Commercial vine growing was barred in Brittany for most of the last century, and Les Vignes de la Ria is among the estates planting since the ban lifted. At Kerlézo, on a former family dairy farm, 25,000 vines now cover five hectares of granite soil. The visit crosses the plots, enters the winery in the old barn, and closes with a tasting of the estate’s first wines. Romain Le Guillou and viticulturist Adrien Michel work the vines organically.
Tag: wine-vineyards
Beaujolais Nouveau Torchlight Parade and Ball
Two torchlit processions converge in Beaujeu for the ceremonial opening of the new Beaujolais wine. A sound and light show and fireworks accompany a tasting offered by Les Sarmentelles. The Bernard Becker orchestra then plays for the ball, which has paid admission included in selected dinner passes. The procession and wine-tapping ceremony are free to attend.
Sarmentelles Tasting Trail
The Sarmentelles tasting trail introduces wines from all twelve Beaujolais appellations, presented by their winegrowers. White and rosé Beaujolais broaden the selection. Visitors can discover Beaujeu’s heritage on foot or by little train, with bandas and musical processions along the route. Admission includes the tastings, activities, a tasting glass and its holder.
Sarmentelles Prestige Dinner Show
La Maison Guillemot prepares a menu dedicated to Les Sarmentelles for this dinner show in Beaujeu. Local winegrowers serve Beaujolais red and white wines at the tables as part of the meal. Cabaret, variety acts and songs from the eighties accompany dinner, followed by a grand ball within the Beaujolais wine celebration.
Fête de l’olive piquée & des vins du terroir
The Fête de l’olive piquée & des vins du terroir brings Nyons’ olive traditions and local wines into the same celebration. The Syndicat de l’Olive de Nyons & des Baronnies organises the gathering with its partners. Admission is free for adults and children; details of the individual activities have yet to be announced.
Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu
Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu celebrates the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau. A tasting route introduces the vineyard’s twelve appellations, alongside white and rosé wines. Torchlight processions and the ceremonial opening of the new wine bring the village into the festivities. Concerts, markets, guided visits and dinner dances complete a programme built around Beaujolais wine and gastronomy.
Foire aux Vins de France in Saint-Satur
The Foire aux Vins de France brings winemakers from across France to Saint-Satur for tastings and direct sales. More than 50 appellations are represented. The Sancerre selection includes Domaine des Buissonnes from Sury-en-Vaux and Domaine Guérin from Vinon. Spirits and cider join the wines, while the food stands include Crottins de Chavignol from Ferme du Feulard.
Vignobles en Scène : Faïence et Vins à Gien
Faïence et Vins pairs an introduction to earthenware decoration with a tasting of Coteaux du Giennois wines. The Faïencerie de Gien and Office de Tourisme de Gien host the workshop together. The decoration session explores the world of artisans d’art. The activity belongs to Les Créatives within Vignobles en Scène, admits children from eight and is limited to twenty people.
Vignobles en Scène : le Sacré Banquet aux caves de l’abbaye
Vignobles en Scène brings a banquet to Bourgueil, inside the former cellars of the Royal Abbey. Workshops open the evening and set the five senses to work before anyone sits down. At the table a single ingredient, cheese, is measured against wines picked to show the five terroirs of the Bourgueil vineyard. The abbey rooms, used the rest of the year for shows, exhibitions and its own cinema, become the dining hall.
La Chopinière du Roy: Cellar Tour and Loire Wines
Old vintages rest in the rock-cut cellar of Domaine de la Chopinière du Roy, part of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil’s wine landscape. A tour leads into this setting before a tasting compares older wines with the estate’s current cuvées. Cabernet franc from Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Bourgueil sits alongside Chenin Blanc, rosé and Crémant de Loire in the estate’s range.