Wine & gastronomy · Minervois
Wine trip with Anne Fredrikstad
We are repeating our 2026 success – five days among the people behind the wines in the heart of Languedoc.
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Price
€1,760
Meeting point
Toulouse
This is not a wine trip where you sit in a classroom learning about grapes. This is a journey where you meet Françoise Antech – fifth-generation winemaker in Limoux, where France's first sparkling wine was made in 1544. Where you lunch among the vines with Tove and Arnstein at Domaine de la Senche in La Livinière. Where you walk inside Carcassonne la Cité on a May day without tourist buses, and end the evening in the garden with wine from the neighbour's vineyard.
Anne Fredrikstad leads the wine sessions. We lead the rest. The result is five days where wine, food and people weave naturally together – without performance, without hurry.
«Wine should be enjoyed – not just drunk.» That is Anne's motto. We agree.
Trip dates
30 April – 4 May 2027
Guide: Anne Fredrikstad og Morten
30. april – 4. mai 2027 · 5 dager / 4 netter · Oppmøte Toulouse
€1,760
8 spots left
Programme
- Day 1
Arrival
Arrival at Toulouse airport. We collect you and drive to our property in Minervois. Pick-up from other airports can be arranged in good time.
Welcome drinks and introductions, with a brief overview of the days ahead.
Dinner at En Bonne Compagnie in Homps – a restaurant on the Canal du Midi with terrace seating along the canal. French cuisine focused on local produce. Wines chosen to match the menu.
- Day 2
Limoux and Carcassonne
French breakfast.
We travel to Limoux and visit Famille Antech, where we meet Françoise Antech, fifth-generation winemaker. We learn about Limoux as the historic home of sparkling wine – where the first documented bubbly was made in 1544 – and taste Blanquette and Crémant de Limoux.
Lunch at Bachus in Limoux, specialising in meat dishes. Vegetarian alternatives can be arranged. Wines from regional producers.
After lunch we visit Carcassonne la Cité – a fortified medieval city with double walls and 52 towers, UNESCO World Heritage. Time to explore the citadel at your own pace, outside peak season.
Dinner at home in the garden with regional wines.
- Day 3
Narbonne and Corbières
French breakfast.
We visit Les Halles in Narbonne – the historic covered market, open 365 days a year and often ranked among the finest in France.
Lunch at Chez Bebelle in the market hall, combined with local wines. Time to explore the city, including the Canal de Robine and Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur cathedral.
Afternoon visit to Vins de Fontfroide in Corbières for a tour and tasting with Laure de Chevron Villette.
Return to the villa and free time. Dinner at home with regional wines.
- Day 4
La Livinière and Minerve
French breakfast.
Visit to Domaine de la Senche in La Livinière – organic family estate run by Tove and Arnstein Hernes. Tour of vineyards and cellar, followed by a three-course lunch among the vines (cellar if weather requires). Wines from the domain; Tove and Arnstein join us for lunch.
After lunch, optional return to the villa or excursion to Minerve – a medieval village perched on a cliff, one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
Farewell dinner at Lo Cagarol in the round village of Aigne.
- Day 5
Departure
French breakfast. Morning at leisure – relax at the house, stroll through the village, or use the local tennis and padel courts.
Group transfer from the property to Toulouse airport. Other airports and flights can be arranged. Extension of stay may be possible by prior agreement.
What's included
- 4 nights at L'Hirondelle or Villa Belle in Minervois
- All meals including drinks
- Guided vineyard visits and tastings
- Local transport
- Transfer to/from Toulouse airport
- Norwegian hosts with 18 years of local knowledge
Not included
- Flights to/from France
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Physical fitness, mobility and health
The trip normally has a comfortable pace, but along the way you may encounter:
- cobblestones and uneven surfaces
- stairs and inclines
- a lot of walking and standing
The organiser recommends that you have normal mobility and good balance to participate.
If you have reduced mobility, a disability or health conditions that may affect your participation, this must be disclosed to the organiser before booking or at the latest immediately after booking.
The organiser will, as far as is practical and safe, seek to make reasonable adjustments, but cannot guarantee that all activities are accessible to everyone.
For safety reasons, the organiser may refuse or limit your participation in certain activities if your physical condition or state of health makes it unsafe for yourself, other participants or suppliers. In such cases, a refund is normally not given for the activity in question.
If you are unsure whether the trip is right for you, we encourage you to contact the organiser in advance – the aim is for all guests to feel safe and well looked after.
Age requirement
The trips are especially aimed at adult travellers who appreciate good food, wine and culture. Most trips are designed for participants over 40, but those over 30 with an interest in the concept are also welcome.
There is an age limit of 18 to participate in the trips, unless otherwise explicitly stated in the programme. Children (persons under 18) cannot as a rule take part in the organiser's standard trips.
Some trips may have their own age limits or recommendations; where applicable, this will be stated in the trip description.