Cool Provence Wine Holidays

Guest room at Hotel Crillon le Brave in Provence.

Fancy a wine holiday in Provence? Then take a look at The Vendanges (grape harvest) package at Provence’s Hotel Crillon le Brave.

In the heart of Provence, amid vineyards and olive groves, this holiday is designed to be a wine lover’s dream come true.

Exterior and courtyard, Hotel Crillon le Brave.

The Vendanges package will be available at Hotel Crillon le Brave from September 29 – October 2, 2011.

Features of the package include:

Three nights of accommodation;
Daily breakfast and dinner (wine and other beverages are not included with dinner);
One picnic lunch;
Two half-days of involvement in the grape harvest of the acclaimed Château Pesquié vineyard (where wine has been cultivated since the 14th century);
Picking and transporting grapes to the caveau (wine vault) and
Learning about the different kinds of grapes, harvest, the wine-making process and taste analysis from winemaker and estate owner, Paul Chaudiere.

Called “refined rustic”, the five-star hotel is seven restored stone houses, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

The stone houses are linked by bridges, cobblestone walkways and hidden courtyards. Hotel accommodations include 23 rooms, seven suites and a two-bedroom house.

In a rustic cellar restaurant with an open fireplace and terrace, the hotel’s Chef John Ellis serves up regional wines with regional dishes including gigot d’agneau (leg of lamb) and ragoût de gambas (shrimp stew).

During the grape harvest experience, guests can also spend time in the hotel’s terraced gardens and swimming pool. Or guests can tour the historic village on complimentary rental bikes, or play tennis and boules.

The hotel’s open-air spa also features selected therapeutic body treatments.

Resorts And Lodges