Yellow Road

For the first time on the Yellow Road, winemakers from Lebanon, Bekaa Valley.
Lebanon, in ancient times Phenicia, is considered the most likely homeland of wine. In the ancient world, it was the Phoenician wine, long before the glory of phalern, Cypriot and Chios wines, that was considered the best and most desirable product for the Egyptian, Greek, and then Roman nobility.

Zahlé is the capital and the largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 120,000 inhabitants, it is the third largest city in Lebanon after Beirut and Tripoli.
Zahlé is located 55 km east of the capital Beirut, close to the Beirut-Damascus road, and lies at the junction of the Lebanon mountains and the Beqaa plateau, at a mean elevation of 1,000 m. Zahlé is known as the "Bride of the Beqaa" and "the Neighbor of the Gorge" for its geographical location and attractiveness, but also as "the City of Wine and Poetry"It is famous throughout Lebanon and the region for its pleasant climate, numerous riverside restaurants and quality arak. Its inhabitants are predominantly Greek Catholic and are known as Zahlawis.


Yellow Road Questions answered by Khalil WARDY, General Manager


1 - The western Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, stretching between the mountain ranges of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon, has been home to the vine for 6000 years ... Probably these were the oldest vineyards in the world?
Your vineyards are in the Beqaa Valley. Is the Beqaa Valley located at an altitude of 900 - 1000 meters above sea level? What is the beauty of wine made from grapes grown at such a height?
Geologically speaking the Beqaa Valley is a continuation of the fault that separated Africa from Asia… Red Sea – Dead Sea – Jordan Valley – Beqaa Valley.
It’s a high altitude plateau of 900-1200 meters above sea level separating the two mountain ranges of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon that act as boundaries protecting the valley from the Mediterranean humidity to the west and desert heat to the east.
It receives enough rain in winter to nourish the many springs and subterranean water supply that is used for irrigation during the dry summer months.
The valley was the main source of grains to the Eastern Roman empire. It also produced grapes and opium. All three produce are carved on the entrance of the great temple of Bacchus, the god of wine, at Baalbeck; and all remain after more than 2000 years the main three produce of the Beqaa Valley… 2 legally and the 3rd illegally.

The Beqaa Governorate constitutes the valley floor as well as the slopes of the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges, which rise to an altitude of 2800m above sea level.

The Mediterranean climate, rainy and snowy in winter but completely dry in summer, with a large diurnal range is perfect for growing grapes. During the growing season temperatures can reach the mid 30s during the day thus achieving full ripening of the fruits, and drop down to the teens during the night thus retaining some acidity and freshness.
Our vineyards are mainly located in the central Beqaa around the city of Zahle, although we do have some in the Western Beqaa to the south and the Northern Beqaa next to the ancient city of Baalbeck. We have plans to plant new vineyards in 2020-2022 at high altitudes (1400m and above) on the eastern and western slopes. Once all these vineyards are planted we will have 35 hectares of vines.


2 - You are the fourth generation winemakers, but your winery is only 21 years old. Was your vineyard elsewhere? And why did you come to the Beqaa Valley?
We can trace our history in wine and arak making back to our great grandfather (from my mothers’ side of the family) who started a winery and distillery in Zahle in 1881. Both our parents’ families were involved in agriculture, arak, wine and food.

Our grandfather moved to Aleppo in Syria and started a winery/distillery over there while my father emigrated to Australia and opened a restaurant in Sydney. On his return he became a partner in Lebanon leading arak company “Gantous & Abou Raad” (established in 1893); we started producing wine in 1997 after we bought the full shares of the “Gantous & Abou Raad” company.


3- Dear Khalil, have you dreamed of becoming a winemaker from a young age? Or your choice was formed in more mature years?
Our winemaker is Diana Salameh Khalil who studied and worked in Burgundy before joining
our team in 2002.

4 - I want to acquaint readers of the Yellow Road with your achievements. Could you comment on several awards whose logos are posted on your site
(https://www.domainewardy.com/pages/our-international-awards-and-honorable-mentions)


Over the years our wines and araks have won around 200 medals and awards in international competitions, we are particularly proud of the IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition) Trophy we won this year for our Indigenous grape white wine Obeidi.


5 - Please tell about your program: Domaine Wardy Club
The Domaine Wardy Club is designed for people who wish to buy online from our website and commit to three orders per year, they become our club members and will get their wines delivered to their address in Lebanon, they will also be entitled to discounts and have priority access to museum stock and special events.


6 - I have a standard question: List, if possible, a set (gift box) of three or four of your own wines (red and white), which, in your opinion, can decorate the "poster" of your farm.
But you have an interesting set of DW - 6Pack Club ... And what kind of wine is this in a tall yellow bottle?
Since 2019, you have changed labels on wines. For example, I really liked your “old” label on Beqaa Valley Red. Will the “old” labels remain on any bottles?
In 2018 we decided that the brand needs a major facelift and started working with the designer Tarek Atrissi who created a new logo for the brand as well as new labels for the wines (work still in progress).
We produce 4 sets of wines: Single-varieties, unoaked blends, oaked blends, limited editions.
The Single-varieties: eventually will be a set of 9 wines: 4 whites – Chardonnay, Obeidi, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier; 5 reds – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo.
The labels for this set are intended to give as much information about each variety as possible.
The design, Middle-eastern mosaics indicating the origin of the wine – Lebanon.
The colors of each are related to the aromatic and flavor profile for each variety.
The wood texture, or lack of it, indicates whether the wine has been oaked or not.




