Inspiration

The north coast of Ibiza is truly beautiful with little hidden beaches and a landscape similar to that of Mallorca and some parts of Provence. You meet less tourists here and more of the local people or expats who have settled in with the locals.  People are friendly, there is a positive vibe, that can't be missed. It is highly recommended to rent a car and go exploring those hidden areas. We stayed in the middle of the island in a villa outside the very trendy Santa Gertrudis. In this small town you can find hip shops and restaurants. Santa Gertrudis has a lot of international people who have settled down, since there is an international school. In the middle of the town there is a big playground for small children, which makes the town children friendly at the same time. One day we visited a stunning resort called La Granja. This place is truly unique . Wildly enveloped by the pastoral verdure of Ibiza's heartland, La Granja is a 10-hectare farmstead, featuring 20 tiered acres of pine and citrus forests and fertile gardens, overseen by a master farmer and an all-knowing pig. In collaboration with the Ibiza Preservation Fund (IPF), La Granja aims to preserve the natural beauty of the island through local initiatives and programs supporting organic farming. Here, among the heady scents of ficus and figs, is the real Ibiza. The one untouched by time and tourism, the one of rambling roads, brooding mountains and peerless ocean vistas. The food in the restaurant is simply gorgeous including the organic wine. The staff were very welcoming and when a woman in our group asked for a few more flowers to eat from their impressive garden, we got a big basket full of these delicious flowers. The outdoor kitchen and eating area was very inviting with a relaxed and very casual atmosphere. This place is on my dream list for places to stay in the future.

Astrid Gränicher, who is danish living in Switzerland had kindly invited our family to pass by at the winery for a tasting and see how her products, that she has bought at Cabane Blanche made her terrace and the winery look very cosy and welcoming. Astrid had married a wine maker in Tartegnin close to Rolle and was living in the middle of the vinyards in beautiful settings. The Domaine de Penloup consists of 8 acres (32 000 m2) and is situated at the heights of the village Tartegnin, surrounded by vineyards and with a beautiful view overlooking the lake of Genevea "Lac Leman". The domaine has been owned by the Gränicher family since 1983. There are more than 10 varieties of grapes cultivated at the Domaine. From Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay to Gamaret and Merlot. The winery uses varied and innovative methods in order to ensure the highest quality of wine with a respect of and a protection and preservation of the land around, never forgetting the identity of each soil. The wolf or "loup" which is presented in both the name of the domaine and in the logo of the wine, is linked to an old tale, recalling that when wolves were still present in our region, the last living wolf was captured on their property. Hence the term 'Penloup' which was then given to the Domaine. I can recommend a visit to this nice place and we liked especially the premier grand cru white wine.. don't miss out either the natural chasselas coming from an organice parcel. No additive, no filtration, 100 % authentic.. They were charming and lovely people and we ended up spending a few hours on the terrace.