Spring in the Vallée de la Gastronomie

The Vallée de la Gastronomie runs from Dijon down to the Mediterranean coast at Marseille, serving up fine restaurants, gourmet experiences and the chance to meet vignerons, farmers and others along the way. Here’s our pick of what to see in spring.

BIKE AND WINE DAY IN CÔTE DE BEAUNE

Discover the Côte de Beaune vineyards on a guided bike tour with Active Tours/Bourgogne Evasion. You’ll discover the wines and villages of the Côte de Beaune, passing through some of Burgundy’s most prestigious vineyards (Pommard, Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay…), led by a cycling and wine professional. The programme includes tastings in the vineyards, visits to estates and cellars and a chance to meet the winegrowers.

WINE CELLAR-VIGNERONS DES TERRES SECRÈTES

The Vignerons des Terres Secrètes is a group of winemakers from the Mâconnais region who have been growing grapes for generations. They aim to showcase the unique qualities of their land through exceptional wines.

It’s the only cooperative winery within the Solutré Pouilly Vergisson Grand Site de France and has earned the Vignerons en Développement Durable certification for sustainable practices.

LE HAMEAU DUBOEUF

Hameau Duboeuf is the first wine park in Beaujolais and is unique in France. Discover the know-how of the winegrowers through exceptional exhibitions and unique audiovisual shows: dynamic cinema, 3D cinema, a show immersing viewers in the history of the Beaujolais region, and captivating Explor’ Games® digital treasure hunts.

Check out L’Impérial, a scenography where history meets fiction and collectors’ items come to life to the delight of young and old alike. And from April to September, you can take a stroll through the gardens and enjoy the aromas and flavours, or play a round of Adventure Golf (a dynamic, fun, landscaped-style miniature golf course).

DOMAINE MAYOUSSIER

Domaine Mayoussier is a family-run vineyard with three hectares of vines tended by hand and horsepower, having said goodbye to mechanisation in 2013. The family uses eco-pasture to manage the grass cover on the plots and protect biodiversity by planting hedgerows and bird nesting boxes. Six grape varieties are grown on the estate: Syrah, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, Pinot Gris and Persan, all of which are vinified as naturally as possible and bottled on the estate. All year round, Domaine Mayoussier offers visitors a variety of ways to discover its terroir and wines.

AROMATIQUES DE CHORANCHE

Indulge in some natural healing at Aromatiques de Choranche, where the enthusiastic team will share the many benefits of their lovingly-grown plants with you. Then you can soothe away the stresses and strains of modern life with a unique range of gourmet herbal teas at the Cabane Café. Educational visits and training courses are available so you can discover the origins of the plants, their properties, their habitats and also discover mouthwatering recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds.

LA FERME DU CLOS

This is an enchanting treat for all the family. In an unspoilt, green setting, get up close with goats, donkeys, sheep, rabbits, pigs, chickens, cows, horses… At La Ferme du Clos discover what life is like on an organic farm with nine hectares of biodiverse meadows, moors and orchards, and treat yourself to a delicious meal or snack, bursting with organic local flavours. Want to rest your feet? Enjoy a donkey ride around the farm. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the cheese dairy and unravel the mysteries of cheese-making.

COOKING CLASS, FROM THE VEGETABLE GARDEN TO THE PLATE

Have a truly authentic culinary experience at the Domaine de Montine in Grignan. Your day will start at 10am with a visit of the cellar and the barrel cellar. Then you will head to the vegetable garden to select the freshest seasonal veggies. And then the work begins it’s time to prepare a meal guided by the chef. Your reward? An aperitif followed by the meal you’ve just helped to prepare. It’s the best way to pick up genuine French cookery skills.

L’ESSENTIEL DE LAVANDE

L’Essentiel de Lavande organises various events to introduce visitors to the world of lavender. Learn the difference between lavender and lavandin and the reasons for their cohabitation with truffle oaks. Choose from guided tours to insights into making essential oils to a workshop on making your own cosmetics. Or perhaps you’d rather unwind with an aromatic massage in the fields, or a chic picnic amidst the lavender? Leave time to visit the estate shop where you can stock up on essential oils and organic cosmetics.

LE GENÊT D’OR NOUGAT PRODUCER

Le Genêt D’Or in Vogüé, in the Ardèche, has been making nougat since 1998, using traditional methods and ancient copper pans. All of its nougat is handmade with honey from the Ardèche. No wonder the company is classified as an Étape Savoureuse of Ardèche and bears the Goûtez l’Ardèche quality label. Indulge your sweet tooth with a choice of nougat spread, pralines, jams and marshmallows made in copper pans in a range of different natural flavours and colourings.
The icing on the cake? Tours and tastings are free, although booking is essential on +33 (0)4 75 93 16.91.

More information:

www.valleedelagastronomie.com

From France Today Magazine