Domaine Christian Binner

I Spent a Month in France for Less Than $650 — Here's How I Did It

"A pioneering natural-winemaking estate in the Alsace village of Ammerschwihr that hosts harvest volunteers and paid pickers in a communal, hands-on work-exchange setup; food and housing are provided in return for hours spent helping with vintage tasks. Guests live in a charming half-timbered family house overlooking 70-year-old vines and share cooking and chores while learning practical winemaking — from clipping grapes at sunrise to stomping fermenting fruit barefoot in vats and cleaning cellar tanks. The domaine is closely tied to a U.S. importer (making direct contact a useful route to arrange stays) and is known for label-less, cellar-pulled wines such as a skin-contact rosé blend of gewürztraminer and pinot gris that tastes strikingly different (and far cheaper) when enjoyed on-site. Expect physically demanding, often long days dictated by ripeness, but also a meditative, convivial atmosphere and an immersive education in natural wine production." - Sophie Dodd Sophie Dodd Sophie Dodd is a travel, wine and lifestyle writer.  Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines