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Praise for French Wine Explorers from Our Guests

"Words can't begin to describe how much we enjoyed our trip with you to Bordeaux.  Not only did we learn an unbelievable amount about the region and its winemakers, but we also tasted wonderful wines, ate magnificent food and had a great time with our hosts and fellow travelers."  -- George and Becky Hawkins, Atlanta, GA, Great Estates of Bordeaux tour

Guests taste with owners Florence & Daniel Cathiard (at left in photo) at Grand Cru Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte

"A big "thank you" for the wonderful tour we had recently in Burgundy.  The arrangements were impeccable, the accommodation was really lovely . . . our host, Beatrix, was truly outstanding and really made our trip unforgettable.  Nothing was too much trouble for her and she did an amazing job of educating us and showing us round the lovely wine estates and tastings.  Overall, this holiday ranks with the best we have ever had.  I feel that your company really delivered on its promises."  -- R.H. Newman, Johannesburg, South Africa, Private Wine Tour of Burgundy.

"Everything was first class, from the accommodations to the meals.  Colette B. was wonderful, and the itinerary was excellent.  We had access to tastings and chateaus that wine enthusiasts can only dream of.  And then there was the food - magnificent!  We made some great new friends and will certainly be telling our old wine enthusiastic friends about your future trips.  Your tour confirmed that the art of good living is drinking fine wines with great food and great friends.  Thanks for making this our best vacation ever!" -- David & Sandi Wood, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, Burgundy & Champagne Prestige tour.

"Truly, this is one of the best tours in the world for wine enthusiasts." -- Mike Doran, Mundelein, IL, Great Estates of Bordeaux Tour.

"We loved all the tours of the chateaux and Wendy was wonderful at keeping us busy in between visits. She had the tough job of teaching me about the wine world (as I knew little) and keeping the interest of my husband (who thought he knew everything).  We felt we were touring with a friend.  Both hotels were lovely - the dinners at each of the hotels were spectacular.  We loved our time in Bordeaux and look forward to you planning many more for us in the years to come.  You guys run a great service.  Everyone has been so helpful and pleasant.  Thank you for everything you did."  -- Marie-Noelle Smith, Purchase, NY, Private Bordeaux Wine tour.

"The tour was fantastic! The guides were very knowledgeable and we learned a great deal. We really enjoyed the mix of large and small producers. The cellars from old Roman quarries were something to see. We came to France skeptical about the concept of terroir, but we became believers."  -- Chris and Ginger Payne, Evergreen, CO, Private tour of Champagne, Burgundy & Loire Valley.

"I absolutely loved this tour. Lauriann and Jean-Pierre obviously did a tremendous amount of preparatory work. The wine selections were fantastic. The accommodations were utterly splendid. The collection of vineyards we visited made for a truly educational experience." -- Joan Esnayra, Arlington, VA, Bordeaux Prestige Tour.

"We've been to many tastings and wine classes, but learned more about winemaking and enjoyment of wine from you than all the others combined." -- Charlie and Betty Kitz, West Bloomfield, MI, Custom Wine Tour of Bordeaux  

"We both really enjoyed the very fine dining at the various Michelin-starred restaurants.  Had some of the best meals of our lives . . . the wine tastings were superb, all the grand crus – wonderful.  Really liked the large, upscale bus.  The (tour) hosts were wonderful:  extremely knowledgeable, very accommodating and friendly, delightful."  -- Mark Halverson and Marilyn Himmel, Miami, FL, Burgundy & Champagne Prestige tour.

Right, guests sample Romanée St. Vivant in the Romanée Conti vineyard

"This trip was fantastic. Everything was as I had hoped that it would be, which is a rare thing to be able to say. It was a dream vacation for us.  This was a first-class experience in every way.  I felt like we experienced not only the wines of France, but the history, the cuisine, the culture, and most of all, the people." -- Bill and Lynn Hargrove, Bellaire, TX, Custom Wine Tour of Champagne, Burgundy and Rhone.

