THE BORDEAUX WINEGEESE GRAND TOUR 2004

The WineGeese Society >

Sunday, 13 June. The group stayed at the Hotel Burdigala, in the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux. We began our journey with a casual dinner at the Connemara Irish Pub owned by Belfast native, Frank Jackson. We viewed the first installment of the Winegeese television series produced in 1990, based on the original idea and researches of Ted Murphy, which sent the scene for the great achievements of the Irish families in the Bordeaux wine industry.

Our own Ted Murphy, honorary chairman of the Ireland Funds Winegeese Society and co-chair, Ken Gorman, were inducted into the Order of the Potato of L'Eysine. It was in fact the Irish families who entered the brandy trade, who introduced the potato to the Cognac region.

A wide range of Winegeese vintages were enjoyed at the Connemara dinner, including magnums of Chateau MacCarthy.

Monday, 14th June. On the groups first excursion to the Medoc, we visited Chateaux MacCarthy and Haut-Marbuzet where we were received by Bruno de Bosq, a member of the family who are proprietors of these two distinguished chateaux.

From here we departed for Chateaux Leoville-Barton and Langoa-Barton. We were greeted by Eva Barton, wife of Anthony Barton and their daughter Lilian Sartorius-Barton, who now plays a leading role in running the business. After a wine tasting we adjourned into the beautiful gardens of the Chateau for a champagne reception, after which were were entertained to lunch and some of the treasures from the cellars of this, the most Irish of the Winegeese chateaux of the Medoc.

That evening we celebrated new inductions into the Society at the enchanting Chateau de La Ligne with our hosts Adele Kane and Terry Cross from Belfast. Terry was made an honorary member of the Society. Those inducted included: Sarah Gallagher from Straffan Co Kildare the ancestral home of Anthony Barton and Lapworth UK, John Garrity of Los Angeles, Pepper and Michael Jackson of Palm Beach and San Francisco, Maureen King of San Diego, Jim Mulvaney of San Diego, Mary Mulvihill of La Jolla, Pauline Ryan of San Francisco, Helen Sharkey of New York, Peggy Shelly of Brookline, and Frank Sinnott of San Francisco.

Tuesday, 15th June. The party arrived at Chateau Margaux and were greeted by Daniel Lawton, a member of the oldest wine broking house in Bordeaux, who in conjunction with [name to be added] conducted a tasting of the recent vintages of one of the world's great wines. Chateau Margaux, in one of the most important periods of its history, was under the stewardship of Irish families.

Arriving at Chateau Magnol, the property of Barton & Guestier founded by Hugh Barton, ancestor of Anthony Barton, but now the property of Diageo, the international wine conglomerate. We were greeted by Philipe Marion and entertained to a delightful lunch on the verandah.

Our dinner at Le Chapon Fin in heart of Bordeaux was hosted by Sylvie Cazes-Regimbeau, whose family own this world famous restaurant as well as Chateau Lynch-Bages and other properties in the Medoc.

Wednesday, 16th June. The Winegeese took flight for Nantes where they were welcomed by Robert, 11th Marquis de Goulaine. That evening at Chateau de Goulaine, the visit began at the Marquis' famous butterfly farm, followed by a visit to the Musee du Lu, recently established at the Chateau. The gala banquet was hosted by the Marquis and Marquise de Goulaine. In an after dinner speech, the Marquis spoke with great pride of his family's many Irish connections.

Thursday, 17th June. We returned to Bordeaux for our final night in France. That evening, the dinner at the Primrose Club was hosted by Marie-Francoise and Daniel Lawton. Primrose, one of the most prestigious tennis clubs in France, was founded by the ancestors of Daniel Lawton and the family have remained closely connected to this day.

On Friday, the group left for Ireland to attend the annual Ireland Funds conference in Dublin.

Photos

1. The group on the front steps of Chateau Margaux.

2.Charles King, Ruth Mulvaney, Maureen King, Jim Mulvaney in the cellars of Margaux.

3. Pepper and Michael Jackson in the Margaux cellars

4. Bill and Jane Walsh

5. Ted Murphy and Jim Mulvaney

6. Margaux cellars

7. Margaux cellars

8. Daniel Lawton, of the wine-broking house of Tastet et Lawton, established in 1739, at the tasting at Margaux

9. The group at Chateau de Goulaine

10. Back row: Ken Gorman, Charles King, John Sharkey
Front row: Elisabet Bordt, Kerry Chaffers, Helen Sharkey, Pauline Ryan

11. Back: John Garrity, Bill Walsh, Dan Mulvihill, Marquis de Goulaine, Kingsley Aikins, Marquise de Goulaine
Front: Peggy Shelly, Jane Walsh, Ruth Mulvaney, Mary Mulvihill

12. Back: John Ryan, Michael Jackson, Ted Murphy, Frank Sinnott, Tom Gallagher, Jim Mulvaney
Front: Maureen King, Pepper Jackson, Garry Murphy, Netta Blanchard, Sarah Gallagher

13. John Garrity, Garry Murphy, Frank Sinnott, and Ted Murphy on the grounds of Chateau de Goulaine

14. Maureen King and her butterfly at Goulaine.

15. Lunch al fresco at Chateau Magnol: John and Helen Sharkey, Ruth Mulvaney, Jane and Bill Walsh, Maureen King, Kingsley Aikins, Pauline and John Ryan

16. The group at Chateau Magnol greeted by our host Philippe Marion of Barton & Guestier.

17. Daniel Lawton and Dan Mulvihill at the Primrose Club

18. The butterflies at Goulaine

19. Peggy Shelly and Garry Murphy admiring the decor at Le Chapon Fin

20. At Chateau Langoa Barton, the group enjoys a tasting guided by Lilian Sartorius-Barton.

21. First night in Bordeaux at the Connemara Pub: Peggy Shelly, Garry and Ted Murphy, Netta Blanchard, Ken Gorman, and John Garrity

22. Tasting at Chateau Langoa Barton of the wines of Langoa and Leoville Barton

23. Our last evening in Bordeaux at the Primrose Club. Daniel Lawton is made an honorary member of the Winegeese Society receiving his tie from Ted Murphy, Ken Gorman, and Kingsley Aikins.

24. Pepper Jackson, Jane and Bill Walsh with Gudrun de Goulaine in the Chateau de Goulaine cellars.

25. Winegeese Society members in 'Paradise' at Chateau Magnol.

26. Philippe Marion of Barton & Guestier receives a crystal wine cooler from Kingsley Aikins in appreciation of his gracious reception of the group at Chateau Magnol.

27. The group strolling on the grounds of Chateau Margaux: at top: John Ryan, Maureen King, Tom Gallagher, Pepper Jackson.
Below: Bill and Jane Walsh, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinnott, Kingsley Aikins.

28. Guests at the Chateau de La Linge dinner
(this photo courtesy: Photos Pilippe Le Jeane