August 2nd

Yesterday the highlight was fish and chips at Fishburger in the Medina. It was so windy we did not do much else.

Today…. well we did something special!    We went to THE Moroccan winery near Essaouira! 

                   Val d'Argan!!!

At 1130 we caught a very local bus to Ounagha, Morocco, for 7dh each (that is around 70 cents each). Thirty minutes later, we arrived and Google told us where to walk. About 15 minutes of trekking and we arrived… Le Val d'Argan. Jeff had called Monday… to my insistence, and reserved us a lunch for 350 dh each = $35. Lunch included an open bar of their wines, of course, for tasting/drinking with lunch. This winery is the southernmost in Morocco. The French man who established it 24 years ago, chose Rhone grapes. Unfortunately he lost 80% of his vines in 2022! But, hey, we visited a winery in Morocco! Anyway, we arrived and “checked in” so to speak. We were then lead with a group of four, past some vineyard area, to the dinning area, past the swimming pool. There were 4-5 tables set up. We had the choice of two tables set for two. The bar was set up with five wines – we were introduced to each, and recommended of an order to drink them. First was the Perle Grise, then Perle Rose, then Perle Blanche, then Perle Noire and last Perle Orange (with noire for brochettes and orange  for dessert). First was starter of green and black olives with bread and EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). Next was seven small bowls of: (listed in order of my liking) 1 -green beans with EVOO, garlic and parsley; 2 -sliced carrots with- same garnish and some citrus(?); 3 -sliced tomatoes with red onion, kosher salt, EVOO, and parsley; 4 -cucumber with touch of vinegar and parsley; 5 -shredded red cabbage with touch of mayo(?), raisins, and parsley; 6 -lentils with garlic and parsley (okay, but needed more umph); and last 7 -beets (we don't like and didn't try, at all, and not sorry). Next was two bowls: 1 -sliced squash sauteed with rosemary; 2 -eggplant with parmesan, roasted… both were hot and excellently cooked. Next and third course, the main: brochettes – skewered chicken (tender and juicy, not dry!) with red pepper slice; and skewered beef (what we call “medium”) with tomato slice (both were very good – cooked in an outside, open oven). Last was dessert: a slice of dark chocolate torte/pie with a crumb crust, not graham.

          WOWZA!

Now, we interacted with the group of four, two couples. They were from Antwerp, Belgium, and have been friends a very long time. Minimally older than us, but have a house in Essaouira, Morocco, and visit often. Cheers to them, and praying their flight back to Belgium goes well tomorrow. We enjoyed talking with them. Bonne chance on the up coming wedding!

After we finished, we parted ways and walked back to the town. We caught a 'grand taxi' back to Essaouira (10dh each, one dollar). We had to trek back to our place a bit, but needed the exercise. (We caught the bus right off our plaza).

Anyway, an amazing day and outing. MOROCCAN LIVING, baby! God bless to all!!!