The unoaked blends: a set of 3 wines – white, red and rosé.
The labels are color-coded, inspired by vine tendrils and spell “Wardy” in Arabic.

The oaked blends: Chateau les Cedres (red) and Perle du Chateau (white), yet to be re-designed.

The limited editions: Private Selection Red, an unfiltered blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; Private Selection White (still in the old label), a wonderfully aromatic blend of Muscat and Viognier.

All the bottles will be unified by an artisanal rose (Wardy means rose in Arabic) in honor of our great-great-grand mother who was the matriarch of the family and whose first name was Wardy.


7 - Your vineyard is located next to Zahle City. Can it be reached on foot? Are there any restrictions on travellers in Lebanon these days?
Our winery and some of the vineyards are in and around the city of Zahle, the capital of the Beqaa. They are easily accessible, and we welcome visitors for wine tasting at our cellar in winter and at our vineyards in summer. The summer venue is a Bedouin tent that we erect in the vineyards next to our Arabian-horse stables (Wardy Stud).


8 - What is your choice for the Yellow Road?
For the Yellow Road, I will definitely choose our award-winning Obeidi in its two incarnations: as an oaked single-variety, and as part of our Beqaa Valley White unoaked blend (Obeidi-Viognier-Sauvignon Blanc).


9 - Which white wine producer (from Lebanon or another country) would you recommend for Yellow Road?
I’m very fond of an Australian Marsanne by Tahbilk winery, especially the “1927 vines Marsanne”.

10 - Do you have time for any cultural events?
Several years ago we commissioned artists to paint on our Jeroboam bottles that were auctioned at an impressive event, proceeds of which went for the Lebanese Red Cross and Syrian refugees, an event that we would like to repeat again.






I thank Rima Wardy, Managing Partner,
for helping prepare this publication.

Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road".
evtuhov@yahoo.com

Good news from Milan:
La Scolca winery celebrated its centenary with Bentley. Charming Chiara Soldati, the owner of a world-famous winery La Scolca with the Gavi Golden Bottle of the Gavi Black Label®
Our congratulations!


La Scolca and Bentley celebrated together - with the Gavi Golden Bottle of the Gavi Black Label®, the limited edition La Scolca created specifically for the centenary - the launch of the new Bentley Flying Spur presented on 6 November at Bentley's showroom in Milan, at a select audience of guests for an exclusive and refined event.

Excellence, style, dynamism and passion that go beyond time, fashions and boundaries. Two iconic brands that have been able to compete and conquer international markets thanks to their constant attention to innovation, technology and modernity, without sacrificing the taste for tradition and the expertise of artisans in the vineyard and in the factory.

Winery La Scolca - the very first participant in our project "Yellow Road"
https://www.obzor.lt/blogs/bp10429.html

Yellow Road Questions answered by Ruben Sabaté, CELLER CLOS93
A small interview with a small winery from a small Spanish town

1 - Why does your vineyard have such an unusual name CLOS93?
clos93 means that it is a family winery and that the vineyards are only property

2 - Please tell us about yourself and your role at the winery?
Enologist
3 - You have a small production. If not a secret, how many bottles of wine do you produce per year?
14.000 bottles.
4 - And how to survive such a small enterprise? Does your olive oil help?
In addition to my personal and family project in clos93 I advise on other wineries




5 - I liked both the shape of the bottles and the design of the labels. And who is the author of your design?
Yes, both the idea and the design of all the labels and images of the winery are mine

6 - This is not to say that you have cheap wines. But Garnatxa del Po costs 120 euros per bottle. Is this price due to a small circulation?
The price is marked by its exclusivity worldwide, there is only one ... worldwide. In addition, its elaboration is very careful and laborious since it is buried 2 meters deep underground in the vineyard, the cork used for this is the most expensive in the market, its packaging is also very careful and original, since its individual box is of clay made one by one manually by a craftsman potter. only 85 bottles sold almost all before coming to light.



7- And what is interesting about your other wines?
Each wine has its personal touch and they are worked differently, not only the varieties, but also the techniques used in both the vineyard and the winery

8 - You have the service "Wine Tourism". What dishes do you offer for wine?
Attached
9 - You can offer the most beautiful view (favorite point) of the vineyards or the surrounding landscape. May I ask you to take one or two photos of your favorite places?
Attached
10 - What is your choice for "Yellow Road"?
Vi de vila del Lloar

11 - What white wine producer (from Spain or another country) would you recommend for Yellow Road?
Clos Dominic White

12 - Do you think, for example, an exclusive sculpture could decorate your winery?
In my cellar are the best sculptures ... they are the old tools that my ancestors used to work the vineyard.

Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road"
evtuhov@yahoo.com

In Lithuania - the first monument to M. Cervantes!

The Obzor newspaper in Vilnius came out with the same headline. This newspaper is published in Russian in Lithuania. I am posting an article by the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Alexander Shahov, who reported on the Mažoji galerija in the early days of October.

"At the beginning of this week, a monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the world-famous Spanish writer, was inaugurated in Vilnius. The first in Lithuania!
This significant event in the field of culture was timed to the birthday of the author of the great Don Quixote.
Many residents of the Lithuanian capital, who consider themselves highly educated and culturally developed, may probably be surprised: how did they miss this fact!
No wonder! The opening of the monument in the Vilnius gallery “Mažoji galerija” was not reported in the news of the main television channels of Lithuania, the leading Lithuanian newspapers did not utter a word.
Most likely, they were embarrassed that the monument to the great Spaniard was made ... of plywood. Thick, three-centimeter, but still plywood.

