May 6, Chateau du Clois de Vougeot and onto Beaune


We woke early to a typical European breakfast that we enjoyed with the owner Francoise. Francoise continued on her history lesson of the house and her ancestors while Bob and I sat there still fascinated by the living antique’s. She was not just a great historian but also knows the area like the back of her hand, giving us full details on a hike through the vineyards to a chateau and onto a wonderful lunch place. Bob would navigate through small towns and vineyards finally reaching our destination. The only glitch in the hike was that it has been raining for the last few days and the vineyards were very wet. If you can picture the mud over the top of tennis soles and so thick you felt like you have a 2 pounds of weight on each foot and very slippery that is what it was like. The Chateau was constructed in the 12th century by the Cistercian monks. This order became very reach providing wine not only their use but for neighboring political figures. They became so wealthy and corrupt, that is the reason the Abby De Fontenay (we visited on the barge trip) was started. We walked into the town of Clois de Vougeot where we had lunch at Le Clois de La Vouge, surrounded by several French people, a puppy and a dog directly below my feet. The menu was all in French and the waitress spoke no English we did very well except for the sauce on Bob’s porkchop it was a deep magenta, and some kind of wine and berry sauce. It was time to hike back 3 miles to our car and continue on to Beaun. This was Bob’s marathon accomplishing 6 miles in one day. Before the short drive we were in Beaun, and managed to navigate to our way up a winding road to our new home overlooking the city La Terre d’Or. Once inside we were greeted by the owner Jean-Louis and his wife Christina. The feeling of being right at home was there when I toured the manicured gardens in full bloom. The house was built 22 years ago young by Europe standards, designed in wide open rooms with a view of Beaun. Ten years ago Vincent discovered a grotto below the earth and started pursuing the cave. He has successfully dug into the cave where there is a hot tub, stalactite’s and of course a few bats that came to visit on my tour. There is a small family owned restaurant located 5 minutes from the house called Le Bon Accueil. Here we would dine on escargot, salade mixte, boeuf bourguigno, entrecote, wine and vodka all prepared to perfection. After our short walk home we were greeted by Vincent who was more than willing to discuss the new president that was elected just hours before. Vincent was extremely upset by the outcome and shared his feeling with us accompanied by a fine bottle of premier cru wine.