B&B, Chambre d'hotes, Situated in the heart of the Poitou Charentes countryside, France
Special Events
From vine to wine - 15th, 16th & 17th October 2010
Join us for a 3 day luxury wine and gastronomy break when you wil have the opportunity to:
See and join in the grape harvest
Visit different vineyards
Taste wines and gastronomic produce from all over France
Enjoy your very own wine - in 12 months time we will provide you with 6 bottles of the wine that you helped create (and in case you can't wait that long, how about another 6 bottles this October!).
Domaine des Terres Blanches (Oiron)
Celine & Benoit Blet welcome you to the Domaines des Terres Blanches, where they have been producing wine since 2004. Here they invite you to join them on the journey into the heart of a bottle of wine.
From the very beginning, they wanted to follow the traditional processes established by their anccestors. Nature and the land itself are their raw materials.
Natural, organic processes are important. Much of the work is done by hand and no additives are used. All the necessary ingredients are already present in the grapes.
The resulting wine is truly organic and provides a real pleasure on the palate.
The cellar is open all year round and the couple invite you to taste their wines, which are generous, full of flavour, colourful and healthy... like Benoit himself!
The vendanges (grape harvest)
Come to the grape harvest and experience a day in the life of a real wine grower, normally something reserved for the professionals.
In the morning, after a cup of coffee (or tea!), you will hand pick the grapes under the guidance of the master wine maker. He will help you learn the techniques used and he will also be on hand to answer any of your questions, such as why these particular grapes are being picked or what wine will they produce.
At the end of the morning you take the grapes to the Domaine where they will be pressed.
Next you join the other workers for lunch. Celine and Benoit (both English speakers) will be there and will share their passion and enthusiasm with you.
After lunch you have the opportunity to visit the village and the wine cellar where you can enjoy a tasting of previous years' vintages and should you wish, purchase some of them to add to your own cellar.
At the end of a busy day you will have been involved in the production of wine and can look forward to enjoying the fruits of your labours in a year's time.
Programme
1st Day: During the morning you can visit the market in Thouars - one of the largest in the Deux - Sevres region. Followed in the afternoon by a trip to Tourtenay, to see its vineyard, trogladytic pigeon-house and cultural heritage. In the evening enjoy a gourmet diner at The Voltaire, showcasing the Domaine des Terres Blanches wine.
Tourtenay
Situated in the Loire Valley, Tourtenay is famous for its troglodytic pigeon-house, and the production of AOC Saumur wine. The hill at Tourtenay has many other secrets to discover: the XI th century church, the buried wash-house and the troglodytic house.
2nd Day: Discover the grape harvest in the Domaine des terres blanches, in Oiron.
3rd Day: Visit a snail breeder in Verger sur Dive (optional). Wine and gastronomy show, in Poitiers.
Verger's Snails.
When you think of french food, do snails cross your mind? Well, now's your chance to learn a little more about these horned creatures. Marinette, a local producer, offers you an insight into snail breeding, and before you leave, the opportunity to savour the many various products.
Wine & Gastronomy show.
This show brings together producers from different areas of France. Wine grower and gastronomic speciality producers who share the same passion for their work and the wish that people enjoy the result of their labours. Take this chance to discover and taste the latest vintage and many gastronomic specialities.
Prices include:
Accomodation, breakfast, dinner each night with drinks. The vendange at the domaine des Terres Blanches including lunch. 12 mixed bottles of the wine (6 this year, 6 next). Entry to the Wine and Gastronomy show in Poitiers, visit to Tourtenay, visit to the snail producer. Transport between excursions where required.
2 nights: 220 euros per person
3 nights: 260 euros per person
Additional nights can be added. Please ask us for prices.
Airport or station pick ups can be arranged. Please enquire. For more details, how to book and terms and conditions please contact us either by e-mail: info@thevoltaire.com or tel: 00 33 (0)5 49 64 83 25
Join us for a 3 day luxury wine and gastronomy break when you wil have the opportunity to:
See and join in the grape harvest
Visit different vineyards
Taste wines and gastronomic produce from all over France
Enjoy your very own wine - in 12 months time we will provide you with 6 bottles of the wine that you helped create (and in case you can't wait that long, how about another 6 bottles this October!).
Domaine des Terres Blanches (Oiron)
Celine & Benoit Blet welcome you to the Domaines des Terres Blanches, where they have been producing wine since 2004. Here they invite you to join them on the journey into the heart of a bottle of wine.
From the very beginning, they wanted to follow the traditional processes established by their anccestors. Nature and the land itself are their raw materials.
Natural, organic processes are important. Much of the work is done by hand and no additives are used. All the necessary ingredients are already present in the grapes.
The resulting wine is truly organic and provides a real pleasure on the palate.
The cellar is open all year round and the couple invite you to taste their wines, which are generous, full of flavour, colourful and healthy... like Benoit himself!
The vendanges (grape harvest)
Come to the grape harvest and experience a day in the life of a real wine grower, normally something reserved for the professionals.
In the morning, after a cup of coffee (or tea!), you will hand pick the grapes under the guidance of the master wine maker. He will help you learn the techniques used and he will also be on hand to answer any of your questions, such as why these particular grapes are being picked or what wine will they produce.
At the end of the morning you take the grapes to the Domaine where they will be pressed.
Next you join the other workers for lunch. Celine and Benoit (both English speakers) will be there and will share their passion and enthusiasm with you.
After lunch you have the opportunity to visit the village and the wine cellar where you can enjoy a tasting of previous years' vintages and should you wish, purchase some of them to add to your own cellar.
At the end of a busy day you will have been involved in the production of wine and can look forward to enjoying the fruits of your labours in a year's time.
Programme
1st Day: During the morning you can visit the market in Thouars - one of the largest in the Deux - Sevres region. Followed in the afternoon by a trip to Tourtenay, to see its vineyard, trogladytic pigeon-house and cultural heritage. In the evening enjoy a gourmet diner at The Voltaire, showcasing the Domaine des Terres Blanches wine.
Tourtenay
Situated in the Loire Valley, Tourtenay is famous for its troglodytic pigeon-house, and the production of AOC Saumur wine. The hill at Tourtenay has many other secrets to discover: the XI th century church, the buried wash-house and the troglodytic house.
2nd Day: Discover the grape harvest in the Domaine des terres blanches, in Oiron.
3rd Day: Visit a snail breeder in Verger sur Dive (optional). Wine and gastronomy show, in Poitiers.
Verger's Snails.
When you think of french food, do snails cross your mind? Well, now's your chance to learn a little more about these horned creatures. Marinette, a local producer, offers you an insight into snail breeding, and before you leave, the opportunity to savour the many various products.
Wine & Gastronomy show.
This show brings together producers from different areas of France. Wine grower and gastronomic speciality producers who share the same passion for their work and the wish that people enjoy the result of their labours. Take this chance to discover and taste the latest vintage and many gastronomic specialities.
Prices include:
Accomodation, breakfast, dinner each night with drinks. The vendange at the domaine des Terres Blanches including lunch. 12 mixed bottles of the wine (6 this year, 6 next). Entry to the Wine and Gastronomy show in Poitiers, visit to Tourtenay, visit to the snail producer. Transport between excursions where required.
2 nights: 220 euros per person
3 nights: 260 euros per person
Additional nights can be added. Please ask us for prices.
Airport or station pick ups can be arranged. Please enquire. For more details, how to book and terms and conditions please contact us either by e-mail: info@thevoltaire.com or tel: 00 33 (0)5 49 64 83 25