Lot-et-Garonne : The Maison des Vins de Duras (the Duras wine marketing board & boutique) officially inaugurated its new tourist information activity today.
Several dozen children with helmets on their heads, park their bicycles at the entrance to the tasting room ready to sip grape juice. Another group wander through the new Vine Garden, a mini-park surrounding the building. The children study the educational signposts showing the vine-plant's life cycle and, pen in hand, fill in a quiz.
These young cyclists were welcomed by the Maison des Vins de Duras last week during the annual cyclo-tourist circle organised by the Lot-et-Garonne Educational League.
"We aim to provide a welcoming and educational platform with fun activities for families. Because France is a country for children," explains Corinne Lacombe, who is in charge of the "Maison" which was opened in 2002.
The boutique stocks around one hundred bottles produced by some 200 producers. A fee tasting can be enjoyed and the average price per bottle is 4 euros.
The Appellation Controlée Duras region boasts a vineyard of 2 000 hectares (2 thirds red wine, 1 third white) and was awarded AOC status 70 years ago.
"We are making wine tourism our priority", says Marie-José Bireaud, President of this AOC geographically hemmed in between Bordeaux and Bergerac. Indeed, in addition to their Vine Garden with its thousand vine-plants, fruit trees, picnic areas and "winemakers discovery trail" which now includes the superb medieval castle, visitors can also enjoy the "Keys to the Vineyard" exhibition on the second floor. This educational, inter-active exhibition organised in association with Cap Sciences, concentrates on the taste and aromas of wine.
Duras wine growers also have an excellent reputation when it comes to welcoming visitors in a relaxed atmosphere. There is also a large choice of local restaurants in the area which is approximately 35 minutes from Bergerac Airport. The beautiful villages of southern Gironde and Perigord also attract tourists. Bergerac and Duras are now working on a dual "wine route".
Other vineyards aiming to develop their "wine-tourism" potential (even the mighty Bordeaux) should look to Duras for ideas. Investment need not be an obstacle : Duras invested 170 000 euros in the aforementionned projects, part of which were financed by subsidies.
César Compadre S.O. 17/06/08
Translated by Maxine Colas.
doc@sudouest.com