Les Donateurs

L'Orpailleur - Canada - Québec : Québec - Cantons de l'Est
What an amazing visit! It was full of snow and it just before the harvest for the famous Ice wine. We spent all the morning and the lunch with the director, Charles-Henri de Coussergues, who learnt us all the Ice wine process. The last winery we have visited during this world wine tour, and one of the most interesting!

Donation: 6 btls of Ice Wine, 2007
Peculiarity: For the Ice Wine, the grapes are harvested in winter, at a temperature between - 8°C and - 12°C...

Robert Mondavi - California (USA) : Napa Valley
The famous one! We have been more than very well welcomed by Geneviève Janssens, the French Chief Winemaker. We did together a visit of the winery and an interesting tasting. Thank you again!

Donation: 1 Magnum of Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 2001
Peculiarity: One of the best wines that we have tasted in California.

Signorello - California (USA) : Napa Valley
An Italian owner, a French winemaker, top wines, heavenly swimming-pool... That is happiness!

Donation: 2 btls of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
Peculiarity: the winery is on a hill, with its vineyards around.

Black Stallion - California (USA) : Napa Valley
This new winery, which was a stable, is a great success: nice place to taste wines, nice people and good wines!

Donation: 1 btl of Merlot, Oakville, 2005
Peculiarity: Just in one year, the wine club of Black Stallion has 1.000 members!

Franck Family - California (USA) : Napa valley
We met Todd Graff, the winemaker, who gave us a visit of the winery.

Donation: 2 btls of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, 2006
Peculiarity: Very old buildings, which give a very good spirit to the place

Hawkes - California (USA) : Alexander Valley
Small and modern cellar door, great wines, nice people... That is a very good stop on your wine road!

Donation: 1 btl of Home Chardonnay, 2006
1 btl of PYR (Pyramide vineyard), Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
1 btl of Merlot, 2004
1 btl of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004
Peculiarity: the logo, a beautiful red eagle

White Oak - California (USA) : Alexander Valley
We really enjoyed the wines, that's why we came back to the winery in order to ask donations!

Donation: 2 btls of Syrah, 2004 (Napa Valley)
2 btls of Chardonnay, 2007 (Russian River Valley)
Peculiarity: A very beautiful cellar door that looks like an Italian domain.

Unti - California (USA) : Dry Creek River
Very well welcomed by Sébastien Pochan, the French winemaker. Wonderful wines, specially the Grenache.

Donation: 1 btl of Sangiovese, 2006
1 btl of Grenache, 2006
Peculiarity: One of the smallest winery that we have visited in California.

Ridge Lytton Springs - California (USA) : Dry Creek River
Thanks to the team who warmly welcome us and our project. And important thing: we love the wines!

Donation: 1 btl of Ridge, California, Lytton Springs, 2006
Peculiarity: beautiful landscape around the winery, specially during a sunset in automn.

Terra Valentine - California (USA) : Napa valley (Spring Mountain district)
Erina, in charge of the cellar door, warmly received us and offered us a great wine and cheese tasting. She know how to speak to French guys!

Donation: 1 btl of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
Peculiarity: the winery was built by the first owner himself, and alone!

Cain Five - California (USA) : Napa Valley (Spring Mountain district)
François, the French winemaker, received us in this "lost" domain... Here is a Bordeaux style and the quality is very high.

Donation: 1 btl of Cain Five, 2005
Peculiarity: a "lost" domain in Napa valley, it's so rare! and the winemaker is a crazy French artist! So, if you can, go there!

Darioush - California (USA) : Napa valley
We don't like the buldings of the winery... it's "too much" for us! But we are very well welcomed by the assistant winemaker.

donation: 1 btl of Viognier, 2007
1 blt of Shiraz, 2005
1 btl of Merlot, 2005
1 btl of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
Peculiarity: the owner is from Iran! Not usual in the wine industry

Chandon - California (USA) : Napa Valley
Tom, the sparkling wines winemaker, received us for a nice visit and a great tasting of all his sparkling wines ; we love his wines!

Donation: 1 btl of Reserve Pinot Noir, Brut
1 btl of Etoile, Brut
1 btl of Etoile Rosé
1 btl of Chardonnay, Carneros, 2006
1 btl of Pinot Noir, Les Collines, Santa Rita Hills, 2005
1 btl of Pinot Meunier, Carneros, 2006
Peculiarity: It was the first time for us that we tasted a 100% non-sparkling Pinot Meunier! and we loved it!

Opus One - California (USA) : Napa Valley
We are welcomed in the "Mecque" of American wines by Yasko Cadby, in charge of public relations. The visit is very interesting and she showed us all the secrets of Opus One, one of the best wines of America.

