Bordeaux Uncovered

Graves & Sauternes Discovery

You will be joined by your private driver-guide today for a full day of exploration of the wines of Graves.

You will be welcomed at a producer such as Château Carbonnieux for a visit and tasting. In 1959, when the Grands Crus of the Graves were officially classified, Château Carbonnieux was classified along with 16 Graves Crus all within the current Pessac-Léognan appellation. Thanks to the exceptional potential of its terroir, Château Carbonnieux was classified both for red and white wines (which is the case for only 6 crus classés among the 9000 wineries of the Bordeaux region). Today, the Carbonnieux estate covers 170 hectares of land at the gateway to Bordeaux, including vineyards on 92 adjoining hectares, with almost equal quantities of red and white varieties.

Next, you will be welcomed through the doors of Château Guiraud, or similar, for a visit and tasting. Throughout its history, Château Guiraud has always maintained its independence and traced its own route. The prevailing pioneer spirit led the property to create its own conservatory of grape varieties. In 1996, the team undertook a veritable cultural revolution by embarking on the study of biodiversity, and in 2011 Château Guiraud became the First Grand Cru Classé in 1855 to be awarded Organic Agriculture certification.

There will be time to enjoy lunch this afternoon with a reservation at La Table du Lavoir, the gourmet bistro restaurant of Château Smith Haut Lafitte.

Continue this afternoon to a third producer such as the walled vineyards of 1st growth Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, where Lalique crystal is used for both the ageing and bottling of the wine. Maisons Rouges (part of Lafaurie-Peyraguey) was a Roman staging post, and the oldest stones of the perimeter wall and the entrance, thought to be the most ancient structure in the commune of Bommes, date from the 13th century.

You will be returned to your accommodations at the end of your day of exploration.

Arcachon Bay with Pinasse and Oyster Tasting

This morning, you will be met by your private guide at your accommodations after breakfast and set out towards today’s destination: The Bay of Arcachon. The Bay of Arcachon is an interior sea with a small opening to the Atlantic, backed by a pine tree forest. A mild climate, beaches and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see.

Begin at the base of the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe, surrounded by forests of pine and oak. After a challenging hike to the top, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the surroundings woods, ocean, and the town. Take your time to explore and take in the incredible views.

Next, embark on a private tour around Bassin d'Arcachon aboard a classic pinasse boat, including a special tasting at an oyster farm.

The Bay opens up to the Atlantic Ocean and houses a small inland sea of about 155 km² at high tide where people farm oysters or go fishing, boating and swimming for fun. Stop in one of the typical oyster villages with its narrow streets and its oyster huts: perhaps taste oysters paired with a glass of local white wine!

Following our boat ride, there will be time for shopping and self discovery in Arcachon. We will also arrange for a lunch reservation at a trendy restaurant in town.

Before returning to Bordeaux, take a stroll through the winter town of Arcachon with its astonishing 19th century villas.

The Great Cabernets of the Medoc

After breakfast this morning, meet your private wine guide at your accommodations and depart for an exquisite day of tastings in the Médoc.

Begin the morning at a renowned estate, Château Gruaud Larose. Another one of the 15 exclusive 2nd growth properties, this winery is based in the Saint Julien appellation. The notion of terroir binds geology and climate together. The largest concentration of Grand Cru Wines is in the Medoc, an area which benefits from a microclimate that is particularly favorable for the expression of the vine. Since its creation, in 1725, four families have succeeded one another at the head of Gruaud Larose: the Gruaud and Larose families, the Balguerie and Sarget families, the Cordier family and the Merlaut family. This family attachment has been passed on to the employees who often work at the chateau from father to son and from mother to daughter.

Next, Kirwan will welcome you for a visit of the estate and a special vertical tasting. The chateau’s white stones peep through from behind the park and contrast with the glass of the greenhouse on the edge of the garden, a few paces away from the terrace. Encountering Kirwan is initially a visual experience. Its vineyard overlooks the Margaux appellation area from the plateau of Cantenac. Run a finger over the barrels in the long towering passageway of the first-year cellar, where the fruit of a vintage and transmission between generations rests.

This afternoon, stop to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant such as Restaurant Le Saint Julien, where you can enjoy a bistronomic style lunch in a lovely setting.

End the day with a spectacular visit at Lynch Bages Grand Cru Classé. Although there are records of the Bages territory as far back as the 16th century, the history of wine production in the area really began in the 18th century. From 1749 to 1824, the vineyard was owned by Thomas Lynch, the son of an Irishman from Galway who worked as a merchant in Bordeaux. Thomas Lynch managed the land wisely and produced high quality wines under the name of ''Cru de Lynch''. As part of the prestigious 1855 Classification, for the Exposition Universelle de Paris, his wine would soon be classified as one of the fifth growths.

You will be returned to your accommodations at the end of your charming day in the vineyards.

