Wine Travel Stories

In-depth Tales of Winery Visits Around the World

A Lazy Sunday in Paris – Visits to the L’Organerie and Relaxing in Parks and Cafes

Sunday was a free day, so some people slept in, whereas others jumped in the metro early to arrive downtown before all of the crowds. It was a perfect sunny day with blue skies, and all Paris seemed to be enjoying the balmy May day. Janeen and I took the metro to l’Organerie in order to see Monet's famous lily pond paintings. When we arrived around 10 in the morning, a wonderful French band was playing in the plaza in front of the gates. We decided to stop and dance a bit before heading into the museum. I enjoyed the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:18:55-08:00December 23, 2014|

Eiffel Tower, Paris Farmer’s Market, Walking Restaurant Tour and Dinner in Montmarte

Saturday we were each given a metro pass for the day. The first stop was the viewpoint overlooking the Eiffel Tower – an inspirational way to start the day. Next we went to a small farmer’s market and flea market in the Marais District. This was followed by a walking tour of wineshops and 3 restaurants. The afternoon was devoted to free time, but we met again in the evening to take the metro to Sacre Coeur – the lovely white church on the hill tops of Paris. The view was amazing. Our celebration dinner was held at La Cremaillere [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:18:29-08:00December 23, 2014|

Tasting Champagne at Krug in Reims, France

After lunch in Reims at a small sidewalk cafe where I had a fresh green salad with huge slabs of foie gras, we went to the House of Krug, which is located on the outskirts of the downtown area. Though not an official tasting room, we were received with warm cordiality by Julie and Mylene, both in charge of Hospitality and Public Relations. Our delegation was divided into two smaller groups and we were escorted through the cellars where we saw the barrels in which Krug ferments the base wine before transferring to stainless steel tanks to finish. Next the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:19:27-08:00September 5, 2014|

Visiting the Champagne Region – the CIVC and Domaine Gatinois

Today was a fairytale day filled with multiple glasses of exquisite Champagne. Our bus departed Paris at 7am and we arrive in Epernay for a visit and tasting at the CIVC. It was extremely informative, and we learned of the huge trademark protection issues the Champagne brand battles around the world. This concluded with a delicious glass of 2004 Moet & Chandon. Next we walked down the street for the mandatory photo with Dom Perignon’s statue before driving to Ay. This small village is world-renown for it’s Grand Cru status and perfumed pinot noir. We were honored to meet with [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:19:50-08:00September 5, 2014|

Back in Paris – Visiting the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral

How exciting to be back in France again! This time for a two-week wine tour with 28 of my wine business students from Sonoma State University. Our non-stop Air France flight from San Francisco touched down in Paris right on schedule at 11:40am, and we were able to clear passport control, find our luggage and pass through customs with no problems. Francy, our tour guide, was waiting to greet us, and ushered us onto a large comfortable tour bus. It was a clear blue-sky day, and even though the temperature was only 63 F, the bright sunlight made it feel [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:20:14-08:00September 5, 2014|

Last Day in Mendoza with Visit to Achaval Ferrer

Farewell Argentina BBQ (March 22, 2014) It was difficult to wake up after the huge Argentine BBQ at Alejandro’s house that didn’t end until 2:30am. Everyone ate so much meat and drank so much red wine that it was difficult to move. Luckily his friends came with guitars and we sang many Argentine songs late into the night. A truly wonderful last evening in Mendoza. After packing for the long flight home and checking out of the hotel, Alejandro picked me up at noon and we drove to Achaval Ferrer Wineryin Lujan where we had a 12:30 appointment. Neither one [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:20:33-08:00July 16, 2014|

Flying Back to Mendoza & Visiting Bodega Catena Zapata

Catena Zapata Winery in Mendoza, Argentina (March 20 – 21, 2014) – The next day was devoted to travel, in that we left Cafayate at 9:30 and to arrive at the Salta Airport around noon. Our 2:30 flight was delayed until 3:30 so we didn’t arrive back at the Mendoza Sheraton until around 6pm. That evening was a quiet one of hitting the gym and having a light meal. At 11am the next morning, a driver and car from Bodega Catena Zapata arrived to escort me to their winery in Lujan de Cuyo, about a 25 minute drive south of [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:21:08-08:00July 8, 2014|

Lunch and Tasting at El Esteco Winery – White Dove of the Valley

El Esteco Winery in Patios Resort (March 19, 2014) In the afternoon, we were honored to receive an invitation to have lunch with Max, the General Manager of El Esteco Winery. El Esteco is owned by Pena Flores and is probably the largest producer in the area. The winery itself is attached to the Patios Hotel where I was staying. It was originally started in the 1850’s, and has been expanded upon. It was a quick walk from my room to the beautiful outdoor patio of the resort restaurant where Max was waiting at a round table with white tablecloth [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:21:31-08:00July 2, 2014|

