Between the gaze of the afternoon’s golden sunlight and the bright faces of blooming sunflowers, we came together to toast new adventures and exciting experiences, to the simple joy of spending time together, and the beauty of life’s most technicolor moments.

As the shadows of the trees darkened, we even got an appearance from one of the family donkeys, who walked the table in a birthday hat before dessert (we’re still unsure whose birthday the donkey was celebrating!). Finally, the meal ended with a standing ovation from guests as Chef Sarah emerged from the outdoor kitchen to thank the crowd.

In Burgundy, Paulée celebrations mark the end of the grape harvest, but why wait? Each Paulée is a chance to come together to celebrate the terroir of this special place, the unique conditions of this particular year, and the singular group gathered together to share their craft and the (literal) fruits of their labor. Winemakers bring their favorite bottles from previous vintages to share, passing around harvest tips while pouring glasses, and taking a minute in the midst of a very busy season to slow down and simply spend some time together.