We visited the Burgundy region of France as part of our Uniworld river cruise. Despite the rain, I was thrilled to see rows of vines as we drove through some villages in the Saone-et-Loire region, known for producing Burgundy’s famous wines.

Our first stop was the ancient fortified chateau in the village of Rully, dating back to the 12th century, with 32 hectares of vineyards, one-third of which are Premiers Crus. We were not only going to taste these fabulous wines but also have lunch and a guided tour of the château with the owner.

The château and vineyards are owned by the Comte de Ternay, whose family has lived there for 22 generations, likely producing great Burgundy wine since the 12th century. The château is on a hillside facing the plain leading to the River Saône. The square keep was built in the 12th century with a dry ditch around it for defense. Later, it became a manor house, and in the 18th century, the outbuildings and courtyards were added.

We learned that the ditch was filled in after the Count’s grandfather fell into it one night, possibly due to enjoying too much good Burgundy wine! Now, there’s a tasteful dining room and a wine tasting cellar with ancient barrels converted into tables.

The Comte de Ternay met us from our Uniworld luxury coach. He was an affable chap, slightly frazzled, which he attributed to his three small boys, whom he affectionately called his monsters. It was lovely to see that the château is still a family home and not just a museum.

The Count started his introduction with a quote from Benjamin Franklin about wine. He explained that Burgundy produces some of the most prestigious Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines in the world, with 100 different appellations and over 3,000 individual producers. The Château de Rully vineyards are one of only 120 in Burgundy owned by an individual. About 80% of the wines made here are from Chardonnay grape vines, which thrive in the limestone terroir and south-east exposure.

We were invited to a dimly lit cellar under the 12th-century keep, filled with ancient barrels turned into tables. With the wine, we were served delicious cheese puffs called gougères. We tried the Premier cru 1er Cru Clos de la Bressande Monopol, a wine with a floral nose, aromas of honey and orange blossom, and an elegant oakiness. The Count mentioned it pairs well with cold cuts, fish, white meats, and goat’s cheese.

Next, we tasted the Appellation Village Rully Les Saint-Jacques Ouest, a lower classification called a regional appellation. It was good, but the Premier Cru was my favorite. It was delightful to drink such beautifully made wine while chatting with someone whose life is dedicated to the estate.

After the tasting, we moved to the former stable block for a delicious lunch, included in the Uniworld excursion. We were served Boeuf Bourguignon made with the château’s own red Burgundy wine, accompanied by a potato gratin with a crispy cheese topping, and a simple apple tart for dessert. It was a perfect meal.

After lunch, the Comte gave us a personal tour of the château. The most interesting part was learning that his family has lived there since the 12th century, producing and enjoying the delicious wines. It was a remarkable day that connected us with the essence of the Burgundy wine region.

The visit to Château Rully was an optional excursion as part of our Uniworld Cruise. The château is also open for visits by appointment in July and August. For more information, visit the Château Rully website.

Our cruise was through Titan Travel, which specializes in escorted holidays and cruises. When you book through Titan Travel, you enjoy their VIP Home Departure Service, which includes a transfer from your home to the departure airport in one of Titan’s vehicles. Uniworld offers boutique river cruising in Europe and other worldwide destinations, featuring luxurious furnishings and personalized service. Heather and Guy traveled on Uniworld’s Burgundy and Provence River Cruise through Titan Travel, an 8-day cruise from Lyon to Avignon. The holiday is all-inclusive, covering meals, drinks, daily excursions, gratuities, and airport transfers.