Wine Days Out in SW France

Caro Feely recommends five fabulous destinations in and around Bergerac and Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

The Pessac-Léognan appellation begins a few minutes south of Bordeaux city. It is home to grand cru classés for both dry white and dry red wines, but it is their whites made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are perhaps the true stars of the appellation.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a grand cru classé, offers a fascinating place to begin your discovery. Book their Forest of the Senses tour (€16 for over-12s) which takes you on an auto-guided trail through art works and nature. Follow this with lunch at La Table du Lavoir, the restaurant of Hôtel Les Sources de Caudalie, located on the same organic estate, where the menu du jour costs €45. After the forest walk you can add a tasting - two second wines for €15 per person or the two grands vins for €50 per person.

Sauternes

In Sauternes, Château Guiraud, an organic and biodynamic grand cru classé is a fabulous destination for discovering sweet wine and biodiversity. You could book their 1.5-hour tour (€23 per adult) then lunch at the charming La Chapelle restaurant on the property. For a more casual lunch Auberge Les Vins in Sauternes village comes highly recommended. Hikers will enjoy the three hour circular route around Sauternes (there are other options –shorter and longer). Download the map from the official Sauternes tourism website.

St-Émilion

St-Émilion village is historic and beautiful, and the tourist office has suggestions of things to do on any given day including walks, châteaux that are open to walk-ins, and guided visits. There are many restaurant choices in the village, but I recommend getting out into the vineyards. My favourites are Atelier Candale, east of the village, and La Terrasse Rouge to the west of the village on the border with Pomerol appellation. After lunch consider booking a guided visit of an organic vineyard like the lovely people at Château Bernateau or Château Coutet.

Monbazillac

Monbazillac, near Bergerac, is renowned for its sweet wines, but many winegrowers make dry white and red wines so you are covered even if you are not a fan of dessert wine. The setting alone - on a hill with stunning views onto the Dordogne Valley and Bergeractown is worth a visit.

Château de Monbazillac has recently undergone a major renovation and the new visitors centre has an interactive tour that explains all things wine. With the standard ticket (€11 per adult) you get the tour, access to the historic castle and the opportunity to taste a wine of your choice from those available. The Maison des Vins, opposite the church, provides a map of the Monbazillac Boucle (a circular walk).

For lunch, book ahead for a luxury lunch at Michelin-starred Tour des Vents or go for a more relaxed casual platter at the delightful Maison Vari in the centre of the village.

Saussignac

Twenty minutes west of Bergerac and an hour east of Bordeaux city, Saussignac packs a mighty wine tourism punch for its size. Two vineyards - both Best of Wine Tourism Gold trophy winnersoffer a wide range of visits in English. Make a day of it and book our Château Feely two-hour Discovery Tour (€30 per adult) which dives deep into organic farming and biodiversity with a guided visit and educational wine-tasting of six wines. Then, wander into Saussignac for lunch, a delightful new restaurant Mélange has opened in the village (the lunch menu du jour costs €22) and then visit Château Fayolle for the gardens and winery tour (€8 for over-12s) in the afternoon. For those looking to avoid the car, Château Feely offers collection from the local train station Gardonne for bookings for half or full day visits.

Caro Feely owns a Vineyard in SW France - read her column in every issue of Living Magazine.