Learning about the heritage, indulging in a guided tasting session, trying out some unusual activities in the vines, finding a place to eat or somewhere to stay in the middle of the vineyards... Among the activities on offer, there's bound to be one for you somewhere in Nouvelle-Aquitaine!
On the Bordeaux wine routes
Around Bordeaux, the six wine routes labelled Vignobles & Découvertes are a great place to start for all kinds of inspiring ideas and activities. Bordeaux and its Cité du Vin, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Fronsac, the Medoc and its Chateaux route, Sauternes and Graves, Blaye and Bourg overlooking the estuary, Entre-deux-Mers, the « Bordeaux Tuscany»… the list of places where you get to discover the Bordeaux vineyards through its great wines, coupled with a certain art-de-vivre, is a long one.
« Escape Wine » at château Pas de l’Âne
In this Saint-Émilion grand cru, the owner shares his passion for wine with young and old alike thanks to a variety of workshops and events. The latest: a journey into the world of Dionysos in the form of an escape game that ends with an introduction to wine tasting.
Wine-tasting with a head for heights at Rayne Vigneau
Reach the sky during this visit with a difference! Supervised by a professional, climb to the top of a two-hundred year old Cedar to taste the three wines of the 1st grand cru (Sec de Rayne Vigneau, Madame de Rayne, Rayne Vigneau). All with a stunning view of the chateau, its vineyards and the River Ciron.
Wine tasting at the domaine de Laubesse
In Hontanx, at the heart of Bas-Armagnac in the Landes, a typical Armagnac house, built in 1830 and set in a park of hundred-year old Oak trees, reserves a warm welcome. Hosts Corinne and Josette Lacoste will share their story and give you a tasting session of their bas-armagnacs and flocs de Gascogne, produced in the purest tradition for the past thirty years.
Egiategia, dive into the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
In 2007, agricultural engineer and oenologist Emmanuel Poirmeur returned to his native soil on the Basque coast, having worked for many years elsewhere in France and abroad. He set up the Egiategia estate and developed a patent for the vinification and production of wines under water, in the Bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The winery, located in the port zone of Socoa, in Ciboure, is open to visitors.
Horseriding through the île d’Oléron vineyards
Present since the 3rd century, today 800 hectares of the île d’Oléron are covered with vines. At every turn, you'll come across one of the fifty varied and attractive lots carrying the Vignobles & Découvertes label. Why not add to the charm and visit on horseback with the Dream Pony horse farm.
If you want to discover even more Vignobles & Découvertes labelled regional vines Cognac offers its angel's share, Jurançon its vines in the Pyrenean foothills, Bergerac the passion of Cyrano...the choice is yours!
Originally from Bordeaux, free-lance journalist, optimist, epicurean, lover of wine, beautiful landscapes and inspiring encounters.
Contributor at « Terre de vins », a magazine dedicated to all French wines and those who produce them. "Terre de vins" gives its readers the opportunity to discover themed-selections of wines and spirits, portraits of wine-growers and makers, fine food pages (with recipes) and a whole load of addresses for exploring French vineyards.