LOIRE VINEYARD TOURS

1. French Vineyards by Patrick Hilyer published by Alastair Sawday’s available at www.sawdays.co.uk “a wonderful book, full of information and enchantment” - Heimburger’s European Traveller “a vicarious travel adventure” - Jancis Robinson, Master of Wine “enticing and indispensable” - Jonathan Ray, Daily Telegraph “highly recommended” - Tom Canavan, wine-pages “recommendations from all the French wine regions” - Jim Budd, wine journalist 2010 Loire Vineyard Tours is an exciting introduction to the Loire valley’s famous winemakers, its vineyards and majestic châteaux. Award-winning* wine travel writer and restaurateur - Patrick Hilyer - will take you on a voyage of discovery of the Loire’s most delicious wines and introduce you to the people who create them. Whether you’re a keen novice or a wine aficionado you’ll adore this unique tour. Loire Vineyard Tours is based in Lower Normandy, France; but the vineyards are only a couple of hours’ drive away. What’s more, we do all the driving, so you can enjoy the tasting! 1-day tour includes: • Return transport from Lower Normandy • Air-conditioned luxury vehicle • Personal, qualified guide • Groups of 4 to 8 people • Wine tastings at two or three domaines • Lunch chez the winemakers or at a renowned wine village restaurant • Mid-morning coffee and pastries • Wine delivery arrangements • Afternoon sightseeing/shopping option *Cointreau Gourmand Awards 2009 “Best wine atlas/tourism book in the world”, 3rd place LOIRE VINEYARD TOURS “A valley of châteaux, a river of wine” Contact… Patrick Hilyer Loire Vineyard Tours 5 La Lande 50450 DANGY Tel: +33 (0)6 99 59 35 87 email: p.hilyer@mediamanche.com http://frenchvineyards.wordpress.com/

2. Tour 1: MUSCADET - the dry white from its 18th-century origins to 21st-century biodynamic methods… Château de la Cassemichère, La Chapelle Huelin Tour of the château and grounds Tasting of the domaine’s award-winning wines followed by lunch at the château Domaine de la Louvetrie, La Haye Fouassière Tour of Jo Landron’s vineyards Tasting of the domaine’s organic and biodynamic wines Domaine du Grand Mouton, Saint Fiacre Tour and tasting of Marie-Luce Métaireau’s exceptional terroir wines or Sightseeing or shopping in the pretty riverside village of Vertou Tour 2: ANJOU - where sweet and dry white wines share the cellars with fruity rosés and some surprisingly fine reds… Domaine de la Bergerie, Champ sur Layon A personal introduction by Yves Guéniard to his award-winning Savennières and Coteaux-du-Layons followed by lunch prepared by talented young chef David Guitton Château Viaudière, Champ sur Layon Pierre-Antoine Giovannoni gives a wide-ranging tasting in the château’s knight-haunted cellars... Domaine des Chesnaies, Denée Visit and tasting at one of the Loire’s hidden treasures - Olivier and Catherine de Cenival’s Manoir de la Noue or Sightseeing or shopping in the city of Angers Tour 3: SAUMUR - from fine reds to excellent ‘méthode’ sparkling wines… Domaine des Roches Neuves, Varrains Saumur’s top young winemaker Thierry Germain gives a delicious tasting of his fine Saumur Champigny wines followed by lunch at the Auberge Saint Pierre in historic Saumur Gratien & Meyer, Saumur Guided visit and tasting of sparkling Saumur wines at the 200-year-old ‘château’ Gratien Domaine de la Bonnelière, Varrains Tasting of prize-winning Saumur reds in Anthony and Cédric Bonneau’s deep, dark cellars... or Sightseeing or shopping in Saumur Tour 4: CHINON - rare rosés and elegant red wines in Francois Rabelais’s birthplace… Château de la Grille, Chinon A tour and informal tasting of the famous wine followed by lunch in the castle-topped town of Chinon Domaine Baudry Dutour, Cravant-les-Coteaux Tour and tasting in the troglodyte cellars of Christophe Baudry and Jean-Martin Dutour Domaine de Beauséjour, Cravant-les-Coteaux An unforgettable visit to Marie-Claude Chauveau’s delightful property overlooking the Vienne valley or Sightseeing or shopping in Chinon Tour 5: TOURAINE - aromatic whites, sweeties and sparklers, and great reds too... Château de Fontenay, Bleré Here on the banks of the Cher is the château and family home of Nathalie Carli. Tour and tasting, followed by lunch at the Loire’s most majestic manor house - Château Chenonceau Clos de l’Epinay, Vouvray Marie-Claire and Luc Dumange give an introduction to viticulture and a tasting of their fine, sparkling ‘méthode’ wines or Visit to the château and gardens of Chenonceau Château du Petit Thouars, St Germain sur Vienne Medal-winning Touraine wines with young winemaker Sébastian du Petit Thouars PRICES - 2010 All prices include mid-morning refreshments, lunch*, transport and all wine tastings/visits. 4 people……………………… 145€ per person 5 people……………………… 123€ “ “ 6 people……………………… 106€ “ “ 7 people……………………… 98€ “ “ 8 people……………………… 90€ “ “ If you’re fewer than 4 or more than 8 then please contact Patrick for price details. Prices exclude: sightseeing, shopping, visits to the house and gardens of Chenonceau, and alcoholic and soft drinks taken with lunch. Alternative properties and lunch venues may be substituted in case of unavailability or closure. *A small supplement may be added for lunches on Saturday or Sunday.