During the 1960s there were two players who were universally admired throughout the rugby world: Guy and Lilian Camberabero. Known affectionately as the two Lutins de La Voulte, a club which then played in the top league, they brought real passion to all of their games. Cathy Camberabero is Lilian’s daughter. She married Pascal Clusel, a wine grower from Ampuis in the Côte-Rôtie wine area, and opened Le Domaine des Vignes in 2008, a modern-style hotel right in the middle of the vines.

“Ampuis no longer had a hotel, whereas about 30 years ago there were five or six,” remembers Cathy Camberabero-Clusel. “We noticed that there was increasing demand for a hotel that focused on wine growing and wine. So that’s why we decided to open Le Domaine des Vignes, a property which will boast its own wine cellar from next month, which sells wine direct and which can organise themed stays involving wine courses and picnics amongst the vines”.

All of the packages are carefully tailored to suit the needs of each company, and the availability of a function room on-site with capacity for 25 people for meetings and wine-based activities makes the property even more attractive. Possibilities include a wine course with tastings, orienteering in the vineyards and a range of recreational and sporting activitiies in the 5000 m² grounds that surround the hotel (archery, foot biking, blowpipes, mountain biking), some of which are provided by instructors from Sport Évasion.

It’s a formula that seems to work, with on average two or three residential seminars for 15 to 20 participants booked per month. The hotel offers 12 rooms and, if necessary, can accommodate larger groups by using the nine good bed and breakfast properties based in and around Ampuis. Amongst its loyal customers from all over France, the hotel has a strong EDF clientele. “We tend to host mostly sales meetings and a number of Paris-based works councils have shown an interest in our wine-based options,” notes the hotel’s owner. “Up to now we’ve not really made the most of our rugby connections although in October 2009 we did host some of the former national players which got our name out there”.

Le Domaine des Vignes is certainly one of the venues to check out in the northern Côtes-du-Rhône wine area. It is also a place where you can buy wine direct from the producer, including the Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu sold under the label of “Le Domaine des Vignes”. The hotel’s catering is provided by Laurent Huberdeau, based in Saint-Maurice l’Exil. “We use him mostly for lunches whilst for dinners we recommend clients to use the Auberge de la Source, in Tupin-Semons, or the Bistrot à Vin de Serine in Ampuis”, explains Cathy Camberabero.

Rates : 75 € (inc VAT) per room for single occupancy; 85 € per room for two people. The meeting room can be hired for 150 €. Refreshment breaks with savoury or sweet snacks are billed at 3 € per person.

Practical Information
Domaine des Vignes, in Ampuis (Rhône)
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 74 59 21 24
contact@hoteldomainedesvignes.com
http://www.hoteldomainedesvignes.com/eng_index.html