The Dopff family has operated this winery for 13 generations. Today, three generations work side-by-side. Aside from award-winning wines, Dopff’s claim to fame was pioneering now-common Crémant d’Alsace. In the early 1900’s, Julien Dopff attended a seminar on Champagne-making and decided to give it a try with Alsatian wine. After training for two years in […]
Archive | Destinations RSS feed for this section
Riquewihr Macaroons
These sugary treats have been a Riquewihr tradition since coconut was introduced here in the early 1700’s. Just try walking through the town and resisting; it’s impossible! The alluring scent wafts into every corner and before you know it, you’ll be picking a flavorful assortment.
Riquewihr, France
Riquewihr is a storybook-like medieval town situated between the Vosges mountains and the Alsatian plains. Ramparts enclose the small town center, which consists of narrow lanes, serene courtyards and bright, half-timbered houses. Riquewihr is part of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France) association. It’s easy to see why. Riquewihr […]
Mittelbergheim and Domaine Armand Gilg
Quiet hillside village Mittelbergheim is less showy than other Alsace towns, with buildings in subdued earth hues and red roofs. The star grape here is Sylvaner, an ancient variety that has long been grown in Central Europe. The main attraction in town is Domaine Gilg. This small family-run (16 generations!) winery produces grand cru sylvaners, […]
Alsace and Route des Vins
Alsace is a curious, appealing mix of German and French dialects, cuisines and aesthetics. Foie gras and sauerkraut are offered next to wine and beer, and many of the homes are clustered in colorful half-timbered blocks. The best way to see Alsace is on the Route des Vins d’Alsace, which winds through steep vineyards, castle-topped […]
Château de Chillon
13th-century Château de Chillon is worth seeing. Even if you’re completely castled-out (understandable while touring this region), Chillon warrants a stop if, for nothing else, than to see what Byron was so enraptured by. Chillon is a well-preserved medieval castle that majestically perches over the lake amidst thick trees and snow-covered, craggy mountains. The château […]
Nyon
Though much of Nyon is appealing sloping vineyards, fields and forests, the small town center on Lake Geneva is even more lovely. Nyon has been around since at least the 300’s. Excavations have turned up artifacts from the times of the Celtic Helvetians and the Romans. In the 13th century, the Counts of Savoy built […]
Château de Coppet
The château we see today was completed in the 17th century, but was not made famous until the 18th century when Jacques Necker, Louis XVI’s minister of finance, retired to Coppet and purchased it. It was originally part of a 13th century fortified castle. Necker’s daughter Germaine (known as Madame de Staël), who was famous […]
Coppet
One short, arcaded main street and a slice of lakefront makes Coppet a quick stop. Coppet was first mentioned in written records in the 13th century. It has an area of 1.9 square kilometers.
Céligny
Céligny is a serene little enclave with one main street, vast meadows and imposing woods. Céligny’s notable resident is Richard Burton, who is buried in the Vieux Cimitière.
