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Day 1
Médoc
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Today's itinerary
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Private pick up from Bordeaux Mérignac Airport.
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Our first stop is at Château Giscours for a visit and tasting.
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From Giscours we continue through the Pauillac, St-Julien and Ste-Estephe areas passing all the well-known estates: Chateau Latour, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Cos d’Estournel, etc.. Time permitting there will be a quick stop at the eclectic wine museum at Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
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Today we stop for a vigneron lunch at local hotspot the St-Julien in St-Julien.
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A 2nd tasting has been arranged at another of the top estates – Château Pichon-Longueville.
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After a short transfer to your hotel, walk across to the neighboring winery Chateau Franc Mayne for a visit and tasting.
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Gourmet dinner in St-Emilion, just a 10 minute walk or short transfer away.
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Overnight at Relais Franc Mayne.
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On the outskirts of picturesque St-Emilion lies the exclusive Relais Franc Mayne. Housed in a beautiful building at Château Franc Mayne, a celebrated St-Emilion wine house, this luxury bed and breakfast is a perfect spot to get away from the world. Surrounded by rolling vineyards in every direction, staying here one truly feels a Lord or Lady of the Manor. The 9 rooms are all unique and beautifully detailed with all the modern amenities, yet reflect the history and style of this fabled area that has been a place of pilgrimage for over 1200 years.
The Relais has comfortable common areas and a beautiful infinity pool. Wine tastings are available as well as a visit to the cavernous Medieval clay cellars on-site.
Médoc
The Médoc area of the Bordeaux appellation stretches North West from the city of Bordeaux along the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Here the climate mild, moderated both by the estuary and the Atlantic Ocean behind the woods to the west. These forests protect the vineyards from strong winds off the ocean and help to moderate summer temperatures. Many man-hours have been spent charting the subterranean Médoc. It has long been argued that its greatest attribute is its soil, and in particular the gravel that predominates and allows for excellent drainage. The gravels of the Médoc are particularly important in such a damp climate-although in hotter vintages mature vines can benefit from the extensive root systems encouraged by the gravel. The gravels also store valuable heat, which helps to promote ripening. It is traditionally said that the top Médoc vines grow within sight of the Gironde estuary, this saying holds true for all the district’s first growths.
The Médoc area of the Bordeaux appellation stretches North West from the city of Bordeaux along the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Here the climate mild, moderated both by the estuary and the Atlantic Ocean behind the woods to the west. These forests protect the vineyards from strong winds off the ocean and help to moderate summer temperatures. Many man-hours have been spent charting the subterranean Médoc. It has long been argued that its greatest attribute is its soil, and in particular the gravel that predominates and allows for excellent drainage. The gravels of the Médoc are particularly important in such a damp climate-although in hotter vintages mature vines can benefit from the extensive root systems encouraged by the gravel. The gravels also store valuable heat, which helps to promote ripening. It is traditionally said that the top Médoc vines grow within sight of the Gironde estuary, this saying holds true for all the district’s first growths.
Château Franc Mayne
Château Franc Mayne was purchased in the late 20th century by a Belgian group who also owns the liqueur Mandarine Imperiale. Huge investments in new winemaking equipment and techniques have started to yield fruit in vintage after vintage of elegant, rich and mesmerizing wine. A winery that was a consistent underachiever has become once again a leader for St-Emilion. Today Franc Mayne is viewed as one the region’s success stories, reflecting what hard work and conscientious owners can achieve in a reasonably short period of time.
Château Franc Mayne was purchased in the late 20th century by a Belgian group who also owns the liqueur Mandarine Imperiale. Huge investments in new winemaking equipment and techniques have started to yield fruit in vintage after vintage of elegant, rich and mesmerizing wine. A winery that was a consistent underachiever has become once again a leader for St-Emilion. Today Franc Mayne is viewed as one the region’s success stories, reflecting what hard work and conscientious owners can achieve in a reasonably short period of time.
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St Emilion vines |