But when you find out that the author of this unusual composition is the Vilnius artist and sculptor Sergey Evtuhov, who opened to us, as Obzor recently wrote, absolutely incredible pages from the life of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, possible questions disappear immediately. "



At the ceremony of presentation of the monument to M.Servantes S.Evtuhov mentioned two important points that greatly help to understand his work.
Sergey admitted that his favorite writers are Miguel Cervantes and Daniil Harms, and that the “parent” Don Quixote could not help but invest in the character of the hidalgo, in his attitude to the world, a considerable part of himself.
Perhaps the same can be said about the works of Sergey Evtuhov himself.
Here, say, an unusual solution to the monument to Cervantes: a flying horse and his horseman, standing firmly on the ground.
An impulse, a departure from everything ordinary and imposed, earthly? But the composition at the same time stands firmly on the ground with the feet of the same rider.

So S. Evtuhov, as if hovering above the earth on a horse of absurdity, is at the same time firmly standing on the ground. He simply suggests that we, following Harms’s example, not obey the stereotypes humbly imposed on us and invented by someone the rules of proper behavior, but create our own Universe, always be a creator, like an unbending Cervantes.
By the way, in the composition there is another curious symbol - the disproportionately small sword. S. Evtukhov explained its meaning, but each of us can have its own explanation. Why shouldn't we become creators, following the advice of the author of the first monument in Lithuania M. Servantes?






During the presentation of the plywood Cervantes, the author of the monument told the audience that books with the adventures of a cunning hidalgo, it turns out, are second only to the Bible in circulation. This alone makes us wonder: is it worth to consider Don Quixote simply, as they say now, a "fun"? However, we hope that only a small number of people who read the novel treat this way today. And those who have not yet met hidalgo and his faithful Sancho Pansa should obviously think about a more productive use of their free time.





Separately, it is worth emphasizing that in his opening remarks Sergey tried to name all those who helped him in realizing his next “Harms” idea. By the way, you should not, having trusted, as it were, the absolutely simple appearance of the composition, conclude that all the difficulty and time involved in the implementation of this project consisted exclusively in sawing out the “monument” with a jig saw.
Initially, an idea was born, and it was back in 2015. And for four years it crystallized in the author’s head. And then, after consulting with an expert in the field of woodworking, a “monument” began to be born. Or - a monument, without any quotation marks".

                                                                     Alexander SHAHOV ,
"Obzor"






Links to articles in the Obzor newspaper
https://www.obzor.lt/news/n53672.html
https://www.obzor.lt/news/n53861.html

Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road".
evtuhov@yahoo.com

This team - Joan and Teresa

Joan and Teresa are the soul of Carol Valles. They started the adventure. They forced her to be born with effort and sacrifice, and years later they reaped their rewards. Joan Carol, leading her and Theresa Valles, is always by her side.
Joan, after a long tradition of making cava for the family, decided to start her marketing in 1996. Always with the same philosophy: a long time aging cava and following the traditional method. He was the one who led the winery for the past 21 years. Who endowed her with a unique personality that characterizes Carol Valles: respect for nature, patience in development and respect for the territory.
Teresa, a school teacher, was always with Joan. Do what was necessary. Fitting, going to fairs, cleaning bottles until late at night, developing labels or accepting orders in private homes and commercial premises.
This team - Joan and Teresa - created what is now called Carol Valles.
Theresa Valles and Joan Carol , is always by her side.
Joan and Teresa are the soul of Carol Valles. They started the adventure. They forced her to be born with effort and sacrifice, and years later they reaped their rewards. Joan Carol, leading her and Theresa Valles, is always by her side.
Joan, after a long tradition of making cava for the family, decided to start her marketing in 1996. Always with the same philosophy: a long time aging cava and following the traditional method. He was the one who led the winery for the past 21 years. Who endowed her with a unique personality that characterizes Carol Valles: respect for nature, patience in development and respect for the territory.
Teresa, a school teacher, was always with Joan. Do what was necessary. Fitting, going to fairs, cleaning bottles until late at night, developing labels or accepting orders in private homes and commercial premises.
This team - Joan and Teresa - created what is now called Carol Valles.
Theresa Valles and Joan Carol , is always by her side.



In the history of the Yellow Road, this is not the first time a special guest has appeared. So one guest was from Sicily, a producer of unique olive oil. One guest from Tuscany: olive oil and a school of culinary excellence. The producer of red wine from Gorgana (Italy), who would like to produce white, but the grapes are not the same. But our guest today has white wine. And this wine even has yellow-green notes. But all the wines at the Cellers Carol Walles winery are sparkling. Therefore, to begin with, we decided to arrange a meeting with this Spanish winery under the heading: Special guests.


Why do you produce only sparkling wines?
(the representative of the winery "Cellers Carol Walles" Nil Surià answers my question)

We are a very small cellar focused on the production of very long aged high quality cavas. The fact that we focus on this very specific type of wines has one main reason: our wine region has a very old tradition of producing cava. This type of sparkling was very typically produced by farmers for their own consumption with the vines owned by the family. With time, this very artisanal wines ended up being commercialized. In our cellars, we try to keep this artisanal origins, keeping many manual processes. The aim to produce high quality artisanal cavas make it necessary to focus on a very specific product.









