Cadoles & Sens 2016

(A Cadole is a small building in the vineyard where a worker can keep tools or take shelter from rain and Sens  refers to “Les Sens de la Vie”, roughly translated as “the meaning of life”.)

The Cadoles & Sens association was founded in April 2009 and each Pentecost Weekend since then they have organized an event that includes pleasant strolls through vineyards and the countryside of Beaujolais, wine tasting and conversations with wine makers, and food. Every year the committee selects different villages and routes for participants to choose from along with activities along the routes.  The aim is to provide a venue for visitors to “discover this beautiful area, the valleys and villages….forget the stress of the city and let you experience the most simple and natural things.” 

A Cadole

This was our third Cadoles & Sens, and David was immediately recognized by Nathalie (Chef de Projet).  Nathalie was pleased to introduce us to her daughter who will soon be coming to Washington as an exchange student (and was a little embarrassed at her mother’s enthusiasm and demand that she speak English to us).

An Exchange Student - soon on her way to Washington.

This year we went with Dominique, Roger, Gerard (Dominique’s brother and one of David’s cycling buddies), and Brigitte (a vivacious lady and good friend of Dominique).  We chose a route beginning and ending in the village of Pommiers, and we were blessed with lovely weather for our walks. 

Anna, Roger, and Dominique
and the lovely countryside

We checked in, collected our maps, sack lunches, and wine glasses and set off, up a hill, on a winding path out of Pommiers, through vineyards and past country homes.  The route was well-marked and led us to our first stop where we were greeted by the winemaker and offered a sample of wines from all the winemakers on the Pommiers circuit this year.  After a pleasant conversation with the winemaker, a taste of one of the wines, and conversations with others on the same route, we were off to our next stop.  (There were four of these stops on our route.)  After about 2 ½ hours of pleasant strolling, chatting, gazing at scenery, and, of course, wine tasting, we were back at Pommiers and ready for our picnic lunches.

Lunch:  (L-R) Gerard, Brigitte, Roger, Dominique, Anna

We found a table and David was off to purchase wine for us to enjoy with our lunches (and a few more bottles to take back to our mini “wine cellar” at the apartment.)  We enjoyed a leisurely lunch in a pleasant, sunny courtyard and discussed our experiences.    Another very pleasant Sunday afternoon in the country near Lyon. 

C’est la vie!