Page 71 - Cork & Tee Sample Program Flipbook, 2018

Domaine Rion, a charming, family-operated winemaker. Founded in 1880 by Pierre Rion, the
estate was substantially enlarged by his son, Louis. In 1952, Louis divided the domaine between
his two sons. Bernard Rion has helped his father since 1973 and now manages the Domaine with
his wife Armelle and his daughter Alice, who is preparing to take over the operations. The
property is lovely and they offer very nice visits (we are all about great people, great settings and
great wine). The family raises Largotta Romagnol, otherwise known as truffle hunting dogs.
Perla, Vaona, Diana and Bella are relentless in their pursuit of prized Burgundian truffles. You’ll
learn about truffle traditions during your visit.

Based on your interests, you could visit the old monastic winery and chateau at Clos de Vougeot,
where you can see gigantic wine presses from the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries (and they
still work). You will also learn about the important role that monks played in establishing the
regional wine industry and in carefully documenting their successes and failures in the
winemaking process. Vines were first planted at Clos de Vougeot by Cistercian monks in the
eleventh century. Walls were added in the early fourteenth century, creating a clos or walled
grand cru vineyard, which has changed little over nearly 700 years. In the late nineteenth
century, wine from Romanée-Conti vineyard was aged there. Today, more than 80 individuals
own plots within the historic walls, and the clos is headquarters of Confrérie des Chevaliers du
Tastevin, France's most famous vinous brotherhood. Often Brendan dips into the Cotes de
Beaune for a visit to a top Chardonnay producer as part of this day. Once again, Brendan will
leave you off at your hotel and the evening is yours as you please.

Proposed Accommodations: Hostellerie de Levernois

Day 7: Day at in Beaune. We’ve included a 2-hr walking tour of the medieval wine town of
Beaune. Start with a stroll along the cobbled streets of the medieval walled town. A highlight
will be a guided visit to the Hospices de Beaune. With its distinctive tiled roof and intricate
Flemish architecture, the Hospices de
Beaune is one of the symbols of
Burgundy. It was established in 1443
as a hospital to provide free care for
men who had fought in the Hundred
Years' War. The building houses an
important collection of tapestries as
well as Rogier Van der Weyden's
gigantic masterpiece, The Last
Judgment, from the fifteenth century.
With your guide you might visit the
twelfth-century, Romanesque
Collégiale Notre-Dame, which

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