The Alsace Wine Trail
September 14 – 21, 2019

We don’t believe in over-scheduling you; transit time and hotel transfers are kept to an absolute minimum. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore at your own pace. But no worries, we’ll make sure to take care of you all along the way!

The group is purposefully small. Our 14-person maximum includes your two host-guides. Seats have already been booked – so expect the remaining to book very quickly – so here are the key details:

Day ONE
You’ll arrive at one of the easiest-to-maneuver airports in Europe – Frankfurt. We’ll be waiting there for you in our luxury van. We’ll gather our small group and take a short drive to our first stop, the romantic city of Heidelberg, where you’ll get a chance to stretch your legs and seize the day as we walk the Farmers Market and visit old castle sitting just above the Old Town. A leisurely farm-to-table lunch with local wines will allow everyone to unwind from travel. Then we’re off for Alsace and check into our gorgeous hotel, take an evening stroll to a local restaurant for a luscious early dinner.

Day TWO
We’re off to visit a typical Alsatian medieval town, with our first winery visit and tasting, then a short hop to Munster. Here we will visit a fromager and taste and learn about the cheese made from cows that graze in the Vosges Mountains, and of course, a delicious lunch featuring the creamy cheese and local wines. Next up is the famous town of Kayserberg, with an Imperial Castle that was important strategic site in the war that opposed the Holy Roman Empire and the Dukes of Lorraine. We’ll explore the castle followed by an exceptional wine dinner.

Day THREE
Eau de Vie is our quest this morning and we’ll discover this clear fruit brandy at the oldest distillery in Alsace. You’ll have a chance to see, smell and taste the various flavors that evolve from fermentation and double distillation. Lunch in Obernai and off to Ribeuville for a chocolate making workshop and a private appointment at Trimbach Wine Estate and vineyard walk. We’ll toast our day with a fabulous wine dinner in the old town.

Day FOUR
A short morning drive will bring us to the city of Strasbourg, the capital and largest city of the Grand Est region of France. We’ll journey through the city and eat lunch in the city center and then visit the historic Kronenbourg brewery, founded in 1664. Late that afternoon we’ll return to picturesque Colmar, (traditionally one of our traveler’s favorite cities) for free time and dinner on your own.

Day FIVE
We’ll kick the day off with a visit to a traditional butcher shop, to learn about Charcuterie, have lunch, and make our own dinner in a hands-on afternoon cooking class.

Day SIX
You’ll feel like an explorer today as we meet a gourmet vinegar artisan and see the ancient cellars where the vinegars age, and taste gourmet vinegar with chocolate! and lunch beside the oldest vineyard known to us (400 years old). We’re changing hotels tonight, so on our way to our next destination, we’ll stop in one of our favorite restaurants for dinner and wine.

Day SEVEN
The old cloister of Eberbach, where ancient cellars produce world-renowned wines is our first stop today. We’ll enjoy those same wines with lunch and then drive to the international recognized Domain Mechtildshausen, (Prince Charles is a fan!). It’s a remarkable biodynamic farm that we will f and meet the cheese-maker, butcher, and gardener. Finally, we’ll gather for an incredible farewell dinner with wines we have selected to celebrate our journey.

Day EIGHT
We’ll take care of you all the way to your departure by providing an incredible breakfast spread and a leisurely ride to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.

Cost: $3,900 pp/double occupancy – $400 single supplement.

Includes: Ground transportation, hotel rooms, all breakfasts, 6 dinners, 6 lunches, all winery visits, tastings, admission fees, etc. Airfare is not included.
Deadline: $1,000 pp deposit due by May 1st.

EARLY SIGNING BONUS
If you sign up and submit your deposit by March 1st – you will receive a $200pp discount. If you’re in Atlanta, plan to attend our pre-trip Food and Wine Tasting to prepare you for the fun to come!

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