St Emilion

Bordeaux barrels

Bordeaux St Emilion Wine Holiday for Individuals, special offer for early bookings

This enjoyable weekend wine break has the delightful wine town of St Emilion as its base, which is undoubtedly the loveliest town in the region.

Bordeaux, the sixth largest city in France, is situated in South West France in the Gironde region and is the centre of the most renowned wine region in the world. Wine growing around Bordeaux dates from around 37BC with the arrival of the Romans who planted the first vineyards on the gentle slopes to the south of the town. The English also discovered the sea route to Bordeaux early on and the medieval trade in Bordeaux wine was considerable. It was in the 19th century that most of the wine estates and châteaux were established and the first official wine classification, which stands almost unchanged today, came about in 1855.
Bordeaux, the city and its eponymous vineyard region, has more than a hint of elegance about it. It is the largest fine wine district on Earth; its production dwarfs that of Burgundy.

The picturesque medieval hilltop town of St Emilion has a maze of cobbled streets and ancient buildings – the two dominant monuments are the hilltop spire and the keep, both commanding good views over the rooftops. The famous 8th-12th century Monolithic church is the largest underground church in Europe hewn out of solid limestone. Apart form the numerous wine shops in the village (where you can often taste some wines too) you must try the other local speciality, macaroons. There is also an excellent modern wine-tasting bar, where you can even taste the First Growths by the glass.

There are no wine chateaux to stay in within the town (so that you would be restricted on where to eat in the evening since the only wine chateau in the region has no on the spot dining facilities unless you are a group of 12) so we have chosen to base this weekend in either a 3* family run hotel with outdoor pool or a superb 4* luxe hotel with Michelin double rosette restaurant. This also means that you have free time to explore the town on foot and to take advantage of the excellent bistros and cafes.

Outline itinerary for St Emilion Wine Holiday Weekend

Day One

• You can arrive at Bordeaux airport, Bordeaux train station, Libourne train station (this is the nearest point to St Emilion) or Bergerac airport. Arrange your own taxi on the spot or self-drive car hire arrangements or self-drive from anywhere in France.

• Evening – You are free to dine at your choice of restaurant this evening. We will provide you with the Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours restaurant list for St Emilion pre-tour so that you can either pre-book or make your choice on the spot.

Day Two (this cannot be a Sunday)

• Breakfast at the chateau.

• At 0930/10.00 your local guide will meet you to take you on a tour on foot for a visit and tasting at three chateaux in and near St Emilion (total distance walked will not exceed 3 miles, this is just an easier way to reach the chateaux as the distances are not great)

• You’ll pause for lunch in the village during the day.

• Free evening in St Emilion

Day Three

• Breakfast at the chateau.
• You can arrange for your hotel to book a taxi for you to return to Bordeaux airport, Bordeaux train station, Libourne train station or Bergerac airport.