The Rules

 Bergerac is a town in southwest France. It’s known for its old town’s half-timbered buildings and the castles that dot the surrounding countryside. In the town, the Maison des Vins showcases the region’s wine. It’s housed in the Cloître des Récollets, a 17th-century cloister. Nearby, the Musée de Tabac documents the history of tobacco. Traditional barges cruise the Dordogne River, which runs through the city.  In the Middle Ages, the wines of Bergerac were considered the equal of neighboring Bordeaux.

 Burgundy is a historical region in east-central France. It's famous for its Burgundy wines as well as pinot noirs and Chardonnay, Chablis and Beaujolais. The area is crisscrossed by a network of canals and studded with grand châteaux, some now luxury hotels. The capital, Dijon, of mustard fame, is home to the imposing Palace of the Dukes, where the distinguished Musée des Beaux-Arts was established in 1787.  While the wines have become prohibitive in price, there are still some bargains out there if you search hard enough, and we do.

Saint-Émilion is a stunning medieval village and prestigious wine appellation on the Right Bank of the Dordogne River, just 22 miles) east of Bordeaux, France. Famous for its Merlot-based red wines and limestone architecture, it was the first vineyard landscape to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.   The entire Right Bank of Bordeaux is packed with great bargains, and we do a great jobs finding those hidden gems.

 The Yakima Valley is a sunny, rich farming region in south-central Washington state. It is famous for growing apples, wine grapes, and over 75% of all hops used to make beer in the United States. South-central Washington, stretching about 70 miles from Yakima to Richland. A high desert climate with about 300 days of sunshine each year. The water is Fed by rivers and melting snow from Mount Rainier, although most wineries use dry irrigation. Home to over 90 wineries and the state's oldest wine region. A culture deeply tied to the heritage of the Yakama Nation.

 Oregon's bountiful Willamette Valley is celebrated for more than 700 wineries and 170 other crops produced in the region. Known as Oregon Wine Country, it’s the heart of Oregon’s agricultural experiences, where family-run farms and vineyards have given rise to farm-to-table restaurants, renowned craft breweries & distilleries, local markets and food trails. It’s also a natural playground for outdoor lovers and adventure seekers, where you’ll feel a world away as you explore majestic waterfalls and hikes, cycle scenic bikeways, or tour historic city centers.