It is impossible to list here all the activities that the life of the winery is rich in:

Joan Carol will cook there in the courtyard of the winery, an assortment of seasonal mushrooms. After visiting the vineyards, the cellar, you can prepare an appetizer paired with three of the collection caves: Pit Roig, Pink Brut, Nature Reserve 2017, Pica Socks brut nature Gran Reserva 2015 and Gran Reserva Familiar Millenium 2019.





Between breakfast and lunch: brunch. And with KM0 products! The perfect combination in a privileged environment: vineyards. At Carol Vallès you will be offered the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic breakfast between the vineyards, combined with a guided tour of the cellar and its vineyards, where you can see every detail of the artisan cellar production process. The visit begins at the place where the long path of cava begins, with a guided tour of the ecological vineyards with late traditional cold meats among the vineyards. This activity will allow you to plunge into the history of Cava and the culture of its preparation, as well as enjoy breakfast with local products next to the impressive cellar vineyards.






If you like sweets and cava, you will not want to miss this. During this tasting, you will be offered to try the most unique caves paired with various sweets.

At this tasting, you will combine different hams with the most exclusive Carol Vallès caverns. You will discover the taste of acorn ham during a fun tasting and learn interesting facts about this world famous traditional meat.

And evenings of live music in the courtyard of the winery...



I thank
Nil Surià, spokesman for Bodega Cellers Carol Walles, for helping prepare this publication.
and site - https://workas.org/ - partner of this publication on the "Yellow Road"

Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road".
evtuhov@yahoo.com

"Our forefathers were passionate farmers. The land was their life. They knew every inch of it, and they respected it and worked it with love. They are the inspiration for this family project. This ancestral journey led us to create a small family cellar in 2006 called Mas Blanch i Jové in La Pobla de Cérvoles (Lleida), where we produce wines that inspire in the DO Costers del Segre, a region of Les Garrigues.
We harvest our 17ha of vineyards by hand, in small crates of 20Kg, when the grape is at its optimum ripening point. All the plantations are in the 700m-high La Pobla de Cérvoles, in the Costers del Segre DO, an area of Les Garrigues. We obtain about 3,500Kg/ha of high-quality grapes, which allows us to produce high altitude ecological wines with character and elegance.
The main range of wines are called Saó, a word that speaks of the land and means “maturity, perfection and the optimum degree of moisture.” And we look for this genuineness in each of our bottles, our wine expressing the best of the place that saw its birth.
We also have a range of new discoveries: bold and special wines, made with spontaneous fermentation, that have a captivating rusticity.
Very fresh and alive"
(information from the company website)






Yellow Road Questions answered by Sara Jové, MAS BLANCH I JOVÉ

1 - Why is your vineyard called "Mas Blanch i Jové"?
The winery is called Mas Blanch i Jové because Mas Blanch is the name of the highest vineyard we have and also is my mother's second last name and Jové is my father's first last name.

2 - Please tell us a little about yourself
My name is Sara Jové. I'm a wine producer. And I think we have a responsabilty with this planet that's why we only produce organic products and we are fully powered by solar energy. My grandparents were farmers who taught us to love nature. I enclose a picture with my parents & brother at the winery.

3 - I really liked your idea: Picnic on the Vineyard ... And what does it really look like?
I don't have any picture of it yet but I enclose a picture of people having a typical breakfast at the winery with bread, tomatoes, typical pork sausages & cheeses.



4 - You have olive oil. Let's start with it ...
How many olive trees do you have? What does a bottle, a label look like?
We have 5700 olive trees. We are partners with a olive mill in the area: Molí del Set (www.molidelset.com). I enclose a couple of pictures.






5 - How to get to your vineyards (from Tarragona, Barcelona)? Can you suggest a route to visit your winery? Is there public transport there?
We are situated in a little village (La Pobla de Cérvoles) in Lleida. There is not good public transportation to arrive to the winery but It's easy to arrive by car from Lleida (45'), Tarragona (1h) or Barcelona (1h30'). In the region there are plenty of activities to do (history, nature, gastronomy). You only have to pick!


6 - What is your favorite wine (red or white)? And why?
I really love Saó Expressiu. It's our most personal red wine. Basically made from Grenache (65%), Cabernet Sauvingon (25%) & Tempranillo (10%) from old vineyards situated in the mountains (all our vineyards are more than 700m above the sea level). It's elegant with a velvety tannin.


7 - Please tell us about your project "The Artists’ Vineyard"
The Artists’ Vineyard is an idea by Guinovart.

Which became a reality thanks to a family who dares to dream and place a bet on Les Garrigues as a picturesque and privileged setting for a unique project: an open-air museum.

The Artists’ Vineyard merges art and wine in an exhibition hall open to the public. Here you can find sculptures and large-scale installations conceived by artists such as Carles Santos, Guinovart, Joan Brossa, Susana Solano, Evru (Zush) and Frederic Amat. The Mas Blanch i Jové winery is the culminating point of an artistic journey, offering a unique experience for all visitors.

Since its inauguration in 2009, many creators have crossed paths at The Artists’ Vineyard, an outdoor art gallery. It is a perfect setting for poetry recitals, outdoor paintings, magic, clowns, opera, music of all kinds, dance, giant puppets, soap bubbles, theatre… It is our way of connecting wine and art and to leave a subtle footprint on the soil, one that tells of artistic heritage and the transformational capacity of art.

