165 - Maison des Vignes  Bordeaux (15kms)

In our opinion

What makes Maison des Vignes a great holiday rental

The cottage is one of four holiday properties (they do not overlook one another) set in large grounds with plenty of games, some bikes, plus shared pool. Beautiful gently undulating countryside allows plenty of opportunities for exploring on foot or by bike. The owners are especially welcoming & knowledgeable - whether your passion is wine, history or things to see or do they'll point you in the right direction.

Best for:
Families & friends looking for a blend of relaxation and activity, particularly anyone with an interest in wine

Suitability for:

• Toddlers - good, cot & high chair available
• Teenagers - pool, bikes & lots of space on site; good area for activities too
• Reduced mobility - level entrance and ground floor; downstairsshower. (NB All bedrooms are upstairs.)

Anything to watch out for?
No.

Why the Bordeaux region?
Wine, naturally! Plenty of opportunity for dégustation (tasting) and finding out all about wine, both on the estate and at any number of the chateaux and vineyards of the region.

The region is also steeped in history and culture, we recommend strolling around one of the many historic villages, or a visit to the fascinating city of Bordeaux itself.

There is also a wide choice of activities available nearby including golf, water sports, horse riding, cycling and walking. Fantastic ocean beaches are just over an hour away by car.

Accommodation

An attractive farmhouse-style cottage in spacious wine-producing grounds

Inside:
The house adjoins part of the main building, but with an independent entrance on another side. The cottage entrance faces a lovely large lawned area which ends at the vines. Stone interior walls, fireplaces, exposed beams, high ceilings and tiled floors give the cottage a lot of character.

The large entrance hall downstairs leads on the left to the lounge room (with TV, fireplace) which seats 4-6. On the opposite side of the hall is a separate dining room with table & chairs and which leads on to a modern well-equipped kitchen (refitted in 2011). A pantry, then toilet & shower room are located behind the kitchen.

Wooden stairs lead to the first floor landing. On the first floor the double room has an en suite shower room with a washbasin. The other double and twin rooms share a family bathroom with a washbasin. Separate wc. The bedrooms are simply furnished but spacious, with good-sized wardrobes.

Outside:
There is a large, attractive area of garden in front of the house with views on to the rest of the grounds & vines. The grounds around the venue are open however this side is away from the other cottages so reasonably private. Garden table, chairs and barbecue for the summer are used under the Magnolia tree which is just in front of the house.

The grounds also include a large swimming pool (shared with people staying in 3 other cottages in the grounds), many garden toys & games plus about a dozen bikes of all sizes (adults & childrens).

Prices & Availability

Location

GPS: (44.74950301, -0.446405411)

We endeavour to be as accurate as possible using Google maps but some error is possible.

Things to Do & See

Nearby Activities
Windsurfing · Golf · Cycling · Horse-riding · Birdwatching · Fishing · Wine-tasting · Degustation · Adventure Parc ·

Day-trip Ideas

• Park & ride a tram into central Bordeaux, and soak up the history, or just shop!
• Spend a day at the vast le Grand Crohot beach at the top of Cap Ferret peninsula
• Explore beautiful St Emilion, a UNESCO world heritage site and true gem
• Explore prehistoric caves in the Dordogne, within an hour's drive
• Take a picnic and relax at an inland lake, Baurech and Hostens are easily reached

Our Personal Highlights

• A tour of Jean-Louis' own "caves" and wine-tasting on-site - inspiring.
• Hire bikes and cycle some of the Sauveterre de Guyenne to Bordeaux cycle trail, stopping for the occasional "demi"
• Discovering Bordeaux's many pedestrianised squares and stopping for a coffee
• Surfing or body-boarding on the Atlantic coast - a true Aquitaine experience
• On the way there or back drive around the famous chateaux of the Médoc - Margaux, Lafite-Rosthchild, etc

The Local Area: Bordeaux (15kms)

Wine-making on the estate
Amazingly this modest 15 hectare estate, in the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux appelation, produces four Grands Vins de Bordeaux: a deep merlot-based red, a rosé-style 'clairet', dry-ish white and, best of all, a stunning semillon-based sweet white wine. With the vines growing around you, and Jean-Louis at work in the winery, it feels a rare privilege to have an opportunity to see wine-making at such close quarters, in the world's home of wine. Even if you're only a moderate wine-fan when you arrive, it's certain you'll leave again enthused with Jean-Louis' passion, and a boot-load of your favourites of his range.

Also, several footpaths run from close to the estate around the local countryside and vineyards, for walks of between 2 and 4 hours.

