August 2 - Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Festival

What a great way to spend our last full day in Provence! The Wine Festival at Châteauneu-du-Pape is a 3-day event with a medieval twist. The regional wines here require 13 different kinds of grapes and are considered one of the worlds best wines. There are wine festivals celebrated in all of the wine making villages in the region, in celebration of the ripening of the grape to yield a good harvest. Châteauneuf is renowned as one of the best of the wine festivals in Southern France, where there is steep competition. Each year during early August the whole village of Châteauneuf du Pape gets together and welcomes people from far and near to celebrate in her streets live street performances, wine tasting and music.

It is a traditional festival with joustings, horse riding, jugglers, fire eaters, sword fights and a medieval style carnival. During the festival a fountain spouts out free wine for visitors to make merry. The Pope who owned this chateau even makes an appearance each year!

We did our share of sampling, bought a few bottles of our favourite for dinner and then returned to the villa for a light dinner at sunset. Tomorrow we journey home to Seattle for a 3-week stay in Suncadia and a visit with our kids. This second chapter of our travels has been truly excellent.

The remains of the castle at Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Wine cellar stop in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Good tastings!

Great tastings with Vicki & Tim on our last day in Provence

Check out the pope’s Groovy shoes!

Medieval costumes were spectacular at the wine festival