Who thinks of Bordeaux think of vineyards, and it is true that Bordeaux is the “capital” of great wines. But Bordeaux is much more than that: it has been listed in June 2007 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it offers “Michelin” restaurants or simply “gourmets” ones; and the nearness of the Bay of Arcachon, the Atlantic Ocean and its protected environment makes it a privileged place for a unique southwest lifestyle.
Suggested program at a glance – itinerary we’ve done for a client
Day 1.
At your arrival at Bordeaux harbour, meet with your driver and guide and direct transfer to Medoc Vineyards.
Northbound Bordeaux extends a vineyard of 80km of length over some kilometres wide, over the “left bank” of the Garonne, which then becomes the estuary of the Gironde, at confluent with the Dordogne river.
The Medoc’s 16,000 hectares are situated mainly on gravely hilltops facing out over the Gironde estuary: it is said that a good wine needs to have “seen the river”.
Despite being extensive, the grape-growing area itself occupies only 20% of the land in a narrow strip along the estuary, the rest being made up of forests till the Atlantic Ocean.
Along this peninsula, six villages succeed one after another: Listrac, Moulis, Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac, Saint Estèphe, great appellation names suggestive of the wine estates and properties which they contain, along the “Medoc Trail”.
The special virtues of the Medoc come from its having succeeded in creating a subtle balance between the density of vine stocks and the somewhat poor quality of the soil and from the skills of its cellar-masters in blending its wines from its diverse vineyards and different varieties of grapes and in maturing the wine in oak barrels.
The main grape varieties used in Medoc wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and assorted secondary varieties such as Malbec and Petit Verdot…
Probably the most famous amongst Bordeaux vineyards, it boasts four of the Premiers Grands Crus listed in 1855: Châteaux Margaux, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, and Lafite Rothschild, as well as over 1200 wine-producing properties, ranging from the “Crus Bourgeois” to the “Grands Crus Classés”, produced by varying methods and techniques but always with quality as the ultimate objective.
Amongst the most famous ones, but not classed as “premiers”, lots of estates also produce exceptional wines, among which many are grouped together in the Union des Grand Crus of Bordeaux» with whom we have developed an active partnership.
During the day, you will have visits with tastings at two major estates of the appellation.
You will also discover local examples of fine architecture with their roots in various sources of inspiration, including the loveliest medieval properties, Château d’Agassac, the Renaissance Château de Lamarque, and Château Clement Pichon and ranging from the Tudor style of Cantenac Brown to the Neo-Classical style for the unique architectural ensemble of the superb Château Margaux…
Lunch at Café Lavinal, located in the cute hamlet of Bages Villages, in the nearby of Pauillac.
Transfer back to boat in Bordeaux in the afternoon.
Day 2.
After breakfast, meet with your guide on the pier by 9.00am and departure towards the “right bank” vineyards, as named in Bordeaux.
The most famous are Saint Emilion and Pomerol, but some appellations, as “Cotes de Bourg” or “Cotes de Blaye” now offer excellent wines at affordable prices.
Saint Emilion is both a great and world famous vineyard and a historical town with medieval setting, and both of them have been classified at the UNESCO sites of the World Heritage.
“Grape production was introduced into this fertile region of Aquitaine by the Romans and was intensified during the Middle Age. The area of Saint-Emilion benefited from its position on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostella and several churches, monasteries and hospices were built there from the 11th century onwards. It was granted its own jurisdictional status during the period of English rule in the 12thIth century. This is an exceptional landscape entirely given over to grape-production and whose towns and villages are home to outstanding historic monuments.” (UNESCO Cit.)
The tour we have set for you will enable you to discover both the historical heritage and some of the most famous wine estates of the appellation: both are intimately connected.
Saint Emilion offers a 13.500 acre vineyard stretching over 9 districts: “Saint Emilion” itself and 8 “satellites”. Montagne, Lussac, Saint Georges, Puysseguin …
The wines of this soil are amongst the oldest produced in France, as it was already a wine producing area under the Roman period, 1700 years ago.
The wines offer” body”, a beautiful colour, generosity of spirit, and a very particular bouquet.
The vineyard includes 12 “Premiers Grands Crus” (A & B) and 63 “Grands Crus”, mainly made of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grape varieties.
Stars of the appellation are Cheval Blanc and Ausone, but other estates are also world famous, such as Chateau Angelus, Figeac, Pavie, Belair or Clos Fourtet.
At your arrival, visit at the underground monuments, with overall, the unique monolithic church dug in the rock limestone of the cliff between the 9th and the 11th century, which is the largest in Europe with its 33 large-scale metres.
As Saint Emilion is also a beautiful medieval town full of small “boutiques” and craftsmen workshops, the end of the morning will be dedicated to time at leisure for shopping or simply enjoy a drink while admiring the town.
Lunch in one of the restaurant of the city.
By the afternoon, you will enjoy a visit with wine tasting at a Saint Emilion Grand Cru (Château Franc Mayne, Laniote, Pressac…).
Transfer back to Bordeaux and arrival at the ship by 5:00pm.
End of our services
Program and prices are customized for each client.