TAKAMAKA BOUTIQUE WINERY

Le Petit Futé loves enthusiasts. This is the case of Alexander Oxenham, whose ancestors, without growing vines (neither the climate nor the terroir of Mauritius lend themselves to this), tried their hand at making beverages from raisins and grape must. The result was nothing unforgettable, but it did awaken in young Alexander a passion for the profession of oenologist. After 5 years of study in France and the grace of this transmission, Alexander, rather than copy his elders, decided to produce a 100% local wine using local products. Lychee wine was born.

Here, the fruit is processed frozen to simplify the production process while allowing the cells to release their aromas, but the rest of the process is similar to that of making wine from grapes: harvesting, peeling and stoning by hand, fermentation in stainless steel or copper vats, then in oak barrels, clarification and bottling - all processes explained during the 30-minute tour. The tour is as much about Alexander's and/or his team's passion as it is about the place itself, which is modest in size but not in quality, as the end product is both surprising and successful.

Five wines are available for sale and tasting: Aquarel (semi-dry white), Apérichy (rosé), Eclipse (more opulent semi-dry), Icône (sweet wine), Tanara (dry white). Bottles are available for purchase, as well as fresh, tasty local Mauritian dishes for lunch.