In a few days, I’ll be headed to Saint Saturnin to sleep amidst the vines. I’ll admit I’ve done this a couple times at my place in a sleeping bag.  It’s more fun to talk about it than to actually do it.  Because the ground is tough and stony.  And the nights at O’Vineyards get very chilly (which allow us that freshness which differentiates us from so much of the south of France).   But I’m looking forward to this upcoming trip, because I’ll be vine camping in luxury.

Vinolodge set up a bunch of tents in Virgile Joly’s organic vineyard.  The tents are self contained with fully functioning bathrooms, water, and I think some amount of electricity.  I mean, you can’t necessarily run a microwave or whatever.  But you can plug in your phone, laptop, lamps, etc.

Now this is a sneak peak, so I’ll be pretty limited in what I’m allowed to show you.  A lot of the design of these tents is apparently highly protected and patented information.  And the project won’t launch officially until May 2011.   But I hope to film an episode in the tents and give you a glimpse at the inside and outside so you can judge for yourself how well Vinolodge delivers on their promise of eco-friendly, luxury tourism.

At the Salon d’Aniane, I spoke to Virgile and got a sneak peak at the sneak peak. ;D  He said that it was really cool to sleep in one of the tents.  You’re very comfortable.  As comfortable as your own bed.  And then you wake up in the vines.  But really IN THE VINES. A comfortable, luxurious alternative to my rocky sleeping bag experiences in the past.

Once the project is up and running, there’s also supposed to be tents devoted to a low energy restaurant, a reception area, a wine tasting tent, etc.

I’m not going to lie.  I think my hopes are TOO high.  The lodges look really chic and they promise a whole lot of amenities like air conditioning, and a fully stocked wine bar.  It seems like it would be impossible to do that and lighting and plumbing and everything else in the press release, and still be energy efficient, self contained units.  Like maybe I’m going to get there and find out I have to pedal a bicycle to flush the toilet or something.  ;D

We shall see soon enough!