Grands Crus Wine Cruise in Burgundy

Sample the best of the best in French wines

2010 Departure Dates: July 18 and 25

Cruise through the heart of Burgundy aboard an 8-passenger luxury barge-hotel (7 days - 6 nights), with a group of friends or on your own, learning the finer points of the local "Grands Crus." This is a "once-a-year-only" barge cruise that travels from Dijon to St Leger on the Canal de Bourgogne, the Saone River and the Canal du Centre.

This barge cruise is a unique opportunity to taste over 30 Burgundy Grands Crus including Bonnes Mares, Montrachet and Romanée Conti. The experience includes hosted visits to four exclusive local Grands Crus vineyards, followed by dinners on board the barge with each of the four winemakers presenting their own wines. It is also the perfect way to experience France's historic riverside towns and beautiful rustic scenery along the river banks.

WINE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)

Day 1 - Sunday: Dijon. A champagne reception welcomes you on board the barge. Dinner hosted by your resident wine expert, accompanied by the first selection of Grand Cru wines.

Day 2 - Monday: Dijon - Longecourt. Morning cruise with Burgundy wine class presented by the wine expert. After lunch on the barge, explore Clos de Vougeot, tour the headquarters of the famous Chevaliers de Tastevin, and enjoy a wine tasting at the grand cave. Dinner on board the barge with your afternoon's vineyard host and his selection of Grands Crus.

Day 3 - Tuesday: Longecourt to St Jean. Take a walking tour past the elegant houses of Dijon and visit the Ducal Palace and the "Maille" mustard shop, followed by free time to shop or explore the town. After lunch on the barge, enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise to St Jean de Losne. Visit the Drouhin-Laroze estate in Gevrey Chambertin for a wine tasting, followed by a Burgundian dinner with the winemaker's choice of Grands Crus. Back to the barge for the night.

Day 4 - Wednesday: St Jean to Chalon-sur-Saône. Continue cruising the peaceful valley of the River Saône. In Beaune, capital of the wine region of Burgundy, enjoy a delightful lunch at the Hôtel le Cep followed by a visit to the famous Hôtel Dieu, Hospices de Beaune. This afternoon explore the cellar of Domaine Joseph Drouhin, where the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy used to store wines, followed by tastings of the winemaker's choice. Dinner on the barge with your afternoon's vineyard host and her selection of Grands Crus.

Day 5 - Thursday: Chalon-sur-Saône to Rully. Morning cruise on the Canal du Centre. Lunch, followed by wine tasting at Domaine Ponsot and a walk in the vineyard. Dinner on the barge with the winemaker and his choice of Grands Crus.

Day 6 - Friday: Rully to St Leger. After breakfast, visit the barrel-makers at St Aubin. Following a lunch on the barge, enjoy a drive to see the vines at Vosne-Romanée, which produce the most prestigious wines in Burgundy at the Domaine de la Romanée Conti. Dinner on board with the wine expert and the last of the 33 Grand Crus.

Day 7 - Saturday: St Leger to Le Creusot. After breakfast, and transfer from the barge to Le Creusot train station.

Highlights

• Services of a Burgundy wine expert during the entire cruise
• Introductory wine class on board the barge.
• Daily vineyard and winery visits.
• Tasting of more than 30 Grand Cru wines.
• 4 dinners hosted by local winemakers; 2 dinners hosted by the wine expert
• Visit Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the famous Chevaliers de Tastevin
• Tour of Dijon
• Tour of Hospices de Beaune
• Visit a barrel plant

Included

• Accommodations with private bath (shower)
• All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7
• Wine with lunch and dinner and bar drinks
• Wine tastings, sightseeing tours and entrance fees as specified

Available at Additional Cost

• Round-trip transfers via first class TGV (high-speed train) from/to Paris Gare de Lyon station
• Optional activities when available
• Health and travel insurance

Not Included

• Barge crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
• Personal expenses
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above

Barge Features

• 4 cabins can be set up as twin or double (8 passengers)
• Cabin 1 (upper deck): 11' 9" x 11' 3"
  bath 8' 7"x 5' 6" with shower
• Cabin 2 (lower deck): 15" 3" x 11' 7"
  bath 8' 8"x 5' 8" with bathtub and overhead shower
  
• Cabin 3 (lower deck): 14' 8" x 15'
  bath 11' 8"x 5 with shower
• Cabin 4 (lower deck): 14' 8" x 15'
  bath 9' 5"x 6' with bathtub and overhead shower
  
• 5/6 crew members
• Size: 129 ft. x 17.5 ft.
  
• Air conditioning
• Lounge has guest computer with Internet access and a Bose iPod docking station.

2010 Departure Dates: July 18 and 25

Price: $9,800 per person, double occupancy.

We have personally visited the Burgundy region of France where the cruise takes place. See pictures from our trips:

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