The Inn at the Mill is located in Anjou, which produces about one-quarter of all wines in the Loire and a range of styles from still to sparkling wines, and whites and reds. The farmland in the region near the riverbanks is very fertile, and produces apples, pears, cherries, plums, strawberries, raspberries, currants, melons nuts and wine grapes. The river area along the Loire has been quarried for centuries, and wines are stored underground in caves carved from the chalky white tufa stone. The caves are also used for mushroom cultivation and historically, for subterranean homes.
In 1811, a Belgian named Jean Ackerman, became the first person to produce sparkling wines fermented like Champagnes, and Saumur is now a major center for sparkling wine fermentation, the second largest region in France.
Appellations Controlees near Saumur include the wines of Saumur-Champigny, and Chenin Blanc is the native white grape vine that is the base for many Anjou wine styles. To the east lies Touraine, with the famous wines of Bourgueil, St. Nicholas-de-Bourgeuil, Chinon, Vouvray and Montlouis, based on the red grapes Cabernets Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Other local grape varieties include Gamay, Pinot Noire and Chardonnay, nearer to Beaujolais and Burgundy; in the northern Loire, Sauvignon Blanc is dominant. En route back to Paris, you may wish to visit Sancerre, further to the east.
Le Moulin Bregeon's wine programs are designed by our Wine Director, Adam Acosta.
Wine Tours
Wine tours can be arranged from the Inn at the Mill via bicycle or car.
Bicycle Touring
We offer two bike tours along the beautiful Loire River, stopping at amazing wineries along the way.
Le Moulin Bregeon can arrange to rent bicycles or you can bring your own. As we meander through 16th, 17th and 18th century villages, we will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the village shops and cafes between wine tastings and tours.
Bicycle Tour One* Visit historic 19th century working distillery Combier in Saumur
medium difficulty * Cycle along the Loire to wine village of Montsoreau for lunch
estimated 25 miles * Wine tasting at Domaine Fillatreau in 13th century cave dwellings
If biking is not your forte, there is plenty of opportunity to take more expansive tours by auto. There are great day trips not only for the wine enthusiast, but also for the real connoisseur.
Over three days, we will visit three unique regions in the valley each specializing in their own wine making style: Chinon, Saumur-Champigny, and St. Nicholas de Bourgeuil.
Special wine and food pairings are scheduled regularly. One of our new favorite activities is a combined chocolate and pastry cooking course at the patisserie la Duchesse Anne in Saumur, incorporating the late harvest wines of the region. We also visit a working organic goat farm in St. Georges sur Layon and pair a variety of artisinally produced fresh and aged chevre with selected wines.
After mastering the art of drinking fine French wine each day, we will wind up at le Moulin Bregeon for a delicious five course dinner with traditional dishes paired with local wines. While you visit the beautiful Inn at the Mill, you can take advantage of every excursion or spend a day or two soaking up the peaceful countryside amidst the botanical and organic produce gardens along the river.
Previous excursions have included visits to Chateau
The Loire valley is reknowned for its wine production of world famous still and sparkling wines, and is the third largest producing region in France.
Le Moulin Bregeon offers a wide variety of specialized wine excursions. We can customize any trip to fit your interests. While enjoying your stay at le Moulin Bregeon, we will go on daily guided wine tours to some of the top Chateaux of the region.
Selection of wines on the sideboard
Wines of the Loire Valley
Wines for dinner
Tasting at Domaine Fillatreau
Local poster
Aging sparkling wines at Louis de Grenelle
The vines
The Mill's owner, Jonathan Robinson, can arrange special classes with vintners and private winery tours