GUINOVART, Catalan painter of international recognition, was an art and wine lover. Guinovart knew how to enjoy the small pleasures in life. He was a person of special sensitivity, connected with nature, with the earth. Whatever the theme was that inspired him at a particular moment, he always captured its essence and knew how to express it powerfully. We fell in love – with his work and his simplicity – it was impossible not to. And he fell in love with our enthusiasm and our Saó. And we were honoured with his help in designing the winery and creating the impressive mural tribute to the world of wine “In Vino Veritas”, presiding over our tasting room. The mural, 10.5 meters long, was his last great work.

8 - List, if possible, a set (gift box) of three or four of your own wines (red and white), which, in your opinion, that can decorate the "poster" of your farm
Ok, I enclose some pictures of the sets.






9 - You can offer the most beautiful view (favorite point) of the vineyards or the surrounding landscape. May I ask you to take one or two photos of your favorite places?
I enclose some pictures of the Artists' Vineyard & surrondings.





10 - What is your choice for "Yellow Road"?
I've chosen a picture of Troballa Blanca. A wine 100% white grenache, maceration pre-fermentation with the peels, spontaneous fermentation, aging in concrete eggs. It's very unique, intense & interesting wines.


11 - What white wine producer (from Spain or another country) would you recommend for Yellow Road?
I'ld recommend the winery Xavier Clua, they make excellent white grenaches in Terra Alta. I also love the white wine Les Brugueres from La Conreria d'Scala Dei in Priorat. And the wines of Marco Abella, also in Priorat.

12 - You have already completed the wonderful project The Artists ’Vineyard, an idea by the painter Josep Guinovart. Do you have plans to continue this project? Are you open to new offers?
The Artist' Project is still alive but I don't know how it will evolve the next years. We're very open to new offers & ideas,



Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road".
evtuhov@yahoo.com


.

50 kilometers from Barcelona is the BODEGA MIQUEL JANE winery. After 56 minutes, the train will stop at Vilafranca del Penedes station. And the winery itself is a 10-minute drive from the station. That is, the whole trip from Barcelona to BODEGA MIQUEL JANE will take a little more than an hour.
Today the head of the company is Ms. Bernadette Miquel



Brief history of the Winery J. Miquel Jané

"The link, at the end of the s. XIX, of two cousins, Antonio Jane Formosa and Josefa Pascual Formosa, gives rise to the driving force of the Bodega J. Miquel Jané, which today reaches the fourth generation embodied in the brothers Bernadette and Josep Miquel. After this first union, wine and family have always gone together, thus renewing the vocation that this bond be undefined.

It was the marriage founder who bought the first properties. The main ones located in the Alt Penedès: Font-Rubí, El Vendrell, Vilafranca del Penedès, Sant Cugat Sesgarrigues and Avinyonet del Penedès. The family wine, in bulk production, found a first broad horizon in the then colonial Cuba. This was facilitated by the fact that another branch of the family owned the frigates that crossed the ocean. The painting of the frigate "Remedios Pascual Formosa", which is exhibited at the Maritime Museum in Barcelona, ​​gives a faithful testimony.

The dynamism of the family reaches both men and women, as shown by Antonia Jané Pascual, the youngest of the three daughters of the founders, who enlarged the planting area by buying Cal Costas and Baltana Vella. She is also the one who collects various awards in recognition of the quality achieved in the elaboration of her wine.

The civil war temporarily truncates the activity, the family will suffer a long exile. Returned to his house, he is now a son of Antonia Jané, Josep Miquel Jane, who heads the reconstruction of production, which, in the first place, is still destined for bulk. The ambitions, as it could not be otherwise, are much deeper, and so, in 2002, launches the first bottled wines that make up the current personality of the winery.

Again a woman Bernadette Miquel Vacarisas, now leads the activity, keeping alive the inherited family north towards excellence, as demonstrated by the achievement of a wine like the Sauvignon Blanc. In its action is also well present the mood of wines from the winery to sail again by seas and oceans".
(information from the company website)


Yellow Road questions are answered by Bernadette Miquel, owner of company


1 - Why is your vineyard called “Miquel Jané”?
Miquel Jane, are the surnames of my father ( Jose Miquel Jane) . We decided to named our wine with surnames that for us means origins and soul, so brand is “Miquel Jane”.

2 - Please tell us a little about yourself. And why exactly did you now  head the company?
I belong to the four generation of the family. I was working together with my father for 10 years until he died on 2011. Now I’m in charge of the company. I’m economist and oenologue. I’m 43 year old, married, 3 kids.

3 - You've a large team ...Tell us about your team
Nowadays we are 10 people working at the company ( oenologists, administration, restaurant, oenoturism )  and 3 more externs workers ( comercial team for export and nacional markets to sell wine and oenoturism). We produce wine Miquel Jane buy also wine for other viticultors without winery to produce wine by their own brand. This helps us to grow and have more knowledge about producing different stiles of wines while we  help our community and territory. 

4 - How to get to your vineyards (from Barcelona)? Can you suggest a route to visit your winery? Is there public transport there? We are 50km far from Barcelona city centre but we still in Barcelona province. You can get there by train ( stop at Vilafranca del Penedes station). We are 10 minuts far from the station. A person from the winery can pick up at the station or you can pick a taxi to arrive.

