Great Estates of Bordeaux Wine Tour, France

Sept 1-6 , 2008

Maximum of 12 travelers

$5,295.00 / person

Get to know the major appellations of Bordeaux as you taste at some of the most prestigious estates of the Médoc, Graves, Sauternes and Saint Emilion/Pomerol. From First Growths like Mouton and Margaux to Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels and exclusive “boutique” wineries, this tour offers a fantastic overview of the best that Bordeaux has to offer. Between tastings, you’ll experience the history and charm of the medieval village of Saint Emilion, and enjoy the luxury of Bordeaux’s premier Relais & Chateaux hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. A truly first-class experience for the Bordeaux wine lover!

Your 6 Day, 5 Night Luxury Tour in Bordeaux includes:

• The services of an English-speaking wine expert guide throughout the tour

• Deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach transportation throughout, including group transfer on final day

• 3 nights at 4-star Luxury Relais & Chateau Chateau Cordeillan Bages in Pauillac, double occupancy

• 2 nights at 4-star Luxury Relais & Chateau Hostellerie de Plaisance in St. Emilion, double occupancy

• Buffet breakfast each day

• 4 gastronomic dinners with premium wines, mineral water and coffee, (three of the dinners will be at Michelin-starred restaurants)

• 3 gourmet lunches with premium wines, mineral water and coffee

• All Grand Cru wine estate tours and tastings

• Introduction to Wine Tasting taught at the level of the group

• A full packet of wine tasting information, a tasting notebook created by French Wine Explorers, city maps, and a Thank You gift.

• All taxes and gratuities for baggage handling and included restaurants

Price per person, double occupancy: US$ 5,295.00

Single Supplement: US$ 925.00

(Singles: please let us know if you’d like to room with another single to take advantage of the double occupancy price, upon availability)

Itinerary*

Monday, September 1: Margaux, Pauillac

Your deluxe motor coach and your wine expert guide will meet the group in front of the Hotel de Normandie in the center of Bordeaux at 9:30am. Our destination is the Médoc, where you’ll begin your discovery of the great First Growths with a tour and a tasting of the supremely elegant wines of Chateau Margaux. After lunch at the charming Pavillon de Margaux overlooking the vineyards, we move on to Pauillac and First Growth Chateau Mouton Rothschild. You’ll visit their beautiful barrel cellar and vat room, and then the fascinating Wine Museum with its priceless artwork. Late afternoon, check in to 4-star Relais & Chateaux member Chateau Cordeillan Bages in Pauillac. Your welcome dinner is at the elegant Saint Julien restaurant.

Tuesday, September 2: Pauillac, Saint Estephe, Saint Julien

Our explorations in the Médoc continue with a tasting at one of the elite group of nine Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnels, Chateau Phélan Ségur or Chateau Haut Marbuzet. Enjoy lunch on your own in the charming port town of Pauillac. This afternoon, you’ll visit the impressive, state-of-the-art winery and cellars of another of the great First Growths, Chateau Latour, followed by an extensive tasting. We end the afternoon at one of the finest chateaux in Saint Julien (usually Léoville Barton, Gruaud Larose or Ducru Beaucaillou). Dinner is at the hotel’s 2-star Michelin-rated restaurant, the most highly rated table in the Bordeaux region, where chef Thierry Marx (one of France’s brightest culinary stars) presents highly creative and sumptuous dishes using the region’s freshest ingredients.

Wednesday, September 3: Péssac-Léognan, Sauternes

This morning we explore the Graves, specifically Péssac-Léognan, home to 16 Classified Growth chateaux. You’ll visit one of them this morning, Chateau Smith Haut Lafite, where you’ll see their impressive cellars and visit their cooperage (one of only 4 chateaux in Bordeaux to still have their own cooperage). A delicious lunch awaits you at the estate’s fine restaurant, La Table du Lavoir, overlooking the vineyards. Your next stop is in the nearby Sauternes appellation, renowned for its world-famous dessert wines. Visit First Growth Chateau Guiraud or Chateau Suduiraut and learn how the Noble Rot turns the finest Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes into liquid gold in this exceptional terroir. Return to Pauillac for dinner at Chateau Cordeillan Bages with their special tasting menu.

Thursday, September 4: Saint Emilion, Montagne Saint Emilion

After a pleasant 1 ½ hour drive through rolling vineyard land, arrive on the “Right Bank” with its great appellations of Saint Emilion and Pomerol. Before discovering the Grand Cru chateaux so famous in this area, you’ll see another side of Bordeaux winemaking as you visit a highly-rated new microvineyard (also referred to as a “garagiste”), Chateau Acappella, accompanied by its flamboyant owner, Christophe Choisy. Acappella just received its first rating from Robert Parker: a 90 for its 2005 vintage! After lunch at the best wine bar in Saint Emilion, l’Envers du Décor, visit the tiny but prestigious appellation of Pomerol for tastings at two legendary chateaux like Vieux Chateau Certain, Gazin or Petit Village. Check in late afternoon to the 4-star luxury Relais & Chateaux member Hostellerie de Plaisance. Dinner is on your own tonight at one of Saint Emilion’s wonderful restaurants, with our suggestions.

Friday, September 5: Saint Emilion, Pomerol

Take the morning to explore the many shops, galleries and monuments of the beautiful village of Saint Emilion, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch on your own in the village, you’ll enjoy tours and tastings at two top estates in Saint Emilion that provide excellent examples of the nuances of terroir in this famous appellation, like First Growths Chateaux Angelus, Canon, or Troplong Mondot. Celebrate your last night in the Bordeaux region with a gala farewell dinner at the hotel’s Michelin 1-star restaurant, accompanied by very special wines.

Saturday, September 6

Your wine tour ends after breakfast today with a group transfer to Bordeaux airport and train station, arriving between 11:30am and 12:30pm.

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

For reservations or more information (Detailed Brochure / Terms and Conditions) :

Contact us at vacations@giramondowine.com This tour is operated by a partner of GiraMondo Wine adventures, specializing in wine vacations all around the world. This company accepts VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover cards or checks / money orders denominated in US dollars.

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