Donation: 1 btl of Opus one, 2005
Peculiarity: Opus One is today a joint venture between Baron Ph. de Rothschild and Constellation Brands, owner of Robert Mondavi.

Limerick Lane - California (USA) : Russian River Valley
We are very well welcomed by Ross, the nice winemaker; We spent a long and great time with him. He gave us for the auction our first Magnums! Thank you again.

Donation: 1 Magnum of Zinfandel Old Vine, 2006
1 Magnum of 1023 (Collins Vineyard), 2007
Peculiarity: the swimming-pool of the winery has a wine bottle shape!

Foppiano - California (USA) : Russian River Valley
Winery in mutation to higher quality. We met the young winemaker and enjoyed the tasting with her.

Donation: 2 btls of Foppiano - Petite Sirah, 2005
Peculiarity: It was the first time for us that we have tasted a 100% Petite Sirah!

Kaena - California (USA) : Santa Ynez Valley
Beckmen is nice winery in South California (Santa Barbara county), making awsome Grenache! Mikael Sigouin, the winemaker, gave us a bottle of his own production.

Donation: 1 btle of Kaena - Hapa, 2006
Peculiarity : Mikael, the winemaker, is from Hawaï !

Cheval des Andes - Argentina : Lujan de Cuyo
THE visit of our visit in Mendoza! We received an unbelievable welcome from Nicolas Audebert, the winemaker of both Cheval des Andes and Terrazas de los Andes. We did an interesting visit of the bodega, we had a complete wien tasting and then, we had a lunch in the loft of Cheval des Andes before a Polo initiation... Magic time! Thank you again Nicolas.

Donation: x btls of Cheval des Andes
Peculiarity: Belonging to Mister Arnault (CEO of LVMH), Cheval des Andes is maybe the best wine of Argentina.

J. & F. Lurton - Argentina : Vallee de Uco
What a visit! Sebastian, the winemaker, is a very nice guy, professional, interesting and funny! We tasted a lot of his wines from the tanks. Very good time spent there.

Donation: to define
Peculiarity: we tasted and enjoyed our first "Sauvignasse" (or Sauvignon Vert)

Tapiz - Argentina : Lujan de Cuyo
Huge & modern bodega but we enjoyed the wines, the people and the wine tour, very interesting! Thank you also for your help when we had problems to send our bottles back to France.

Donation: 2 btls of Reserve, Malbec, 2005
2 btls of Reserve, Cab Sauv, 2005
2 btls of Torrentès, 2007
2 btls of Malbec, 2007
2 btls of Syrah, 2006
2 btls of Cab Sauv, 2007
Peculiarity: During your wine tour, you taste wines from the tanks! We like this concept!

Vistalba - Argentina : Lujan de Cuyo
Thanks again to Alejandro, the winemaker, for the visit, the tasting and the awsome donation!

Donation: 3 btls of Tomaro Reserve, Malbec, 2005
3 btls of Vistalba Corte A, 2003
Peculiarity: Beautiful bodega with private accomodations and a gourmet restaurant: La Bourgogne

Kaiken - Argentina : Lujan de Cuyo
We spent a good time in this bodega, in the vineyards, in the cellar and during our wine tasting. We really enjoyed the wines!

Donation: 1 btl of Kaiken, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006
1 btl of Kaiken, Malbec, 2007
1 btl of Kaiken Ultra, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003
1 btl of Kaiken Ultra, Malbec, 2003
Peculiarity: This bodega is a part of the chilean wine group Montes

Renacer - Argentina : Lujan de Cuyo
Nice little bodega, making very good wines. We are very well welcomed by Maria Victoria Mermoz. The building with its tower and the environment are very beautiful.

Donation: 1 btl of Punto Final, Reserva, Malbec, 2005
Peculiarity: During the wine tasting, you are invited to make your own wine in a tube with samples of 3 different Malbec. Very interesting!

Salentein - Argentina : Vallee de Uco
Amazing & huge bodega, with a beautiful chais. We were welcomed by Carlos, the winemaker of El Portillo (same group), who organise for us a nice visit and a very good wine tasting in the beautiful tasting room established in the caves.

Donation: 1 btl of Saleintein Reserve, Chardonnay, 2007
1 btl of Saleintein Reserve, Malbec, 2006
1 btl of Saleintein Reserve, Merlot, 2003
1 btl of Saleintein Reserve, Pinot Noir, 2004
Peculiarity: The bodega has also a famous museum of modern art

Escorihuela Gascõn - Argentina : Mendoza
Special mention for this bodega: they send in Argentina 7 millions of bottles named "Carcassonne", like our home city! We were very well welcomed by Guillermo San Martin, who organise for us a good visit and a amazing tasting!

