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.
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 an 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 & Chaisin 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! (Follow the
links above for contact details.) 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.
For further information try the links below. (Please note that
we cannot be held responsible for the content of third party
sites.)
Alternative
Aquitaine's Guide to the Pays des Vins
Tourist
information - Entre-deux-Mers
Guide
to St Emilion
Golf
in the Bordeaux-Gironde area
Tourism
in and around Arcachon
Gironde
Tourist Information
Hostens
Lac guide
