Have left Alsace in the Colmar region and now in Beaune. Hot and sunny and the hundreds upon hundreds of fields flowing with the vines of multiple varieties of ripe grapes are beginning to be hand harvested. Today we spent the morning in the open market sampling fromage et vin. Just leaving the castle estate of Comte de Ternay. His family has owned the 75 acres of vineyards and land since the 12 century. A blessing and a curse perhaps maintaining such tradition while paying property taxes and constantly restoring the crumbling walls of the turrets and towers. The Count welcomed us into his castle home sharing his cultural and ancestry. We in turn purchased bottles of his delicious white wine hoping our euros might contribute to his ongoing restoration as he contributed to our education.