Donation: 1 btl of Escorihuela Gascõn, Malbec, 2005
1 btl of Escorihuela Gascõn, Viognier, 2006
1 btl of Escorihuela Gascõn, Sangiovese, 2006
1 btl Fincas Carcassonne, 1884, Malbec, 2005
Peculiarity: One of the oldest bodega in Argentina (since 1884)

Almaviva - Chile : Maipo
Joint venture between Baron Ph. de Rothschild and Concha y Toro. We had an amazing meeting with Michel Friou, the French techincal director, who gave us time to show us the bodega, to explain the philosophy and strategy of Almaviva and to offer us a wonderful tasting. Thank you again!
Donation: x btl of Almaviva
Peculiarity: One of the most famous and expansive chilean wine

Portal del Alto - Chile : Maipo
Nice "little" bodega with a passionate spirit. We met the famous man behind the wine, Alejandro Hernandez, who is a France's friend. We also met Carolina, the winemaker, and Marine, a French girl in internship.
Donation: 1 btl Alcar de Terravid, Cab Sauv - Carménère - Syrah, 2003
Peculiarity: One of the only bodega with free entrance!

Haras de Pirque - Chile : Maipo
Very well welcomed by Gail Turner (PR) and Cecilia Guzman, the winemaker. Amazing bodega & vineyards built both in horseshoe shape.

Donation: 1 btl Haras Elegance, Cab Sauv blending, 2004
Peculiarity: Haras de Pirque is both a bodega and a horse breeding

Viña Requingua - Chili : Curico
Our Head Quarter in South Chile! A very special thanks to Benoît Fitte, the french winemaker, who received us, lent us a house and helpt us to organise our chilean days. A very good remember for us.

Donation: 1 btl of Potro de Piedra, Family Reserve, 2004
Peculiarity: In the Top 30 biggest wineries of Chile

Corazon wines - New Zealand : Henderson Valley, Auckland
Amazing meeting with Shayne Cox and Kate. We firstly met them during the Wine NZ fair in Auckland and then, we went to their house for the dinner and our last night in NZ. We shared few bottles of delicious wines during that meal. Happy memories for us!

Donation: 1 btl of Chardonnay, 2005
1 btl of Merlot / Cabernet Franc (55 / 45 %), 2004
Peculiarity: Shayne also makes wines for many local vineyards under contracts

Peregrine - New Zealand : Central Otago
One of our favorites and maybe the best balance between quality and price. Very very good range of wines! We enjoyed the Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir...

Donation: 1 btl of Pinot Noir, 2007
Peculiarity: One of the most modern winery, very well integrated in the landscape

Chard Farm - New Zealand : Central Otago
We followed Camille Lalaurie, a friend of us who worked here two vintages ago. The environment and the wines are very good. Surprising Rose 100% Pinot Noir.

Donation: 1 btl of River Run Pinot Noir, 2007
Peculiarity: Unbelievable road to go to the winery, hanged from the cliff...

Rockburn - New Zealand : Central Otago
Good and large range of wines tasted in their new and beautiful cellar door in Cromwell.

Donation: 1 btl of Chardonnay, 2007
Peculiarity: One of the largest range of wines in Central Otago, with also wines from other regions

Quartz Reef - New Zealand : Central Otago
Surprising winery and cellar door, in the middle of an "industrial zone". Here, no well known architect! No matter, wines are very good! Specially their sparkling wines.

Donation: 1 btl of Methode Traditionnelle non-vintage (sparkling)
Peculiarity: One of the most famous Kiwi sparkling wines producer

Wooing Tree - New Zealand : Central Otago
One of our best meeting in NZ! We learnt a lot from Geoff Bews, viticulturist and director, about the frost fighting. Very good range of wines, with an intense and elegant Pinot Noir as flagship.

Donation: 2 btls of Pinot Noir, 2006
Peculiarity: They make "Pinot with Passion" and have also a Rose 100% Pinot Noir and a Blanc de Blanc from this variety

Rippon Winery - New Zealand : Central Otago
Maybe one of the most beautiful vineyard we have seen, on the edge of the Lake Wanaka, with snowy mountains as background... Awsome! We also enjoyed the wines, specially the Riesling and the Pinot Noir.

Donation: 1 btl of their 1995 Sparkling!
Peculiarity: The sight. You have to go to New Zealand for that sight!

