Thursday, December 4, 2025

Visiting Château Royale d’Amboise and the Burial Place of Leonardo da Vinci - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours







The Loire Tour 2025 by ombiasy WineTours took place from Sunday, October 5 to Thursday, October 16, 2025. The tour started in Nantes and ended in Sancerre, with a bus transfer and lunch in Paris. There were 9 of us including Annette and myself.

Following: 
 
we went back to Amboise for a visit of the Château Royale d’Amboise and the Burial Place of Leonardo da Vinci. 

Loire 2025 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller 

Annette Schiller in her announcement: What comes to your mind when you hear ‘Loire Valley’? Of course images of glorious Châteaux pop up in your mind. Yes that is true and we will visit some iconic château and dig deep into France’s history. However, during this wine tour we also discover a magnificent, but often overlooked French wine region and one of the most exciting best kept secrets of excellent, high quality wines at very reasonable prices. The Loire Valley wine region is a vast area and consists of several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. We take you on a journey from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains to explore this unique region. We learn to appreciate “Sancerre”, "Pouilly-Fumé", “Vouvray", “Chinon”, as well as many other not so familiar appellations.

Château Royale d’Amboise and the Burial Place of Leonardo da Vinci (ombiasy WineTours)

The impressive Château Royal d’Amboise is regarded as the cradle of the Renaissance in France and French history was written here for over a century. Five kings of France resided in the Château d’Amboise. Under King Charles III. and his wife Anne of Brittany, Italian splendor and enlightened thinking unfolded here. The metamorphosis from a feudal fortress to a Renaissance palace dates back to this era and the triumpf of the Renaissance began here.

Much later, in 1560 during the religious wars an unimaginably horrific bloodbath that lasted several days occurred at the château when Catholics brutally killed hundreds of Protestants.

Worth visiting is the richly decorated jewel from the Gothic period, the St.-Hubert chapel, on the castle grounds. This is the burial site of Leonardo da Vinci.

Château Royale d’Amboise (Lonely Planet) 

Perched atop a rocky escarpment above town, Amboise's castle was a favoured retreat for all of France's Valois and Bourbon kings. Only a few of the château's original structures survive, but you can still visit the furnished Logis (Lodge) – Gothic except for the top half of one wing, which is Renaissance – and the Flamboyant Gothic Chapelle St-Hubert (1493), where Leonardo da Vinci's presumed remains have been buried since 1863. The ramparts afford thrilling views of the town and river.

Charles VIII (r 1483–98), born and bred here, renovated parts in the radical new Renaissance style, so recently imported from Italy. In 1560, an unsuccessful attempt by Huguenots to seize power from the ultra-Catholic Guise faction was brutally suppressed, with 1200 summary executions and rebel corpses hung on hooks from the château's façade. The defeated Algerian anti-colonial leader Abd el-Kader was imprisoned here with a large entourage from 1848 to 1852.

Arriving







Leonardo da Vinci 
 




 
Château Royale d’Amboise
 
















schiller-wine: Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours - Already Published Postings   
 
Invitation: Summer 2025 and Outlook on Wine Travel Fall 2025: Loire Valley Wine Tour (October 5 -16, 2025, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours)  

Summary of the Loire Valley Tour 2025 by ombiasy WineTours: The Facebook Postings of David Miller

Where in the World are Norm and Susan? On the 2025 Loire Valley Tour by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller

Saturday Morning at the Talensac Market, a True Nantes Institution - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Oysters and Muscadet at Taverne Royale in Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Riding the Grand Elephant of Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Guided Tour of Old Town Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at Iconic Brasserie La Cigale in Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and tasting at Maison Chéreau Carré, AOP Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, with Bernard Chéreau - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

"Formule du Midi" at Chez Pipette, Auberge Bistronomique, in La Haie-Fouassiere - Loire Valley 2025 bu ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Gadais Père et Fils, in Saint Fiacre-sur-Maine, Muscadet Sévre et Maine, Pays Nantais, with Christoph Gadais - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at Les Petits Prés in Angers with "Top Chef France" Samuel Albert - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Introduction in the Courtyard, Cellar Tour, Tasting and Bottling at Domaine Loïc Mahé, with Loïc Mahé - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Salon Tasting at Château des Vaults, Domaine du Closel in Savennières, Anjou - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Brasserie de la Maine in Bouchemaine - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit of Château Angers and the Apocalypse Tapestry (UNESCO) - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

