THE PRESERVE LUXURY TOUR OF BURGUNDY
This is a fabulous Fine Vintage luxury wine tour exclusive to the guests of the Santa Lucia Preserve.
THE DREAM DESTINATION FOR SUMPTUOUS WINE
Over five wonderful days you will visit superlative producers throughout Burgundy. You will be hosted by a Master of Wine and will stay in 5* accommodation with a selection of exceptional meals.
We meet in Lyon before heading for Moulin à Vent in Beaujolais, followed by Pouilly-Fuissé in the most southerly part of Burgundy. That evening we arrive at your luxurious hotel that will be your home base for all four nights of the tour. We will have an unforgettable welcome dinner at a nearby Bistro renowned for its classic Burgundian fare.
During three days you will visit top negoçiants and producers throughout the Cote d’Or who will treat you to some of the finest treasures from their cellars.
Beyond the Cote d’Or, we visit an abbey in the under-rated appellation of Givry where they have been growing grapes since 1130! You’ll spend a day in Chablis visiting two iconic producers and enjoying a lunch with seasonal cooking and a great selection of these long-lived, refreshing wines that complement so many dishes perfectly.
Throughout the trip you’ll enjoy an array of magnificent meals, including some at France’s famed Michelin starred restaurants.
You’ll have time to explore the pretty town of Beaune and the famous Hospice.
I am certain you’ll have the trip of a life-time.
I invite you to join us.
JAMES CLUER, MASTER OF WINE
ABOUT THE TOUR & REGION
LYON TO BEAUJOLAIS & POUILLY-FUISSE
We rendezvous in Lyon in the morning. Before you know it you’re at one of the great Beaujolais chateau learning about extracting the best from old Gamay grapes. We head for lunch with some of the ripest, richest whites from the sun-trap of the southern Maconnais. A visit follows explaining why Pouilly-Fuissé is such a unique area and why it is so well adapted to producing full-bodied, succulent Chardonnay.
We proceed to our hotel for the next four nights, le 5* Le Cedre. Having settled in, we dine in a nearby bistro renowned for its wonderful execution of classic Burgundian cuisine.
LYON TO BEAUJOLAIS & POUILLY-FUISSE
We rendezvous in Lyon in the morning. Before you know it you’re at one of the great Beaujolais chateau learning about extracting the best from old Gamay grapes. We head for lunch with some of the ripest, richest whites from the sun-trap of the southern Maconnais. A visit follows explaining why Pouilly-Fuissé is such a unique area and why it is so well adapted to producing full-bodied, succulent Chardonnay.
We proceed to our hotel for the next four nights, le 5* Le Cedre. Having settled in, we dine in a bistro renowned for its wonderful execution of classic Burgundian cuisine.
GIVRY AND BEAUNE
You can’t have a comprehensive visit to Burgundy without going to the Côte Chalonnaise. We visit a former Cistercian monastery with a Premier Cru Givry vineyard, where grapes have been growing for nine centuries!
For lunch and the visit afterwards we head to the Côte de Beaune where we’ll concentrate on some of the best whites that Burgundy can produce, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet.
THE MINERALITY OF CHABLIS
Today is devoted to Chablis. We visit two top producers of the quintessential cool-climate Chardonnay. It is minerally, with a beautiful line of acidity giving it the backbone to age gracefully over decades, in the best examples.
We lunch at a charming Hostellerie, with seasonal cooking that aims to show off the best of these noble wines. We arrive back in Beaune for an exceptional dinner at another Hostellerie, that of Levernois, with its Michelin starred, gastronomic restaurant.
THE COMPLEXITY OF THE COTE DE NUITS
We will visit outstanding producers in this hallowed region of top quality Pinot Noir. With age these wines become supple, beguiling and even bewitching on occasion.
We will lunch at the Domaine Comte Senard for a memorable last meal together, with some of their magnificent wines pairing the Burgundian menu.
THE COMPLEXITY OF THE COTE DE NUITS
We will visit three outstanding producers in this hallowed region of top quality Pinot Noir. With age these wines become supple, beguiling and even bewitching on occasion.
We will lunch at the Domaine Comte Senard for a memorable last meal together, with some of their magnificent wines pairing the Burgundian menu.
MEET YOUR HOST
Our Luxury Wine Tour in Burgundy is guided by Master of Wine, Charles Curtis
CHARLES is an author, journalist, consultant, and former Head of Wine for Christie’s Auction House in both Asia and the Americas, with a wealth of experience in the wine and spirit trade. He joined Christie’s in 2008 from Moet Hennessy USA, where he was Director of Wine & Spirit Education.
In 2012 he set up his fine wine consultancy WineAlpha to provide advice on the buying, selling, storing, and shipping of fine wine, wine appraisals, and advice on varied topics of interest to wine collectors.
Curtis trained as a chef at the Cordon Bleu in Paris. He apprenticed at Michelin-starred restaurants, but moved to the wine trade in 1994, and passed the Master of Wine exam in 2004.
His first book, The Original Grand Crus of Burgundy, was released in 2014, and the second, Vintage Champagne 1899-2019 in 2020. He is a board member of the Institute of Masters of Wine, North America, and regular contributor to Decanter magazine and other publications.
Charles is unquestionably one of the most knowledgeable and accomplished wine experts in North America with a warm, friendly style and a love for sharing his passion for fine wine and great food.
UPCOMING BURGUNDY WINE TOUR
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Included in the price is four nights’ accommodation in a luxury hotel, all meals except those during free time, all winery tours, all wines at the visits, local transport for the duration of the tour, and all taxes and gratuities.
Basically everything is included except your travel to Lyon, your onwards transport from Burgundy after the tour ends, insurance, and any items of a personal nature.
PLANNING TIPS
Before the tour we will send some useful pre-trip information to help you with your planning.
Here you’ll find advice on how to get there, tips on what to wear, other things to do in Lyon, details on the hotels, and what you might like to read in advance.
WEATHER
We visit during some of the nicest times of year, the Spring and the Fall. The weather is not too hot, is typically dry, and warm.
TESTIMONIALS
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