Clos Marguerite - New Zealand : Marlborough
We spent a couple of hours with Marguerite Van Hoven, the belgian owner of this little winery. Good friends of all the Vins des Globes teams, this "garage" winery makes very good wines and starts to be known by the professionals as one of the best Kiwi winery.

Donation: 1 btl of Sauvignon Blanc, 2007
1 btl os Pinot Noir, 2007
Peculiarity: They don't have any cellar door but you have to buy their wines!

Lawson's Dry Hills - New Zealand : Marlborough
End of the day. We were tired but what a good idea to go to this winery! The quality of the wines is very high and we received a very good welcome. We also met Marcus Wright, the winemaker, who signed the bottles for the auction.

Donation: 1 btl of Sauvignon Blanc, 2007
1 btl of Chardonnay, 2004
1 btl of Pinot Noir, 2006
Peculiarity: The winery belongs to the Family of Twelve, a Kiwi association of 12 high quality wineries

Spy Valley - New Zealand : Marlborough
We had our lunch in front of the vineyard, full of sheeps! Very nice and modern winery, mostly made with wood.

Donation: 1 btl of Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
Peculiarity: One of the most beautiful winery and environment

Wither Hills - New Zealand : Marlborough
Very good wines and cellar door, with a beautiful sight of the region. Special thanks to Ben Glover, the chief winemaker, who spent time for us.

Donation: 1 btl of Chardonnay, 2006
1 btl of Pinot Noir, 2006
Peculiarity: One of the biggest winery of Marlborough, what is not a problem to make good wines!

Fromm Winery - New Zealand : Marlborough
An other of our favorites! Wonderful wines made in this little high quality winery. One of the oldest and smallest winery in the region. Very elegant.

Donation: 2 btls of Pinot Noir, Clayvin Vineyard, 2007
Peculiarity: First vintage of Sauvignon Blanc in 2008!

Nautilus - New Zealand : Marlborough
Good wine tasting with the nice guy of the cellar door, who is starting learning winemaking after many years working in marketing.

Donation: 1 btl of Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, 2007
Peculiarity: 3 different Pinot Noir ; choose your favorite!

Huia - New Zealand : Marlborough
One of our favorites. Very beautiful logo and labels. We spent good time with Claire Allan, the owner-winemaker who took time for us and showed us her winery.

Donation: 1 btl of Huia Brut, 2002 (sparkling wine, 55% Pinot Noir & 45% Chardonnay)
1 btl of Huia Pinot Noir, 2007
Peculiarity: One of the rare sparkling wine producer. And what a good sparkling! Champagne is not alone...

Georges Michel - New Zealand : Marlborough
We met Georges Michel himself. Very nice time speaking with him notably about the French wine industry difficulties.

Donation: 12 btls of Golden Mile, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005
Peculiarity: One of the rare winery using naturel corks

Cloudy Bay - New Zealand : Marlborough
The famous! One of the pioneers of the Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand and one of the first known in the world. All the range is very good. Thank you for the welcome!

Donation: 1 btl of Te Koko, Sauvignon Blanc, 2005
Peculiarity: Cloudy Bay is a part of LVMH, the French luxuary group.

Schubert - New Zealand : Martinborough
Raining day in Martinborough ; the sunshine was in the wines! Our favorites are from Schubert, a small winery. The 2 Pinot Noir are awsome.

Donation: 2 btls of Pinot Noir "Marion's Vineyard", 2006
Peculiarity: We have been charmed by Belinda...

Matariki - New Zealand : Hawke's Bay
Warm and nice welcome. We love the Syrah! Interesting visit of the winery with Rebecca, assistant winemaker.

Donation: 1 btl of Chardonnay, 2005
1 btl of Quintology, 2002 (Merlot, Cab Sauv, Malbec, Cab franc, Syrah)
Peculiarity: Wines made by women! The 2 winemakers and the viticulturist are women making very good wines.

Mission Estate - New Zealand : Hawke's Bay
Our first Kiwi winery! Beautiful cellar door, nice people and very good wines. Then we met Paul Mooney, the winemaker. What an artist!

Donation: 3 btls of Mission Reserve Chardonnay, 2006
3 btls of Mission Reserve Cabernet Merlot, 2006
Peculiarity: One of the oldest winery in New Zealand.

Tamburlaine - Australie : Hunter Valley. Our last winery in Australia! Nice people in the cellar door and good wines!

Donation: 1 btl Chardonnay, 2007
Peculiarity: Tamburlaine makes organic wines.

10 Minutes by Tractor - Australie : Mornington Peninsula. We love the name, so we tasted the wines! And they are so good... Special mention for the Pinot Noir. Very nice cellar door, with the old tractor in the middle.

