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Day 1
Trip begins today, Group pick-up at Bordeaux Saint Jean Rail Station, Winery Tour and Wine Tasting in Pessac at Chateau Haut Brion, Visit Barrel Maker at Haut Brion, Check-in at hotel, Wine Pairings Dinner with "Grand Cru" Wines from the Medoc - D
Arrival in BORDEAUX. Meet and greet by your tour guide at the scheduled group pick-up time at 2:00 PM at Bordeaux Saint Jean Rail Station from where you will transfer to your historical, 4-star luxury hotel and spa accommodations in the heart of the Bordelais vineyards.
 Prior to check-in, enjoy your first taste and introduction to the 1st growth producers of Bordeaux with a wine tour and wine tasting in Pessac with our friends at the famous Chateau Haut Brion, one of the original chateaux to be classified in 1855 under Napolean III. Haut Brion is also the only chateau of the original five situated in Graves rather than Medoc, and therefore the only Chateau on the list that is allowed to sell a dry white wine under the same name and appellation as the red wine. You will receive an introduction to both the history of Haut Brion's wine production and the evolution of the chateau across the centuries followed by a comprehensive tour of the property's VAT rooms where the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations occur and the "chais" (wine cellars) and cooperage (cooper smith where the barrels are hand-made). Following the tour, you're invited into the chais to wine taste amidst the barrels. Afterwards, check-in at the hotel. Enjoy time to get settled into your room, explore the surrounding area, enjoy a spa treatment, a bike ride, a drink or a swim at the pool.
Dinner: A gourmet dinner with wine pairings of Grand Cru wines from the Medoc.
Day 2
Walk #1: "Saint Emilion" Jurisdiction Vineyard Walk, Private Wine Tasting Workshop, Wine Cellar Tours & Wine Tasting in Saint Emilion and Pomerol, Gourmet Dinner - B, D
 Breakfast. Morning: Walk #1: Saint Emilion Jurisdiction: Embark on a professionally guided walk through the 1st (first) growth vineyards of the Saint Emilion Jurisdiction, the most renowned "Merlot" producing region of Bordeaux. This spectacular walk takes us through the golden, historic village of Saint Emilion and the village's historical and most prestigious vineyards including Chateau Ausone, Chateau Angelus, Beausejour Becot, Bel Air and Chateau Pavie(considered the Lafite Rothschild of Saint-Emilion by Robert Parker). [Rated: Moderate, flat/light hilly terrain, 5 km/1.5 hrs.]. There will be comprehensive commentated wine tours of the first growth producers we cross during our walk. Each wine tour is comprised of a detailed history of the indivdual producer, its harvest practices and unique vinification, barreling and bottling practices and a behind the scenes visit of the producer's VAT rooms and chais (wine cellars) followed by wine tasting. Following our walk: A recreational wine tasting workshop in Saint Emilion at the local wine school. Lunch is independently at one of the many local cafes or restaurants in Saint Emilion village. Afternoon: Winery tours and wine tasting in Pomerol and time to explore and discover Saint Emilion's history, as well as visit local artisan and wine boutiques.
Dinner: Gourmet extravaganza at our favorite Michelin Star restaurant accompanied by Grand Cru wines.
Day 3
French Bread Making Class, "casse-croute" lunch, Walk #2: Graves Walk "Gods of the Vineyards", Wine Cellar Tours & Wine Tasting - B, L
Breakfast. Morning: Our boulanger (Baker) opens his home to us, and fires up his 19th century wood-fired bread oven to welcome us for a recreational class in the art of traditional French bread making. Mix, mold and bake choice breads along with some traditional fougasse. Once all the bread is baked, we'll prepare the lunch table together in the bakery and partake in a cocktail and "casse-croute" (informal gourmet lunch) of regional products, wine and a home made apple tarte with the baker, his wife, assistant and our friend and Master Chef Antoine.