Right Bank Discovery - Saint Emilion and Pomerol

After breakfast this morning, you will be joined by your expert wine guide for a day in the vineyards of Saint Emilion and Pomerol.

We begin the day with a visit at Château Beauregard. Château Beauregard has made its name over the last several decades not only through the majesty of its location but also thanks to beautifully fresh and elegant wines. They clay-gravel terroir requires very special care to enable it to express itself in our wines. Their wines have gained in purity, freshness and ageing potential.

Next, we make our way to another esteemed estate: Château La Gaffelière, Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion. Wine is produced from an exceptional terroir, the "golden triangle", nestled between the hills of Pavia and Ausone. However, a great terroir is nothing without the will of passionate hands. The Malet Roquefort family has been procuring and maintaining the destiny of the estate for more than three centuries, with one goal in mind: enhancing the vineyard while producing a great wine of aging.

There will be time to stop and enjoy lunch today at a local restaurant such as L'Envers du Décor in the village of Saint Emilion. Following lunch, spend some time exploring the medieval village with your guide.

Afterwards, we make our way to a third producer in the area such as Château de Ferrand. The history of Château de Ferrand dates back to the 17th century and was forged in the grand tradition of the Bordeaux wine-growing estates, those that helped the region gain its illustrious reputation. One of the oldest and most consistent estates in Saint-Emilion, in 300 years Château de Ferrand has belonged to just two families; that of Elie de Bétoulaud, who passed the estate down to his descendant the Marquis de Mons and his heirs, and that of Baron Bich, founder of the famous Bic company. Nowadays the estate is managed by Pauline Bich Chandon-Moët, with help from her husband Philippe Chandon-Moët. Here, visit the magnificent estate, explore the superb architecture and the historic Grottes de Ferrand caves, famous since the reign of Louis XIV.

You will be returned to your accommodations at the end of your charming day.

Additional Options for Day 5

Les Belles Perdrix - Deluxe Double Room

Nestled in the heart of the Troplong Mondot vineyard, this small home is located just a short distance from Saint Émilion and offers guests a chic country atmosphere. With just 4 stylish rooms and beautiful living area, it is the ideal place to get together, to chat and share your experiences, or to immerse yourself in one of the finds from the bookcase. Set in the vineyards, with a beautiful terrace overlooking the hillside, find accommodation within the Château of a Premier Grand Cru Classé St Émilion. At the helm of the starred restaurant Les Belles Perdrix is a highly skilled chef, who offers an artful new take on local gastronomy - food that is perfectly suited to the wines from the estate.

Further Exploration of the Right Bank

After breakfast this morning, you will be rejoined by your guide for another day of discovery.

This morning, you will be welcomed through the doors of Château Troplong Mondot for a private visit and tasting of their production. The Chateau has a long and colorful history in Saint Emilion that dates back to the 17th Century. ettled upon its hilltop, the Château discretely dominates an unusual ‘terroir’, quite unlike any other. On the one side, soft wave-like sweeping hills. On the other, the valley and the village of Saint-Emilion, stretching out under our feet.? And all around, vines, bushes, hedges, lanes and low stone walls.

Afterwards, Château La Dominque will host your next visit with a special 4 wine Blind Tasting. As in all beautiful stories, one look was enough for successive owners of La Dominique to be smitten with this magnificent Saint Emilion estate, and commit to making the most of it. Called "Durieu" in the early 17th century, the property was acquired by the Glenne family and named "Dominique" by Jacques and Isabeau Micheau in 1690. A subsequent owner, merchant Henri Greloud, added the definite article "La" in the mid-19th century. He is said to have done so because of his love for the Caribbean island of Dominica (or "La Dominique" in French). The Fayat family wanted to build a state-of-the-art winemaking facility that was also well-integrated into the landscape and in harmony with existing buildings. This turned out to be a unique, imaginative, avant garde structure that is functional, luminous, and spacious. It is totally in keeping with the emotion generated by the wine and is widely acknowledged as one of Bordeaux’s most beautiful modern cellars.

We suggest stopping to enjoy lunch at the estate's esteemed restaurant, La Terrasse Rouge, afterwards. Enjoy beautiful views overlooking the vineyards while enjoying refined French cuisine.

This afternoon, we set out to the village of Saint Emilion for a historical walking tour to see the underground monuments. The origins of the village Saint-Émilion go back to the 8th century when the monk Emilion turned the place into a monastic site. The town and the surrounding vineyards developed during the Middle Ages. The visit will cover several centuries of history and legend from the time of the monk Emilion to the carving out of the amazing monolithic church. You will see paintings in the Chapelle de la Trinité and learn the secrets of the catacombs.

You will be returned to your accommodation at the conclusion of the day.

After checking out of your accommodation, meet your private driver who will transfer you to the train station to catch your connecting train.