Donation: 1 btl 10X, Pinot Noir, 2007.
Peculiarity: One of the highest vineyards of the Peninsula.

Stonier - Australie : Mornington Peninsula. One of the oldest winery in the Peninsula. The wines, Chardonnays & Pinots Noirs, are awsome. We visited the winery with Robin, the assistant winemaker.

Donation: 1 btl Reserve Chardonnay, 2006 1 btl Reserve Pinot Noir, 2006
Peculiarity: The 2005 Reserve Chardonnay won the London International Wine Challenge Trophy in 2007.

Tuck's Ridge - Australie : Mornington Peninsula. Beautiful vineyards around the cellar door. We like the wines, specially the Chardonnay.

Donation: 1 btl Chardonnay, 2007 1 btl Pinot Noir, 2007
Peculiarity: Long experience of winemaking ; now the 22nd year.

Punt Road - Australie : Yarra Valley. What a beautiful cellar door! And what a so good range of wines! Waouh! We love!

Donation: 1 btl Viognier, 2007
1 btl Shiraz, 2005
Peculiarity: The Shiraz had the Gold Medal in the International Wine & Spirit Competition, in UK, in 2007.

Green Point - Domaine Chandon - Australie : Yarra Valley. Beautiful complex, with cellar door, restaurant, bar, office... You have an awsome view on vineyards and landscape from the restaurant. Very good wines, we enjoyed!

Donation: To define
Peculiarity: We feel the Moët & Chandon spirit: everything is perfect!

Oakridge Estate - Australie : Yarra Valley. Nice cellar door and restaurant, with a beautiful view on the vineyards. We met Cathy, the marketing manager, who warmly welcome our project.

Donation: 1 btl Chardonnay, 2006 1 btl Shiraz, 2005
Peculiarity: The winery has its own style, with elegant and light wines.

Leconfield - Australie : Coonowarra. We arrived at 4.59 pm... After a French smile, we were able to taste the wines! Very good tasting with the cellar door team. We also met Paul, the senior winemaker.

Donation: 1 btl Merlot, 2005
Peculiarity: Leconfield, it's also a winery in McLaren Vale.

Zema estate - Australie : Coonowarra. Lovely "vine plants sculptures" in the vineyard. Zema is a (Italian) family estate.

Donation: 1 btl Shiraz, 2005
Peculiarity: You can also buy good products made by Mrs Zema... Mama mia!

Katnook Estate - Australie : Coonowarra. Very good wine tasting in the cellar door, where we met Wayne, the senior winemaker. Then, we visited the winery with Ben, the nice assistant winemaker.

Donation: to define
Peculiarity: One of the best Coonowarra wines, famous for the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Punters Corner - Australie : Coonowarra. The cellar door is very elegant, the wines too. We met Sue, c.d. manager and two old ladies like us, on the wine roads!

Donation: 1 btl Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003
Peculiarity: Punters Corner has also nice accommodation (The Retreat)

Hollick - Australie : Coonowarra. Our first winery in Coonowarra. The cellar door - restaurant is amazing. After a so good tasting, we took an espresso on the sunny terrasse... Awsome!

Donation: 1 btl Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004.
Peculiarity: Three core vineyards giving Hollick over 200 acres of vineyard in total ; 80% is planted to red varieties.

Ralph Fowler - Australie : Mount Benson. Little winery ; we are welcome by Ralph Fowler himself. Nice tasting time spent with him. He has limited quantities of hand crafted premium quality wines.

Donation: 1 btl Viognier, 2006
1 btl Shiraz, 2005
Peculiarity: Lyre trellis system is used in the vineyards ; Pr Carbonneau would be proud!

Cape Jaffa - Australie : Mount Benson. Nice cellar door with a beautiful view on vineyards. We have been welcome by a lovely big white dog and a lazzy cat... Very good wines ; we like all the range!

Donation: 1 btl "La Lune", Shiraz, 2006 (biodynamic range)
Peculiarity: Cape Jaffa vineyards now fully certified biodynamic

Wangolina Station - Australie : Mount Benson. This little winery from a little wine region makes very good white wines. They also have nice modern labels.

Donation: 1 btl Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
1 btl Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
Peculiarity: Through the Makers Mates Wine Club, you have the opportunity to join the family - become a mate – the winemakers mate.

Samuel's Gorge - Australie : McLaren Vale. Amazing cellar door! It's an old olive press house and you can still feel the simple and kindness environment. We like the structure and the flavours of the three wines.

Donation: 1 btl Shiraz, 2006
Peculiarity: This friendly winery feels happiness! We recommand to visit it.