For a Bottle of Natural Wine from the Loire at Wine Bar L’ Angevigne in Angers - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Extensive Vinyard Walk, Short Visit of the Wine Cellar and High-end Tasting in the Wine Cellar at Domaine Belargus in Saint-Lambert du Lattey, Anjou - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Charcuterie and Cheese Lunch with Wine Tasting plus Cellar Tour and Vineyard Tour at Domaine de la Soucherie in Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Anjou - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Touring the Cave, the Winemaking Facilities and the “Clos d’Entre Les Murs” Vineyard, a Special Monument, and Tasting at Château de Parnay in Saumur-Champigny - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

3-course Dinner at Restaurant L’ Alchimiste in Saumur (Michelin Guide Listed), a 2-Person Operation of Chef François Deplange and his Wife - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of L’ Abbey Royale de Fontevraud in Fontevraud - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Saumur's Fairy-tale Castle Château de Saumur - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting, Tour of the Old Cellar and Vineyard Tour at Clotilde Legrand – Domaine Legrand in Varrains, Anjou, with Clotilde Legrand and her Father René-Noël Legrand - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Maison Bouvet-Ladubay, a Leading Crémant de Loire Producer in Saumur - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

A Bottle of Claire et Florent Bejon Vin de France Rouge "Pain Perdu" at La Tonnelle Wine Bar in Saumur - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Bernard Baudry in Cravant-Les-Coteaux, Touraine - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine Couly-Dutheil in Chinon - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Bar-Restaurant Le Bistrot du Marché of Hotel Le Lion d'Or in the Center of Chinon - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Cellar at Cave M. Plouzeau in Chinon, Touraine, with Owner/ Winemaker Marc Plouzeau - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

3-course Dinner (with a Tablet) at Restaurant L’Écluse (Michelin-listed) in Amboise - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine François Chidaine in Montlouis-sur-Loire - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTour

4-course Lunch at Restaurant Le Favori (1-star Michelin), with Head Sommelier Paul Rybard, in Cheverny - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Visit of Château de Chambord: "An Epitome of what Human Art can Produce" said Charles V. (Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations) - Loire Valley 2026 by ombiasy WineTours
 
Guided Visit of Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci lived and died, in Amboise - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours
 
With a Large Cheese Cart and Soufflé Flambé au Cognac: 5-course Menu Inspiration - Leisurely Sunday Lunch at Restaurant La Croix Blanche on the Banks of the Loire between Amboise and Blois, with Owner/ Chef Jean-François Beauduin (Bib Gourmand Michelin) - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours
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Holiday Reception at the the Prestigious Army and Navy Club in Downtown Washington DC, Hosted by Jean P. Froehly, Minister, Head of Economic and Financial Affairs, German Embassy in the USA (December 2025)






Great Holiday Reception at the prestigious Army and Navy Club, Washington DC hosted by @Jean P Froehly, Minister, Head of Economic and Financials Affairs, German Embassy Washington
 
I was in particular impressed by the excellent fish-based buffet and the delicious mulled wine. 
 
Jean P. Froehly on linkedin 
 
Germany and the United States remain deeply interconnected as innovative, industrial, and strategic partners. In a world shaped by shifting geoeconomic forces, our cooperation has become even more vital. We must continue to deepen our bilateral exchange—between companies, government, and policymakers—to navigate challenges, seize new opportunities, and keep our transatlantic economy competitive and resilient.

At the same time, we face a new set of challenges: global supply chain realignments, rapid technological transformations, and increasing demands for economic security. These developments remind us that dialogue and trust are indispensable. Only by working closely together can we ensure that our companies remain strong, our societies remain open, and our shared prosperity endures.

A big thank you to the Economic and Finance Team Embassy of Germany in Washington, D.C. Their dedication throughout the year has been essential in strengthening the bridges between our two economies.

A big thank you to our partners for being part of this dialogue and for your commitment to our shared success. 

The Army and Navy Club 

The Army and Navy Club is the most prestigious military officers' club in the United States. It was founded on December 28, 1885, and is located at the corner of 17th Street and I Street N.W. on Washington's Farragut Square.

The Club has an historic main dining room, an informal Eagle Grill, the Daiquiri Lounge, 32 hotel guest rooms, a ballroom, meeting rooms, athletic facility, and houses a library with one of the largest private collections of military literature in the world. Membership in the Club entitles members to the use of the Club's facilities in Washington, but also extends guest privileges to over 200 of the most prestigious private clubs in existence in the United States and the world. 



Other Prestigious Clubs in Washington DC 

Some of the most prestigious clubs in Washington, D.C. include the Cosmos Club, known for its intellectual and scholarly members; the University Club, frequently ranked as a top city club; the historic Metropolitan Club; and the Army and Navy Club, a traditional club for military and political figures. 

