There are more and more dynamic visits for your Bordeaux wine tours, springing up in and around St Emilion.  One of them belongs to  Paul & Aline Goldschmidt a Franco-English couple who have recently finished the restoration of Aline’s family estate in Neac. The chateau has been in the family since 1832 and  Aline, la Baronne Guichard, has definitely put her personal touches on the property.

She has also created a number if themed wine tasting visits and workshops as well as a regular ‘just show up’ visit at 4pm Mon-Fri. My personal favourite is entitled “Savoir Vivre Du Vin” tips & advice from the baroness. A ballade either on foot or by bike between their Properties in Pomerol & Lalande de Pomerol is enough to work up an appetite.

Our Bordeaux wine tours are being supplemented by many different activities and wine tasting visits almost every day. Check out some of our wine tour suggestions and ask us for your personalised itinerary.

To prepare for another day of eating and drinking, I started my day with a 10k cycle on the path which links Sauveterre de Guyenne to Lacanau.  I have the great fortune of living about 2 kms from the most beautiful and shaded part of the path.  There are numerous stops and watering holes dotted along the path.  A great day out for all ages!

Our wine tasting day starts at a Grand Cru Classe property on the limestone slopes of St Emilion. Chateau Franc Mayne boasts several kilometers of underground quaries which make this area so unique.

We followed our visit by a light lunch on the terrace of the Relais & Chateaux Hostellerie de Plaisance in the town center.  The Michelin starred restaurant is open only at night but the privileged few who know about it can dine overlooking the cobble stoned streets of St Emilion.

The view is fantastic from the terrace of Hostellerie de Plaisance.

American owned Chateau Fonplegade was our last stop.  We had a quick comparison of 3 of their 6 chateau with the two wines from Fonplegade.   The day ended with fireworks of course over La Tour du Vieux Port in Libourne.

Bastille Day Fireworks in Libourne

Stay tuned, tomorrow we go to the Medoc and have a fantastic lunch at the Relais & Chateaux Cordeillan Bages where young chef Jean Luc Rocha is following of from the acclaimed Thierry Marx who left for greener pastures this spring.