Bordeaux - A wine lovers paradise

In our recommended itinerary we have kept a clear day to allow you to fit in one or more of our experience enhancements. Alternatively, we can tailor make a longer stay to fit in more to your incentive:

Bordeaux wine shopping – Our contacts in Bordeaux stretch into the “Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux” where we have excellent relationships with the wine circle, including wine estates and traders. They can arrange shipment back to the UK.

Wine course – Through the Inter professional Council of the Bordeaux Wines we have organized a structured but fun ‘wine course’ and introduction to wine tasting with professional instructors.

Golf – The Medoc Golf, with two 18 hole courses the “chateaux” and the “vineyards” is the best course in the region and one that will challenge even the best golfer.

Wine fairs and festivals – A break to either the ‘The week-end des Grands Amateurs” held in May each year or the biannual Bordeaux Wine Festival held in June offers treasures for any group with an interest in wine. The Grands Crus will provide a warm welcome to Grands Amateurs, offering you the opportunity to taste along side experts. Meet wine makers from the famous chateaux, visit vineyards and fit in a gourmet meal or two!

Make your own wine – Bordeaux wines are a blend of various grape varieties: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot…each “appellation” and each chateau has its own proportion of blending which correspond to a very specific taste. This is explained in detail following which you will blend your own wine and finally bottle your own vintage and take it away with you.

Private river barge – Is there a better way to pass a summers evening than cruising the Garrone in your own private barge with drinks and buffet on board? For a small group of 10 people we have an exclusive trip out with navigator Yves Parlier on the Arcachon Basin.

Classic car or quad bike treasure hunt – There is no better way of discovering the wine regions than at the helm of a classic French car with map in hand and a series of challenges to fulfil! You just need to make sure you make it back in time for dinner.

The wines of the St Emilion – Spend half the day exploring the magical village of St Emilion, one of France’s best medieval towns, including the Tour du Roy built in the 13th century by Richard the Lionheart, the collegiate church
and its 14th century cloister and, above all, the exceptional monolithic church and its catacombs dug out of the limestone cliff between the 9th and the 11th centuries. Enjoy lunch at Château Laniote, the Grand Cru vineyard owned by your convivial host, Arnaud de la Filolie, the eighth generation of the family to own and work the property. A wine tasting is included.

Cooking course with a Michelin star chef – Thierry Marx, the two Michelin star chef behind every meal at Cordeillan-Bages, provides an unforgettable introduction to the cuisine of the South West of France. Enjoy being tutored within the kitchens of one of the regions’s great restaurants.

Vinotherapie spa – The Vinotherapie spa is unique. Naturally hot spring water is combined with vine and grape extracts to produce health-enhancing and beauty treatments - expert staff will introduce you to the ‘Wine barrel bath’ or ‘Merlot wrap’! The bar, ‘The French Paradox’ serves great growth wines by the glass, offering the opportunity for guests to taste the precious bottles of famous vintages looking back at the Chateau across the lake.

Food and wine city tour Bordeaux – Combine a tour of the classical rich architectural heritage of Bordeaux with a food and wine tasting of the region’s delicacies. Tasting of ewe cheese of Pyrenees with jam of cherries at Baud and Millet, Arcachon oysters at “Joel D”, the Bordeaux specialist and “cannelés” a very local sweet at Baillardran…and finally, what would be a visit of Bordeaux without a tasting of wine in the bar of the CIVB (House of Wines of Bordeaux) to end this discovery, blending history and flavours!

Private dinner in Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte – In the cellars of one of the finest Pauillac vineyards enjoy an evening of fine food and wine under the meticulous eyes of chateau owners Florence and Daniel Cathiard.