Every May, the five-star Constance Prince Maurice resort in Mauritius plays host to La Paulée by Constance, a week-long wine celebration that blends high-end gastronomy, island leisure, and global wine culture. Inspired by the traditional Burgundian harvest festivals, this Indian Ocean iteration has matured into a respected event on the international wine calendar, drawing producers, sommeliers and wine lovers from around the world.
La Paulée traces its roots to 18th-century Burgundy, where vintners would mark the end of harvest with a communal meal, each bringing their best bottles to share. Today, the tradition lives on in various forms, from formal dinners in Meursault to luxury wine weekends in New York and San Francisco. In Mauritius, it’s reimagined with a distinctly tropical rhythm: sun-soaked tastings, beachy elegance and a curated guest list that values quality over crowd size.
“La Paulée by Constance was conceived as a heartfelt celebration of wine, rooted in conviviality and excellence,” says Jérôme Faure, Group Head Sommelier at Constance Hotels & Resorts and Chairman of the Mauritius Sommelier Association. “It goes beyond a simple event – it’s a tribute to craftsmanship and to the enduring bond between the table, the vineyard and the soul.”
The 2025 edition included a line-up of respected producers from Spain, Austria, and France, namely Olivier Rivière, Weingut Bründlmayer, Geantet-Pansiot, and Champagne house Krug. Representing Africa was South Africa’s Hamilton Russell, with proprietor Anthony Hamilton Russell himself in attendance.
Each day blended structured masterclasses with relaxed pairing dinners in various corners of Constance Prince Maurice and Constance Belle Mare Plage, from the dreamy floating Barachois restaurant to the refined Blue Penny Cellar.
Both resorts have sophisticated wine programmes, with Constance Prince Maurice alone featuring a cellar of over 25 000 bottles, spanning classic European terroirs through to standout New World producers. Their restaurants, Archipel and Blue Penny Cellar, have earned accolades such as Best Hotel Wine List and Best Champagne and Sparkling Wine Selection at the World of Fine Wine Awards, reinforcing the resort’s standing not just regionally, but internationally.
“Our greatest pride lies in the depth and integrity of the Constance wine programme,” says Faure. “We are dedicated to curating an exceptional collection that reflects not only prestigious appellations, but also the soul and story behind each wine.”
Faure has been instrumental in developing the sommelier team across the Constance portfolio, ensuring a consistently high level of wine knowledge and service. “Our sommeliers are artisans in their own right,” he explains. “They’re passionate, informed, and devoted to guiding guests through a personal journey of discovery.”
— Best Sommelier Competition winner Prayash Sahye from Constance Prince Maurice
During La Paulée, this commitment to guest experience is amplified. Guests participate in winemaker-led tastings, exclusive dinners, and casual encounters that offer rare access to producers and their stories. Sommeliers also take part in the learning, attending workshops and tastings alongside guests.
“The presence of esteemed winemakers has a profound impact not only on our guests, but also on our team,” Faure notes. “Our sommeliers are given a rare opportunity to learn directly from the source.”
The festival also makes space for slower moments. A midweek excursion organised by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority offers cultural immersion and local flavour, while a catamaran outing allows guests to experience the island’s beauty with wine in hand. Think freshly grilled seafood, sushi, open water, and a few relaxed bottles of chilled rosé.
If the catamaran is La Paulée at its most casual, the Gala Dinner is its most refined. Held at Archipel and helmed by Bocuse d’Argent recipient Chef Sebastian Gibrand, the evening brought together the week’s featured wines for a multi-course tasting menu. Here, local ingredients meet international technique, and the wines are elevated without overshadowing the experience.
Now in its eighth year, La Paulée by Constance began as a modest yet passionate endeavour, yet it’s blossomed into a renowned celebration of wine. “We have seen a remarkable evolution, not only in the calibre of participating winemakers and the diversity of the cellars we showcase, but also in the cultural resonance it holds for our guests,” says Faure. “It has become a much-anticipated annual moment, where discovery, elegance, and shared joy define every glass poured and every story told.”
including Jermone Faure on the far left
Looking ahead, the vision remains clear. “We aspire to explore new terroirs, engage rising winemaking talents, and weave more immersive educational elements into the programme. Above all, our vision is to ensure that La Paulée remains a beacon of authenticity and elegance, offering timeless moments that linger in memory long after the last toast,” Faure shares.
For travellers seeking a wine experience that is immersive, intimate and indulgent without pretence, La Paulée by Constance is more than a celebration; it’s a cultural journey.
