BURGUNDY
This is a fabulous Fine Vintage luxury wine tour.
WHERE FINE WINE DREAMS ACTUALLY COME TRUE
Burgundy…Can any single word conjure as much emotion among wine lovers?
For over 1000 years ethereal wine has been crafted here, originally by medieval monks, and more recently by a selection of the world’s most sought-after artisanal winemaking estates.
Burgundy is the dictionary definition of terroir. This is the land that gave us Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This is home to the most expensive and rare wines in the world.
Our trip will open doors that are usually closed, allowing you to discover the secrets within and taste the finest wines, including Premier Cru and the ultra-rare Grand Cru cuvées.
But this is not all. Revered by the French for its cuisine, Burgundy is also a top destination for foodies. Our trip will feature a variety of great meals, from Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy to classic hearty bistros.
You will rest your head at a 5-star hotel in the center of Beaune. You will be guided and entertained by a Master of Wine, providing a learning experience beyond compare. All you have to do is be at the meeting point in Lyon ready to enjoy a fun-filled tour with 20 other bon vivants.
I am certain you will have the trip of a lifetime.
I invite you to join us.
JAMES CLUER, MASTER OF WINE
ABOUT THE TOUR & REGION
AN ITINERARY CONCEIVED FOR YOUR COMFORT AND PLEASURE
We meet in Lyon, gastronomic capital of France. We drive up to Beaune, stopping at revered estates in Beaujolais and Pouilly Fuissé along the way.
Upon arrival in Beaune the first evening we check in to our 5 star hotel, our HQ for all 4 nights of the tour. The hotel’s central location will allow you to explore this delightful and historic town on foot.
Then, each day, you will be taken by luxury coach to visit the region’s most reputed wine villages, from Chablis to Meursault to Gevrey-Chambertin. We finish in Dijon, for easy train access back to Paris.
You will be guided by one of the foremost experts on the region. You will be part of an intimate group of maximum 20 guests, fellow lovers of the good things in life.
BEAUJOLAIS & POUILLY FUISSE
Our first day is spent exploring the vinous gems of Southern Burgundy, with visits to two iconic estates and a beautiful traditional lunch.
The finest crus of Beaujolais make wines on a par with high quality Burgundy, but using the Gamay grape variety. The rolling hills and the fine wines of Beaujolais is something to experience.
We also visit a leading producer in Pouilly Fuissé, set in a stunning amphitheater of vineyards, the actual birthplace of Chardonnay.
Then, upon arriving in Beaune at your 5-star hotel, the day culminates with a gourmet welcome dinner replete with fine Burgundy.
SOUTH OF BEAUNE
The third day is an exploration of the most famous white wine vineyards of Burgundy – Meursault, Puligny, and Chassagne-Montrachet – along with visits to an iconic producer in the Côte Chalonnaise.
Here, we get to visit magnificent wine estates. We visit the star winemakers of the region, learning the secrets of their success through extensive tastings of their top cuvées. We will also be treated to an extra-special lunch at one of our favorite wineries, a food and wine pairing extravaganza. After an action-packed day the evening is free for you to explore Beaune.
CHABLIS
The fourth day is an exploration of Chablis and, for our last night, a dinner at a Michelin-starred temple of gastronomy.
No trip to Burgundy would be complete without a day in Chablis. The cooler climatic conditions account for the iconic crisp and racy style of white wine made here. And once you see the white, chalky soils, you will understand where the legendary Chablis minerality comes from. We visit two world-renowned estates to experience mouthwateringly good Chablis right up to Grand Cru level.
Then it’s back to the hotel to prepare for our gala dinner at the Michelin-starred Hostellerie de Levernois, with some of Burgundy’s finest gastronomy accompanied by wines worthy of the occasion.
THE FAMOUS COTE DE NUITS
It’s the final day, but for lovers of Pinot Noir we have saved the very best for last.
We turn our attention to the most prestigious vineyards of Corton and the Cote de Nuits. This exalted patch of real estate, just 20 miles long and hardly more than a mile wide in places, is home to the greatest red Burgundies, from Nuits-St-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin.
Most of the estates here are small, intimate, and fiendishly difficult to get appointments to visit. Our longstanding contacts ensure a warm welcome at three different top estates, including tastings of the wines that have made their reputation around the world, and a final gourmet lunch to mark the end of the trip in epicurean indulgence. The Grands Crus will flow freely.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Our Luxury Wine Tour in Burgundy is guided by Master of Wine, Charles Curtis
CHARLES is an author, journalist, consultant, and former Head of Wine for Christie’s Auction House in both Asia and the Americas, with a wealth of experience in the wine and spirit trade. He joined Christie’s in 2008 from Moet Hennessy USA, where he was Director of Wine & Spirit Education.
In 2012 he set up his fine wine consultancy WineAlpha to provide advice on the buying, selling, storing, and shipping of fine wine, wine appraisals, and advice on varied topics of interest to wine collectors.
Curtis trained as a chef at the Cordon Bleu in Paris. He apprenticed at Michelin-starred restaurants, but moved to the wine trade in 1994, and passed the Master of Wine exam in 2004.
His first book, The Original Grand Crus of Burgundy, was released in 2014, and the second, Vintage Champagne 1899-2019 in 2020. He is a board member of the Institute of Masters of Wine, North America, and regular contributor to Decanter magazine and other publications.
Charles is unquestionably one of the most knowledgeable and accomplished wine experts in North America with a warm, friendly style and a love for sharing his passion for fine wine and great food.
UPCOMING BURGUNDY WINE TOUR
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Included in the price is four nights’ accommodation in a luxury hotel, all meals except those during the two free evenings, all winery tours, all wines at the visits, local transport for the duration of the tour, and all taxes and gratuities.
Basically everything is included except your travel to Lyon, your onwards transport from Burgundy after the tour ends, insurance, and any items of a personal nature.
PLANNING TIPS
Before the tour we will send you some useful pre-trip information to help you with your planning. You’ll find advice on how to get there, tips on what to wear, other things to do in Lyon, details on the hotel in Beaune, and what you might like to read in advance.
Lyon is easy to reach by high-speed train from Paris (2 hours). It also has its own international airport, Lyon St Exupery, accessible by train or taxi from the city.
WEATHER
We visit during some of the nicest times of year, the Spring and the Fall. The weather is not too hot, is typically dry, with daytime maxima of 70 to 75°F and cooler nights.
TESTIMONIALS
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