Coriole - Australie : McLaren Vale. What a wonderful winery! You can find very good wines, delicious cheeses and a beautiful view. You can also lunch at Coriole, what we did with Mark Llyod, the owner, and his wife. Thanks for this good time spent together.

Donation: To define
Peculiarity: Italian touch! You can taste some Italian grape varieties.

Shaw & Smith - Australie : Adelaide Hills. The famous! We have been impressed by the high level of marketing in the cellar door. Everything is perfect: the warm welcome, the deco, the view... and the wines!

Donation: to define
Peculiarity: Martin Shaw & Michael Smith are cousins and realized their dream to make wines together.

Nepenthe - Australie : Adelaide Hills. Huge range, so huge tasting! Good wines, lovely people and awsome cheeses!! As French guys, it was perfect!

Donation: 1 btl Sauvignon Blanc, 2007
Peculiarity: Nepenthe shows big size and quality are not incompatible.

Hahndorf Hill winery - Australie : Adelaide Hills. All the range is awsome! We met Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson, the nice owners. They are from South Africa and Larry was the awner of Mulderbosch, where we went in last march!

Donation: 1 btl Shiraz, 2005
Peculiarity: The cool climate give to the wines an elegant identity

Jim Barry - Australie : Clare Valley. What a good marketing! We love the labels! And also the wines, notably their famous Riesling.

Donation: to define
Peculiarity: Cricket lovers!

Barossa Valley Estate - Australie : Barossa Valley. The Barossa cooperative. Very nice cellar door, where we tasted some good wines. We met Paul Heinicke, the Brand Development Manager, who gave us 2 very good bottles.

Donation: 1 btl EBass, Shiraz, 2005
1 btl Black Pepper Shiraz, 2004
Peculiarity: Nice Shiraz range, from different "terroirs"

Chateau Tanunda - Australie : Barossa Valley. Château Tanunda, "Icon of the Barossa Valley", is Australia's largest and oldest Château (est. 1890). We met Malcolm, the manager, who warmly received us.

Donation: 3 btl Chateau Tanunda Shiraz, 2005
Peculiarity: The Château Tanunda Estate is the birthplace of the Barossan wine industry, where the first plantings (1845) and the first winery (1848) were established.

Rockford - Australie : Barossa Valley. Nice "old style" cellar door, nice people, nice old wines carrier truck and wonderful wines!

Donation: 1 btl Rod & Spur (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz), 2005
Peculiarity: Known as one of the best Australian wines. And for us, it's true!

Villa Tinto - Australie : Barossa Valley. We met Alberto di Palma himself! We enjoyed the time spent with him in his "laboratory". What an artist! He had an old press, he also made a little one... and he make very good wines!

Donation: 2 btl Mercedes Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Shiraz), 2005
2 btl Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005
Peculiarity: An only 6 acres production. Everything is hand made. Let's taste Alberto's wines!

Ross Estate - Australie : Barossa Valley. Thanks to Shannon Kruschel, the marketing coordinator, for the time spent with us. We visited the winery with him and tasted the wines, which are very good and with a good price.

Donation: 1 btl Riesling, 2007
1 btl Old Vine Grenache, 2006
Peculiarity: Family owned winery, creating traditional boutique wines from century old vineyards.

Kaesler - Australie : Barossa Valley. Our favorite! We spent the all morning tasting these great wines. We met Reid, the winemaker and enjoyed to speak with him (he also works in Languedoc !)

Donation: 1 btl The Bogan, 2006
1 btl Old Vine Shiraz, 2006
Peculiarity: They make the very famous "Old Bastard" ... and we tasted it! Wonderfull...

Torbreck - Australie : Barossa Valley. We tasted some very good wines with Simon, a nice guy. The most expansive, Run Rig, also tasted, is waiting for you for $225!

Donation: 1 btl The Steading (Grenache, Mourvèdre, Shiraz), 2006
1 btl Woodcutter's Shiraz, 2007
Peculiarity: Low yielding, old and dry grown vineyards.

Schubert Estate - Australie : Barossa Valley. Our first winery in Australia! We received a kind welcome from Cecilia & Steve Schubert.

Donation: 1 btl Shiraz, 2006
Peculiarity: A real "Garage Wine"

Dragon Seal - Chine : Accueillis par Jerome Sabate, oenologue languedocien de Dragon Seal depuis 10 ans, nous sommes seduits par la qualite des vins degustes aux cuves

Don: a definir
Particularite: La winery, ayant appartenu au groupe Pernod Ricard, est un ancien monastere situe au coeur de Beijing.

