It's no secret that we love cheese (the clue is in the name!), but wine has always been a big part of our trips. When we visit a cheese region, we often find ourselves surrounded by vineyards. As the old saying goes, what grows together, goes together!
So we are very excited to be running a new wine and food trip this fall and next year to Burgundy, or as the French would say 'Bourgogne'. I'm delighted to be hosting this epicurean adventure in the land of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay this October with Bryan and Andrea McGinness, who own WineStyles. What they don't know about wine isn't worth knowing!
And next year the tour will also be joined by cheese expert Tenaya Darlington, AKA Madame Fromage. She knows her way around a cheese counter like nobody else!
We'll be staying in the stunning Chateau de Montrevost with our private chefs and have an exciting line up of trips and activities organized. Everything from visiting wine producers and cheesemakers to cookery demonstrations and tasting masterclasses. These include a visit to the caves of renowned fromager Hervé Mons for an exclusive tasting, plus a private invitation from the chateau’s owner to sample his personal collection of Grand Cru wines.
If you love a glass of the good stuff, then this is not to be missed.
Bourgogne - Franche Comté Tour
OCTOBER 2024: October 21 - November 1, 2024
MAY 2025: May 14 - May 25, 2025
Double occupancy: $8,950 per person (single and double beds)
Single occupancy: $9,950 per person
Where we stay: the gorgeous Chateau de Montrevost
Burgundy's most famous cheese: Époisses
Taste a world champion cheese
in a mountain cave
Gourmino's mountain caves for cheese maturing. Photo credit: Tom Trachsel
We're always on the hunt for great cheeses. So our ears pricked up when we heard that a cave-aged Swiss Gruyère had been named the best cheese on the planet at the World Cheese Awards in 2022.
It's a remarkable cheese full of deep and complex flavors, which is aged by expert affineur (maturer) Gourmino for over a year in a unique cheese cave in the Swiss Alps. Once we tasted it, we knew we had to share the joy. So we will be visiting Gourmino's caves, hidden deep beneath a mountain, as part of our tours to France and Switzerland in the fall and next year.
On the way to the cave. Photo credit: Tom Trachsel
These mountain trips are among our most popular for good reason. They take in the stunning Savoie region of France, home to Beaufort, Reblochon and tartiflette, before hopping over the border to Switzerland, the land of Gruyère, Emmental and fondue.
Our stay includes visits to Alpine cheesemakers and affineurs, cheese and wine masterclasses and a hike in the foothills of Mont Blanc. Guests also get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of a cow parade in the Swiss Alps, when cows sporting garlands of flowers are brought down from their summer pastures in the mountains.
Next year's trip will also include a tour of the Jura, where we will get underneath the rind of classics such as Comté and Morbier.
Come get a taste of the high life!
Savoie, France & Switzerland Cow Parade
SEPTEMBER 2024: September 11 - September 22 , 2024
Jura, Savoie, France & Switzerland Cow Parade
SEPTEMBER 2025: September 2 - September 13, 2025
Double Occupancy: $8,950 per person
Single Occupancy: $9,950 per person
Meet the Mary Poppins of Cheese!
Cheese Journeys wouldn't happen without the passion of our wonderful team, so I wanted to introduce you to some of the people that make our trips so special over the next few newsletters.
And where better to start than with Jilly Sitch AKA the Mary Poppins of Cheese! Jilly is my right-hand woman, who earned her nickname thanks to her British charm, stylish fashion sense and can-do attitude, which means she is prepared for every eventuality. If you need something on one of our tours, Jilly is the person to ask. She even has a carpet bag full of useful things (although we have yet to see a hat stand!)
You can meet the rest of our team here.
Where will cheese take you in 2025?
We have plenty of other incredible journeys organised for next year.
Netherlands & Belgium: Cheese, Chocolate & Brews
April 30 - May 10, 2025
A unique journey of food and drink discovery in the Low Countries, from Gouda and artisan chocolate to Belgian ales and (hopefully) tulips in bloom!
Northern Italy: Piedmont and Lake Country
June 10 - June 21, 2025
Discover fine wine, truffle hunting and slow cheese in Piedmont. Plus Lombardy and the Lakes (the home of George Clooney, Gorgonzola, and Taleggio!)
A British Cheese Odyssey: London, Somerset & Bath
October 12 - October 19, 2025
A deep dive into British cheese, taking in London's Borough Market and Neal's Yard Dairy, plus a cheesemakers' dinner at a manor house in Somerset
We also run private tours for groups of our foodie friends. We're thrilled to be taking guests from Plums Cooking Company and Savory Gourmet on exclusive and bespoke Cheese Journeys in France, Switzerland and Italy in the next few years. Get in touch if you would like to find out more about these trips or how to go about organizing your own.
If you're interested in coming on a tour and want to know more, drop me an email (anna@cheesejourneys.com)
Best Wishes!
Anna Juhl
Founder & Owner of Cheese Journeys
