{"id":92,"date":"2025-05-03T20:08:52","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T20:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/littlecedarfarm.ca\/?p=92"},"modified":"2025-05-10T07:48:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T07:48:23","slug":"savouring-the-slow-travel-life-and-a-little-wine-in-epesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/littlecedarfarm.ca\/?p=92","title":{"rendered":"Savouring the Slow Travel Life (and a little Wine) in Epesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the great things about being here for an extended stay is that we\u2019re not rushed to ping-pong between cities and experiences. That said, our first week in Switzerland has already been a whirlwind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, we hopped on a train to the UNESCO World Heritage village of Epesses<\/strong> (pronounced Eh-pess<\/em>). While excavations have uncovered ancient Roman roads and coins dating back to the time of Caesar\u2014undeniably fascinating\u2014our mission that day was driven by something a little more… spirited: a wine festival<\/strong>, thanks to a tip from Sabine and Yvan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epesses is nestled in the Lavaux-Oron district<\/strong>, an area renowned for its terraced vineyards and centuries-old winemaking tradition. Some of these vineyards date back to the 17th century, and the views alone are worth the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We weren\u2019t exactly sure what to expect\u2014some of the festival details were a bit lost in translation\u2014but we knew we\u2019d meet up with Sabine, Yvan, and the rest of the Chernex crew later that evening to catch a band. Until then, we were on our own to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After buying our tickets, it quickly became clear we were in trouble: 23 wineries<\/strong>, most offering tastings of 8\u20139 different wines. Observing how the locals approached each tasting, we realized that to avoid any cultural faux pas\u2014or worse, offending a winemaker\u2014we might<\/em> be obligated to sample them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Just kidding… mostly.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had an absolute blast wandering from cave to cave (wine cellars), sipping our way through a wide range of local varieties\u2014mostly Chasselas<\/strong>, the signature grape of the region. Each stop was a chance to chat, taste, and take in the atmosphere of this incredible little village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By evening, we\u2019d reconnected with the gang and capped off the day with a lively outdoor concert on one of the patios. Let\u2019s just say it got a little rowdy\u2014 especially with the French contingent who joined the dance-floor. Only one of the three of us made it to the end of the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll leave it to the pictures to reveal who made the final curtain call!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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