2017 France with Bertrand Champagne- Alsace & Burgundy Dear fellow Chaîne member, “Susan and I had a WONDERFUL trip with you (and the others who joined us). It was even better than we had anticipated (which was already “high” thanks to reports and recommendations from our other Chaine friends who have traveled with you). It couldn’t possibly have been more enjoyable or better in any way. We learned a lot, enjoyed the sites, the hotel accommodations, the wineries which we visited, the educational benefits, and the wonderful wine and food – all of which you obviously worked so hard to make happen for us”. There is nothing like a testimonial to give you a sense of what my trips are all about, particularly when it conveys a message that resonates with such enthusiasm and positive feedback. I am very grateful to Michael and Susan for writing these kind words while traveling with me last September in the Southwestern region of France. This year I had the great pleasure to lead two tours and not only was it a unique opportunity to enjoy a fantastic trip to France but also to travel with Chaîne members that are sharing the same passion for our traditions and values while supporting the Chaîne Foundation. As you know there are few countries in the world that offer so much diversity of landscape, making each region of France a distinctive and unique place to visit. France not only presents all its wonders to explore, but also remains the true capital of gastronomy in the world. The food and wine are part of the French heritage and the French people are eager to share it with those of you who have an appreciation for a lifestyle that emphasizes quality and the good things of life. In 2017, I am going to take you to the Champagne, Alsace and Burgundy regions famous for their amazing wines and beautiful scenic landscapes. You will be enjoying an ultimate wine experience with the most elegant sparkling wines in Champagne, famous Rieslings from Alsace and to top it off, the best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs in the world from Burgundy. Food will play an important part of our experience as we will be having three gastronomical meals in two and three Michelin stars restaurants. The Chaîne camaraderie is very present along the trip and we will have opportunities to wear our Chaîne ribbon at some of our formal dinners. We will be reminded that each of us is a unique link that contributes to the strength of the Chaîne. The trip will start in Paris and end in Lyon. Our means of transportation will be a deluxe coach bus. For eleven days, you will live a gastronomical dream that you will never forget. This trip is about you and a lifestyle that will take you away from your current fast moving environment to a slower pace where you will never need a watch to distract you from being in the moment. Date for the trip is September 7- September 17 Should you be interested to know more about this fantastic trip, please simply send me an email at [email protected] or call me at (206) 769 0886 so I can send you all the detailed information. I hope you will join me for this memorable trip. Warm regards, Bertrand PS: The trip is limited to 12-14 guests and the cost per person is $7,900 (double occupancy). 5% is donated to the Chaîne Foundation 2017 France with Bertrand Champagne – Alsace Burgundy September 7-September 17 Champagne Caves Spectacular Reims Cathedral Riquewihr Alsace Alsatians Vineyards Puligny Montrachet—Burgundy French Gastronomy –Lameloise 3 Michelin stars 2017 France with Bertrand Trip Highlights Areas Visited: One night in Paris Two days in Champagne Three days in Alsace Three days in Burgundy One night in Lyon Famous Wineries: Champagnes Veuve Clicquot– Pol Roger– Comtesse Lafond Alsace Domaine Weinbach– Marcel Deiss– Trimbach Burgundy Château de Meursault– Château de Chassagne Mon- trachet– Nuits St George -Boisset Estate– Clos de Vougeot –Corton Amazing Sites Reims Cathedral where the kings of France were crowned Colmar capital of Alsation wines Château Haut– Koenisburg 12th century medieval château Beaune "Capital of Burgundy wines” Old Market and Hospices Paramount Four and Five Stars Hotels & Michelin Restaurants Assiette Champenoise***** hotel in Reims 3 Michelin Stars Château d’Isenbourg**** hotel in Rouffach (near Colmar) Auberge de l’Ill Illhaeusern 3 Michelin Stars restaurant Château de Gilly**** hotel in Burgundy (Clos de Vougeot) Lameloise 3 Michelin Stars restaurant Trip Details 10 night-11 Day– Trip Starts in Paris and ends in Lyon Limited to 12-14 guests Price per person: $7,900 all inclusive except air fare To receive more information on this trip please e -mail Bertrand [email protected] or call (206) 769 0886 France with Bertrand 2017 Champagne Itinerary September Thursday 7 Friday 8 Saturday 9 Paris Champagne Champagne Departure for Champagne AM ( 2 Hour Drive) Visit Reims XIII Century Cathedral Visit Veuve Clicquot Wine Estate Visit of Champagne Comtesse Lafond Reims Epernay Lunch in a Restaurant Lunch at Veuve Clicquot Near Epernay Estate Arrival in Paris Visit of Champagne Pol Roger Visit of the Epernay Veuve Clicquot Vineyards Visit of Champagne Ruinart Reims PM Check in Hotel Brighton**** Paris Check in Assiette Champenoise***** Reims Dinner Restaurant Brasserie Flo Dinner Reims Dinner Restaurant Assiette Champenoise TBA Three Michelin Stars I France with Bertrand 2017 Alsace Itinerary September Sunday 10 Monday 11 Tuesday 12 Champagne/Alsace Alsace Alsace Morning on your own Departure for Alsace Suggestion: Visit of (4,5 Hour Drive) Unterlinden Museum (must see) displaying the famous Issenheim Visit Winery Altarpiece Maison Trimbach Followed by a Tasting Stroll through the old part of Ribeauville the city: La Petite Venise Traditional Alsatian Lunch Lunch on the Road La Bacchante Lunch on your own Visit Winemaker Visit Chateau Haut-Koenigsburg Domaine Weinbach (Faller) 12th century Medieval Chateau Followed by a Tasting Visit Domaine Marcel Deiss Winery Check in Hotel Chateau d'Isenbourg**** in Bergheim Rouffach (near Colmar) Domaine Josmeyer independent local winemaker Dinner Auberge de l'Ill Illhaeusern Dinner Three Michelin Stars Chateau d'Isenbourg Hotel Chateau d'Isenbourg**** Hotel Chateau d'Isenbourg**** Dinner on your own II France with Bertrand 2017 Burgundy Itinerary September Wednesday 13 Thursday 14 Friday 15 Alsace/Burgundy Burgundy Burgundy Departure to Burgundy Côte de Beaune Côte de Nuits (2,5 Hour Drive) Visit & tasting Chateau de Meursault Visit & tasting Chateau de Corton Andre ` Winery Aloxe Corton Visit & tasting Chateau de Chassagne Montrachet Winery Visit & tasting Boisset Estates Nuits St George Lunch Restaurant Le Conty Lunch Chateau de Chassagne Lunch Les Terrasses de Corton Beaune Chassagne Montrachet Lunch Aloxe Corton Visit of Beaune Town Visit of Chateau Clos du Vougeot Visit & tasting Chevaliers de Tastevin Chateau de la Tour Bouchard Pere & Fils Negociant Clos de Vougeot Beaune Check in Hotel Chateau de Gilly**** Chateau de Gilly**** Dinner Gilly les Citeaux Restaurant Lameloise Three Michelin Stars Dinner Chateau de Gilly Dinner on your own Chateau de Gilly**** III Itinerary September Saturday 16 Sunday 17 Burgundy/Old Lyon Lyon Côte Chalonnaise End of the Trip Transfer to Train Station Visite & Tasting Domaine Thenard or Airport Givry or Other Projects Lunch Restaurant Annexe Givry Departure for Lyon (2 hours Drive) Check in Hotel Sofitel***** Lyon Farewell Dinner Restaurant Sofitel Lyon IV.