pilgrimage to burgundy
A Journey by Neal Rosenthal
May 18 - 27, 2025
Scroll down for Day-by-Day Itinerary and Reading Suggestions
There will be so much to discuss, to see, and of course, to taste this May when we are together. We will gather in the storied cellars of the Jura, Burgundy, and Beaujolais to hear the tales of this year and the varied years before it. We will discover the magic of living with the seasons and their unpredictability, and we will delve into the growers’ innovative plans for the future.
A memorable trip awaits—and to crown it all, we will end our journey with a vibrant week-end in Lyon, France’s culinary heart, where the city's energy, elegance, and deep appreciation for good living offer the perfect finale.
We are eager to share the adventure with you.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Sunday, May 18
10:30 AM - Walk through the lively Marché Saint-Antoine
12:00 PM - Lunch at Les Halles de Bocuse - L’Écailler Cellerier to enjoy a delicious seafood plater
After our morning in Lyon, we will head to Jura and check in our hotel, La Closerie des Capucines in Arbois
7:30 PM - We will have dinner at La Finette
Overnight: La Closerie les Capucines
Monday, May 19
9:30 AM - This morning we will go on a nature and wildlife walk with our specialist guide to discover the local flora & fauna
1 PM - Back to Arbois, we will have lunch at the brasserie Le Comptoir des Docks for a hearty and delicate meal
2 PM - Following lunch, we will make our way to Pupillin for a wine tasting at Domaine Overnoy-Crinquand
We will continue with a second tasting in Vadans at Domaine Joseph Dorbon before returning to our hotel to rest
The day will conclude with a dinner at gastronomic restaurant Castel Damandre
Overnight: Closerie des Capucines
Tuesday, May 20
10:15 AM - Depart this morning to L’Étoile for a wine tasting at Domaine de Montbourgeau
We will then make our way to Burgundy and have lunch in Nuits-Saint-Georges at La Cabotte at 1 PM
4 PM - After lunch, we will go to Morey-Saint-Denis and taste at Domaine Georges Lignier & Fils
We will make our way down to Beaune by driving through the famous Route des Grands Crus
5:30 PM - We will check in our hotel, Maison 1896, located in the heart of Beaune, few steps away from the renowned Hospices de Beaune
7:30 PM - After settling down at our hotel, we will go a couple of streets away to our restaurant, Le Relais de Saulx for a bistronomic experience paired with a bottle of wine from their organic and natural focused wine list
Overnight: Maison 1896
Wednesday, May 21
10 AM - The day will start with a vineyard walk through the most prized parcels of Chardonnay in the world, exploring the terroir of the white Grands Crus
11 AM - We will make our way a little more south and taste at Domaine Buisson in Saint-Romain
12:30 PM - In Meursault, we will have lunch at a winemakers’ favorite, Le Soufflot, known for their extensive and curated wine list
2:00 p.m. After lunch we continue with a wine tasting at Domaine Cornu in Ladoix
Later this afternoon, we make our way back to Beaune to walk around the town before dinner at La Table du Square at 7:30PM
Overnight: Maison 1896
Thursday, May 22
10:15 AM - After checking out of our hotel, we will drive down to Mercurey for a wine tasting at Domaine de Meix Foulot
Continue into the Maconnais region where we will have lunch at Cassis in Mâcon at 12:45 PM
3 PM - After lunch we will make our way to Régnié-Durette in the Beaujolais and check in our hotel, Villa Alexandre
5 PM - Wine tasting at Domaine Jean Paul Dubost in Lantignié
7:30 PM - At the end of the day we will dine in the restaurant of our hotel
Overnight: Villa Alexandre
Friday, May 23
10 AM - We will spend the morning on a hike to the peak of the pre-historic site Roche du Solutré
12:45 PM - Lunch will be a delicious stop at La Courtille de Solutré under the direction of Adrien de Yparraguirre.
2:30 PM Visit and wine tasting at Domaine Cheveau
3:30 PM - Return to the hotel for some time to relax before dinner. Kindly reminder to dress up for our dinner tonight at a Michelin-star-restaurant
7:30 PM - Tonight, dinner will be at Michelin-Star restaurant, L’O des Vignes in Fuissé
Overnight: Villa Alexandre
Saturday, May 24
10:30 AM - Departure this morning for Lyon
12:30 PM - We will have lunch at brasserie Sathonay before checking in at our hotel, Villa Maïa, perched high on Fourvière, the city’s highest point
2 PM - Deep-dive into Lyon’s rich history with a private guide this afternoon
5 PM - Back at our hotel for some time to relax before heading back out for dinner. Kindly reminder to dress up for our dinner tonight at a gastronomic restaurant
7:30 PM - Dinner tonight will be at Culina Hortus, for a gastronomic vegetarian meal
Overnight: Villa Maïa
Sunday, May 25
Day at leisure
Monday, May 26
10 AM - Departure this morning for a day in the Northern Rhone starting with a wine tasting at Domaine Xavier Gérard in Condrieu at 10:30 AM
12:30 PM - Lunch will be at Les Gagères in Tupin-et-Semons
3 PM - This afternoon we will be tasting at Domaine Guillaume Gilles in Cornas before heading back to Lyon with a stop at l’Hermitage
After some downtime at the hotel, we will have dinner at Le Rooftop by tetedoie, at 8 PM
Overnight: Villa Maïa
Tuesday, May 27
Departures
Mr. Van Decoteau: departure from the hotel at 4:30 AM
Mr. Mendelssohn: departure from the hotel at 7:45 AM
Please note, this itinerary is subject to slight change due to weather, scheduling conflicts, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Reading Suggestions
Reflections of a Wine Merchant
Neal Rosenthal
Inside Burgundy
Jasper Morris
Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine 2022
Hugh Johnson
The Wines of Burgundy
Laurent Gotti, Sylvain Pitiot
The Initiates: A Comic Artist and a Wine Artisan Exchange Jobs
Etienne Davodeau
Chéri
Colette