Archived Newsletters
February 2013
Julie's Excellent Adventure
On a rainy Sunday in November 2012 Julie Guffy, Moke Berg and I rendezvoused in the historic city of Nancy, France. The next day we visited Vosges forests near Epinal. We thought we would share photos of our day with Jean-Paul Houberdon of Sogibois.
Vosges
That evening we stayed in Riquewihr, a city that looks much like it looked four hundred years ago.
Riquewihr
Alsace Vineyards
The next day we visited Marc Schneider of the Cave du Vieil Armand. Marc and his family visited us in 2010. Not only do they make a wonderful dry Riesling, but they are ageing Pinot Noir in Francois Freres barrels.
Burgundy
We moved on to Burgundy where we were entertained by all sorts of folks.
Domain LaFarge in Volnay
St-Romain from afar.
We had a wonderful time with some friends of long standing, the Lafarges. Jean pulled a few treasures out of his cellar, including this 2003 La Tache in magnum.
Julie holding her favorite new jug wine.
We visited the legendary Domaine Coche-Dury and tasted Musigny and other great wines out of the barrel at Faiveley.
Bottle of Coche-Dury, photo taken at winery .
Julie at Chevalier-Montrachet looking for someone to be chivalrous towards her.
Musigny aging in Francois Freres barrels at Domaine Faiveley .
Jean, Noelle and Julie... Jean is the one in the middle.
Then we left Chase Carhartt from Santa Barbara in the Rhone, where he had been working for Yves Cuilleron. He joined us in Burgundy and if he did not have a great time, he never will!
Julie with Chase Carhartt of Santa Barbara county.
After a stopping to visit Carcassonne, the legendary castled city, we went to Bordeaux, where we visited people who are using Francois barrels.
Carcassonne
Bordeaux
Cos d'Estournel
Lilian Ladouys is a winery in St-Estephe where we tasted wine from Francois Freres barrels.
Julie just happy to see Francois Freres barrels in Bordeaux.
At Fleur de Bouard…where the tanks hang from the ceiling.
Sogibois, one of three stave mills operated by the Francois group.
Jerome’s son Leopold is being raised with the right values.
