In Banyuls-sur-Mer, Mas Reig is accelerating its wine tourism efforts with wine workshops: “The goal is to demystify”

What if you stepped into the shoes of an oenologist and created your own vintage? This is what Mas Reig, located in the heights of Banyuls-sur-Mer (Pyrénées-Orientales), now offers in one of its workshops open to the general public .

At the helm is Arnaud Heckmann, a professional sommelier: "The Blending workshop lasts about 2.5 hours. There's a fun element to it, using test tubes to find the right blend of grape varieties. Once finalized, the wine will be bottled on site, and each participant will leave with their own bottle, labeled by them."

For the more novice, workshops dedicated to an introduction to tasting or discovering Roussillon wines, and the Collioure-Banyuls vintage in particular , provide the first keys to discovering the world of wine. "The goal is to demystify while maintaining this notion of pleasure. We leave without any complexes!" promises Arnaud Heckmann.

Two sessions per week are scheduled, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Workshops can also be customized for groups of at least six people. A great option for both locals and visitors.

"These workshops aren't just about having a good time. We'll come away with new knowledge," insists Antoine Parra, president of the Albères-Côte Vermeille-Illibéris community of communes, which largely funded the renovation of Mas Reig to make it the new temple of the Collioure-Banyuls vintage, whose vines run through the communes of Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cerbère.

In these difficult times for the wine world, the stakes were high. "It's essential for winemakers to be able to showcase their wines. To do this, we need to gain notoriety ," insists the elected official.

This gateway to wine tourism, which complements the existing training offerings dedicated to professionals, is expected to expand further in the fall, with the opening of a wine discovery pavilion, also at Mas Reig. Visitors will be invited to immerse themselves in this world through the tasting of a selection developed by Benjamin Roffet, France's best sommelier in 2010, but also via immersion rooms showcasing this exceptional terroir and the men and women who shape it in an educational and visual way.