Afternoon: WALK #2: "Graves: Pessac-Leognan: Gods of the Vineyard". The second walk of our Bordeaux Harvest takes you through not only the most prestigious of the Graves vineyards, but also exposes you to some of the largest estates of the Graves appellation (and Bordeaux in general), and a chance to witness extremely different harvesting practices and vinification processes from what you have seen at Haut Brion, in Saint Emilion and Pomerol. [Rated: EASY, primarily flat terrain, 9 km/2.0 hrs.] Guests enjoy comprehensive commentated wine tours of the first growth producers of the Graves appellation. Each wine tour during our Graves walk includes a detailed history of the producer, its harvest practices and unique vinification, barreling and bottling stages and a behind the scenes visit of the producer's VAT rooms and chais (cellars) followed by wine tasting. Today's visits exemplify the degree to which these first growth producers have mastered near perfect wines by employing vinification practices that completely contradict one another.
Remainder of Afternoon at leisure following our walk and wine tours and tastings.
Dinner: Independently this evening at one of the hotel Michelin rated restaurants, both of which offer gourmet fare and classified wines.
Day 4
Walk #3: Sauternes Vineyard Walk "The Golden Hills" OR Walk #3: Medoc Vineyards and Villages Walk: "Discovering the Medoc", Wine Cellar Tours & Wine Tasting, Recreational Culinary Class in a 19th century castle - B, L, D
Breakfast. Today guests participate in 1 of 2 walks, either our Sauternes walk or our Medoc walk, with winery tours and VIP wine tasting at the producers we visit along our walking trail.
Morning: (one of two walks as noted here): Walk #3: Sauternes Vineyard Walk: "The Golden Hills and the Ciron Valley" [Rated: EASY, light/hilly terrain, 5 km/1.5 hrs.] This is a splendid walk above the Ciron River Valley, home to the most prominent Sauternes producers of La Tour Blanche, school of oneology, and the famous Chateau d'Yquem, Chateau de Fargues. Lunch in Martillac for Sauternes walk.
OR
Walk #3: Medoc Vineyards and Villages Walk: "Discovering the Medoc" [Rated: EASY, light/hilly terrain, 5 km/1.5 hrs.].
Lunch in Pauillac for Medoc walk. Enjoy the opportunity to visit leading classified wine producers in Margaux, Pauillac and St. Estephe.
As with each walk of our Bordeaux wine tour, enjoy comprehensive commentated wine tours of classified growth producers. Each winery tour includes a detailed history of the producer, its harvest practices and unique vinification, barreling and bottling stages and a behind the scenes visit of the producer's VAT rooms and chais (cellars) followed by wine tasting.
Added Note: On trips where the Medoc walk is the chosen walk and destination for winery tours and wine tasting on day #4, guests will visit La Tour Blanche viticulture and oneology school in the sauternais on day #3 prior to our Graves walk.
Remainder of afternoon at leisure.
EVENING & DINNER:
A recreational, hands-on culinary class preparing traditional Bordelaise specialities with our private chef. Our Chef's 19th century castle is situated in the heart of the vineyards. Welcomed as friends we prepare a traditional gourmet Bordelais dinner together. Learn some of his professional secrets to use in your kitchen on your return home. After cooking class, indulge in wine tasting of several of the chateau's vintages followed by a dinner of the recipes prepared in class.
Day 5
Tour Conclusion - B
Breakfast. Trip concludes. Group drop-off at 10 AM at Bordeaux Saint Jean Rail Station.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 20% Moderate, 80% Easy
TOUR BEGINS:
Group pick-up : Your guide meets you and the other Guests of the group on Tour start date at 2:00 PM at the Saint Jean Rail Station in Bordeaux, France. To reach the meeting location for the Tour, travelers take the TGV (high speed train) either directly from the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Saint Jean Rail Station or from the Gare de Montparnasse in downtown Paris to the Saint Jean Rail Station in Bordeaux. TGV Travel time is approximately 3 hours from downtown Paris and 4 hours from the CDG airport.
TOUR ENDS:
Group drop-off on Tour end date at 10 AM at Bordeaux Saint Jean Rail Station.
Return to the Bordeaux Tour Summary Page
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