This is a real voyage of initiation and
enjoyment; a warm, personal and relaxing way to get to know
Bordeaux's famous wines and its fabulous cuisine.
It is not always easy for a simple tourist to penetrate this unique
world. Pascal MELI and Michèle ROUSSEAU offer you more than
a simple wine tour. They will open doors to you that are often closed.
They will be your guides, share their knowledge and enthusiasm and
uncover the treasures of this prestigious region. Moreover, they
both speak English.
Surrounded by the vines of Château BUJAN, in a vineyard of
the Côtes de Bourg, you will live in the charming 17th century
home of the winemakers. Nestled in a small green valley and restored
with talent, the "Maison des Vignes" (House in the Vines),
with its large fireplaces, oak beams and old books have retained
a feeling of true authenticity.
Cooking lessons take place
each night in the chateau and focus on the freshest ingredients,
along with how to pair them with wines of the region. Michele is
your instructor, bringing 20 years of experience and passion to
the kitchen.
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We will meet you at the
airport or train station at whatever time is convenient for you
depending on your travel plans. We will help you with car rental
and you will follow us to the Maison des Vignes.
After you settle in the Maison des Vignes, we will get to know each
other over an aperitif. Together we will prepare a typical Bordeaux
dinner and, of course, your first introduction to the wines…
Pascal will show you around
his Château, a beautiful stone house that has watched over
two centuries surrounded by 42 acres of rolling vines in an especially
lovely Bordeaux landscape. Pascal will explain to you his way of
making wine and take you through the vineyards. In his cellars,
you will see the year's wine, peek at the vats and barrels and share
in the life at BUJAN.
Lunch will be served at the Maison des Vignes, in the garden or
near the swimming pool, depending on the season.
BUJAN is open to you all afternoon. You can walk in the woods or
the vineyard; you can look in on the work of the season outdoors
or in the cellars. You can take a dip in the swimming pool, discover
the banks of the estuary of the Gironde, or simply lie down with
a good book
We will board the ferry that crosses
the Gironde at Blaye and take the "route des Chateaux".
All the dream Chateaux are there: Margaux, Latour, Mouton-Rothschild…
We will visit one of the Chateaux, and if the Cellar Master is in
good humour, he will entrust you with a few secrets while we savour
the latest vintages.
You can continue the visit in the afternoon or head to Bordeaux
for the return trip.
Around 7.00 p.m. your
dinner will feature the Medoc wines and regional dishes: cold cuts,
Pauillac lamb…
After breakfast, we will head for SAUTERNES,
one hour away by car. In a small 25 acres property, you will discover
the secrets of this golden wine. You will be shown the processes
that make this wine so particular. During the tasting, you'll discover
that this sweet wine goes well with both salty and sweet appetizers.
In the afternoon, you'll probably want to visit the magnificent
chateaux and immerse yourself in their glorious past. Wandering
through Sauternes' country roads, you will make the surprising discoveries
of Chateau YQUEM, Chateau de MALLE with its gardens, Chateau de
LA BREDE where MONTESQUIEU, the famous philosopher who wrote "The
Spirit of the Laws", lived.
We will meet you again at 6.00 p.m. to prepare a meal together that
will feature SAUTERNES wines: foie gras in all its forms, parsley
seasoned cheeses, Auvergne blue cheese, Fourme d'Ambert or Roquefort,
orange salad…
Around 9.00 a.m., we
will set off for the outdoor market at BLAYE. BLAYE is a lovely
town dominated by a 17th-century citadel. We will buy some of the
things we need for dinner.
Next, we'll visit the Citadel, built by Vauban, under the reign
of King Louis XIV.
We will meet again at 6.00 p.m. at Chateau BUJAN. While tasting
white wines, Pascal will talk to you about the different processes
for making red and white wines. Via your glass, you will tour the
Bordeaux whites, a very pleasant way to travel! The menu varies
according to the season, filet of sole or Basque-style tuna, mussels
marinières, scallops, goat-milk cheese, fresh fruit tarts…
SAINT EMILION has some of the oldest
vineyards in the Bordeaux region. The jurisdiction of Saint Emilion
is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO . Surrounded by undulating
valleys, the very "civilised" village has a distinctive
and authentic charm.
The mediaeval village of SAINT EMILION is worthy of all your attention
and most probably all your afternoon. The site with its many monuments
is remarkable. You will find craft and art shops to visit and some
famous and enticing restaurants.
We will see you again at the Chateau BUJAN around 7.00 p.m. We will
recap this outing with the wines of SAINT EMILION and the dishes
that accompany them so well: roast duck, autumn game meat, gratin
dauphinois, Saint Nectaire cheese, pears in spiced wine with soft
macaroons (small almond cakes made only in St Emilion !)
 After
breakfast, we will take the ferry across the estuary and make our
way to the Bassin d'Arcachon where we will spend the day.
The oysters of the Basin are famous and we will visit an oyster
farm. A real "farmer of the sea" will tell you about his
art and let you taste this king of all festive dishes.
Lunch beside the Basin on the Arcachon or Cap Ferret side is extremely
pleasant.
In the afternoon, you can do what you like: climb the Dune du Pyla,
take a nap in the pine forest, swim, sunbathe, discover the town
of ARCACHON.
When you return via Bordeaux, you will understand why this region
has inspired so many painters.
Friday night's dinner will give us the opportunity to taste again
the wines that you preferred and to imagine, depending on the season,
dishes that would best accompany the wines: roasts or stews, garden
vegetables, tasty cheeses…
Day
Eight
We suggest that you don't
include a very early departure time in your plans.A flight or a
train at 8.00 a.m. would oblige you to wake up at 5.00. It's going
to be hard enough to say good-bye as it is.
Why not leave la Maison des Vignes at the end of the morning and
take some time to visit Bordeaux?
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