Chateau Riefeng Auzias - Chine : Visite privee avec Dominique Auzias himself! Vignoble impeccablement conduit. Chai ultra technique. Premier millesime tres prometteur.

Don: a definir
Particularite: Positionnement haut de gamme dans la categorie des vins chinois.

Mae Chan - Thailand : Magnifique complexe au nord de la Thaïlande comprenant resort, winery et production de thé. C'est d'une beauté à couper le souffle.

Don : 1 btl Napa Mieng Shiraz Reserve, 2004
1 btl Mae Chan Shiraz Premium, 2004
Particularité : production anecdotique mais de bonne qualité.

GranMonte - Thailand : Tres belle winery, voisine de PB Valley qui vinifie ses vins. Le proprietaire n'est pas la mais a tenu a ce que nous soyons bien recus: nous sommes invites a rester diner au restaurant de la winery.

Don: 1 btl 'Fiori', unfiltered & unwooded Syrah, 2005 (Gold Platinum medal at "Wine Style Asia 2007")
1 btl 'Primavera', unfiltred Syrah, 2006 (Silver medal at "Syrah du Monde 2008", Ampuis, France)
Particularite: Amoureux de l'Italie, les proprietaires ont apporte une touche italienne a leur winery.

PB Valley - Thailand : Situee en bordure du parc Khao Yai, cette winery comprend egalement un restaurant et un resort. Nous sommes tres bien recus par Prayut, jeune winemaker et manager, qui nous consacre son apres-midi.

Don: 1 btl de Chenin Blanc, PB Khaoyai Reserve, 2005
1 btl de Shiraz, PB Khaoyai Reserve, 2003
Particularites: Meme proprietaire que la biere Singha. "Laboratoire" viticole : de nombreux cepages y sont testes.

Siam - Thailand : Plus importante winery du pays, Siam produit aussi le fameux "Spy", boisson alcoolisee a base de vin, tres prisee des jeunes en soiree.

Don: 3 btl de Monsoon Valley Shiraz, Special Reserve, 2007
3 btl de Monsoon Valley Blended Rose, 2008
Particularite: Siam est connue pour ses fameux vignobles flottants.

Grover - Inde : Notre coup de coeur qualitatif ! Nous avons la chance de rencontrer tout le staff : Mr Grover (owner) et sa fille, Thibaut Verdenal (french winemaker), Manjunath V.G. (viticulturist) et Anita D'Souza (executive assistant).

Don : 4 btl de Reserve (haut de gamme)
4 btl de Sauvignon Blanc
4 btl de Shiraz Rose
Particularite : Un des seuls vins indiens exporte en France. Winery conseillee depuis sa creation (1995) par Michel Rolland.

Sula - Inde : Sula est l'une des principales wineries d'Inde ; nous la visitons avec Isabelle Pangault, assistant winemaker ayant fait l'agro a Montpellier!

Don : 1 btl de Sauvignon Blanc
1 btl de Dindori Reserve (Syrah haut de gamme eleve en fut de chene)
Particularite : Les premieres vignes de Sauvignon Blanc ont ete plantees en Inde par Sula.

Mountain View - Inde : Premiere winery visitee en Inde. Nous sommes accueillis par son proprietaire, Mr Phadtare, et par Marie, jeune winemaker francaise.

Don : 1 btl de Chenin Blanc Semi Dry, 2005
1 btl de Sauvignon Blanc, 2007
1 btl de Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, 2005
1 btl de Cabernet - Shiraz, 2007
Particularite : Mr Phadtare est considere comme un des "sages" de l'industrie vitivinicole indienne.

Haut espoir - Afrique du Sud : Notre dernier domaine visité. Rencontre avec le propriétaire et le winemaker de ce jeune domaine (1er millésime en 2004)

Don : 3 btles de Sémillon Reserve - 2006
3 btles de Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - 2004
Particularité : Le winemaker est passé par le Chateau Angelus, en Saint Emilion.

My Wyn - Afrique du Sud : Rencontre atypique et fascinante avec la propriétaire, connue et respectée par ses pairs de Franschhoek. Elle doit sa réputation au fait qu'elle fait tout elle-même et à la main.

Don : 1 btl de Shiraz/Viognier - 2005
1 btl de Shiraz - 2004
Particularité : plus petit domaine de la région : 4 ha.

Chamonix - Afrique du Sud : Petit cellar sur les hauteurs de Franschhoek ; nous sommes accueillis par un chiot basset de toute beauté !

Don : 1 btl de TROIKA - 2005 (assemblage bordelais)

Rickety Bridge - Afrique du Sud : Dégustation de quasiment toutes les cuves et fûts de ce petit domaine avec le winemaker, jeune artiste passionné.

