Florence and Daniel Cathiard wanted to turn the forest of Château Smith Haut Lafitte into a place of expression for young local contemporary artists. The vineyards of the Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Les Sources de Caudalie already house several artworks from international artists.

Since the 1rst of July, the 8 hectares forest is now an open sky museum. All the artworks are exposed to natural elements and live in total harmony with the environment or in contrary in a creative opposition and they all represent the philosophy of Château Smith Haut Lafitte: the respect for the environment and the biodiversity.

This stroll will get you immersed in the heart of an artistic, esthetic and definitely poetic path. With friends or family, this is a truly  unique experience!

Captivating landscape, elegant wines and unforgettable encounters... A journey along the Loire Valley Wine Routes will be a trip you’ll never forget!

A new chapter in the story of the Loire Valley wine region has opened with the redrawing of its numerous Wine Routes: 17 tours waiting to be discovered by wine connoisseurs, novices and families alike.

And as modern-day explorers you won’t lose your way, no matter where you’re heading, thanks to an interactive map and GPS on your smart phone.

Explore the new routes in the Pays de la Loire, by car or by bike, and prepare to be amazed by the surprises that await in its four wine growing regions.

In the wine region of Nantes, discover its Muscadet and iconic city and river, as it meanders through a lush green landscape.

In the Loire Valley, enjoy a walk among the vines and stop to sample wines from Jasnières or the Coteaux-du-Loir.

In the Fiefs Vendéens, between the Marais Poitevin and Atlantic Ocean, fill your lungs with the fresh air and delight your taste buds with some young, light wines.

The Anjou-Saumur wine region, known for its wide range of wines, and Coteaux de l’Aubance, Coteaux du Layon and Saumur Blanc in particular, is the perfect spot for a family stroll among stunning vines, landscape and châteaux.

Behind each wine destination lies a rich history, including some classed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You’ll also enjoy the skilled local artisans, tempting gourmet restaurants and wine cellars where you can taste world-renowned AOC wines and some hidden gems.

 

Treat your taste buds to the delights of Savennières, Saumur and Anjou and be sure to sample the region’s only Grand Cru, the Quarts-de-Chaume.

While the routes are perfect in any season, those lucky enough to visit the vines between the end of summer and autumn will be rewarded with a glimpse of the winemakers in full harvest mode.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and off you go!

France’s Institut National de l’Information Géographique et Forestière (IGN) has just unveiled the latest edition of its map dedicated to French wines.

The map is full of information about French vineyards, with everything you need to know about the regions where the different grapes are grown, the appellations d’origine protégées (AOPs), protected geographical indications, tourist itineraries and so much more!

Vins de France is available in map form or as a laminated poster — and it’s your ideal road partner as you make your way through France’s vineyards. 

The Sommelier Experience is ideal for intermediate to advanced wine lovers who have got what it takes to learn what is required to become a professional sommelier... in just 2 ½ hours.

"When drinking an older or rare wine, I always offer the waiter or sommelier a taste."
Antonio Galloni

From the heart of one of Burgundy’s most historic vineyards, become a wine expert in no time at all.

Along the way, explore the world’s wine regions, learn how to build your own cellar, study food and wine pairings and take part in our famous blind tasting analysis so you can identify any wine simply by smell and by sip.

Designed by our sommeliers, for aspiring sommeliers, this immersive, and educational, experience will ensure you have all you need to take your passion to the next level.

PROGRAM:

• What is a Sommelier?
• Old World Versus New World
• Quality Levels (AOCs, DOCG, AVAs)
• Building Your Own Cellar
• Storing and Handling Wines
• Aging Wines
• Selecting Stemware
• Food & Wine Pairings
• Why, When and How to Decant
• Wine Presentation
• Blind Tasting Analysis

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

The Sommelier Experience is your first stop to wine enlightenment. Come prepared to drink in a lot of different topics. Our ambition is to offer you an intensive course that details the everyday duties of international sommeliers, touching on the world of international wine markets, grape varieties, aging, handing wines, food pairing, wine service and blind tasting. While our Sommelier Experience can’t certify you as a sommelier, it will ensure you have an impressive and enviable head start.

WHAT YOU’LL TASTE:

Blind tasting is one of the most challenging and entertaining part of a sommelier’s training. We’ll accompany you through a blind tasting of eight wines from around the world.

