At 6:15am on 3 July, an unusual gathering formed outside Le Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon. Speculation was rife: where would this year’s vineyard excursion take us? Sixty-five members of the iDealwine team boarded the TGV bound for “Mâcon Loché”. Two likely wine regions remained: the Mâconnais or Beaujolais? Here’s a look back at our journey into the heart of Beaujolais.
Sunrise coffee beneath the windmill at Moulin-à-Vent
Our coach took us to the first stop of our day in the vines – breakfast. And what better setting for a morning coffee than beneath the iconic windmill of Moulin-à-Vent, basking in the first rays of sun? A perfect photo opportunity for our team too!
Domaine Marcel Lapierre: At the heart of natural Beaujolais
Next, we headed to one of our long-standing partner estates in the region: the celebrated Domaine Marcel Lapierre.
Camille, accompanied by her partner and two colleagues, welcomed us warmly. Following a brief stroll through the vines, the visit continued in the cellar – naturally, with a tasting.
And what a line-up it was: 2024 Raisins Gaulois, 2024 Beaujolais, 2024 Morgon, 2024 Morgon Roche du Py Camille, 2024 Morgon Marcel Lapierre, 2018Morgon, and 2015 Morgon Roche du Py Camille in jeroboam format.
Elegant, generous wines that delighted the entire team. The estate also treated us to traditional mâchon platters – hearty fare perfect for pairing with these vinous treasures. A big thank you to the team for their kind hospitality!
Lunch at La Maison des Beaujolais
We continued on to La Maison des Beaujolais for a convivial lunch.
Regional specialities from Beaujolais and Lyon were served alongside wines from our partner estates. A short speech from CEO Cyrille Jomand and a quiz for the three co-founders added to the cheerful atmosphere.
Château des Jacques: Beaujolais built to age
Our next stop took us to Château des Jacques in Romanèche-Thorins, another emblematic partner of iDealwine.
We were greeted in the garden by Julie Pitoiset, the estate’s Managing Director, who gave us a refresher on the château’s rich heritage.
A quick stroll around the courtyard revealed the bottling in progress, and the cool cellars provided welcome respite from the summer heat. We were especially pleased to see the wine library – a testament to the estate’s long-standing dedication to crafting age-worthy wines – and the spirits cellar, with its legendary quotations etched in stone.
The plaque on the wall caught our eye as it says “If you want to be happy all your life, drink wine from here every day”.
We then moved into the newly renovated vat room for a tasting amid the concrete and stainless steel tanks. We explored the 2022 vintage through Moulin-à-Vent, Clos du Grand Carquelin and Clos de Rochegrès, before stepping back in time to a beautifully matured 2015 Moulin-à-Vent Rochegrès.
A fascinating insight into a classically styled estate, crafting structured, age-worthy wines with precision and grace. Our heartfelt thanks to the château team for hosting us during such a busy season!
Laser tag and the journey home
After such a full day, it was time to stretch our legs… and what better way than a lively game of laser tag before catching the train back to Paris?
The journey home went smoothly, with one delightful interruption – a special announcement from the train conductors to mark iDealwine’s 25th anniversary. A classy touch to end a memorable day.
