Customer Testimonials
Hi Mary,
We were picked up from our hotel at 8 in the morning to get through the Bordeaux morning peak hour traffic in our own hire car. Our lovely guide was an American who of course spoke perfect French and has lived there for twenty years and was extremely knowledgeable on all things French and Bordeaux wines. We visited three different chateaus – one of which was a 2 rating and two others which were a 5. At each of the chateaus we had an excellent tour both through the vineyards as well as the wine making process. The obligatory tasting of course followed. We had lunch at a golf club which was both picturesque and excellent food. The absolute highlight was Chateau Pontet-Canet where we were taken in a golf cart through the vineyard and then an excellent tour through the cellars as well as the wine tasting with an absolutely charming young man who had recently been to Australia and made it an awful lot of fun.
I would highly recommend this group to escort anyone through the delights and beauty of this outstanding wine region.
Regards
David W, Australia (June 2011)
Mary,
I wanted to let you know how thrilled we all were with the fantastic tour you created for us. It was beyond all expectations, and your knowledge, contacts, selections and arrangements made this trip so special. I’m attaching on of my favorite photos I made on the trip. I’m also going to try to work a column on one of the travel sites I write for.
Best regards,
Phil (and Jane)
Thanks to Andy’s suggestion that I contact you, and your referral to Mary Dardenne, we just finished up a wonderful tour of Bordeaux arranged and accompanied by Mary. She was incredible in her knowledge and ability to arrange so many visits that were each unique in their own way. Thanks so much for the referral. It made what would have been a very good trip into one that was spectacular.
Best regards,
Phil. San Diego
July 2011
Hi Mary
Viv and I want to thank you for a wonderful tour last week. You have begun our Bordeaux wine education, and we went straight to Badie to seek their advice about some local ones to try. So far they have been delicious.
At your suggestion, we have reservations at Le Bordelaise this evening and at Le Chapon fin tomorrow. So we should dine well.
We will get in touch as we plan other excursions. Meantime, thank you again – and please convey our thanks to Guillaume, too.
D V N, Toronto, Canada -May 2011
Hi Mary,
I wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic time last Wednesday! It was such a thrill and were definitely returning to Bordeaux for more tastings (maybe well get to do a First Growth next time). Thank you so much for getting it all together in such a short amount of time.
Best
J Q March 2011
Hi Mary,
Just a quick note to say thank you so much for such a lovely guided tour when we were in Bordeaux earlier in the month. We both learned an awful lot and had a lot of fun at the same time!
Thanks again – it was wonderful.
DH, London – March 2011
Hi Mary,
We made it home safely last night with no problems.
On behalf of our group, I want to express our appreciation to you for organizing such a wonderful wine tour. Each tasting day was an unique experience and gave us an up-close examination and appreciation of all the time, love and effort that goes into each vineyard and winery.
Our trip to Arcachon and Saint Emilion were both fantastic. All agreed that dinner at Hostellerie was fabulous and perhaps the best meal we’ve ever experienced. Each dish was truly a display of art.
All the restaurants and other things to do you suggested were wonderful and very helpful. Thank you again for booking and sharing the special wine tastings. It was an amazing and unforgettable tour of the wine regions of Bordeaux.
Best Regards,
T K from Texas October 2010
Mary
Everyone loved your style and certainly professionalism. It goes without saying that I will recommend you to anyone I know when they next go across the Atlantic.
The lunch at Haut Baily was more than anyone could have expected. We where treated to champagne at the back deck to the Chateau and had the pleasure of being welcomed by its American owner (he was there for a few nights) from Buffalo. Lunch was in a wonderful room overlooking the vineyards. They have a chef on location and we were treated to a gastronomic delight accompanied by excellent wine. Our host was great. She shared a great deal of information not only about Haut Baily but also about the wine trade. If our tour ended there, everyone would have been quite happy.
Hopefully, the rest of my crew got something from all the lectures though only I feel that missing Chateau Margaux was a tragedy that could can be amended by another visit.
Much thanks again for me and the rest of my group.
EA from Texas October 2010
Just a line to say we are home from our cruise and our lovely trip to Europe, and by far our outstanding moments were with you in Bordeaux. It was a memorable experience, made all the more so by your interest and expertise. Thanks again!!!
Fondly,
Pauline and Murray. July 2010
Texan Mary Dardenne has lived in Bordeaux for 15 years and knows her stuff. She has access to all manner of chateaux that might otherwise be off-limits and her jaunts are famously enjoyable.
Jonathan Ray – Weekend Telegraph, UK newspaper
Dear Mary,
We all had a wonderful time in Bordeaux, thoroughly enjoying your tour! Carol and I got some fun photos too.Please find attached some small size photos from our trip.
Thank you again for a great experience,Best regards,
EH Switzerland
Thank you so much, we had a wonderful time with Andre and the tour was great. We appreciated your organisation especially as we were doing it at the last minute.
Lee, Perth Australia
I took four journalists who were all wine novices. All came back confident with their new found knowledge , all excited about Bordeaux, its wines and food. J… took some really great photographs.
Mary Dardenne had organised the tour brilliantly and was professional and fun on the trip.
PR Firm RR Teamwork, London
WOW, the G.. family had a very wonderful time. Dr. G.. called me first thing this morning to report about the trip. They thoroughly enjoyed your services as guide. He said that every single detail was taken care of to perfection.
They loved the food and wine, especially the private lunch at the chateau that you recommended. All the hard work you and I put into this trip paid off – It was a fantastic memorable experience for them. Thank you – thank you! I look forward to working with you again in the future. I will also tell all my colleagues to use you whenever possible.
Kind and warm regards,
Heidi Wohlert, CTCFour Seasons Travel, A Virtuoso Agency
“Mary was a pleasure to work with from the moment I began discussing the possibility of having her assist with planning an unforgettable wine holiday in Bordeaux. My wife and I would consider ourselves novice wine drinkers who can appreciate a great bottle of wine but still need to develop our palate. Mary understood this and began planning an itinerary which met our needs that proved to be unbelievably educational, fun and memorable. Between Mary’s high level of professionalism, vast knowledge of wines, and overall personality I would highly recommend Mary Dardenne to assist and guide anyone on their wine tasting experience throughout the world”
Robert Megan – Atlanta, Ga.
First – apologies for being very slow in responding – the normal chaos returned when coming back to reality in the City. We truly enjoyed the trip and are very happy with your guiding. I feel we learned a lot and we definitely will do more of these type of trips. Our timing was also impeccable as it started raining as we got into the car on the way back to the airport from St Emilion.
Your selection of visits and restaurants was great… We were very pleased with the weekend and will definitely do it again – both Bordeaux + other regions. Just need to find the time.
Thomas P. , London, UK
Mary arranged a three day golf/wine tasting trip for us last year. She booked our golf starting times, lunch, dinner, hotel and tours to 6 different vineyards.
We had a great trip and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone wishing to have a very well organised, hassle free trip to Bordeaux.
Don G., UK
