Nowadays, sustainable development  is one of the major issue of our society for the future and the protection of the Earth. On that account, The Agence des Grands Crus wants to add to his wide range of activities a full day of organic wine discovery.

The participants will discover all the winemaking process in the heart of estates in which Organic agriculture and biodynamic has been adopted. To keep up with the theme we suggest a clean transportation mean (bike) and an organic food lunch. A program that has been rewarded by a "Best of Wine Tourism 2010" prize.

Morning

- Greeting at Château Gombaude Guillot, Pomerol Appellation and organic agriculture certified.

Sustainable winemaking means growers abstain from using man-made chemicals and artificial fertilizers to improve life in their vineyards and in the wines they create. Some of the components of sustainable winemaking practices consist of using natural fertilizers, composting and the cultivation of plants that attract insects that are beneficial to the health of the vines. Unlike other wine producing areas, only few estates are certified in Bordeaux.

A member of Chateau Gombaude Guillot will greet the participant for a discovery of the estate through its history, its wine making process and will focus on the Organic agriculture.

- Comparative and commented wine tasting.

- Transfer by bike to Saint Emilion (Organic lunch : picnic or in a restaurant in Saint Emilion).

Afternoon

- Guided tour of the medieval city.

More than a wine appellation, Saint Emilion is considered to be one of the ten most beautiful villages in France and is classified as part of the UNESCO world heritage. The fortified village of Saint-Emilion is built in the shape of an amphitheatre nestled in a lime-stoned combed. When walking through the narrow streets of Saint Emilion you will discover its architectural wonders and cultural heritage. You will feel the atmosphere of the middles ages, combining the profane and the religious.

You will visit some of Saint Emilion underground wonders:
- The cave of the Monk Emilion, the founder of the city;
- The Trinity Chapel built in his honour;
- The Catacombs, former underground graveyard;
- The Monolithic Church, entirely hewn out of the rock, the only one in Europe of this size.

-  Transfer by bike to a Great classified wine from Saint Emilion appellation.

- Greeting at Château Fonroque , Great classified wine from Saint Emilion appellation, organic and biodynamic certified.

Biodynamic has its roots in a series of lectures delivered by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Organic and biodynamic winemaking shares many of the same attributes; biodynamic wines are produced by using only organically grown grapes. However, Biodynamic winemakers see their vineyards in a much broader context that connects their vines and the year-long growing cycle with lunar and cosmic rhythms. In these vineyards the soil is not simply material for plant growth, but a living organism.
 

Participants will discover the history and the technical peculiarities of the estate. You will learn more about the preparation for the Biodynamic and its process (special preparations to enhance the life of the soil, which are applied at appropriate times throughout the year in keeping with the lunar and cosmic rhythms of nature.

- Comparative and commented wine tasting.

If you are interested, please contact :

AGENCE DES GRANDS CRUS

Tel: +33 (0)5 57 22 16 31

Email: click here - Website: www.agence-des-grands-crus.com