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September 14, 2018 - Vineyards above Gigondas

We hiked a loop today from the village of Gigondas in the Dentelles de Montmaril.

Fabulous views in every direction and non-stop vineyards.

After our hike, we learned about wine production and tasted at a small winery.

Finally our guides prepared a simple dinner with many different goat cheeses

and other local specialties - a perfect end to a great day!

ABOVE LEFT - Morning picture in Gigondas before our hike.

Fountain with a swinging wine bottle on a magnetic pendulum

ABOVE MIDDLE - Grapes have just been harvested from the vineyards in the background

ABOVE RIGHT - Windy overlook with 360 degree view. Behind us is the jagged range

where we are headed and in the far distance is Mont Ventoux where we will be hiking tomorrow.

ABOVE LEFT - The imposing limestone cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail.

The Dentelles get their name because they resemble teeth.

ABOVE MIDDLE - View across the Dentelles with vineyards carved into terraces

adorning the steep hills above the village of Gigondas.

ABOVE RIGHT - Looking out at one of the other ridges from our trail

ABOVE LEFT - Vineyards on all the slopes. The lower ones are being harvested

now but higher ones have not begun the harvest yet.

ABOVE MIDDLE - These grapes are in the Beaumes de Venise region while the

Cotes du Rhône Region is on the far side of the mountain toward the Rhône River.

ABOVE RIGHT - Most of the grapes in this area are grenache

ABOVE LEFT - We walked along farming tracks between the gnarled vines.

ABOVE MIDDLE - Fred, Joyce and Peter in the dappled light of the plane trees

In the medieval village of Gigondas.

ABOVE RIGHT - Sign of a Winemaker in Gigondas. For a tiny village of just 400 souls,

Gigondas is world renowned for its red wines; the chalky and desolate soils

force the vines to dig their roots deep, creating wines with rich and complex flavors.

ABOVE LEFT - Fred with Bernard, the vintner and host for our tasting.

The Beauvaleinte Winery has been in his wife's family since 1660.

ABOVE MIDDLE - Bernard pouring one of his blended reds, 80 percent Grenache

ABOVE RIGHT - Francois and Pierre preparing our cheese tasting dinner in the hotel kitchen

ABOVE LEFT - Peter is ready to eat. This is on the terrace of our hotel in Vaison-la-Romaine

ABOVE RIGHT - Many varieties of goat cheese for our meal