"(What did you enjoy about your tour?) Receiving personal attention from wine makers, assistant wine makers and in one case the sommelier from Mouton at the great chateaux of Bordeaux.  I was very impressed that we visited all the great first growth and second growth chateaux. The food was excellent. I particularly enjoyed the company of the other members of our tour. Each chateaux had something different to offer, which made the tour both interesting and enjoyable.  Wendy N. was excellent. Her knowledge of wines and the local area helped us to better understand Bordeaux wines, which was my main reason for taking the tour."  -- Wendy & Colin MacKenzie, Bordeaux Prestige Tour, Kent, England.

"Nothing has been as wonderful for me as the two tours I have taken with you. . .  Bordeaux/Loire Valley and the Champagne area were both fabulous.  Thank you so very much for introducing us to the wonderful French wines. I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to be with you.  I hope we can plan something together again in the near future."  -- Margie Proctor, Nashville, TN, customized wine tours.

"We truly appreciated your thoughtfulness in choosing the itinerary and restaurants.  They gave us an excellent balance of the region and a wonderfully memorable experience. Guides and explanations were excellent. I would highly recommend the tour to anyone at any level. Overall, would rate the tour a 5 Star! " -- Kim and Scott Wiklof, Seattle, WA, Great Estates of Bordeaux tour (repeat clients after a day tour of Champagne).  

"The domains we visited were wonderful . . .. we really enjoyed the Jardins des Remparts dinner – that was a real highlight.  Colette B. is a gem. (Her) enthusiasm, pride and love of all things in Burgundy rubbed off on everyone." -- Andy & Michelle Wilkinson, Singapore, Great Estates of Burgundy tour.

"Thank you so much for a wonderful trip!!  I had a great time learning about wine as well having fun with you and the group. I haven't laughed so much in a while . . . "  -- Janet Shaner, Geneva, Switzerland, Great Estates of Bordeaux Tour.

"Well prepared and excellently organized tour, great transportation & accommodation . . . friendly, knowledgeable and helpful hosts." -- Dr. Victor Randall, Bubenreuth, Germany, Bordeaux Prestige Tour.

"In a word, "perfection". The clients felt that the trip was just so seamless, the accommodations excellent, Wendy N. a joy to have as their expert host, the driver/vehicles just right.  I can confidently say that the services you provided and the coordination and expertise you were able to deliver were clearly worth every penny to the client." -- Bobby Zur, travel agent, Travel Artistry, Franklin Lakes, NJ, Custom Wine Tour of Bordeaux

"Since Shelly and I enjoyed your Bordeaux Tour so much two years ago, we had very high expectations for the Wine & War Tour.  You not only met those high expectations, you again exceeded them, but this time beyond anything we possibly could have imagined.  If the Michelin Guide were ever to rate wine tours of France, French Wine Explorers would be number one on the list."  -- Shelly & Tom Millhiser, Richmond, VA, Wine & War tour (that's them at left, tasting at Chateau d'Yquem in Bordeaux)

"The accommodations were everything we expected and more. The lunches and dinners were outstanding. The luxurious bus that transported all of us every day was marvelous. (The tour hosts) were extremely knowledgeable . . . they were without exception, sensitive to the needs of the group, showing a caring spirit and willingness to help.  We could not have asked for more."  -- Dick & Charlotte Reynolds, Norman, OK, Burgundy & Champagne Prestige tour (they also joined us for our Bordeaux Prestige tour the following year)

"Our guides were great, not only were they very welcoming and personable, their knowledge of wine and the area was incredible. The fellow guests were great too. Everyone had a different knowledge of wine, but we all learned something and got along great. We were all there because we love wine, good food and good company.  The hotels and restaurants were fabulous; everything was taken care of with no worries at all. I love the fact that they keep the groups small, limited to 12 people."  -- Jo Alice Buckler, Dallas, TX, Great Estates of Bordeaux tour.  

"The tour was fantastic!  We enjoyed the knowledge of wine that Dewey Markham shared with us (he's also fun), the other people on our tour (we all got along well), the beautiful, spacious and private chateau we stayed in, the vineyards we visited, the wines we tasted, the delicious meals, and the big, air conditioned bus."  -- Susan & Nelson Gonzalez, Fairfield, CT, Bordeaux Prestige tour.

