Blog Post

Going Underground in Saumur Champigny

  • by Micaela Frow
  • •
  • 10 Apr, 2018
  • •
loire wine tours
Varrains situated at the heart of Saumur Champigny is a winemakers commune.

On the surface you will find 'demeures de caractère et de maisons de vignerons' beautiful houses of characters and winemakers houses but this weekend we were more interested in going underground with our wine tour group.

wine break from paris to loire
Welcome to the shrine of wine dedicated to St Vincent the patron saint of winemakers.
loire bud burst
Back up on the surface we have budburst!
We witnessed the first signs of bud burst today whilst out and about in the Saumur Champigny vineyards. Now we have our fingers crossed that there is no frost or hail during this delicate stage of the vines growth. The last 2 years have been difficult in certain parts of the Loire Valley due to frost damaged vines and hail. The buds start with a wooly bud of 'coton' and now the buds or 'bourgeons' as they are called in French are starting to open. The vines are coming out of their dormancy period and the new years growth is about to start for 2018.

Brocante Weekends in the Loire Valley

by Micaela Frow • 24 May 2021
Passionate about antiques and vintage items then a few days break away in the Loire Valley is the perfect escape for you? La Grande Maison d’Arthenay is your home for the weekend. It is charmingly decorated in a rustic chic style with items of brocante and antiques. Surrounded by vineyards with it’s own private walled gardens the house offers comfortably appointed bedrooms. Brocantes each Sunday in Montreuil Bellay, Montsoreau, Chinon or Saumur on a monthly cycle

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by Micaela Frow • 20 May 2021
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by Micaela Frow • 1 November 2020
Christmas Cards in Packs of Six Hand Printed and Signed by the Artist

Wine Touring by Ebike in times of COVID19

by Micaela Frow • 21 July 2020
Loire Wine Tour by Electric Bike

Winocuts, Holiday Postponements & COVID19

by Micaela Frow • 3 April 2020
Life under lockdown at La Grande Maison.

Mon Voyage Sur La Loire

by Catherine Taralon • 15 February 2020
Loire Valley Magazine Guide to the Loire Valley around Saumur from Montsoreau to Le Thoureil via La Grande Maison d'Arthenay

Loire Wine Tour by Electric Bike from La Grande Maison

by La Grande Maison d'Arthenay • 7 February 2020
Looking for an eco friendly holiday that is fun and adventurous. Jump on our Radrunner Cargo EBike and we'll take you through the vineyards to taste wine in the local organic vineyards around Saumur Le Puy Notre Dame. As featured in The Guardian and The Observer

Herbicide Ban in the Vines of Anjou Saumur!

by Micaela Frow • 1 November 2019
One step closer to total organic production in the Anjou Saumur vineyards

Loire Vallée Magazine

by Micaela Frow • 11 May 2018
The release of an annual magazine celebrating all that is special about the Loire Valley. Places to stay, eat, wine taste and visit including Bouvet Ladubay, Villandry, Chaumont and Fontevraud Abbey

Meet the Owners of La Grande Maison

by Micaela A Frow • 30 April 2018
David Matthews of the travel website Further Afield talks to Micaela and Sue of La Grande Maison and La Petite Maison and asks "how did you end up living in France?"
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