Chateau de Nitray

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On our last Sunday before school started, we headed out to Chateau de Nitray for a wine tasting. The Chateau was beautiful and the vineyards were enormous. The foundation for Nitray began in the 13th century and was reconstructed later in 1517. http://www.visit-chateau.com/ if you'd like to see more!
I don't know if I can do a good enough job explaining today, it was one of the funniest and strangest days of my life. To start, the people on the tour were all over the age of 45. As students, and Americans we noticeably stood out. We arrived and were poured wine immediately at 11am and then headed to the vineyard to cut grapes, which were pressed and we drank as grape juice later. After picking outside, a gourmet lunch was served inside the Chateau. It was a six course meal of salad, pate, bread, cheese, chicken, potatoes, cheese again, apple tart, and cafe. Since the meal was spread out over about 3 hours, everyone had plenty of time to drink the unlimited bottles of wine that were available. In between there was also dancing that occurred to an electric keyboard and accordion that played songs such as yankee doodle. Imagine at this point a large amount of wine-filled older Russian, French, Irish and Japanese people all dancing. All of us "kids" just sat in amazement and watched and tried to cover our drinks from getting more alcohol poured into them! After the tour guide decided everyone (except us) was drunk enough and he immediately led us outside and began rambling about the history of the land. After about a half hour of this the group had decreased in size and adults could be seen "sleeping" in the grass or lost wandering about. We were later given certificates of being official "wino's" and shuttled back on the bus for 4 hours.
I don't think this summary does the day justice, it started with an hour of song on the bus (hope to get a video up soon) and ended with a sore tummy from laughing the entire day.
I really loved taking pictures here, it was a gorgeous day and the landscape was stunning.
Tonight is finally a school night for me, I have my first class tomorrow and am really excited to get started! I miss my mom's cooking- there aren't many vegetables or fruits served here in Paris!
Miss you all and love you lots!

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Photos

Chateau
perfectly wrapped

Buckets
Grape collection

Chateau
Our awesome shoe covers

Chateau
Mama and puppy playing

Chateau
Pigeonnerie, no joke, they bred pigeons.

Dancing
Just the start of the dancing

Comments

[Maman]

Du Vin Rouge ou blanc?
I think you did a great job in your description. I was laughing out loud as I read it! Vive la france! (et les russians, japanese et al)

[Laura]

Sounds familiar somehow...
drunk, middle aged people spontaneously dancing? Where have I seen that before...oh yeah, my kitchen. It sounds tremendous, Kaitlin! I hope your first day of class is going (has gone) well. Baker Hill misses you. xo