5 - Parellada, BLANC BALTANA, SAUVIGNON BLANC, CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ, SYRAH, BALTANA NEGRE, BALTANA SELECCIÓ and CLÀSSIC PENEDÈS (sparkling)... Which of these wines is your favorite (and why)?
And what, in your opinion, is the most interesting (unusual)? My favourite is cabernet sauvignon rose, I love rose wines because for me they have the best from white and reds, its’ color is very delicate and it’s live is short but if you drnk at the optimum time is perfect!.Sauvignon blanc is the wine we are more proud because belongs to a vinery with very low production ( 400kh/ha) that give to the wine a impressive and powefull flavours difficult to find in similar and give us a lot of satisfaction with the reaction of the clients.Classic penedes Sauvignon blanc is an unusual sparkling wine. It’s very difficult to find skarkling wines made by this variety and makes it really interesting. The buuble are very integrated, it’s ecological, reserve (15 month in botte).

6  - What is your favorite wine (red or white)? And why?
My favorite red is our Miquel Jane  100% shyrah ecological: easy drinking potent but soft at the same time. Velvety, floral… For white I like floral buy dry wines: The typical style penedes white wine is made.
  
7 - Do you have your own Wine Tasting Club in Barcelona? What part of Barcelona is it located in?
We usually have a room tasting  in our office in Barcelona city but we realise that it was not a complete experience. Having the winery close to Barcelona the experience must to be in the winery to keep the essence of a wine tasting, uncompleted if you don’t’ see the wineyards and the winery. Viticulture and winemaking explanations really matters to understand wine tasting at the end. So what we really do is id any client needs to do a wine tasting in Barcelona we bring them to wine shops and wine bars with a nice environment when she can talk with an sommelier.


8 -  List, if possible, a set (gift box) of three or four of your own wines (red and white), which, in your opinion, that can decorate the "poster" of your farm.
A box of 3 bolltes: 1 white sauvignon blanc + 1 classic penedes Parellada + 1 red batana seleccion


9 - You can offer the most beautiful view (favourite point) of the vineyards or the surrounding landscape. May I ask you to take one or two photos of your favourite places?
2 favourites: (1) the aeric photo of the winery and surroundings taken several years ago with a aerostatic globe and (2) view in the top of the hill where all our old vines are plant at 500 meters of altitude





10 - What is your choice for "Yellow Road"? (own white wine)
sauvignon blanc + classic penedes Parellada.




11 - What white wine producer (from Spain or another country) would you recommend for Yellow Road?
Miquel Jane

12 - You have an extensive and wonderful wine tourism program. And you would not want to have your own cultural program. Of course you do not overshadow the cultural events of Barcelona, but you can try.
Please let me know how we can help you


Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road".
evtuhov@yahoo.com

P.S.
Here are a few examples from the extensive winery program
(information from the company website)

COURSE OF TASTING-WINE AND WALK ON HORSE
Enjoy an unforgettable trip withquine clubSant Paugetting to know the countryside of region of Penedésand participating to a complete wine of winery J. Miquel Janétasting course of 4 internationally awarded wines along with a delicious aperitif of local productsof an original way by astriding on a horse,that respects the environment.This is an ideal activity to enjoy the nature and the landscape.

The equine club Sant Pau, with more than 25 years of experience in the riding, puts to your disposition both pure races and horses docile and easy to mount, to be able to enjoy the excursion. Ideal for all the ages.


WINE TASTING COURSE IN BARCELONA
Join us at our Wine Tasting Club in Barcelona. Learn the secrets of making fine wine and discover the art of wine tasting. Enjoy an enviable reputation as one of the leading wine producers in the Penedès wine region of Catalonia. With our Sommelier you will taste our five wines and learn the art of wine tasting and discover the aromas, colours and textures of our white, red and rose wines. In a relaxed and casual atmosphere this is a fun and enjoyable wine tasting event in Barcelona. A great way to learn about our wines.


HISTORICAL TOUR IN SITGES + VISIT TO WINERY
Enjoy a walk through the history of one of the most beautiful towns on the Mediterranean coast. Accompanied by a guide, you will travel in time from the origins of Sitges right up to the 21st century. You'll discover its streets and its most emblematic buildings as well as the history of its most influencial artists. At the end of the itinerary, you'll be driven to the winery where the enologist will provide information about the vineyard. A four wine tasting and lunch will conclude the activity

Near the city of Libourne, in the south-west of France and thirty kilometers from Bordeaux, is Château PENIN. But the chateau has another winery in the neighboring wine region - in Saint Emilion - Château LA FLEUR PENIN.


Yellow Road questions are answered by Fernando Jimenez, commercial assistant.

1 - I read on your site that the owner is Patrick Carteyron, a fifth-generation winemaker. Which wine from the old chateau can be called "historical", the main wine of the castle? Was it white or red wine?
At the very beginning there wasn’t a name for our wines, it was just made from red grapes, there was 2 kind of wines: a red wine and a clairet wine (which is a wine between a red and rosé, it’s very fruity, smooth, not tannic at all. The color of clairet is due to the short maceration for about 48h. When Patrick Carteyron took the management and winemaker position of Château Penin in 1982, he created the names for our wines. But if we want to mention the oldest wine, we could say it is the Clairet wine. Currently we couldn’t speak about “the main wine” of the Château, why? Simply because all our wine range have their rewards and all of them are very well requested.