A Walking Tour of 2 Wineries in Cafayate, Argentina: El Porvenir & El Transito

On the main plaza of Cafayate, Salta (March 19, 2014) – The next morning we decided to do some shopping on the main plaza in Cafayate, and I found a charming local arts market where I bought a pair of silver earrings with llamas on them. Later I stopped by the small tourist office on the plaza and picked up a winery map. It was then quite easy to see all of the wineries within walking distance of the plaza, and I found that it reminded me a bit of Healdsburg, California where tourists can shop and find great restaurants [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:21:52-08:00July 1, 2014|

Visiting the Museo de la Vid y Vino and Domingo Molina Winery

Museo de la Vid y el Vino in Cafayate, Salta (March 18, 2014) – We started the day with a tour of the Museo de la Vid y el Vino located 2 blocks off the Cafayate Plaza. It was a delightful experience with walls filled with poetry about wine, as well as the history of wine in the region, and exhibits of winemaking equipment. Two highlights for me were seeing the old cement wine vats with a space underneath to light fires to insure the fermentation continued. I had never seen this before, and I thought it was a great [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:22:13-08:00June 27, 2014|

Checking into Patios de Cafayate Wine Resort & Dinner at Vinas de Cafayate, Argentina

Entrance to Patios de Cafayate Wine Hotel After the splendid tours and tasting of Bodegas Piattelli and San Pedro, I checked in the luxurious Patios de Cafayate Wine Hotel. This is a spacious old hacienda built of white stucco with a bell tower. The approach is magnificent as you enter a gated vineyard and traverse a long driveway to see the long white resort glowing in the sun and backlit by the red mountains rising behind. The resort is also part of a working winery, Bodega El Esteco. I spent 3 delightful nights here and enjoyed waking up every morning [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:22:31-08:00June 14, 2014|

Visiting the Famous San Pedro Yacochuya Winery – Four-wheel Driving & Cactus

View of Valley from San Pedro Winery That afternoon we visited the famous Argentine winery called San Pedro Yacochuya where we met the Etchart brothers, Marcos the winemaker and Pablo the marketing expert. The winery achieved its fame partially because they hired Michel Rolland as their consulting winemaker, and became highlighted in the movie Mondevino. In actuality they hired Michel in 1988 before he became famous, and he worked his magic on the San Pedro Yacochuya Malbec. Now Marcos continues the tradition, and the wine truly deserves its great reputation. It is huge, complex, and brimming with concentrated dark berry [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:22:50-08:00June 11, 2014|

Driving from Salta to Bodega Piattelli in Cafayate, Argentina

Cafes in Salta Along the Plaza (March 2014) We had flown into Salta the evening before, and after checking into our hotel walked several blocks to the main plaza. The sun was just sinking behind the green mountains and cast lovely light on the beautiful pink cathedral that dominated the square. We quickly found a sidewalk café, and enjoyed a bottle of cold Torrontes with a platter of empanadas. We watched people stroll around the plaza, and enjoyed the balmy evening as a few musicians played for us. The next morning, we left early to drive the 2.5 hours south [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:23:10-08:00June 5, 2014|

Salta, Argentina – One of the Most Beautiful Wine Regions in the World

Pink Cathedral in Salta Dubbed by many to be one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world, Salta is located in northern Argentina near the Bolivian border. It is home to the highest altitude vineyards in the world with vines growing at over 10,000 feet high. The major challenge for wine tourism in this region is arriving. Flights only come from Mendoza twice a week, or visitors have to start from Buenos Aires to catch a daily flight. Upon arrival in the town of Salta, it is another 2.5 to 3 hour drive south before arriving in Cafayete [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:23:31-08:00June 4, 2014|

Delightful Day Long Visit to Zuccardi Family Winery – Mendoza, Argentina

Hours of Operation at Zuccardi Winery After more workshops and lectures the previous day, I was treated to a full day visiting the very hospitable Zuccardi Family Winery. It is located in the Maipu appellation about 20 minutes from the city of Mendoza in the Santa Rosa area. We were greeted by Julia Zuccardi, Director of Hospitality, who gave us an excellent tour beginning with the history of the estate. She said her grandfather had started a business in 1963 selling irrigation pipe to vineyards. To assist with sales, he planted a vineyard to demonstrate how it the equipment worked. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:23:52-08:00June 2, 2014|

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