Picnic with the Independent Winemaker

Picnic with the Independent Winemaker: conviviality in the heart of the Loir-et-Cher vineyards

Each year at the beginning of June, the Independent Winemakers of France invite the public to share a unique moment on their estates during the Picnic with the Independent Winemaker. In Loir-et-Cher, this national operation takes on a special dimension thanks to the richness and diversity of the department's vineyards, which stretch along the Loire and Cher rivers.

A simple and generous concept

The principle is deliciously simple: each visitor brings their own picnic and comes to enjoy it at an independent winemaker's estate, in the heart of the vineyards, under marquees, in the cellars, or in the shade of ancient trees. The winemaker welcomes visitors, shows them around the estate, explains their work, and offers tastings of their wines. It's a moment of authentic sharing where bonds are forged between producers and consumers, far from traditional commercial channels.

Loir-et-Cher vineyards in the spotlight

The Loir-et-Cher department is home to remarkable wine terroirs, covering several prestigious appellations: Touraine, Touraine-Chenonceaux, Cheverny, Cour-Cheverny, Valençay, and Côteaux du Vendômois. During the picnic, about ten estates in the department open their doors, offering the public a panorama of this unique oenological diversity in the Loire Valley.

Activities for all tastes

Beyond tasting, each estate offers original activities: guided tours of the vineyards and cellars, oenological treasure hunts, wine escape games, food and wine pairing workshops, acoustic concerts, carriage or bike rides through the vineyards. These varied activities make the picnic a festive and family-friendly event, accessible to connoisseurs and novices alike.

Iconic participating estates

Among the estates in Loir-et-Cher that regularly participate: Domaine Sauvète in Monthou-sur-Cher, Vignoble Tévenot in Candé-sur-Beuvron, and Domaine des Pierrettes in Rilly-sur-Loire. Each offers its own atmosphere and activities, but all share the same passion for wine and hospitality.