BORDEAUX WINE, MEDIEVAL CITIES AND CASTLES, A Deluxe route for wine lovers, France

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-Experience Bordeaux like an insider!
-Visit and taste at the world's most famous chateaux!
-Enjoy great food, wine and have fun!
-Stay at a privately-owned 18th century chateau

Remember: on this tour you will taste more Classified Growths than on any other Bordeaux Wine Tour

Monday, Wine tasting: Médoc and Saint Emilion

In the afternoon you'll arrive at Chateau Coulon Laurensac, your residence for the next 6 days. After you’ve settled in in one of our comfortable rooms and maybe relaxed a little by the pool, it’s time for your first wine experience: A visit to our personal wine cellar with its impressive wine collection followed by an introduction to the fun of Grand Cru wine tasting. The wine and cheese dinner that follows the wine tasting will give you an excellent opportunity to get to know the other guests while savoring your first Grand Cru wines of this tour.
Meals included: Dinner

Tuesday, Pauillac and Saint Estèphe
Today you are off for your first day in the vineyards. We have a rendez vous in Pauillac at Premier Grand Cru Classé Chate Mouton Rothschild

au Mouton Rothschild. You will walk by their oak vats in the vat room and you will see the famous labels each with a work of art by a contemporary artist. You will be impressed by the tour of Mouton’s private wine museum with its priceless art collection. After a tasting of Mouton’s spectacular wines of the 2007 vintage, we will continue for one of the Classified Growths from Saint Estèphe.

Some 2nd Growths are considered to be almost at the same level as the First Growths. Whether this is true you may decide for yourself after tasting their wines.

Lunch with local specialties in an elegant local restaurant that is frequented by many chateau owners and wine traders.
This afternoon you’ll be impressed by the state of the art wine making facilities and vat rooms at First Growth Chateau Latour. Here you will taste an older vintage of the Grand Vin, as well as their 2nd and 3rd wines both of Your food will be cooked in the open fire

Your food will be cooked in the open fire

which are considered to be on the level of a Classified Growth!

The last stop today will be at a very special Grand Cru Classé property.

Wednesday, Sauternes and Pessac-Léognan
After an early breakfast we leave for two visits and tastings in the appellation Sauternes. In " sweet wine country" you will learn how these very special wines are being made. We 'll visit and taste at two totally different Classified Growths in this unique appellation.

In the village of Pessac we will indulge in lunch at an elegant restaurant close to First Growth Haut Brion.

After lunch we will have the privilege of visiting and tasting Chateau Haut Brion, the oldest of the First Growths.
This Chateau is one of the four remaining properties in Bordeaux to employ their own cooper.
With any luck you will see him in full action.
Chateau Pape Clément 1893

Our next appointment this morning is a visit and tasting at Grand Cru Classé des Graves where you'll see over 700 years of wine making tradition in action.
Of course we'll visit the chateau's private chapel and their adjacent collection of very old vintages.

Dinner tonight will be at a Michelin rated Relais & Chateaux Restaurant with its unique view on Bordeaux.
The restaurant is surrounded by its own vineyards. We’ve booked different tables for each couple so you can enjoy this feast tête à tête.

Thursday, Margaux, Saint Julien and the city of Bordeaux
Chateau Margaux

This morning, at your second trip to the Médoc, Margaux will be the center of attention.
For our first stop we’ll be welcomed for our visit at Chateau Margaux. Here you’ll be explained what it takes to make such an excellent wine. We think the chateau is perhaps the most beautiful chateau of the entire Médoc.
Lunch at a Classified Growth

The wine produced here is considered the benchmark for the Bordeaux wines and an example for winegrowers all over the world.

After our second tasting at a Grand Cru Classé we’ll be welcomed into the chateau for lunch. We are invited into the estate's private dining room. Our steaks will have been grilled over the clippings of the vines and of course all the wines on our table will have been produced at the domaine.

The city of Bordeaux
Bordeaux: Le Grand Theatre

You can’t visit the Bordeaux area without paying a visit to the city itself. Bordeaux’s center has undergone an amazing development and today is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated places in France. The second part of the afternoon will be spent in this beautiful city. You can spend the afternoon and the evening in Bordeaux on your own. Visit the beautiful town hall or the Grand Theatre. Take a stroll over Europe's largest square: the Place des Quinquonces or maybe you’d like to take a boat trip on the Garonne River.
Bordeaux shopping: Cartier

Shopping victims will find their paradise in Bordeaux. Get your credit cards ready in the famous Golden Triangle, the shopping area where you will find them all: Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Hermès, YSL, Gucci, Lacoste, Longchamp and many more...
You can enjoy dinner on your own in one of the city's many fine restaurants. (It will be our pleasure to make a reservation for you).

Friday, Saint Emilion and Pomerol
Chateau Canon

A unique experience is the visit to one of the world's most famous vineyard regions, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site: Saint Emilion.

Today you’ll explore the beautiful medieval cobble stone streets. You can soak up the atmosphere and experience wine everywhere.

Bordeaux . Here we’ll visit one of the best wine estates that Pomerol has to offer. We will taste these velvety wines that are ideal with subtle dishes.

Later that morning we'll visit a 1st Growth of St. Emilion, like Chateau Canon or Chateau Angélus.

You’ll experience the differences between the wines from St. Emilion and Pomerol and for example Médoc or Graves. After lunch in our favorite local restaurant we will visit one of the many wine shops in St. Emilion. We know which ones have the best wines and will give you the best prices.

Fare well dinner at Chateau Coulon Laurensac: Mouton Rothschild 1994

Fare well dinner at Chateau Coulon Laurensac: Mouton Rothschild 1994

Your four course farewell dinner at Chateau Coulon Laurensac will be a very memorable experience, with several Grand Cru wines. One wine is sure to make a lasting impression: Château Mouton Rothschild 1994! The famous Dutch artist Karel Appel has painted the label of this wine.

With your dessert you will taste the King of Wines and the Wine of Kings: Chateau d'Yquem!

Saturday, Bordeaux
Today ends an unforgettable Bordeaux Wine Experience. After a leisurely breakfast you can relax a little and may be take a few last pictures before it is time to say goodbye to Chateau Coulon Laurensac. Depending on your departure time you can spend some free time in Bordeaux.

*Itinerary subject to change: every effort will be made to keep the itinerary as close as possible to what appeared here; however the final itinerary may vary due to wine chateaux schedules, availabilities and other factors beyond our control.

Avoid disappointment and reserve your place today!
We want to keep things personal so there are only ten people on this tour. That’s just you and four other couples!