Mabon, or the autumnal equinox, is the time of the harvest, for reaping the bounty of the earth and celebrating the many gifts the gods provide for our sustenance and celebration. It is also traditionally a wine festival, when many vineyards in Europe commemorate the quality and quantity of the grapes harvested and test the character of the year's vintage. One of the best areas of the world to observe the lavishness of the harvest is the French countryside, particularly the provinces of Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne.
From Paris, take the A6 roadway southeast into Burgundy, viewing the ancient vineyards throughout the countryside from which the namesake wine is created. Near the intersection of the A6 and the N74 is the picturesque village of Beaune, famous for its wine cellars (or caves as they are called by the locals). North of Beaune is the lively town of Dijon, where the Festival International de Folklore, a week-long celebration of music, art and food, is held in early September. The final day of the festival is the Fête de la Vigne, a special observance of the vineyards of the region.
From this region, travel northeast on the A36 to the province of Alsace. Just west of the German border is the medieval town of Colmar, which hosts a wine festival in August. Follow the Route du Vin, a winding road that tours a myriad of villages and hamlets all primarily focused on the production of wine.
Move northwest into the region of Champagne and the vintners' town of Epernay, home to many of the world's best known producers of the bubbly stuff. Many caves in this area offer tours and free samples, and most vintage produced here is done so by the "methode champenoise," an ancient French law that governs the making of champagne. According to this law, any sparkling wines created outside this province cannot legally be called champagne. Remember this on your next trip to the liquor store!
We may not have true champagne, but the Northwest is a prominent region for fine wines. The Mount Baker Vineyards in mid-September holds its annual Grapestomp, a festival of food, crafts and squishing grapes in giant vats. Tours are available year round at the Chateau St. Michelle Winery, near Woodinville, which is also a site for outdoor concerts. You can also sample local flavor here at the Columbia Winery, one of the oldest wineries in the state, or at the Snoqualmie Winery, overlooking the mountains near Snoqualmie Falls.
If you truly wish to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the harvest festival, there is no better way than at one of the many country fairs of the Pacific Northwest. There are quite a few throughout Washington and Oregon, some of the more colorful events include the Wild Blackberry Festival in Elma, Washington, the Pendleton Roundup in Pendleton, Oregon, and the Bigfoot at Baker Festival in Maple Falls, Washington. Of course, one of the biggest and best celebrations is the Puyallup Fair, more than two weeks of fruits, vegetables, flowers, livestock, arts, crafts, food, games and fun. Wander among the exhibition stands, take a deep breath and thank the gods for their bounty and beauty.
For those who would like to explore the French countryside, but have not the resources for such a journey, I can recommend reading The Travellers Wine Guide to France by Christopher Fielden, a wonderful guide to the wineries throughout France. Or explore from your home computer via numerous web pages devoted to travel. I enjoy the Lonely Planet Web pages at: http://www.lonelyplanet.com.au/dest/eur/fra.htm
Even the Puyallup Fair has a Web site! Get into the harvest festival spirit at: http://www.thefair.com
Happy traveling!
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