Luxe Beat Magazine AUGUST 2015 | Page 9

Travel in the Haut-Médoc appellation and Château Duplessis in the Moulis en Médoc appellation. Since 2009, the collaboration between these two respected French brands has raised approximately €271,000 that have benefited the Bordeaux region. In the beginning, the project resulted in the reforestation of 40 hectares in the municipalities of Gabardon. Trees were planted to offset the impact of a large solar plant located in Bordeaux. This environmental effort is a natural extension of Fouquet’s business practices. With ‘Dignified Luxury’ as their motto, Fouquet’s is the first hotel in Europe to be Leading Green certified for incorporating sustainable practices into their hotel and restaurants. From solid waste recycling to energy-saving elements to Fair Trade products, the hotel proves that luxury can have a conscience. On this Friday morning, a party of twenty is southbound out of Paris. It’s an eclectic mix of Fouquet’s employees that includes everyone from managers to maids. My French is terrible, but I can sense the excitement on the train. It’s an honor and privilege to be chosen to participate in vendanges, and one look at the itinerary tells me why. The trip isn’t just about picking grapes for charity. There are also plenty of wine and gastronomic experiences thrown in for good measure. It’s just one of the many reasons why I love France. There’s no such thing as all work and no play, especially when it comes to vin and culinary. Three hours by train and two more 9