So how do you find this place? Ignore your GPS and wind around country roads, those winding…read moreD-routes. Our group was en route to a Truffle Museum and discovered the Chateau Salitis Winery. Well done, good drivers. The drive is bordered by thick tall trees blooming with autumnal foliage and the last vestiges of grape production. We were invited into the tasting room. Our hostess spoke excellent English which relieved our guide. We sampled several varieties, learned that their wine was formally carried by Costco, readily used the available spitoons, and bought several wines. Overall, it was an educational experience and I recommend that you also get lost in this region. Note: the address is accurate, though they have little web presence, nor a good phone number for me to reference. It looks like their open hours are between 0830-1130 and 1400-1730.

From the owner: La Grande Cave de Terres des Templiers, va vous émerveiller. Sur les pas des Templiers votre guide…read morevous racontera ce Vignoble hors normes et les méthodes de vinification et d'élevage pratiquées par nos Vignerons et notre Maitre de Chai. Vous marcherez aux pieds de cuves centenaires, envoûtés par l'ambiance et les odeurs. Puis, vous découvrirez les Banyuls élevés en plein air dans d'innombrables fûts peints en rouge, exposés au soleil ardent ou aux vents d'hiver. L'histoire contée jusque-là prendra toute sa dimension quand dans votre verre chanteront toutes les couleurs et les saveurs de nos grands vins. Une dégustation initiatique de nos Collioure rouges, rosés et blancs ainsi que des Banyuls et Banyuls Grands Crus vous sera proposée pour finir votre visite.

Beautiful place, great service! It's difficult to express how wonderful our room was. Large private…read morepatio overlooking the vineyard and the Mediterranean Sea just beyond that!

As I'm sure most of you would have noticed I'm a foodie, however, what you may not know is that I…read morelove a tipple too, and as anybody worth their salt knows a good meal is incomplete with his best lady - an accompanying bottle of wine. So as a treat my gorgeous friends took me out to the Château l'Hospitalet for a little wine tasting. Yea me! Fergul; the Irish general manager with the French name (irony) was a delight and took me though the grapes, years, soil, region, seasons and of course bottles of plonk. I was completely rubbish and refused to spit out a drop claiming it was just wrong to waste such good wine. My poor form was completely acceptable and it seemed the team were used to such antic anyway. I was free to wander around the vineyard and the cellar and the whole experience is totally free of charge but of course it's curious to buy so wine, (which you'd be a fool not to) but there is no obligation. On the site there is also a charming hotel, restaurant and bar that offer jazz evening which in 2004 gave birth to an annual Jazz festival. I can not wait to return to sample the food and wine combo in the restaurant that has awarded la Château a place in Le Guide Michelin alone with with a number of other acclamations. The only down side for me is that I only came over with hand luggage so I couldn't buy any wine to bring home. Never mind, that'll learn me! So note to you reader check a bag!!