"It was obvious Lauriann and Jean-Pierre left little to chance.  The sequence of wine experience was organized with precision, much thoughtfulness, and grace.  They were not only professional travel hosts but accomplished sommeliers with a genuine enthusiasm for the region and its wines." -- Carolyn and Clarence Sasaki, New Haven, CT, Custom Rhône Valley Wine Tour

"I thought the tour was very well organized and an exceptional experience.  The chateaux hosts were hospitable, knowledgeable and passionate about their wines, which made it a very personal and educational experience. I definitely have a much greater appreciation and respect for French wines and food.  Everyone, including our guides and driver, were pleasant, on time, had varying degrees of wine and professional interests, and were of different ages and cultures, which made the trip even that much better.  It was truly a memorable experience that I will never forget.  It was priceless and worth every penny that came out of my savings account."  -- Courtney Murrill, Washington, D.C., Great Estates of Bordeaux tour

"Staying at Chateau Pichon Longueville (Baron) was magical. We watched the sun rise over the vineyards of Chateau Latour from the windows of our room.  We enjoyed dressing for dinner, sharing an aperitif with new friends in the sitting room recalling memories of the day while nestled among the vineyards. Dinners at the Chateau were more intimate and memorable than at even the finest restaurants."  -- Tom & Lynda Mays, Bluffton, SC, Bordeaux Prestige tour.

"We thoroughly enjoyed our Champagne tour with Mary K.  She was the perfect host and the lunch at Les Crayères was unforgettable." -- Berry & Lizbeth Heatley, Warwick, Bermuda, Day Tour of Champagne

“The instruction/teaching/guidance was excellent.  The food was superb . . . the wines were magnificent. Our tour hosts were simply wonderful, and made the trip as exciting as it was.”  -- Dr. Clay Robertson and Vida Robertson, Charleston, SC, Rhône Valley Tour.

                    Right, guests at winemaker dinner in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

"It was a truly special experience to meet personally with winemakers in the Loire Valley and learn about their wine making operations.  Of course, the food was spectacular . . . it was a wonderful experience to stay at Chateau de Rochecotte.  I really felt that I had gotten a “true” Loire Valley experience.  Mary K. is an outstanding wine expert and tour host." -- Kathy Merchant, Cincinnati, OH, Loire Valley tour

"Lauriann was once again the perfect host.  She is knowledgeable but never overbearing . . . always patient and gracious with guests. Jean-Pierre's extensive knowledge of French wines of all sorts truly adds something which is special to the tour.  It seems unthinkable to tour the wine regions of France without Lauriann and Jean-Pierre." -- Peg Terhar & Don Gregory, Dayton, OH, Great Estates of Bordeaux Tour (they also took our Rhône Valley tour and our Tuscany tour). 

From our corporate clients: 

"For the past 2 years we have organized with your company a wine tasting and dinner at a fantastic restaurant in Paris during the international congress. (It) has proven to be the most popular thing we do!!" -- Emma Chippeck, Eli Lilly & Co., UK.

"A short note to let you know that our trip was very enjoyable. The weather cooperated and the program was excellent. Amy L. did an excellent job. Her translating skills are excellent and her wine knowledge superior." -- Claude Lajoie, Aqualon division, Hercules, Inc., Delaware, Custom Wine Tour of Provence.

"(The restaurant) was the perfect setting for our dinner.  My colleagues were really impressed.  The food and wine, of course, were very good.  The event itself was very fun. I loved how (our sommelier host) walked from table to table and explained the different wines, leaving clues here and there.  She struck the perfect balance between providing enough information for the beginner and leaving enough mystery for the connoisseur.  The (wine tasting) contest was great.  It got people to work together and discuss the common ‘problem’: what wine are we tasting."  -- Arief Abraham, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, Wine Tasting Dinner in Paris

(What did you enjoy about your tour?) "Everything!  Our host (Maxine Colas) was fantastic. She was extremely knowledgeable, passionate, and articulate." -- Rich Leavitt, William Gallagher Associates, Boston, MA, Customized Wine Tour of Bordeaux.  

"Many thanks for the excellent tour that you and Jean-Pierre co-ordinated for us last week. I know that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and that we all learnt something more about the art of appreciating wines." -- Jeremy Harvey, Pharmacia and Upjohn Companies, Helsingborg, Sweden, Custom Wine Tour of Loire Valley

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