Located in the 18th arrondissement in Paris, La Vigne de Montmartre vineyard was created when the Romans built a temple dedicated to Bacchus, the god of wine, on the only hill in Paris, which they also covered with grape vines. Centuries later, a Benedictine abbey replaced the temple, and nuns operated the wine presses. In 1933 the steep Montmartre hillside vineyard was replanted with 27 varietals to represent all the grapes grown in France. There are better French wines than Clos Montmartre, but this makes a great souvenir or table wine for the holidays, and all proceeds are given to charity.
The vineyard is only open during the five-day celebration of the grape harvest, or the Fête des Vendanges, which begins the second Saturday in October. This is the week the grapes are picked and taken to the local wine cellar in Montmartre City Hall to be made into wine. The winery makes around 1,000 bottles per year.
Contact the Montmartre Tourist Office to book a visit, and be sure to check to see if wine is available for purchase.
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