Other exclusive clubs often mentioned for their prestige are the Gridiron Club, a selective journalistic organization, and clubs like the DACOR Bacon House and the Georgetown Club. 

Academically and intellectually focused
 
Cosmos Club: Founded in 1876, it attracts members from creative, intellectual, and scholarly fields, including numerous presidents, Supreme Court justices, and Nobel Prize winners. Its clubhouse is a District of Columbia Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 
University Club of Washington DC.: Established in 1904, it is consistently ranked among the top city clubs in America and has been recognized as a Distinguished Club of the World. Its members come from private, public, and nonprofit sectors, and it offers a wide range of programs and facilities. 
 
Historic and traditional
 
Metropolitan Club: Founded in 1863, its official name is The Metropolitan Club of the City of Washington. The building is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
 
Army and Navy Club: A private, members-only club that has been a historic home for military and political leaders. It is valued for its timeless elegance, fine dining, and accommodations.
 
DACOR Bacon House: This is the former home of a former Secretary of State and is a historic landmark often recognized for its prestige.
 
The Georgetown Club: A social club located in the affluent Georgetown neighborhood of D.C.. 
 
Other notable clubs
 
Gridiron Club: Established in 1885, it is one of the oldest and most selective journalistic organizations in Washington, D.C..
 
The Gathering Spot: A newer club focused on community and professional networking for Black professionals in D.C..
 
Art Club of Washington: A social club for artists and patrons of the art.  
 
Holiday Reception
 






 
String Quartet
 
Roland Young
Portrait is of Major General Lawton was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Civil War Battle of Atlanta (1864). Over thirty years later, he commanded the 2nd Division at Santiago in the Spanish-American War (1898). He was killed in action during the Philippine-American War just a year later, by Filipino insurrectionists at the Battle of San Mateo in 1899 while commanding the 1st Division. He was the only General Officer killed during the Philippine-American War. Lawton, OK where Ft Sill is, is named after him.
 
 
German Seafood Buffet and Mulled Wine
 

Mulled Wine (Glühwein) at Frankfurt Christmas Market, 2013, Germany 
 
Pictures: Christian, Annette, Katharina, Benjamin, Lorelei and Otto Schiller at Frankfurt Christmas Market
 
Glühwein, the popular mulled wine in German-speaking countries and the region of Alsace in Northeastern France, just across the border from Southwest Germany, is the traditional beverage offered and drunk at Christmas Markets, but is also offered in cafés and restaurants during the Advent and Christmas season. Glühwein is made from red wine that was heated and spiced with cinnamon, citrus, vanilla pods, cloves and sugar.
 
See: Mulled Wine (Glühwein) at Frankfurt Christmas Market, 2013, Germany  
 
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Overview: Germany Rhein-Mosel-Nahe 2024 by Ombiasy Public Relations and Wine Tours led by Annette Schiller - Facebook Day-by-day Postings

Summary: Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Summary: From Lyon to Paris - Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours (July 02 - 13, 2023)

Summary: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023 

2022 Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA 

Massive Tasting of Bordeaux 1982 - the Vintage that made Robert Parker a Star, USA/ France

Kékfrankos - Blaufränkisch - Lemberger: A Grape’s Immigration Story From Central Europe To The US West Coast - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Tasting at the German Wine Society (Washington DC Chapter), presented by Annette Schiller

schiller-wine Blog of Christian Schiller Top Washington DC Alcohol Blog (December, 2024)

2024 Annual Meeting of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, a 45 Years Old Wine Brotherhood in the Famous Wine Village Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, with Annette Schiller, Founding Member, and Christian Schiller

Masterclass - The Wines of Germany: Presentation by Annette Schiller at the German Embassy in Washington DC/ Consular Conference March 2024 

The New German Wine Law of 2021 - Shifting from the Sugar Level at Harvest to the Wine's Geographic Origin

Dinner at JAN in Munich, Germany, with Jan Hartwig, one of the ten German 3-star Michelin Chefs (September 2024) 

 
2025 Rieslingfeier Gala Dinner in New York City, Sky Loft, 32nd Floor of 50 Hudson Yard, with 15 #worldclass Winemakers from Germany + Austria and Estimated 300 Wines, many 20, 30, 40 Years old, many Larger Format and almost all Ultra-premium
 
German Wine Society (Capital Chapter) Membership Meeting 2025: Carl Willner Re-elected President and Christian Schiller Re-elected Vice-president, USA/ Germany
 
 
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