The Armagnac Festival has begun
Armagnac lovers know this: the best season to visit a winery is in mid-autumn, when the harvesting has been completed and the wine is distilled to make it release all its aromas and turn into a spirit.
The highpoint comes on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October, in Labastide d’Armagnac where France’s oldest eau de vie is celebrated. The whole village has a party: Place Royale planted with vines, a big Armagnac market, meals, initiation into course landaise or skittles, cookery demonstration with French chef Maïté… All to the sound of bandas.
Several villages in the appellation also invite you to a series of events between September and November, all of them great moments to share: bike rides, heritage trails, and open days, of course.
You can download the 2011 festivities leaflet here to get detailed information and specific contacts.
Below is a brief list of dates, events and venues:
- 8 September - Armagnac discovery day in unspoiled nature -Villeneuve de Marsan
- 11 September – On the imaginary road - Villeneuve de Marsan
- 18 September – French Cuadrillas Cup - Villeneuve de Marsan
- 18 September – An encounter with the Gabardans - Gabarret
- 20 September – On the Transhumance Route - Saint-Justin
- The Transhumance Route from 19 to 22 September: Le Frêche, Lacquy, Saint-Justin, Vielle Soubiran, Losse, Maillas.
- 24 and 25 September - Sport, nature and heritage - Villeneuve de Marsan - St-Julien d’Armagnac
- 8 October – Centenary of the Villeneuve Arenas - Villeneuve de Marsan
- 29 and 30 October - Armagnac Festival - Labastide d’Armagnac
- 5, 6, 12, 13 November – Distillation Festival: the magic of the pot-still - Hontanx – Arthez – Lacquy
Winegrowers’ open days:
- 1st September to 15 December – Snack in the vineyard - Domaine du Tuc in Labastide d’Armagnac
- 5 to 10 September – Harvest events - Armagnac Eco-museum in Labastide d’Armagnac
- 10 September - Market on the farm - Domaine de Laguironde in Parleboscq
- 16 September – Walk amongst the vines - Domaine de Hourtica in Labastide d’Armagnac
- 9 to 12 December – Open day - Domaine de Labouc Labastide d’Armagnac
- 10 and 11 December – Open day - Domaine de La Tuilerie Lannemaignan
Original event from 1st to 15 December: Château Garreau proposes lunch or dinner by the pot-still, in a warm, Armagnac-scented atmosphere. Book a unique moment: www.chateau-garreau.fr.
In the leaflet you will also find 7 suggestions for breaks in gîtes and guest houses. Cookery, hunting, visits… and some great encounters in prospect.
Office de tourisme des Landes d’Armagnac
+33 (0)5 58 44 34 95
tourismegabarret@otgabardan.fr
http://www.tourisme-landesdarmagnac.fr/
