Bordeaux Round Deux

A Place So Nice, You Gotta Go Twice

Or three times. And maybe four. 
Back in April, we went to this great B&B in Bordeaux (L'Autre Vie) while Brandon and Carrie were visiting. Needless to say, we had an amazing time and decided we should return asap. We determined that September would be perfect so we could catch the big wine harvest festival they put on in Saint Emillion every year. Well, being the super fantastic friends they are, they secretly booked us in at the B&B for the weekend of the festival as a thank-you for staying with us in Paris. An unnecessary, over-the-top, but truly fantastic thank-you! 
So, thanks to B & C, we returned to L'Autre Vie a couple weeks ago and, not shockingly, had another WONDERFUL experience.

Bright and early 7:00 am train out of Paris. We managed not to miss it this time - woooo!

 Wasting no time. We headed straight into St Emillion for lunch and some of our favorite wine.

 The fabulous L'Autre Vie

 View from our room

Excellent way to enjoy an afternoon coffee break (short break, you have to get right back to the wine tasting)

 Which we did. Thanks to Justin, one half of the awesome Aussie hosts at L'Autre Vie (soon to be one  third :)). He tasked us with the terribly difficult challenge of helping taste the possible wine selections for the B&B. Rough life. 

 Their neighbor came by with a very special delivery while we were there. These beautiful tomatoes. I will be chasing the taste of these tomatoes for the rest of my life, I'm sure. I used to not even like tomatoes! Since eating this, I've had tomatoes everyday. Unbelievable. 

 The village of Saint Emillion

The Jurade getting ready for the fireworks show. 

The Jurade is a group of top wine makers in St Emillion that have been around since the 12th century. Their role, as I understand it, is to protect the traditions of the wine making process there. They are honored every year during the harvest kick-off.

 Our favorite chateau that we visited. It's gorgeous! Supposedly these vineyards sit on land that was farmed by the Romans. Maybe that's what makes the wine so delicious?

 The Jurade taking their position at the top of the tower for the balloon release, which officially begins harvest season.

 The bests hosts in the world - Vanessa and Justin 

How cute is this soon-to-be momma??

Oh, and totally random... We were walking along a back street in this tiny village and we hear "Kyle? Kyle Close?" It was a girl that Kyle had a couple classes with in high school that is now living in Saint Emillion! Can you even believe that?! I'm not sure what the odds of that happening are, but I'm sure they aren't great. Amazing.

Bisous!
Maygan