Don : 6 btles de Merlot - 2003
Particularité : A déguster impérativement leur prochain Cabernet Sauvignon (arôme de menthe très intéressant)

Glenwood - Afrique du Sud : Notre coup de coeur du séjour! Une longue et belle route sans goudron pour parvenir à ce domaine.

Don : 3 btles de Chardonnay Vigneron's Selection - 2007
Particularité : élu meilleur Chardonnay d'Afrique du Sud en 2007.

Stony Brook - Afrique du Sud : Domaine au style très français, de la terasse de dégustation au style de la maitresse des lieux.

Don : 1 btl de Syrah - 2004
Particularité : Vinification de 2 Syrah aux styles très différents (Shiraz: style nouveau monde / Syrah: style européen)

Knorhoek - Afrique du Sud : Magnifique domaine avec restaurant et piscine - bassin assez tentante...

Don : 1 btl de Pantère - 2005 (Cab/Shiraz/Merlot/pinotage)
1 btl de Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005
Particularité : Le meilleur rapport qualité/prix

Mulderbosch - Afrique du Sud : Rencontre assez atypique avec le propriétaire, dans sa salle à manger, en compagnie d'acheteurs... A noter, des étiquettes très originales.

Don : 2 btles de Sauvignon Blanc - 2006
Particularité : Un des meilleurs Sauvignon Blanc de la région.

Beyerskloof - Afrique du Sud : Visite du cellar et dégustation avec Anri Truter, jeune winemaker du domaine. Un très bon moment.

Don : 6 btles de Pinotage Reserve - 2006
Particulaité : 1er producteur de pinotage au monde avec 1,5 millions de cols par an.

Meerlust - Afrique du Sud : Superbe rencontre avec Chris William, le winemaker. Une des meilleures gammes que nous ayons dégusté.

Don : 6 btles de RED 2002 (Cabernet / Merlot)
Particularité : Style très proche de nos grands vins français.

L'Avenir - Afrique du Sud : Charles, le wine cellar, est emballe par notre aventure. Il nous donne son num de tel et nous invite a un barbecue (tres populaire en Afrique du Sud)

Don : 1 btl de Cabernet Franc - 2006
Particularite : Domaine appartenant a Michel Laroche.

Dornier - Afrique du Sud : Nous passons plus d'une heure avec le Winemaker, tres disponible malgre le rush des vendanges pas encore terminees.

Don : 2 btl de Pinotage - 2006
Particularite : Superbe spot! Cuves suspendues et Chai enterre sous le bassin.

Guardian Peak - Afrique du Sud : Domaine appartenant au golfeur sud africain Ernie Els. Rencontre avec le winemaker qui a roule un peu sa bosse en France.

Don : 1 btl de SMG (Shiraz - Mourvedre - Grenache) - 2006
Particularite : Un des rares producteurs de Mourvedre et de Grenache de la region.

Riebeek Cellars - Afrique du Sud : Plus d'une heure de route au nord de Stellenbosch pour voir cette immense "cooperative". Plus de 60 vignerons ayant chacun plus de 100 ha de vignes.

Don : 3 btl de Chardonnay - 2006
3 btl de Merlot - 2006
3 btl de Pinotage - 2005

Villiera - Afrique du Sud : Fantastique visite!
Nous sommes recus par le winemaker et avons droit a une visite privee de cet immense domaine (150 ha). La degustation de la gamme avec l'artiste fut memorable...

Don : 1 btl Cellar Door (Merlot / Pinotage) - 2002
1 btl Monro (Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon) - 2003
Particularite : Le proprietaire (Jeff Grier) a recemment achete un domaine pres de Saint Paul de Fenouillet.

Saxenburg - Afrique du Sud : Belle degustation menee par un jeune wine cellar tres interessant.

Don : 1 btl de Cabernet Sauvignon - 2004
1 btl de Shiraz - 2004
Particularites : Le proprietaire (suisse) possede egalement le Chateau Capion, pres de Montpellier.

De Trafford - Afrique du Sud : David Trafford nous recoit dans son domaine niche au fin fond d'une vallee, au bout d'une route irrelle...

Don : 1 btl de Shiraz - 2005
1 btl de Straw Wine (vin de paille) - 2005
Particularite : 94/100 au Wine Spectator

Annandale - Afrique du Sud : Notre premier donateur!
Hempies du Toit, ancien premiere ligne des Springboks, nous a recu dans son domaine familial.

Don : 2 bouteilles de Cabernet Sauvignon - 2002.
Particularite : le vin est eleve 66 mois en barrique!