Wine Tour

Meet your expert wine guide to discuss the program over a glass of Bordeaux.

Morning :

Departure to St.Emilion : Medieval city & world heritage site and the epicentre of the Right Bank Bordeaux wines:“Elegance & Richness” ..

Private visit & tasting with the cellar master at Château Troplong Mondot, Premier Grand Cru Classe, St.Emilion : discover the gracious slopes of the East side of St.Emilion, the rich clay soil here gives body & depth to this exceptional wine.

Lunch : “ at in the famous St.Emilion wine bar L Envers du Decor in the old town centre.“

Afternoon : Private visit& tasting at Château Angelus, Premier Grand Cru Classe, St.Emilion : this charming property situated on the sunny western slopes of the St.Emilion plateau has been in the Bouard family’s capable hands through five generations. It seems that dedication to excellence is hereditary.

Followed by a walk around the historic centre of St.Emilion : Visit to the “Celliers des Vignobles“ wine store for a friendly tasting with the proprietors.

Dinner at l’Hostellerie de Plaisance, 1 star Michelin restaurant in the historic centre of St.Emilion..

  Transfer back to your hotel.

Visit to the historical centre of Bordeaux : shopping & sight-seeing
Options & suggestions for the morning :
On foot : guided visit of the beautiful 18th century Opera House.
On foot : visit to the famous “circular“ wine store “L’Intendant“ with it’s historical stone staircase : the higher up it you go, the more illustrious the wines.
On foot : visit to the “Grands Hommes“traditional food market.
By car : 1 hour guided tour of the historical monuments& places of interest of Bordeaux.
Free time for shopping in the pedestrian centre.

Lunch options : a selection of cheeses with wine in the famous cheese restaurant “Baud & Millet“
Or a private cheese tasting at the “temple of French cheese“,
Jean d’Alos Cheese Store with commentary by Jean himself :
all you ever wanted to know about French cheese will be revealed!

Afternoon : Depart for Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Martillac.
Private visit & tasting at the Pessac Leognan Classified Château Smith Haut Lafitte : the owner, Daniel Cathiard may join you for the tasting pending availability.

Dinner: by your own arrangement: list of restaurant suggestions available from your guide.

Transfer back to your hotel.

Morning : Pick up at your hotel & Departure for the Bassin d Arcachon.

Boat boarding at Arcachon jetty Eyrac.: Trip aboard a Pinasse (traditional flat oyster fishing boat of the area) with it’s captain, a local oyster farmer : tour of the Bassin and around the nature reserve L’Ile aux Oiseaux where you will discover the most famous oyster farms in Europe followed by a tasting of oysters & Bordeaux dry white wine as an aperitif. The boat will bring us back to the jetty (5 minute walk to the restaurant for lunch).

Lunch : Seafood lunch at the excellent Arcachon restaurant “Chez Diego Plage“ or at the “Hotel de la Plage“ in the adorable fishing village of L’Herbe, Cap-Ferret : depending on weather conditions and season.

Afternoon : for those willing, a climb up the magnificent Dune du Pyla , the highest sand dune in Europe which offers a panoramic view of the Bassin. Alternatively, the boat will take you to see it from the water.

Dinner :La Tupina, famous in Bordeaux for it s traditional “cuisine grand-mere“ and fabulous wine list, this inn-style restaurant is situated in one of the oldest quarters of the city.

 Transfer back to your hotel.

Morning : Pick up at your hotel

Visit to a local country market then departure for Château de Sours, a beautifully restored 18th century wine property in St.Quentin de Baron. Mid-morning Cookery Class with chef Georges Gottrand.This will be held in the beautiful kitchen designed by the chef himself.

  Lunch at  Château de Sours, either outside (weather permitting) on the terrace or in the elegant dining room..

Visit of the Château de Sours : Martin Krajewski, the English owner will be delighted to accompany you on a visit of the château’s wine facilities including the underground caves and modern art gallery (pending availability). Possible late afternoon visit to Saint Emilion...

Dinner : At L’Atmosphere in Saint Germain du Puch : a friendly, bistrot-style restaurant in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers which boasts an impressive wine list.

  Transfer back to your hotel.

Morning : Pick up at your hotel

 Private visit & tasting at Château Haut Brion & La Mission Haut Brion in Pessac-Leognan : owned by the prestigious Dillon family descendants, both properties cannot fail to impress. Steeped in five centuries of wine-making history, Haut Brion is also at the forefront of modern technology. The end result is breath-taking.

  Lunch at  La Table du Lavoir in the grounds of Château Smith Haut Lafitte : a marvellous setting for a beautifully concocted light lunch

Afternoon : Private visit tasting at Château Lynch Bages, Pauillac : another family run winery which invites you to walk down a wine-maker’s memory lane & visit it’s unique 19th century vat room

Dinner : La Maison du Fleuve, in Camblanes on the banks of the Garonne River. The terrace on stilts overlooks the river & offers a superb view at sunset. Excellent fish & traditional South West dishes to be enjoyed.

 Transfer back to your hotel.

Morning : Departure by bus to “Station Velo“ in Creon.

Bike ride from Creon to La Sauve (approx 5 kms). Options : Visit to the ancient Abbaye de la Sauve Majeure : (duration 1 hour) or a tasting at La Maison du Vin d Entre-Deux-Mers of Sauvignon blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle with commentary by their guide in English (approx 30 mn). Both these activities are accessible from the bicycle track.

  Lunch at  Cafe de la Gare, Espiet : ideal for a civilized outdoor picnic, this delightful little brasserie was converted from the old train station and is ideally situated beside the bike track, which was originally a railroad track. A selection of “plats du jour“ or salads,inside or outside.

Afternoon : : Return by bike to Station Velo in Creon to return bikes. The bus driver will give you his cellphone number in case you need him to pick you up earlier or later in the afternoon.

Dinner : Hauterive St.James : this restaurant, famous in the South West for it is avant-garde cuisine and decor offers a panoramic view of the city of Bordeaux from it is perch on the hilltop in Bouilac.

Transfer back to your hotel.“End of the tour.“