From Arbois in the Jura, it’s a quick 1.5 hour drive to Beaune in the heart of Burgundy.  I first visited 4 years ago with my mom and absolutely fell in love with Beaune.  I was so excited to return with Jared.  We arrived early for Wednesday’s produce market then made our first stop for coffee at The Cook’s Atelier.

All before our first tasting appointment at Domaine Antonin Guyon.

Following our tasting we headed back to town for lunch at Le P’tit Paradis.

Then set out on our “educational” afternoon; first with a tour of the Hospices de Beaune followed by a tour of the Fallot mustard factory.  I had done the Hospices tour last time in Beaune and loved it, but it was all Jared’s idea to tour his favorite mustard brand’s factory in downtown Beaune.  It was a surprisingly fun tour and it ended with a free gift of 4 mini mustards, well worth the 10 euro admission!  They have SO many flavors.

Many restaurants are closed on Wednesdays in Beaune, so we decided to pick up some picnic supplies from the most amazing cheese shop and headed up to our hotel to check in and hang for the night.

We stayed at the gorgeous La Terre d’Or, a tucked away b&b in the hills above Beaune, a 5 minute drive from town.  Kind Vincent welcomed us to his family’s home and helped us get settled into our room.  We stayed in “Le Pins” – which had a lovely indoor sitting area, a secluded back bedroom, a full kitchen as well as a private back garden.

We could see down into Beaune from the front porch, the perfect spot to set up our dinner “picnic”!

While we had a full itinerary that we planned ourselves, La Terre d’Or offers guided tours and activities as well as fully inclusive vacation packages for those who simply want to “show up”!  Vincent speaks the native language of “Chardonnay and Pinot Noir” and would no doubt give a fabulous tour that is both educational and fun.

After a dreamy sleep, we awoke the next morning and started our day with a walk among the vineyards overlooking Beaune.  We could see all the way to Corton Hill.

It was the most perfect day so Vincent set up breakfast for us on the patio.

Our morning tasting appointment ended up cancelling so we had a leisurely morning around the hotel then headed to Chassagne-Montrachet.  We walked around town and stopped in for a tasting at the town co-op (not worth the 15 euro tasting fee, apathetic service and overpriced.  Although they do have a vast selection of wines for purchase from the region and they’ll organize shipping).

For lunch, we had always planned to picnic in Puligny-Montrachet.  I figured we’d find a random picnic bench to pull out our spread but Jared had something else entirely in mind……..

We pulled up to the Chevalier-Montrachet vineyard overlooking Puligny-Montrachet and after a wonderful picnic I was given the surprise of my life!

Full post to come.  We spent our afternoon tasting at Domaine Pillot and Olivier Leflaive.  Then headed back in to town for dinner at a favorite from my last trip, Caves Madeleine.

I loved Beaune and Burgundy before but now it will forever hold a special place in my heart 🙂