James Kinglake needs no introduction to Goedhuis customers. Matthew Jukes first alerted us to his delicious Domaine Begude Limoux chardonnay several vintages ago, and we have been devoted followers ever since.
In last week’s Sunday Independent Andy Lynes was singing their praises too. In particular their marvellous Etoile de Begude – handpicked from a single parcel of vines and aged gently in different sized oak barrels.
Lynes also mentions Domaine Gayda. Just down the road from James, Tim Ford and his incredibly charming wife Barbara are at the helm of this hugely impressive venture. They have taken inspiration from the South African model of wine tourism and combine very serious wine production with a stunning restaurant, wine school and luxury gites. They have many delicious wines, but their flagship red Chemin de Moscou is quite spectacular.
I stayed there during a wet windy June weekend last year and even in those inauspicious climatic conditions it was a brilliant place to stay. They were in the process of building a series of “paillotes” in the grounds – private open-sided cabins where they would be serving a barbecue menu. Given the quality of the cooking in the restaurant it is safe to say this will be barbecue, but not as we know it.
As the Michelin Guide would say, definitely worth a detour.