I HAD driven past the Domaine de Bellevue many times and noticed its smart modern cellars and neat vineyards set in a sea of telegraph poles. But I’d never stopped because, to be frank, there are many fine-looking estates on the long straight road that rolls northwards towards Blois in the Loire Valley, and there’s little time on a long journey home for wine tasting.

Last month, however, we set off early, because I wanted to find some wine for tasting with friends, and we noticed that the Domaine de Bellevue had won a top award in the 2011 Hachette Guide – an indispensable aid when you’re visiting vineyards in France.

I intended to stay just long enough to sample a couple of wines and to buy a few bottles. An hour and a half later, having declined an offer of lunch, we finally made it to the door with our purchases, wondering where the time had gone. We had to exercise an iron will to make such a quick getaway.

That’s the joy of visiting vineyards and meeting people who put heart and soul into making their wine. Raphaël Midoire and his father Jean-Michel are modest, but very obviously hugely proud of what they’ve achieved with the 27 hectares of vineyards that have been in the family for five generations.

They also love to welcome visitors. Many of them are Brits. Jean-Michel told me that he’s noticed a difference over the years. Quite a number, like me, have read the Hachette Guide and make a bee-line for the cellar door to taste their prize-winning Sauvignon Blanc. Jean-Michel hazarded that the award has attracted even more British wine lovers than French.

He’s impressed by their knowledge too. “They know their stuff and really appreciate good wine,” he told me. And whereas in the past, passing trade meant a purchase of just one or two bottles, these days it’s more likely to be a box or two of six.

If you’re travelling through France, even if you haven’t invested in a guide book full of addresses of the best vineyards, don’t ever feel shy about knocking on a cellar door if you see a sign at the gate advertising a vineyard. Avoid mealtimes (noon ‘til 2pm), be prepared to buy a few bottles and you’ll have a wonderful time.