Burgundy on the Beach in St-Barthelemy

I have previously written in the pages of Polo Lifestyles about great wine events around the world. And I’ll own to being a shameless promoter of one such event – the Sante Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, on whose Board of Directors I sit and whose five-day schedule of events was named one of the best wine festivals in the United States earlier this year by Wine Enthusiast.

I love wine. And I love wine events.

And so it was, this past Thanksgiving, as we were sunning ourselves on the chic shores of St-Barth’s best beaches and partaking in the offerings of the island’s best restaurants, that I learned of St-Barth Burgundy Week. I enjoy Burgundian wines anywhere… but I can’t imagine a more idyllic place to celebrate and enjoy them than in this posh French outpost in the Caribbean.

One sunny afternoon, members of the Polo Lifestyles team were enjoying an opulent sushi lunch at the iconic Nikki Beach in St-Jean and sharing in the gorgeous Jeroboam of Brut rosé champagne purchased by an adjoining table whose conviviality was contagious. I began discussing wine with staff at the restaurant, including sommelier Billy Baron. They were generous in showing me the impressive offerings of wine at the property and the conversation drifted to his involvement in St-Barth Burgundy Week.

Now in its fifth year, St-Barth Burgundy Week will be held next month from February 12-16 and is co-organized by Nikki Beach’s Baron and Fabien Cregut of importer and distributer Friendship and Wines. The series of events has more than a dozen participating wineries including Domain Fourrier, Domaine Chavy-Chouet, Domaine Thomas-Collardot, Domaine Antoine Jobard, Domaine Antoine Jobard, Domaine Ballot-Millot, and a few champagne houses to ensure there is sparkling on hand. There are also eight restaurant partners that will play host to many of the events, including Nikki Beach, which is hosting the closing “Beach Party.”

The program opens with a Wine Tasting at the stunning Cheval Blanc, which is also hosting two winemaker dinners, a Champagne & Caviar Lunch, as well as a Master Class on wines from the Corton wine region. Other winemaker dinners are offered at Black Ginger in Gustavia, the luxe and secluded Hotel Christopher, Le Sereno, Bonito, and Tamarin.

Nikki Beach’s second sommelier, Guillaume Goin, told Polo Lifestyles “For me, St-Barth Burgundy Week is a beautiful gathering of wine connoisseurs, in a joyful and a sharing spirit, who are happy to jump from a single Pinot Noir to the best great growth.”

Getting There

Tradewind Aviation offers both private charters and scheduled flights directly into St-Barth from San Juan, Antigua, Anguilla, and St. Thomas and the U.S. Virgin Islands. flytradewind.com

Jet Access is a Burgundy Week partner and offers private charter flights into St-Barth. flyjetaccess.com

Where to Stay

Luxury Homes – St-Barth is a partner to Polo Lifestyles and offers impeccable villas for rent and exceptional personalized concierge service.

Luxury villa rentals are available through Le Barth Villa Rental and 100% Villas – St Barth, both of which are partners for the event.

If a hotel is more to your liking, stay in the middle of all of it at the legendary Eden Rock. Eden Rock is also hosting the Gala Dinner for Burgundy Week on February 15.