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| September 27, 2008 | ||
| October 11, 2008 |
The annual grape harvest is always an exciting time in the vineyard, but also an anxious time, full of hard work to get the grapes picked in their optimum condition and then managing the vagaries of the fermentation process. It is also a time when visitors are not generally welcome - there being too much else to do for the winemaker.
However at Domaine du Closel/Chateau des Vaults at Savennières AC (west of Angers) in the Loire Valley are offering enthusiasts the opportunity to get closer to the harvest and wine-making process with their “Harvest Adventure”
Take part in the celebration of the centuries-old tradition of grape harvesting hosted by the winemaking team of Domaine du Closel - Château des Vaults.
On the 27th of September and 11th of October Domaine du Closel-Château des Vaults invites you to spend the day at the historic 17 hectares (42-acre) vineyard in the Savennières appellation of the Loire Valley; a vineyard with the best terroirs of the region.
Space is limited ! To reserve your space for the Harvest Adventure, please contact Audrey Vergondy
on +33 (0)2 72 81 00 or request your booking form via email at chateau.des.vaults@orange.fr
This could be quite an experience - you are not expected to do the back-breaking work of picking the grapes, but the programme for each day does include an introduction to wine-making, a go at sorting grapes picked from 100 year-old vines, a chance to crush grapes with your feet, a vineyard brunch with music and dancing, a tasting and finishes off with a Gourmet Harvest Dinner with one of the region’s top chefs.
Savennières AC is a small prized wine area which many consider to produce the finest Chenin Blanc wines in the world. The stony vineyards lie on slopes of slate and sandstone which must be worked by hand, as they are too steep for machinery. Situated close to the Loire river, warmer temperatures and early morning fogs protect the vines from frost, a common problem in the area. The stoney soil retains heat from the sun providing warmth at night. At one time, Savennières was made sweet, but the style has evolved over the years to a point where Savennières is now made fully dry. (For more on Savennieres and the wines of the Loire Valley see www.loirevalleywine.com
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