2 - Some more history. In 2011, you buy Château La Fleur( Sant Emilion)
The property of Château La Fleur Penin located at St Emilion, it was a property part of a cooperative winery. Once it was owned, Patrick rebuild the cellar and the aging cellar. After this a soil study was implemented in order to know better our quality potential for our AOC saint Emilion Grand Cru wine
3 - What you have acquired (in terms of quality, improving the characteristics of your production). What wine has now become your “locomotive”?
We don’t have “a locomotive wine” we have several locomotive wines, every wine require the same interest and passion to make it.

4 - Please share the story of your favorite white (yellow) wine.
Patrick has a preference for Meursault white wines

5 - Where can I try your white wines? (countries, restaurants, etc.)
Piease, http://www.chateaupenin.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=12



6 - List, if possible, a set (gift box) of three or four of your own wines (red and white), which, in your opinion, may be worthy of the presentation of your farm.
Château Penin Clairet, Château Penin Blanc and Château Penin Cabernet Franc (you will find technical sheet enclose)

7 - You can offer the most beautiful view (favorite point) of the vineyards or the surrounding landscape. May I ask you to take one or two photos of your favorite places?




8 - What is your choice for "Yellow Road"?
Château Penin Natur

9 - If it's not a secret, tell us about your plans for the future ....
....



10 - What white wine producer (from France or another country) would you recommend for Yellow Road?
Pouilly Fuissé Domaine de Thibert

Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road"
evtuhov@yahoo.com

TENUTA COLPAOLA S.R.L.
Loc. Colpaola, Fraz. Braccano
62024 Matelica - MC - Italy

Immediately determine the coordinates. Adriatic Sea. East coast of Italy. South of San Marino and Rimini. Ancona ...
We move further from Ancon into the mainland. We need to get into Matelica


Matelica lies in an ample valley where the Braccano creek joins the Esino river, dominated by the town from an eastern ravine. The valley, roughly in the north–south direction, is delimited on the east and west sides by Apennines sub-ranges, whose highest peaks are respectively Mount Gemmo at 719 metres and Mount San Vicino at 1,479 metres , compared to the 354 metres above sea-level of the city centre.
Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region in central Italy, with a population of around 100,000 . Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region. The city is located 280 km northeast of Rome, on the Adriatic Sea, between the slopes of the two extremities of the promontory of Monte Conero, Monte Astagno and Monte Guasco. Ancona is one of the main ports on the Adriatic Sea, especially for passenger traffic, and is the main economic and demographic centre of the region.

Yellow Road Questions answered by Laura Migliorelli, Export Wine Tenuta Colpaola

1 - You have a vineyard, there is wine, what would you like to add to this picture? Expand the vineyard, improve the wine, increase sales? If it's not a secret, what are your plans for the future?
We start our activity in 2007 with 6 Hectar and 2 years ago We have implanted other 4 Hectar. So, the estate is complety full of vineyards…1° step/ dream is realized. For the future the Company want and must increase its sales. Our first imbottled was in 2013, We are very yung and We need to grow up.



2 - History of the creation of your BIANCO and how much is a bottle, for example Verdicchio di Matelica DOC?
When the propriety bought Estate, it was immediately decided to plant Verdicchio because is an authoctonus grape in our land. For this reason was born our Verdicchio di Matelica DOC Colpaola. Our bottlet is a little bit different than other Verdicchio. We chose an unusual bottle for this type of wine and We put screw cup. We put a single binding label and not front / back label. So, the bottle has been studied in every detail to contain a great white wine : our Verdicchio di Matelica DOC. If you come in our winery You can py 9,50 € each bottle.

3 - And where, besides the winery, can try your wine?
So, If you come in our winery you can drink a glass of wine with me and Stefania. In office, for sell wine you can find me and Stefania. You can try our wine in restaurant and wine shop in Italy, and you can drink our wine in America, Repubblica Ceca, Svizzera, Olanda, Germania, Belgio.

4 - List, if possible, a set (gift box) of four or six own wines (red and white), which, in your opinion, can be worthy of representing your farm?
In my opinion, If you want buy a gift box with 6 bottles, you can buy the same white wine in a different age, I twill a very special gift.

5 - Share your successes in winemaking: awards, prizes... ?
We won “Bere Bene “ of Gambero Rosso
Wine Spectator
Asia Import Chain
Le Marche nel Bicchiere


6 - Tell us a little about the owners of the vineyard, if not secret?
The owners of the vineyard are Stefania and Francesco Porcarelli. Before, the Estate was rent by Francesco’s Grandfather and after by Francesco’s father.
Francesco has grown in this enchanted land and during his childhood was born passion for products of the ground. Francesco e Stefania ( his wife ) bought the Estate in 2007 and start this asdventur with wine.


7 - Your choice for the "Yellow Road" of white (yellow) wine?
The choise was becouse Verdicchio is an authoctonus grapes of our land.

8 - Can you offer the most impressive view (favorite point) on vineyards or the surrounding landscape?
Surely, the most beautiful view of the vineyard is where you can see the difference in height of our vineyards



9 - Your vineyards are located in fantastically beautiful places, yes?
I think this me too. We stay al 650 m asl… the wineyards are the higest of this land.


Can a tourist live in your hotel? Is it convenient for them to travel to the famous Marche cities?
The tourist can live heare and He can travel Marche Region with serius coiffeur.

10 - Which white wine producer (from Italy or another country) would you recommend for the "Yellow Road"?
I want racommenend 2 opposites : Etna Bianco and Risling !!!

Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road"
evtuhov@yahoo.com

Why on the "Yellow Road" CHATEAU DE VILLARS-FONTAINE?

