of the Pont du Gard! From there we will travel to the Pont itself. Lunch overlooking the aqueduct at Les Terrasses will set the mood for an extended exploration of the bridge and its Ancient history. From there we hit Saze and visit our Rhone winery, Domaine Charite. We will have hors d’oeuvres and taste through Christophe Coste’s exciting line of wines from this area of the Southern Rhone. Dinner back at Escaune.