The fragrance garden
Between Tours and Angers, the Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil wine region (France) enjoys a choice location between the Loire to the south and the hillside forests to the north. Le Clos des Quarterons wine estate has been owned by the same family for almost 2 centuries. In 2011 organic methods were introduced. This was the first step, before Xavier and Agnès Amirault adopted biodynamic agriculture.
A game-application on fragrances and biodynamic methods
Of course, biodynamic agriculture is a complex method, respecting local natural resources and living things. You need to know local conditions perfectly (400 core samples were taken by the INRA research institute), agronomy, the rhythm of the planets, as well as the qualities of plants helping winemakers to protect their vineyards.
On this point Le Clos des Quarterons has an educational role, with a botanical collection of 150 species in the garden and an application Merci Gabin (“Thanks, Gabin”). Based on fun challenges designed to awaken the 5 senses, the app helps visitors make a link with the aromatic range in wines, while introducing them to several plants used in biodynamic farming.
The game lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes (€15), followed by a tasting of the estate’s wines.
The fragrance garden
Other ways to explore the wine estate
Couples or families can also choose a tour of the “wine storeroom of works” in street-art style or “local snacks”, the perfect match for a tasting.
For groups of 6 and over, other options are on offer: a visit to a troglodyte cave, a trip through the vineyards on a kick-scooter and even yoga in the vineyards.
Visit to a troglodyte cave
Nearby
As well as a visit to other wine cellars in Touraine, wine lovers can enjoy a range of events:
- Gourmandises en Loire: with tastings of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil wines on board a traditional boat on the Loire every Thursday morning.
- Jeudis du Vin: with the participation of winemakers, every Thursday in summer at the Royal Fortress of Chinon.
- Winemakers at the Dining Table in July and Le Fascinant Week-end in autumn, supported by Vignobles et Découvertes Chinon-Bourgueil-Azay.
- And not forgetting a whole host of open days covered in our agenda.