In and around St Caprais
St Caprais is located in the Entre-Deux-Mers countryside, one of the loveliest parts of the Gironde - soft, undulating hills, ancient villages (St Macaire, La Sauve-Majeure and Cadillac should be high on anyone's list for a visit), baroque châteaux and some excellent wines.

St Caprais is a pleasant town with basic amenities and a beautiful ancient church, de rigueur in these parts. There are several activities nearby, including a tree-top adventure park in St Caprais itself (TEPACAP), tennis courts in Latresne, horse-riding at Sadirac (10 kms), water-sports at Baurech (3 kms away), cycling on the nearby Sauveterre-de-Guyenne to Bordeaux cycle trail, a disused railway track which runs through lovely countryside, joining sleepy villages on the way, plus over a dozen golf courses within a 15-60 minute drive.

Entre-Deux-Mers and further afield
Markets – markets are a must-do of any trip to this region, for the quality and colour of the produce, and the lively atmosphere. Near St Caprais there’s Cadillac, Créon, La Réole, and Langon. Jean-Louis (the estate owner) knows the days!

Châteaux & vineyard visits – where to start?! Jean-Louis, the château owner, of course, with a tasting and tour of his vines and cellars. He's very passionate about his wine, and a fanastic communicator - the wine tastes so much better after learning about it from him. For more tasting & learning Jean-Louis can recommend fellow local wine-makers or, if you wish to make you own plans, over 650 wine-making properties are members of the ‘Vignobles & Chais in Bordeaux’, a scheme under which producers offer guided tours and assisted tastings.

Many of the major châteaux only offer tours and tastings by appointment, simply because they are very popular! However there are a few local ones which are open to casual visitors, for example: Château de Rouillac (Pessac-Léognan); Château de Malle (Sauternes, highly recommended - afternoons only without appointment); Château Le Luc Regula (Entre-Deux-Mers); Château de Roques (St Emilion).

Historic villages and towns – in the Pays des Vins you are spoilt for choice. St Emilion is the one most people head for, but go early in the day, or out of season, to avoid the crowds. Equally historic, but smaller, are Sauve-Majeure and La Réole, definitely worth a visit. Many other of the region’s towns boast character and history – Libourne, Créon, Duras, Sainte Foy-la-Grande are all very enjoyable places to lunch and then stroll afterwards.

Literary-minded visitors might enjoy visiting writers’ châteaux, including those of Montaigne (Chateau de la Brede, approx. 20 kms south of Bordeaux) and Francois Mauriac's country house at Saint Maixant (another 20 kms south-west from La Brede)

City culture in Bordeaux – these days Bordeaux is a transformed city: smartened-up buildings, extensively pedestrianised and a 21st century tram system, the combination of historic and new makes Bordeaux the epitome of a modern European city. The city centre around the Grand Théatre and Cours de l’Intendance is a marvel – it’s not difficult to appreciate the wealth and vision of the city’s planners of its hey-days, over two centuries ago. Extensive shopping on the Rue Ste Catherine, a vast choice of cafés and restaurants, the stunning Cathédrale St-André, make Bordeaux an excellent day or two out. The Bordeaux tourist office by the Grand Théatre offers walking guides. The first Sunday of each month the city centre is closed to cars and free bicycles are supplied by the Mairie to visit the city safely.

We can also the following trips slightly further afield:

Days by the lake. There are inland lakes at Hostens (southern Gironde) and at Baurech (Entre-Deux-Mers) Both have sandy beaches, and bathing is usually supervised in July & August. With a picnic it’s a very pleasant and relaxing day.

Days at the seaside. The endless expanses of golden sand and rolling waves characteristic of the Atlantic coast's beaches - Le Grand Crohot, about 10 km due west of Lège-Cap Ferret is particularly recommended, you can always find a quiet spot to yourself. Alternatively, there's the very family-friendly resorts of Lacanau-Océan and Arcachon. Or try the oyster-farming villages and pine-and-sand-dune landscape of La Presqu'Ile de Cap Ferret, a very different world from the Pays des Vins.

Explore the Dordogne – to the north and east is the rich gastronomic and cultural heritage of the Dordogne - its truffles, many caves (eg at Sarlat, Lascaux, Font-de-Gaume) and fortified towns are within an hour and a half's drive.

This is just a taster. The owners of Grange des Vignes know the region intimately and will provide suggestions for all ages and interests when you meet them.

Customer Reviews

“Granges des Vignes and Maison des Vignes were amazing properties - beautifully aquitted, very clean and very spacious. Loved the grand old country cottage decor! The properties were perfect for a long weekend getaway or more. Grounds were great for an outdoor bbq, and the swimming pool was excellent! Owners were very helpful with suggestions as well as with some help a friend needed with sending some wine back home. Couldn't recommend the property more!”

Mr J Chan, stayed in 2011