Domaine Beaumont
When someone who has seen and experienced all the corners of France tells me their Happy Place is in the Loire Valley, exactly where I’m staying, and goes on to share that there is a specific family run winery that holds a piece of her heart, I put it on my Loire Bucket List. In fact, it sat high on my list to share with my dear friends without first “pre-vetting.”
We booked a date with Domaine Beaumont that was nestled between forecasted rainstorms, which proved challenging but not impossible. Sarah-Jane and Gérald welcomed us warmly to their beautiful vineyards, pristine cathedral cave, and delightful home where each room was warmed by a roaring fireplace and we were chaperoned by a curious cat.
Gérald took us on a tour of their hectares of vines that are just starting their grow season, introduced us to well established cherry tree orchards, and shared his deep knowledge of AOP standards, modernization trends and personal projects, and the history of their land once cared for by monks in the 10th century.
Gérald‘s labor of love is in each bottle Domaine Beaumont produces. From the way he counted the nubs on the vine to the passion reflected in his eyes when he spoke about grape DNA, he brought us naturally and deeply into Loire Valley winemaking. He treated us to a frank and refreshing wine tasting lesson, beginning with reds, moving slowly through whites, and ending with Brut, with a blind taste test! Fruit, Acid, Salivate. We will never forget now!
The day was perfect in every way. Domaine Beaumont, Sarah-Jane, and Gérald have a piece of our hearts now, too. Merci Beaucoup!
Church from the 10th century
200 yr old oak tree
