Saint-Émilion Private Wine Tour

On arrival at either Bordeaux airport or train station, your elegant chauffeur-driven Mercedes will be waiting to transfer you to the nearby hamlet of  Saint Emilion. First up is a wine tour at Château Fonplegade; this captivating château takes its name from the historic fountain “Fonplegade,” meaning fountain of plenty, historically quenching the first of many a pilgrim and more recently an additional water supply to the vines in drier vintages. Sterling wines have been produced on these superior lands for many years, passing through the hands of several great Saint Emilion families. However, Château Fonplegade’s second “belle époque” began in 2004 under the new ownership of the esteemed Stephan and Denise Adams. The cellar and winery hugely benefit from a fabulous renovation.

After your VIP tour and tasting of their Château L’Enclos and Fonplegade wines, you will move on to Les Belles Perdrix de Troplong Mondot for a welcome lunch. Set in the heart of Troplong-Mondot Château’s vineyards, Les Belles Perdrix is one of several Michelin-starred restaurants in Saint Emilion. The cuisine is delightful, creative, and delicious, a real gourmand treat including offerings such as “Snails from La Perlotte Farm” prepared as a crunchy terrine with seasonings, artichokes and summer truffle, rocket from the garden and brown poultry sauce with truffles or “Wild Pollack tornado” glazed with citronella lovage butter with Thai curry mussels, marinated zucchinis, and grapefruit.

After lunch, enjoy a private guided walking tour of the hamlet’s most emblematic streets, squares, hidden corners, and underground monuments. Saint Emilion has endless wondrous monuments to admire and explore, but the underground treasures are genuinely remarkable. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the fascinating history of the monolithic church carved into limestone in the 12th century. The nearby Trinity Chapel, home to the prayer or meditation chair of Saint Emilion, is named the “fertility seat” as legend has it that any woman wishing to bring new life into the world falls pregnant within the year of sitting on it.

Then enjoy a free evening to settle into your handsome abode, the exclusive Hôtel de Pavie, set in the heart of the town with the most magical views. The Hôtel de Pavie is an exquisite 5-star Relais & Châteaux that boasts a storied heritage deeply intertwined with the region’s renowned vineyards and illustrious wine culture. Originally established as a convent, this architectural gem was transformed into a luxury destination when the Perse Family acquired it in 2001. Then, in 2020, through a collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Yannick Alléno, the hotel rebranded its restaurant as La Table de Pavie, offering exceptional dining experiences. Welcome to Saint Emilion.

After an exquisite breakfast, the effervescent and aesthete cook, food blogger, and photographer, Stéphane Gabart, will meet you and take you to the lively Libourne market; alternatively, if your trip doesn’t fall on market day, Stèphane will show you to the best local traditional food shops assisting you in selecting goodies for your upcoming cooking demo.

Stéphane will then take you to his historic family townhouse in Libourne, where he will guide you through the preparations of your authentic bordelaise dishes. Afterward, sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor, accompanied by superb local wines.

After lunch, visit the stunning Château de La Rivière with Stèphane. An enchanting castle on top of the hill in Fronsac, steeped in history, enjoy a truly magical tour of the estate. La Rivière changed hands in 2013, now owned by the Bolian Group. However, winemaker and GM Xaver Buffo, the estate’s soul and continuity, has been skillfully crafting these world-class wines for over 20 years. Finally, before the host bids you farewell, he will walk you around the historical highlights of Saint Emilion.

Then, it’s back to your hotel to relax and freshen up before a magnificent dinner awaits at the Michelin-starred Logis de la Cadene; you will enjoy tantalizing masterpieces by Chef Thibaut Gamba, who elaborates on classic French cuisine adding innovation and modern elegance, with the most vibrant array of colors, tastes, and textures.

This morning, you will visit the tiny neighboring wine region of Pomerol. There is no actual village center here, and even though vines have grown here since Roman times, it is only relatively recently that this collection of small châteaux has become prominent on the wine map. Sitting at the highest point of the Pomerol plateau, the darling Château Petit-Village, newly renovated, is an absolute joy to discover.

Enjoy a private tour and tasting of their superlative wines before moving on to lunch at the nearby Maison Claude Darroze, an exceptional restaurant offering Michelin-starred dining in a country setting. Sublime, classic French cuisine beautifully presented in a gorgeous location. Lobster & Hibiscus marinated in White Peach Aceto Balsamico Dressing, Perfect Egg, Foam of Fingerling Potatoes and toast with Summer Truffles, or Seared Red Tuna from “Saint Jean de Luz” with Piquillo peppers and sweet Onions Piperade is a taster of what is in store here.

After enjoying your lunch, a comfortable 20-minute journey with your driver will take you to the renowned Sauternes region. Here, you’ll visit the esteemed Château Guiraud for a private tour and VIP tasting of their exquisite wines. Sauternes is unique not only within the region but also probably in the world. Producing this incomparable golden nectar is a back-breaking job, quite literally at harvest, which often entails passing through the vines up to as many as seven times, selecting only the grapes most aptly affected by the Botrytis fungus or “noble rot.” Château Guiraud produces only around 100,000 bottles of their first growth Grand Cru Classé, which they have proudly held since 1855—a free evening to enjoy lovely Saint Emilion, particularly charming at night.

This morning, after breakfast, your driver will take you to the romantic Clos Fourtet, one of the few estates to continuously maintain its Premier Grand Cru Classé status since 1956. The immaculate vineyards and gardens are secluded behind ancient walls. There is almost as much to explore below ground as above, with 13 hectares of an underground cave network compared to the 20 hectares of vineyards, which is truly remarkable. Then, you will sit down for a private tasting of their outstanding wines.

A light lunch follows at the glorious Clos Mirande overlooking the vines on the splendid terrace, weather permitting; however, inside the restaurant is as equally alluring with the stone walls and homely fireplace. Imaginative twists on local dishes presented perfectly with 5-star service. You can expect the likes of “Delicacies of crab and langoustines, green asparagus, condiment Yuzu ginger” or “Roasted lamb filet, Buckwheat with dates, peas and pie lamb confit with marjoram” or dishes equally as inviting from their ever-evolving, seasonal menu, perfectly paired with an attractive selection of local wine.

The last stop is at the renowned Château Figeac, oozing in history, its origins dating back to the 2nd century, and the Figeacus family who gave the estate its name. However, the Manoncourt family, who have owned Figeac for over 120 years, has gained its reputation and authentic character. Located west of Saint Emilion, almost touching neighboring Pomerol, Figeac is the largest property in Bordeaux, encompassing 40 hectares of vineyard and a further 14 hectares of breathtaking grounds, meadows, and woodlands. Touring the estate is an absolute delight, culminating in a much-anticipated finale: tasting some of Château Figeac’s finest wines.

Your chauffeur will then pop you back into Saint Emilion town, where you can spend some free time shopping and strolling before your blow-out dinner at the 2 Michelin-starred eatery of Hotel de Pavie, “La Table de Pavie.” You will undoubtedly appreciate the core values of Chef Yannick Alléno, sourcing the highest quality ingredients, which are utterly flavorsome in their own right; therefore, the cooking techniques serve to enhance, never to distort.

A free morning to potter around this adorable village, then Mercedes transfer to Bordeaux airport, town, or train station at your preferred time. Bon Voyage!