Taste one of the best wines in France at Châteauneuf du Pape! We started with a leisurely lunch at Château des Fines Roches with an outstanding selection of fine French cuisine paired perfectly with each outstanding glass of wine. The red with the chocolate dessert was so decadent, it’s almost felt naughty eating it and enjoying the wine pairing! Only a half hour from Avignon, it makes a great day trip to explore more of the French vineyards and countryside in South of France. Using rocks on top of the soil, it is how they capture the unique and rich earthy flavors in all of their wine. Fun fact: we learned that other countries are constantly trying to steal their telltale crossed keys logo and thick green, recycled glass bottles. It soon became known as the wine of the pope which sells itself for marketing. We then went next door to the vineyard and winery at Château la Nerthe, where we learned French culture includes children as young as 12 years old enjoying wine with dinner. Imagine getting wine drunk as a pre-teen! Americans minds would be boggled however you don’t see a lot of alcoholic French people… just sayin’!
After our epic walking tour of Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) and more of Avignon, France by our amazing guide Manu, our fabulous female driver Sophie from Provence Rêverie picked us up for this excursion. It was our last day to go out and explore on this French Riviera press trip and we were very excited for this part, especially myself and my new wine-loving friend who you will see below. After a quick tour of the front of the chateau, we learned it was built to mimic the antique castles sprinkled throughout the French countryside but without the costly upkeep involved to maintain. Owned by the Mousset family for five generations, Château des Fines Roches is a farm to table fresh restaurant using all of the delicious flavors of the Orange region down to the truffles. Each dish is impeccable with flavor, presentation and taste. The atmosphere is very posh with white linen tablecloths, waiters dressed to impress and lively art adorning the walls. All the senses are heightened here and your eyes enjoy a visual feast just as much as your stomach. It’s quite addicting and honestly one of the top restaurants we enjoyed that week.
Directly connected to the restaurant is the hotel Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches which offers 11 rooms, all with view of the vineyard which surround the castle. The upscale, spacious rooms are face south of the Alpilles moutains and Avignon Palais des papes, the swimming pool, the Lubéron and Mont Ventoux. The interior design is Provençal inspired, however the services are quite modern because it’s a newer build. And by newer, I mean in French terms which is early 1900s. If you really want to deep dive and nerd out, check out this timeline. The hotel also offers a swimming pool, a spa, event space (imagine a wedding here!) and more amenities which I hope to someday experience. It’s such a peaceful place and a nice break from city life.
Welcome to Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches, just 30 minutes outside of Avignon, France.A view towards the vineyards which we will get to later from Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches.A quick peak at the Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches which includes the eleven hotel rooms.Another view of the front vineyards which surround the estate at Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches.Directly to the left of Hostellerie Château des Fines Roches is the attached restaurant, clearly marked. The thing about press trips is you’re always running behind and never have enough time!Stepping inside the restaurant Château des Fines Roches.The pops of color in the artwork drew my eye immediately at the Château des Fines Roches.My first taste of wine at the Château des Fines Roches was full of minerals and flavor. Cell phones on the table are still gauche however this was a working lunch so those rules didn’t apply.With every sip, I was falling more in love with the wine at Château des Fines Roches.To begin, a cold cantaloupe cream soup at Château des Fines Roches which was outstanding in flavor and presentation.Meanwhile, my friend enjoyed some bone marrow and a fresh salad at Château des Fines Roches.I ordered the chicken which was a bit pink of the inside at Château des Fines Roches but otherwise fantastic. Perhaps we overcook ours?I took a quick moment to get a portrait of this outstanding wine at Château des Fines Roches.Everything was so flavorful and fresh at Château des Fines Roches, I had to try the chocolate mousse and it was to die for.Paired with this equally rich red, I was in heaven at Château des Fines Roches.My fellow Virgo friend enjoyed this artwork for dessert at Château des Fines Roches.Soon we were back on the road exploring the vineyards across from Château des Fines Roches. The rocks seen here are what make the flavor so earthy and full of minerals.A better view of the vineyards in the other direction of Château des Fines Roches.You could take a nice hike here in these vineyards at Château des Fines Roches and explore the countryside.It was tempting to keep climbing around however we had another stop after lunch at Château des Fines Roches. Plus I was running out of steam!First views as we exited the van at Château La Nerthe.Once a place to swim, these are just for decoration now at Château La Nerthe.As you can see, vineyards for miles at Château La Nerthe.Back towards the road we drove in on at Château La Nerthe.So you can see the moisture at Château La Nerthe, this happy green moss is thriving.Into the estate itself at Château La Nerthe.A historical delicious gem at Château La Nerthe.Talk about don’t judge a book by its cover at Château La Nerthe. Inside is quite a wild ride! Sometimes we forget how old things are…Another pigeon house at Château La Nerthe not in use.My eyes couldn’t believe this was real at Château La Nerthe. It’s like stepping back into history and listening for whispers of secrets.Huge barrels that have been used for ages abounded at Château La Nerthe.The mold covered ceilings were fascinating at Château La Nerthe. It’s not the kill you kind of mold!Looking in the opposite direction at Château La Nerthe.Even more places to explore at Château La Nerthe.Dust layers on the bottles at Château La Nerthe.Finding these quite fascinating at Château La Nerthe.At one point, a winemaking working door but now just a remnant of history which echoes when you yell into it at Château La Nerthe.With a flash so you can see more of the cave at Château La Nerthe.And without flash so you can see how dark it is at Château La Nerthe. Insert vampires here!You can tell I was obsessed with photography at Château La Nerthe.A view far down into the cave at Château La Nerthe.Trying to capture that mold at Château La Nerthe. The texture was amazingly thick and layered.Even the ceilings at Château La Nerthe were architecture gold.The family crest is very popular in all of Europe at Château La Nerthe.En Francais at Château La Nerthe.Looking back at the family crest at Château La Nerthe.Iron torches still line the walls at Château La Nerthe.My fellow journalist and wine loving friend poses for scale next to this beast at Château La Nerthe. Also notice the chandelier!A photo of the crest on the cask at Château La Nerthe.Now it was time to taste the wine at Château La Nerthe.We had a long tasting table with this view at Château La Nerthe.The lineup of what were to taste at Château La Nerthe.So you don’t forget where you are at Château La Nerthe.A helpful map and visual representation of vineyards at Château La Nerthe.Our guide cleverly uses the label as a pouring spout at Château La Nerthe.And so we begin with the first pour at Château La Nerthe. They are small pours with options to empty your glass if you so choose.We had a great time tasting our way through wines at Château La Nerthe.If you want to deep dive, learn all about Joseph Ducos for his innovative winemaking at Château La Nerthe.We were gifted this sealed book at Château La Nerthe which I will keep sealed as this is like gold for the French. They love their literature!With a happy little wine buzz, we popped outside to explore more of the grounds at Château La Nerthe.They do not offer events or weddings at Château La Nerthe.However you can book private tours and tastings and enjoy a bottle on the grounds at Château La Nerthe.The most perfectly maintained trees at Château La Nerthe.Looking out into the yard at Château La Nerthe.Each place we visited, visions of photoshoots would flash in my mind at Château La Nerthe.Ancient water fountains at Château La Nerthe.Pillars that have had centuries of fingerprints at Château La Nerthe.We need more planters that last forever like at Château La Nerthe.Even a random tombstone along the walkway exists at Château La Nerthe. The history runs deep!We were not ready to leave Château La Nerthe but alas, there was one last day left to explore! My French Virgo sister looking lovely here.
