The Perfect Provencal Picnic

A vineyard pique-nique seems to be one of those iconic French experiences that many travelers dream about: tables or blankets laid out amongst gorgeous vines…an array of simple, irresistible foods...copious amounts of local wine and laughter...a little nap in the shade. Over the years I’ve tried many times to find wineries that offer this kind of experience for my guests and clients…so I was delighted when one of my favorite local winemakers (who’s also a passionate and talented cook) announced that she’s now offering picnics at her family’s award-winning domaine in St. Remy.

She and her husband are second-generation winemakers and the third generation farming this beautiful sun-drenched property in the foothills of the Alpilles Mountains. They currently produce a dozen different wines (red, white, rosé and sparkling), all of them biodynamic, and roughly 60,000 bottles each year.

You can have this new picnic experience two ways. The standard offering, let’s call it the Perfect Provencal Picnic, will be an array of cold foods presented in a casual, serve-yourself way. My friend will gather a huge spread of the most-delicious foods from her favorite markets in Provence…all of it fresh, local and seasonal. Expect lots of vegetables, charcuterie, olives, cheeses, fruit and breads. In season you’ll find tomatoes in salads, gazpacho and tarts; a seasonal fruit salad might include strawberries, apricots, peaches, cherries and fresh mint. Dessert might be something like a Tropezienne cake or olive-oil cake with fresh fruit.

Or, for those who want a more elevated experience, she’ll happily include prepared dishes such as roast chicken, beef or pork, with Camargue rice or tabouli salad or roasted potatoes with herbes de Provence. Sauces are likely to be light and fresh, such as salsa verde. Everything will be served on beautiful dishes with proper cutlery and linen napkins.

‘’I’m happy to customize menus completely based on our clients’ tastes,’’ she says.

While traditional Provencal style menus are likely to be the most popular, Mexican and Asian-themed meals are also possible.

Pricing for the standard offering is 50€ per person for lunch plus 30€ for a wine tasting so 80€ per person; the elevated experience with wine tasting is 120€ per person. Kids up to 12 pay half price.

Your picnic will be served outside the winery tasting room but tables in the vineyard can be arranged instead, for an additional fee.

Lunch can begin anytime between 11 am and 1 pm and will last two to three hours. If you arrive at 11 am, you can have a quick tour of the vineyard while sipping a glass of wine, of course! Then as you settle in and start to nibble, my friend (who is also a sommelier), will discuss the wines she’ll be pouring with your lunch. (Kids will have juice.) Or, if you want to begin your visit with a more-traditional tasting in the winery’s cave, that’s possible for an extra charge…just ask.

Either way, the lunches are generally available seven days a week but should be booked at least four days in advance.

Please note that the minimum group size is four adults but larger groups—up to 20 people or more--can easily be accommodated, with enough advance notice.

Since this is a brand-new, somewhat under-the-radar experience, I’ll be handling the booking for now, through my company ProvencePost Travel. But you’ll be connected to the winemaker/chef/sommelier very early in the process, so you and she can begin planning the most-memorable private picnic for your friends and family! For more info or to book: juliemautner@aol.com. Bon App!

Photos: (1) A scene from Le Dejeuner sur l'herbe (1959) by Jean Renoir. Directed by the son of the impressionist painter Pierre-August Renoir, the film was shot in the South of France. (2-6) Just a little taste of the type of dishes you might be served. (7) Perfect vineyard views for your picnic!