Of course, we can’t reveal them here!

WINE ADVISORS:

All of our Wine Experiences are hosted by sommeliers and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) trained professionals. Our Wine Advisors offer a thoughtful and authoritative approach to help educate about the history of wine, biodynamic vineyard management, our signature winemaking techniques and how to taste wine correctly.

A favorite grape of sommeliers and wine lovers alike, Pinot Noir is Burgundy’s greatest export. Come and discover this multi-faceted varietal while walking through one of its historic birthplaces - Clos Marey-Monge.

Château de Pommard’s Pinot Noir Experience will guide you through the deep-rooted the soils of Clos Marey-Monge and reveal every step that occurs between the terroir under your feet and the wine in your glass.

PROGRAM:

• Orientation
• History of Pinot Noir Cultivars
• Origin of Pinot Noir Wines
• Pinot Noir at Château de Pommard
• Viticulture and Biodynamics
• Terroir, Soils and Climats and Expression
• Vendange, Vinification, Aging and Blending
• Tasting Techniques
• Vertical Pinot Noir Tasting

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

The origin and history of this coveted grape’s birthplace will be unearthed – and Burgundy will be revealed as the world’s finest expression of Pinot Noir.

In Clos Marey-Monge a vintage is never the same twice, allowing a deep connection between winemaker and vineyard to flourish and blossom.

This immersive Wine Experience will walk-and-talk you through a year in the life of the vines from pruning to hibernation, bud break to harvest and prepare to be amazed as this delectable fruit becomes elegant wine through Château de Pommard’s signature winemaking techniques – all of which are explained.

The real education, of course, will be for your tastebuds when you experience the enviable Burgundy Pinot Noirs from different terroir as well as different vintages from the same terroir.

WHAT YOU’LL TASTE:

The highlight of the Pinot Noir Experience takes place in our private tasting rooms.

With a vertical tasting of four different vintages of our Clos Marey-Monge Monopole and four Burgundy mythical Pinot Noir appellations from Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, all vinified exclusively at Château de Pommard, your senses will thank you for the experience swiftly after you’ve swirled and sipped, relaxing in the comfort of having expanded your Wine IQ too.

A STUNNING LOCATION:

Château de Pommard is situated just south of Beaune, the heart of Burgundy.

Our Wine Experiences take place onsite at the Château in our Wine Experience Center, a location designed to satisfy all of your five senses.

Famille Carabello-Baum is the fifth family to steward the domain in almost three centuries and their vision is to introduce wine enthusiasts from around the world to the elegant tastes of Burgundy.

Michael’s personal journey with wine began when he first traveled to France on his honeymoon with his wife Julie 25 years ago. The passion he experienced then remains undimmed, and now his passion for French wine and culture has brought his family to Burgundy as the new owners of Château de Pommard. Splitting his time between San Francisco and Pommard, Michael enjoys studying the incredible diversity of the seven micro-terroir found in Clos Marey-Monge, working to bring sustainable practices to the estate's viticulture and winemaking and sharing the beauty of Burgundy with the world in new and innovative ways.

“Our team at Château de Pommard have three simple ambitions: to always work in harmony with the laws of nature, maintain a hands-off approach and let the vintage do the talking. That's it. Embracing sustainability and biodynamic viticulture is not just about making elegant and delectable wines, it’s about making a connection with the planet that we all call home.”

And with the recent launch of six new Wine Experiences, clients of all wine knowledge levels – from novice to seasoned wine enthusiasts – are offered a unique and entertaining wine education including incredibly rare insights into the untouchable world of Burgundy’s terroir, viticulture and winemaking.

“As we advance our own knowledge of how to collaborate with nature to accomplish our goals, we are committed to sharing our learnings with the world in the hope that we can all live healthier, more enjoyable lives, and leave this place better than we found it for future generations.” 

– Michael Baum, CEO & Propriétaire

Push open the door to an independent wine estate and explore this passionate metier and its unique lifestyle — an entire philosophy, you might say!

Meet an independent winegrower in the flesh and spend a cordial moment together.

The independent winemakers invite you behind the scenes of their estates so you can explore the hidden treasures of their vines, either on a day excursion or over a weekend.

The winemakers will be happy to take you into their very special world, sharing their experience with you, as well as introducing their profession, working environment, facilities and wines in a very wide-ranging programme!