— The names are certainly familiar, vineyards like Romanée Conti and Montrachet, Gevrey-Chambertin and Meursault. The grapes are familiar, too: chardonnay for white wines, pinot noir for reds. Is Burgundy is a confusing patchwork of 400 appellations, each one with up to several dozen growers, or is it a logical hierarchy of quality from Grand Cru down to Premier Cru and further down to Village and generic Burgundy? This program helps you understand, helps you unlock the secrets of Burgundy.

You’ll be invited to meet growers who, typically, farm only a few acres of vineyards and produce a trickle of wine. And visit the finest négociant houses whose brands are known around the world.

Your hosts, respected wine expert such as Paul Cadiau, James Lawther and Ronald Holden [depending on departure dates], will introduce you to leading wine makers, vineyard managers and négociants. For you and your host, they will open their cellar doors, tap their barrels and open rare bottles.

And, as it should be, at tables in gourmet restaurants and country inns, you'll savor these wines at their best, with Burgundy’s legendary meals.

What you can expect:

   Visit the greatest Burgundy vineyards from Chablis to Montrachet.

   Private visits and tastings with prestigious négociants (shippers) and leading domaine growers.

   Meals with premier and grand cru wines at Michelin-star restaurants.

   Visit cultural attractions such as the Hôtel Dieu in Beaune, the Clos Vougeot, village markets.

   Luxurious lodgings in Beaune and Lyon. And time in Lyon to explore this magnificent city.

   Here's a sample program.