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An Insider's Burgundy
Experience the best of Burgundy with Stoller winemaker Kate Payne-Brown
June 11 - 17, 2022
One Exclusive Departure
7 Days, 6 Nights
Beaune, Santenay, Marey-lès-Fussey, Dijon
Price from
$10,000
Per person, based on double occupancy
Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018
The chandelier light twinkles in your glass of Grand Cru, as a cool whisper of the cloister stones brushes against your skin like a 750-year-old caress. You’re in one of the world’s most exclusive wine clubs for a night, capping several days of tasting, learning, savoring and exploring the best of Burgundy: truffle hunts to hot-air balloon rides, and meeting some of the region’s iconic winemakers. You sip your velvety red–chosen from caged cellars of this ancient building–and let it linger in your mouth for a moment. It’s Burgundy, experienced through the eyes of an award-winning winemaker with deep Oregon connections. Before the night’s done you know you’ll never taste a Pinot noir the same way again.
Your companion on this incredible adventure is Kate Payne-Brown, winemaker at Stoller Family Estate and vineyard in Oregon’s Dundee Hills. Voted Oregon’s Most Admired Winery four years in a row, Stoller is also the first winery in the world to receive a LEED Gold certification for environmental stewardship. Kate is a frequent visitor to Burgundy, with a passion for turning out award-winning vintages that underscores her gift for bringing the story of the land and vines to your lips.
If you love wine, this incredible trip is for you. We’ll connect with Burgundian masters to taste and learn together, and explore the fine details of the region in ways no other traveler can. If you consider yourself a foodie or are fascinated by how history links places together, you’ll relish every minute of this voyage. And come back with a deeper knowledge of and appreciation for Burgundy and Oregon vintages.
Celebrate
A singular opportunity to meet, learn, laugh and drink with top vintners and wine lovers
Savor
Exclusive menus and pairings crafted just for us by winemakers and local chefs
Deeper
Go behind the scenes at iconic châteaux, and meet some of the region's winemakers
Explore
The French countryside, hunt truffles with dogs in tow, visit markets and medieval villages
3 Reasons to Travel with Stoller
From South Australia to Oregon to France, Kate Payne-Brown has spent years studying and harvesting grapes. Her passion for wine runs as deep as the rooted vines of beautiful Burgundy, which she visits frequently. Kate is the winemaker at Stoller Family Estate in Oregon’s Dundee Hills, and somebody who knows her way around a Grand Cru.
Master Storyteller
Kate greets a bottle of Stoller 2014 Chardonnay like an old friend. She considers herself a wine storyteller whose job is to capture the story or each harvest and vintage.
Having It All
Kate is a successful female winemaker in a male-dominated industry and a mom to two young boys. Kate’s a pioneering advocate for a welcoming space in the wine world that allows women to do both.
Passion & Purpose
Kate is always searching for something new. “I like to tell the story of the vineyard and the vintage without a lot of noise. And as you gain more experience and more perspective, you’re able to color outside the lines, creating something that's a time capsule for that vintage in that place, at that time. It's magical.”
Your Experience
“Burgundy is like seeing old friends. There's an excitement and loveliness that comes with going to Burgundy every year.”
Beaune, Santenay, Dijon
“There are many ways to the recognition of truth, and Burgundy is one of them.”
Day by Day
This joyous week of Burgundy means exclusive tastings and personal connections with local winemakers, along with cultural immersions as we go truffle hunting and take it all in by hot-air balloon.
Day 1
Bienvenue to Burgundy! We’ll meet up with Kate at our hotel and, because it’s market day, we’ll join the locals coming from nearby villages to peruse foraged mushrooms, barrels of cured olives, sausages direct from the charcuterie farms, and even the odd table of antiques. It’s the perfect way to start our incredible week together.
Next we head to Château de Gilly, a former medieval residence of Cistercian monks dating back to the 14th century. We’re here for lunch on the terrace of this historic chateau, set in the wine-gowing town of Vougeot, and for our first taste of Burgundy’s world-class reds and whites. After lunch and some downtime, we reconvene for a private tasting at Maison Albert Bichot, an icon since 1831 with the sixth generation of Bichots currently at the helm. We’ll be welcomed warmly for a tour and tasting, including some direct from the barrel. We end our first day with an intimate dinner at le Caveau des Arches in a beautiful 17th-century vault. We’re joined by Kate’s friend, wine mentor and Burgundy expert, who will share his passion for Burgundy with us.
Day 2
Today we’ll discover Burgundy’s countryside charm: cruising on e-bikes, climbing up gentle hills and cycling between rows of grapevines and by hamlets of red-roofed stone cottages. Along the way we’ll stop to taste wines at select châteaux, before finishing with a luxurious countryside picnic. In the afternoon, we visit Beaune’s 15th-century wine cellars of a Gothic hospital-turned museum, the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune. The first plantings were in 1457; almost six centuries later, it remains one of Burgundy’s most esteemed names. We’ll enjoy rare access to the private cellars and an exclusive tasting with head winemaker Ludivine Griveaux.
Dinner is a private affair in a 15th-century turreted castle, Château de la Crée in nearby Santenay, with time to take strolls among the vines, and explore the underground cellars while we taste—followed by an incredible private dinner.
Day 3
After a leisurely morning at our hotel, we meet up with Olivier Leflaive for an insider’s exploration of Burgundy. Olivier is a Chardonnay expert from one of the most venerable families in Puligny-Montrachet, the former head winemaker at Domaine Leflaive and, today, the creative visionary behind his own Maison Olivier Leflaive. Olivier will lead us on an extended walking tour of vineyards and cellars, and join us for a six-course lunch and wine pairing.
