Inspiration to know more
Our appreciation for Burgundy also inspired us to pursue a more formal understanding of wine. Earning the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines provided a solid foundation in grape varieties, viticulture, winemaking, tasting techniques, and food pairing. The coursework helped us better understand the science behind what we were experiencing in the vineyards, while our travels gave life to the concepts we studied.
At the same time, becoming involved with the French-American Chamber of Commerce strengthened our connection to France beyond tourism. It reinforced our appreciation for the country’s culture, traditions, cuisine, and people—elements that make every return visit feel less like a vacation and more like reconnecting with old friends.
The beginning of a journey that became Wine, Travel, Food
Why Burgundy Changed the Way We Travel
By Gary & Rachel
There are places you visit because they’re on a list.
Then there are places that quietly change the way you see the world.
For us, Burgundy is the latter.
When most people think about France, they picture Paris—the Eiffel Tower, cafés lining wide boulevards, and museums filled with masterpieces. We love Paris and never miss an opportunity to wander its neighborhoods, enjoy a leisurely lunch, or discover another remarkable restaurant. But it was Burgundy that captured our imagination in a completely different way.
It wasn’t one spectacular moment.
It was a collection of small ones.
It was watching the morning light settle over rows of vineyards that have been carefully tended for centuries. It was walking through villages where nearly every stone building seems to have a story. It was realizing that a single vineyard, only a few hundred yards away from another, could produce wines with remarkably different personalities.
As we learned more, we discovered that Burgundy isn’t simply a wine region.
It’s a place where geography, history, climate, and generations of craftsmanship come together to create something unique.
One of the first things that fascinated us was the idea of terroir.
Before visiting Burgundy, terroir was simply a word we had encountered in books and wine articles. After standing among the vineyards and speaking with people who dedicate their lives to them, it became much more meaningful.
A slight change in elevation.
A different layer of limestone.
Morning sunlight instead of afternoon.
These aren’t just interesting details—they help explain why two vineyards separated by only a narrow road can produce wines with distinctly different character.
That realization changed the way we taste wine.
Instead of asking whether a wine was “good,” we began asking a different question:
What is this wine trying to tell us about where it came from?
That question continues to shape every winery we visit.
As our travels continued, another realization emerged.
The best memories rarely came from the famous landmarks alone.
They came from conversations with winemakers who proudly poured the latest vintage.
From discovering a neighborhood bistro where the menu changed daily.
From strolling through a local market and finding ingredients we’d never seen before.
From slowing down long enough to appreciate the rhythm of everyday life.
Those experiences taught us that travel isn’t about checking destinations off a list.
It’s about understanding the places we visit and respecting the people who make them special.
That philosophy eventually inspired us to create Wine, Travel, Food.
This website isn’t intended to be a travel agency.
Nor is it simply a wine review site.
Instead, it’s our way of sharing the places, people, wines, restaurants, and experiences that have enriched our lives. Along the way, we’ll share practical advice, honest impressions, photographs from our journeys, and the lessons we’ve learned—sometimes by careful planning, and sometimes by taking an unexpected turn down a country road.
If even one story helps someone discover a small family-owned winery, enjoy a memorable meal, or gain a deeper appreciation for Burgundy, then we’ll consider that journey well worth sharing.
So welcome.
We hope you’ll travel with us.
Because, in our experience, the best journeys are rarely the fastest ones.
They’re the ones we choose to savor.
— Gary & Rachel