Back in Provence the Mistral is blowing! My oh my, there were days this past week when I was pushed around like a rag doll. But as I often note, this broom sweeps the sky clean and lets the blue shine through, so I will not complain, even if the winds can leave me feeling as if my bones were being used to play the xylophone.
In such weather, it helps to have fun things to do, of course. Remi and I put Ben in the back of the Range Rover and headed out on a mission. I had always heard that the Domaine de Valdition was one of the loveliest wine estates to visit in the Alpilles and yes, the reputation is well-deserved. Through the gates and down, down, down the long allée of pines…
…there is a dollhouse of a tasting room and boutique that is simply so charming I could have moved right in.
We had come to pick up some wine for a special dinner. Our dear friends Sonny and Michael had first introduced us to the winery’s award-winning rosé or “pink” as Michael likes to call it, last summer. But it certainly is not yet the moment for rosé! Brrr!! No, we chose the excellent Vallon des Anges, a Coteaux d’Aix that is 80% Syrah, just perfect for the lamb we would be serving it with.
There was so much, too much else to tempt. Little chickens, fruity vinegar, honey with black truffle!
The rest of the domaine is worth a look around. All of the elements that make so many of us sigh over Provence are here. The main mas with its ancient tiles and stone wrapped in a cream lime-wash…
…little corners to while away a sunny afternoon…
…burbling fountains (those with a magnifying glass might spy a sad-faced Ben looking out of the rear view window in the background)…
…crawling vines and perfectly tended topiary…
…and all in a secluded corner of the Alpilles that just becomes more beautiful to me with each and every moment that I pass there.
It comes as no surprise to learn that the estate was a gift from King François the First to his daughter and that the estate remained in the same family for four centuries. There is something so timeless and beyond time about this special place. How wonderful to see that the 280 hectares are still so lovingly treasured.
I still have more to share on my trip to Michigan but thought that this was just right for today.
Bon-weekend!
Wonderful post, beautifully written. I love your descriptions of the world around you.
Bisous
Hi Heather
So glad you enjoyed it, I did too.Meryl Streep speaks so beautifully.
How perfectly dreamy. Wish I were there right now….
~ Clare x
Trust me Jen, it is also doing the laundry, paying the bills, going to the post office. But it is good to dream! 😉
Thank you so much, Helen! That was absolutely amazing! It made my day!
i'm still dreaming of my farm house in Provence and this is exactly what i'll be doing…winery hopping, tending to my garden, taking photos on my gigantic harvest table… 🙂
Hi Heather
This is unrelated to you post. I noticed you attended Yale. A friend sent me this speech by Meryl Street about Hillary Clinton (both Yale grads) and felt you might find it of interest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECNQDqMoAjw&sns=fb
Helenxx
Thanks so much ladies–your thoughts are always appreciated! 🙂
So charming!! My kind of outing!