After our leisurely lunch, a celebration of everything we’ve experienced so far, we return to Beaune with a stop en route at Domaine Matrot. This sixth-generation family estate has exceptional holdings in the Côte de Beaune, and is managed by two women—a rarity in Burgundy—Elsa (a close friend of Kate’s) and Adèle Matrot, daughters of current owners Thierry and Pascale. We’ll tour the estate and, of course, sample a selection of their award-winning whites and reds. We’ll be glad for some time to rest and relax back at our hotel in Beaune, where we have the evening to dine in one of the town’s many atmospheric brasseries.
Day 4
Today we achieve the pinnacle of DIY gastronomy. After a short drive into the beautiful countryside of Marey-lès-Fussey, we head by foot into hazel, hornbeam and black pine forests to root out the most special of funguses: the summer black truffle. Digging in the soft soil this morning–with an enthusiastic truffle-hunting dog in tow–will inspire plenty of laughter and connection to nature. Our lunch, full of fungi-inspired delights, is a showcase of truffles over five delicious courses.
Dinner will be another private–and grand–affair at the majestic Château de Meursault. Its cellars date back to the 12th century and hold 800,000 bottles of wine. We finish with a low-key ramble around its beautiful, fountain-filled grounds.
Day 5
We’ve covered so much ground that it’s time to see it from high above by balloon, on an early morning flight with big Burgundy views. We’ll slowly drift over red-roofed country homes and fairytale châteaux, over craggy stone walls, rows of luscious grape vines, and dark bouquets of trees where–we now know–truffles hide out. We gently reach the ground, where glasses of sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne greet us for a celebratory toast before returning to Beaune, where you’ll have time to lunch at your leisure.
After this extraordinary morning, we’ll walk from our hotel to Maison Drouhin, a familiar name to Oregonians. We’ll be treated to a private guided visit of the cellar, followed by a tasting of the vintner’s exceptional wines, learning about the similarity between these French mades, and Drouhin’s Oregon ones. You’re free this evening in Beaune, to dine and wander the cobblestone streets under moon glow.
Day 6
This morning we’re off to explore Dijon, famed for its food and history (and, yes, its mustard!). Strolling past cathedrals, gardens and gated townhouses, we hit the city’s lively 19th-century covered market and sample the city’s famous pain d’epice (French-style gingerbread), whetting our appetite for a traditional Dijonaise lunch at a beloved bistro just past its 150th birthday.
On our return to Beaune, in the village of Morey-Saint-Denis, we stop for a vineyard visit and tasting at Domaine Magnien, where father-and-son team of Michel and Frédéric Magnien share a vision for the Grands Crus of the Côte de Nuits. They bottle entire harvests by themselves, using certified biodynamic practices and an élevage using only used oak and clay jars. The results are stunning.
Back in Beaune, we’ll take an elegant apertif in the cave of Hotel Le Cep and then wander over for to Loiseau de Vignes for our farewell dinner—sublime French cuisine paired with wines so exquisite we may never want to leave.
Day 7
Today we bid adieu to Kate and to each other. After breakfast at the hotel, we pack up our wines and start the voyage home by driving back to Paris with our new friends and even more memories from our incredible week together in Burgundy. Bon voyage!
Where We Sleep
The easy elegance, family-run service and heritage of Hotel Le Cep show off the best of Burgundy. It’s no wonder that it’s become a Beaune institution.
Hôtel Le Cep
BeauneTwo 16th-century mansions were united via their courtyards to form the exquisite, wine-centric Hôtel Le Cep. You’ll feel the heartbeat of Beaune here and be steps away from the city’s top sights and shopping, all within historic architecture that dates as far back as the Middle Ages.
Hôtel Le Cep's lauded spa, tree-shaded courtyard and subterranean caveaux make the hotel itself a place to explore. You’ll be surrounded by lush antiques but the rooms have plenty of modern comforts to create a restful place to relax and unwind each day.
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The food and wine were fantastic!
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Our trip was superbly well-organized, with great local guides and incredible access.
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I want everyone to have this experience.
Book Burgundy with Stoller Family Estate
Questions?
We have answers! Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure trip specialist.
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What does the price include?
Six nights at a unique 5-star accommodation; private travel for all day trips and excursions; departure airport transfer; private tours with locals guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities and exclusive private tours and activities; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals; gratuities for local staff.
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What does the price not include?
International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; transportation to the trip start; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverage not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.
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Where does this trip start and end?
Our adventure begins and ends at Hôtel Le Cep in Beaune. We recommend booking flights to/from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. On the final day of our trip, we will organize a group transfer from Beaune to Paris. The specific time of this transfer will be determined after we’ve gathered all guests’ flight times to ensure the best schedule for the group. Please note that it is your responsibility to arrange transportation to Beaune at the start of our trip.
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What travel documents are needed?
US citizens are not required to have a visa for stays in France under 90 days. Just bring a valid US passport. For citizens of other countries, please check with the French Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.
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Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?
For solo travelers, there is an $1,500 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. These spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Who is going on this trip?
Our adventures typically have between 10 and 18 guests, plus our Modern Adventure team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.
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Who is leading this trip?
This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure trip leader. They’re an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.
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Do I need travel insurance?
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.
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What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel before February 11, 2022 and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after February 12, 2022, there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after April 12, 2022 there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (see our Terms and Conditions for full details).