Avalon Wine Tours
Bordeaux Itinerary

Start this morning quietly with a visit to Mouton Rothschild, followed by a run up the Route des Vins for lunch in St. Estèphe. After lunch we visit Chateau Montrose and the exotic Cos d’Estournel, St. Estèphe's two greatest producers. Return to our chateau in time for a walk or short rest before dinner. Dinner tonight in the village of St. Julien at the restaurant of the same name, a superb kitchen which has become a firm favorite of the locals in the two years it has been open.

After a leisurely breakfast we start the day with a visit to Chateau Latour at 10:30. We'll then have a seafood lunch on the banks of the Gironde and continue to Chateau Margaux to meet our charming and elegant friend Mme. Bizard. Here we’ll also be able to see Margaux’s cooperage where about a third of the chateau’s barrels are made. We follow this with a visit to meet the Comte de Baritault at Chateau du Tertre also in Margaux. Tonight we dine at the table of Jean-Paul Barbier, a now world-famous chef in whose restaurant close to Margaux we often eat with some of the Médoc’s best winemakers.

Leave our accommodations in the Médoc to drive into the Graves region, where we visit with my good friend Remi Edange, the winemaker at Domaine de Chevalier (you’ll be able to see the fruits of my labors as I was working in the fermentation room here during the 1995 vintage). After we tour the winery and taste the great reds and unbelievable white wine produced here Remi may join us for lunch if he can get away. After lunch we drive through the countryside to our first taste of Sauternes and Barsacs for a visit at Chateau Coutet. This chateau produces wonderful sweet wines as well as excellent dry whites! From here we take a drive to view the beautiful rolling countryside and chateaux of Sauternes, arriving at Chateau d’Arbieu, the home of Count and Countess Philippe de Chenerilles. Here we enjoy a wonderful evening as we dine at the table of these great friends.

We take our leave of Philippe and Isabelle, and head to St. Emilion for an 11:00 visit to Chateau Canon La Gafellière. The owner, the Comte von Neipperg is one of St. Emilion's emerging great winemakers. After lunch a visit to chateau l’Angélus shows why this is one of the leading St. Emilions in recent years. Owner Hubert de Bouard is not only a meticulous winemaker but also one of the most forward-thinking oenologists in Bordeaux, and a look at his work is really fascinating. Another of St. Emilion's greatest winemakers is Pascal Delbeck, manager of Chateau Belair, where we taste, talk and also walk through the amazing limestone caves which are carved three layers deep under the vineyards. We stay tonight at the Logis des Remparts, right in the heart of town, and eat at the Michélin-starred Hostellerie de Plaisance overlooking the rooftops of the village.

This morning we start out with an early visit if you wish, or maybe some free time in town to do your shopping for souvenirs or wine. We will lunch in the square of St. Emilion and then head to Chateau Pavie, another excellent vineyard where we enjoy splendid views over the valley of the Dordogne from the aging cellar, high on the hillside above the winery. Our final visit is right across the street at Chateau Figeac, located on the only gravel soil of the appellation. Monsieur Manoncourt shares the gravel soils with Cheval Blanc, but is classified Premier Grand Cru Classé "B", as opposed to Cheval Blanc and Ausone's "A" rating. In the 1995/96 re-classification the only factor which stopped them from being promoted to "A" status was, believe it or not, price - their wine was sold too cheap! Needless to say a great visit, as much for the charming hospitality and open conversation as the quality of their outstanding wine. Returning to St. Emilion our last dinner is at the tiny restaurant of Francis Goullée. After one of Francis’ meals you will be asking, along with many others, why he has not yet received a star from Michélin. Certainly one of the best chefs I have met, and the nicest service you could wish for.

We bid you a sad farewell from the airport or rail station for your connection to Paris.

This Itinerary is subject to change due to chateau schedules, and the requests of our guests. In general, however the visits will be as outlined here.