Coal Miner?

Check out Martin's hands! They have been like this for the past four weeks. You'd think he works in a coal mine and never washes his hands. Too many remontages (pumpovers)... He did 16 tanks today! We did find a solution... Fresh lemon juice seems to do the trick, but he has to debate whether it's worth the pain of citrus in all the cuts. (He has been healing a half-inch slice on his right pointer finger.)





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Location:Chemin des Champs,Tournon-sur-Rhône,France

Le Glacerie

Today after work, we stopped for a little afternoon snack at a local glacerie that we spotted yesterday. Sitting outside, Kate enjoyed a scoop of chocolate ice cream and a glass of red wine, while Martin had mango-passionfruit sorbet with a crisp white wine. It was the best homemade ice cream we have found so far. We will definitely be back...





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Location:Chemin des Champs,Tournon-sur-Rhône,France

Le Grand Anniversaire de Martin

This weekend we celebrated Martin's quarter of a century birthday. For his actual birthday on Friday, post-work, we enjoyed a bottle of Chapoutier at a cafe in Tournon overlooking the river towards Tain l'Hermitage. Later we were joined by another intern, so of course we had another glass of marsanne, which cost 2 euros per glass! Corinne made an incredible dinner that concluded with a cake made of Valhrona chocolate. Martin blew out all 25 candles in one breath! 

Saturday, we continued at work, receiving both red and white grapes. At about 7pm, we headed to a small town in the Ardeche called Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux where we stayed for the night (compliments of Martin's parents). Our hotel was adorable, typical Provencal, and the service was excellent. We wandered down to the village and found the main plaza where we ate dinner outside. 

Sunday, we headed to the Gorge de L'Ardeche for a 24km canoe trip. Kate claimed the back position for herself (per the suggestion of Guillaume who said you get soaked in the front spot). After zig-zagging our way across a still, wide river, we realized Guillaume had played a prank on Kate... knowing that she wasn't strong enough to maneuver the canoe, and ultimately we would spend our day trying to master the art of canoe steering. (This is the man we live with... our days are full of hysterical pranks!) So about 15 minutes into our trip, we switched and Kate perched herself in front. 

The views of the gorge were amazing! After each corner, we came to another beautiful granite face. 

Around 2pm, we spotted a large granite slab ideal for lunch. Martin hoisted the canoe up on the rock and we sat down for a delicious picnic of bread, cheese, tomato, peach, chocolate and a white Cote-du-Rhone. 

We arrived safely from our trip, although a little tired and sore arms. Sitting in the car was a nice relief, and we sipped on two complimentary lemon sodas. Our GPS guided us back home, but along the way, she took us down a road that was similar (if not more curvy) to Lomard Street in San Francisco. Of course this road had a speed limit of 90kph; we maxed at 40, and it was a two-lane road... barely. We switched back and forth numerous times before arriving in a tiny village with an incredible chateaux perched on the hilltop. We couldn't help but to stop and snap photos. It made us even more excited for our travels after our stagiere. 

Wonderful way to start Martin's next quarter of a century. 

Tournon et Tain-L'Hermitage

On our first day off we took the luxury of sleeping until 9! So nice. Then Kate played with the girls and Martin watched the rugby word cup with Guillaume. France won! Then we both went for a walk with Anna to the top of the hill, through the vineyards, overlooking the Rhone Valley.



We played "follow the leader" the entire way home. (Anna didn't share her leadership responsibilities once. And yes, Martin even participated in the Lady Gaga dancing and singing.)

Afterwards, we went to Tournon with everyone. We took a lot of pics and crossed the foot bridge to Tain-L'Hermitage.



Back to work tomorrow. Bonne nuit.

Location:Chemin des Champs,Tournon-sur-Rhône,France

très fatigué

Vendages is hard work! 10 straight days of work are closed by a 12 1/2 hour day of doing pump overs, unloading 200 tons of grapes, loading the press, cleaning tanks, taking samples, testing ph and conductivity, and many other fun activities. But regardless of how tired we are, we are having lots of fun and learning daily.
Tomorrow is finally our first day off! We are not quite sure what we are going to do, but we'll try taking some pictures. Hopefully the rain will stop by tomorrow. Can't complain there either because the weather has been amazing since we arrived. Any suggestions for a day trip around here?

Here is Kate loading the press with Jo



All the brand new barrels Martin helped unpack, mark, and organize.

Location:Chemin des Champs,Tournon-sur-Rhône,France

Wine showers

We know that we haven't posted much about our job. But let's just say that this is Martin's daily shower...



And below is a candid picture of Kate just strolling around the premises...jk she is working very hard moving lees.



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Location:Chemin des Champs,Tournon-sur-Rhône,France

Every morning

Rough life waking up to this view.



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Location:Chemin des Champs,Tournon-sur-Rhône,France

Could Martin Be...

The only driver?! Kate had her first driving lesson on a manual transmission today, and it wasn't exactly successful. She stalled about the same number of times she was successful. Martin is contemplating purchasing a neck brace for next time. 

Nous avons arrivé!

We are staying with Guillaume and Corinne along with their two girls Anna (9 years old) and Flor (2 years old). They live in the hills of the wine appellation, Saint Joseph, where we are perched in a home overlooking the Rhone Valley, and off in the distance you can see Mont Ventoux. The winery is 15 minutes away, and we've been working there since Thursday. I think our first day off is next Sunday. Here are a few photos of the house and the view. (Only a section of the house and our room is the one on the bottom.) Enjoy!

Who Says a GPS is Helpful?

Left Paris shortly after 15:30 and headed due south towards Lyon. We have a GPS in the car which can be a blessing and a curse... as you know. Nancy (as the GPS is named) got us to skirt Paris, which seemed wise as it was nearing peak rush hour. We had also printed directions, and Nancy wasn't following them but she spoke with such authority, we figured she had to know what she was doing. Our first sign that Nancy perhaps wasn't the best navigator should have been when the predicted arrival time was nearly midnight, when we expected to arrive by 20:00. Still we trudged forward with her guidance. After driving on a small country road with round-abouts every mile, we became suspicious. Then after leading us past the toll road that we thought she was leading us to, we shunned her to the glove compartment.

After cruising down the highway for awhile, we had the courage to investigate Nancy a little more... only to discover that she was programmed to avoid U-turns and toll roads! She was taking us 500+ km on small French roads! Fun later but not that trip.

Hello Paris

Arrived in Paris after quite a long journey... Two flights and a three hour layover in Dublin. Got our wheels for the next four months... Check her out! Off on our first driving adventure.


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Location:Rue Eugène Poubelle,Mauregard,France

Bye America!

We are in the airplane right now waiting to take off on our adventure. More updates to come. Arriving in Paris at 13:35 tomorrow. Au revoir!


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Location:Logan Airport