A Luxury Wine Safari 
Discover Languedoc & Bordeaux
Dates: September 9th to 15th
This is a fully inclusive holiday including accommodation in superior and 5* hotels. Price €2675 per person.
This programmed tour is open to enthusiasts of all levels keen to discover or re visit these two regions at the end of the summer when the days are still warm and the evenings light.
You will be accompanied by a bilingual local expert from each region in a comfortable minivan with a driver.
It will be a wine safari, a different region and place to stay almost
every day, which will allow you to experience as much as possible of
these diverse regions in a short amount of time.
Don't worry if it sounds hectic, at the end of the week we can offer the possibility of a 2 day spa break in the vines of Bordeaux at Les Sources de Caudalies. This is the original luxury wine spa and resort, if you need time to recover before heading home or going on to the next leg of your journey.
If you would like to join this group (maximum 8 guests) the tour will run from 9th-15th September 2012
If you prefer not to tour with other wine enthusiasts or have your team of tasters to hand, we can organise an exclusive tour on a similar theme and itinerary at any time of the year to fit in with your availability, number of guests and individual preferences.
Day One - Sunday 9th September 2012
Arrival and setting the scene. Join the group at Montpellier in Languedoc to discover the
eastern side of the Languedoc in the hills above the Mediterranean coast.
Visit Mas Belles Eaux, owned by Axa Millesimes, owners of top growths Pichon Longueville and Chateau Suduiraut in Bordeaux, amongst others. Dating back to the 17th century this property married the old and new with the latest wine making installations allowing a wonderful expression of traditional grape varieties Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan in both blends and single varietal wines.
Settle into your private villa near Beziers at Chateau Les Carrasses and in the evening enjoy a tasting diner and introduction to the wines of the region.
Day Two- Monday 10th September
The western side of the Languedoc including the appellations of Limoux and Minervois
Private Visit and tasting at Domaine de Baron'Arques, purchased by Philippine de Rothschild in 1988. This ancient estate produces Limoux AOP wines including the barrel fermented Chardonnay that this area is famous for and now red wine is also allowed in this appellation. The wines are a blend of Bordeaux and Mediterranean varietals using the same meticulous wine making techniques at the other family properties of Mouton and Opus One.
Tasting Lunch at Domaine Gayda. This modern winery with breath taking views across the foothills of the Pyrenees has a wonderful restaurant which is an ideal spot to match the food and wines of the region and discover at a selection of wines from this innovative estate.
A private visit and tasting at L'Ostal Cases, brought back to life by Jean-Michel Cazes, of Chateau Lynch Bages fame. This property whose winery is in an old converted tile factory is a show case for the quality wines of the Minervois including the only cur of the region La Livinière. This is also a chance to taste some of the wonderful olive oil made on the estate.
Settle into Hotel de la Cité in the heart of the spectacular medieval walled town of Carcassonne. Tonight you will dine in the hotel’s Michelin star restaurant Le Barbacane and enjoy a range of wines from across the region.
Day 3- Tuesday 11th September
En-route for Bordeaux. A late start allowing you to discover the cité of Carcassonne in the morning and a light lunch. Departure for Sauternes, the Southern most vineyard of the Bordeaux region.
Private visit and tasting at Chateau Suduiraut, 1st classified growth of Sauternes, also owned by Axa Millesimes, discover the unique Terroir and climate that makes this region and it's wines so unique.
Settle in to your room at Chateau de l'Arche, a classified growth and working vineyard at the heart of Sauternes in the shadow of Chateau d'Yquem. Diner at your hotel
Day 4- Wednesday 12th September
Saint Emilion and Pomerol - no trip to Bordeaux is complete without a visit to Saint Emilion so
we will drive through the vineyards of the Entre deux Mers which will bring you to the Medieval town of Saint Emilion to discover the history of the region before a private lunch at Chateau Petit Village, belonging to the Axa Millesimes group at the heart of Pomerol.
In the afternoon a drive along the Dordogne river through Fronsac and ferry crossing over the Gironde Estuary will bring you to the famous Medoc region, home of the 1855 classification of the red Bordeaux wines.
Settle into your rooms at Relais and Chateaux Cordeillan Bages then enjoy a two star Michelin dinner comparing the Languedoc and Bordeaux wines of the Cazes family that own this hotel as well as neighbouring Chateau Lynch Bages.
Day 5- Thursday 13th September
The South and North of the Medoc. Transfer to Margaux to visit Chateau Palmer and Chateau d'Angludet where the Sichel family will host us for a private lunch to taste their wines from Bordeaux and the Languedoc.
A private visit and tasting at Chateau Lynch Bages.
Return to your hotel to prepare for your final tour diner at Chateau Pichon Longueville where wines from the Axa Portfolio will be served blind at a diner in your honour in their private dining room after a private visit to the spectacular new cellars.
Day 6 - Friday 14th September
Mouton Rothschild and farewell. We will end on a high note with a visit of the newly
renovated cellars of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, First growth of Pauillac
Return to Bordeaux airport or train station for your departure.
Bordeaux is a wonderful city so you may want to allow some free time to explore before your departure, in which case we can look after you bags while you explore before taking you to your departure point
Alternatively if you would like to stay on for a night or two we can organise a weekend at the Grand Hotel de Bordeaux right in the centre of the city or a weekend in Les Sources de Caudalie wine spa and resort in the groups of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.
Should you wish to organise this, or a similar itinerary, as a private group we could add in an optional 3rd day in the south of France to discover the history, Cathar castles and the dry & sweet wines of the Roussillon.
To find out more or to book the tour please call Wendy on 07880 796786 or email wendy@vinenvacances.com