"The gradual disappearance in Burgundy of these Great Wines of Keeping that the whole world envied us is due in particular to the modifications of the accounting and banking practices. We have seen, since 1995, disappear many wineries. Stocks dropped dramatically to a situation never known in our region. In 2006, they are reduced to a value of 0.7 compared to the production of a normal year.



This situation has favored the development of big organizations, of which large financial groups are often the shareholders. They are achieving very good results thanks to their size and the gradual disappearance of this competition in value of the small farms. The press and professionals talked less and less of "Aged Wines" and the subtlety of their wonderful tertiary aromas revealing themselves over time. They praised the style of these new wines, rounder, more fruity, less tannic and drinking younger, but which, on the other hand, will no longer preserve or develop the complexity brought on by aging. This type of wine, modeled on those of the New World, destroys the identity that made Burgundy famous.


In the estate, we resisted, not without family and banking difficulties, to this "Tsunami". Since 1995, our customers have become overwhelmingly, thanks to their will and with joy, micro-owners of our vines. The "Club des Vignerons de Cœur" was born. They thus continue to supply at the "Avant-Primeur" tariff their cellars and those of their children with very beautiful Burgundy wines still elaborated in the tradition. This innovative concept now attracts at the Clubs some very beautiful estates located in other wine regions of France. Their customers react as we did and reject this global standardization by favoring local identities and productions. This ancient form of autarky is one of the answers to threats the family farms. Some vines shares are still available. The defenders of these values of authenticity, tradition and identity through the Wine are therefore welcome in our Club".



CHATEAU DE VILLARS-FONTAINE is located south of Dijon, near Switzerland.
Yellow Road Questions answered by Mathieu PIECOURT, General Director Domaine de Montmain - Château de Villars Fontaine

1 - Why is your vineyard called “Chateau de Villars Fontaine?”
Originally Bernard called is new estate – Domaine de Montmain in 1973 and he founded everything, the vineyards, the cellar for reception, the office and the Cellar. The wines are called Chateau de Villars Fontaine since the day or Bernard became the owner of the castle in 2000.Today we own two brands, the castle of Villars Fontaine for the wines aged from 1973 to 2012 and the other brand Domaine de Montmain since the vintage 2013.
In Burgundy we can only give the name of castle if we are the owner of the place.
The official successor of Bernard Hudelot is named Mathieu Piecourt.

2 - In 1970, Bernard Hudelot , a young math teacher at a commercial high school, buys a vineyard. How could he raise money for a purchase? Or did he get an inheritance?
Bernard bought some undeveloped land at SAFER, an agency of the French government in charge of replanting the historic vineyards of Burgundy. a bank followed Bernard in these projects as well as his grandfather. At that time the banks lent on guarantees of the parents as well as on the increase of the values of the works.

3 - During the first 10 years you planted 18 hectares of vineyards, and now you already have 30 hectares. Have you had bad years? And how did you cope with failures?
The vineyard has risen today to 30 hectares following redemption possibilities, we have known 4 difficult years for 47 years are the years 1975, 1977, 1980 and 1984. Thanks to our stocks we were able to survive the banking and cash problems. our culture in Burgundy was to keep a year's stock in advance with a year in oak and a year of production




4 - Share your successes in winemaking: awards, prizes...
The most beautiful success we know today by receiving people from around the world in our cellars. In this regard, we have just created a unique reception site in France where it is possible to taste the same wine for more than 30 consecutive years.

We are also developing internationally and we are always looking for people with our values that respect Burgundy tradition around the wines of guard

5 - What is your favorite wine (red or white)? And why? Please name your best wines.
To be honest, my favorite wines are our red wine cuvées like the 1990 or 1999 vintage and for the whites I like the acidity of 2004


6 - List, if possible, a set (gift box) of three or four of your own wines (red and white), which, in your opinion, that can decorate the "poster" of your farm


7- If it's not a secret, tell us about your plans for the future ....
To continue the production of the wines of guard for two reasons, first reason authenticity history of Burgundy, second reason health. (more polyphenols)

8 - You can offer the most beautiful view (favorite point) of the vineyards or the surrounding landscape. May I ask you to take one or two photos of your favorite places? What does your castle look like?
(photos not yet received)

9 - What is your choice for "Yellow Road"?
Hautes Côtes de Nuits – Les Rouard 2007 and the 2014 vintage in Les Jiromees and Rouard




10 - What white wine producer (from France or another country) would you recommend for Yellow Road?
Rene Leclerc based in Gevrey chambertin and Gerard Raphet based in Morey st Denis

11 - What cultural event would you like to see at home: an exhibition, an opera, a ballet, something else or just your own events?
We are open to create partnerships with operas, ballet or other events around our castle while tasting great wines from the estate


12 - Since the late 90s, Bernard has been involved in creating "impossible vineyards" - a project in Tahiti, Gabon, Burma, China.
We know Tahiti from Gauguin's paintings ...
Yes a little bit.

What do vineyards look like in Tahiti?
The vineyard of Tahiti is a vineyard with extreme climatic conditions, an exceptional vineyard. Plantation on the corals, these young soils are very interesting and gives singular wines. Our vineyard in Burgundy at the level of the soils to him 150 million years. Burgundy was on the tropics 150 million years ago so the lands at the top of the hills are white at the moment

What does Tahitian wine look like?
Red wine can look like our Burgundy wines when they wake up. White wines are in a southern Sicilian style

Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road".
evtuhov@yahoo.com