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"This tour has exceeded our expectations in every way. Where ever we went, "they rolled out the red carpet" for us. "The itinerary was wonderfully arranged to the finest detail. |
| "Rolling out the barrel" at Chateau Margaux | |
2008
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2009 The Grand Tour of Bordeaux 2 The Grand Tour of Bordeaux 3 The Bordeaux Harvest Tour |
The Bordeaux Harvest Tour 2008 and 2009
2008
September 22– September 27, 2008
(6 days, 5 nights)
€ 3595 Euro (per person, double occupancy)
(Last spots available)
2009
September 21– September 26, 2009
(6 days, 5 nights)
€ 3595 Euro (per person, double occupancy)
Preliminary Itinerary*
Monday, Wine tasting: Classified Growths from Médoc and Saint Emilion
| In the afternoon you'll arrive at Chateau Coulon Laurensac, your residence for the next 6 days. After you’ve settled in in one of our comfortable rooms and maybe relaxed a little by the pool, it’s time for your first wine experience: A visit to our personal wine cellar with its impressive wine collection followed by an introduction to the fun of Grand Cru wine tasting. The wine and cheese dinner that follows the wine tasting will give you an excellent opportunity to get to know the other guests while savoring your first Grand Cru wines of this tour. |
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No more vineyards at ChâteauMeals included: Dinner
Tuesday, Margaux and Pauillac
Today you are off for your first day in the vineyards. The drive up in the Médoc is just beautiful. With any luck you will be seeing the harvesters in action everywhere.
Today we visit the first Classified Growths of this tour. After our second tasting at a Grand Cru Classé we’ll be welcomed into the chateau for lunch. We are invited into the estate's private dining room. Our steaks will have been grilled over the clippings of the vines and of course all the wines on our table will have been produced at the domaine.
Just before lunch you will see the workers in action at the selecting tables. If you volunteer you can work at the selecting tables if you like. (be sure not to wear white that day...).
If you are like me you will watch the boys and girls in action while they are sorting.
Later that afternoon we have a rendez vous in Pauillac at Premier Grand Cru Classé Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
You will walk by their oak vats in the vat room and you will see the famous labels each with a work of art by a contemporary artist.
You will be impressed by the tour of Mouton’s private wine museum with its priceless art collection.
After a tasting of Mouton’s spectacular wines from the 2007 vintage, we will return to Chateau Coulon Laurensac.
Dinner tonight will be at one of the 50 Best (Bistro) Restaurants in the World!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wednesday, Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes
After an early breakfast we leave for the Pessac-Léognan where we have the privilege of visiting and tasting Chateau Haut Brion, the oldest of the First Growths and one of the few chateaux in Bordeaux that employs its own cooper.
Our next appointment this morning is a visit and tasting at a Grand Cru Classé des Graves. Here you'll see over 700 years of wine making tradition in action. Of course we'll visit the chateau's private chapel and their adjacent collection of very old vintages.
In the village of Pessac we will indulge in lunch at an elegant restaurant close to First Growth Haut Brion.
After lunch we have appointments for 2 visits and tastings at Classified Growths in the Sauternes appellation.
Dinner tonight will be at a Michelin rated Relais & Chateaux Restaurant with its unique view on Bordeaux.
The restaurant is surrounded by its own vineyards. We’ve booked different tables for each couple so you can enjoy this feast tête à tête.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Thursday, Saint Julien, Pauillac and the city of Bordeaux
This morning, at your second trip to the Médoc, the Saint Julien and Pauillac will be the center of attention. Our first stop will be at Second Growth in the Saint Julien appellation. Later that morning we have a surprise visit to a very famous chateau...
Lunch with local specialties in an elegant local restaurant that is frequented by many chateau owners and wine traders.
You can’t visit the Bordeaux area without paying a visit to the city itself. Bordeaux’s center has undergone an amazing development and today is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated places in France. The second part of the afternoon will be spent in this beautiful city. You can spend the afternoon and the evening in Bordeaux on your own. Visit the beautiful town hall or the Grand Theatre. Take a stroll over Europe's largest square: the Place des Quinquonces or maybe you’d like to take a boat trip on the Garonne River.
Shopping victims will find their paradise in Bordeaux. Get your credit cards ready in the famous Golden Triangle, the shopping area where you will find them all: Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Hermès, YSL, Gucci, Lacoste, Longchamp and many more...
You can enjoy dinner on your own in one of the city's many fine restaurants. (It will be our pleasure to make a reservation for you).
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Friday, Saint Emilion
A unique experience is the visit to one of the world's most famous vineyard regions, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site: Saint Emilion. Today you’ll explore the beautiful medieval cobble stone streets. You can soak up the atmosphere and experience wine everywhere.
Our first stop will be at a family owned Grand Cru Classé Chateau, owned by personal friends of ours. Here you can harvest some grapes yourself and experience what it is to be in charge of the manual grape selection at the selection table.
Later that morning we'll visit a Saint Emilion First Classified Growth. At this property we will join the owner and her family, for a lunch with the pickers. Of course we will taste the excellent wines of this property. You can decide for yourself if you agree with their rank in the classification.
After this very unique lunch, we will visit one of the many wine shops in St. Emilion.
We know which ones have the best wines and will give you the best prices.
Your four course farewell dinner at Chateau Coulon Laurensac will be a very memorable experience, with several Grand Cru wines. One wine is sure to make a lasting impression: Château Mouton Rothschild 1994! The famous Dutch artist Karel Appel has painted the label of this wine.
With your dessert you will taste the King of Wines and the Wine of Kings: Chateau d'Yquem of an age of over ten years old!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Saturday, Bordeaux
Today ends an unforgettable Bordeaux Wine Experience. After a leisurely breakfast you can relax a little and may be take a few last pictures before it is time to say goodbye to Chateau Coulon Laurensac. Depending on your departure time you can spend some free time in Bordeaux.
Meals included: Breakfast
*Itinerary subject to change: every effort will be made to keep the itinerary as close as possible to what appeared here; however the final itinerary may vary due to wine chateaux schedules, availabilities and other factors beyond our control.
PLEASE NOTE: we carefully selected the dates for this tour for a period the harvest is usually going on in Bordeaux. There are no guarantees, as in the end of the day it is Mother Nature who will decide when the grapes are ready to be harvested.
Tour price: € 3595 Euro (per person, double occupancy)
(Includes all taxes, tips and gratuities)
Avoid disappointment and reserve your place today!
We want to keep things personal so there are only ten people on this tour. That’s just you and four other couples!
I invite you to contact us today for a detailed itinerary and more information!
Click here for images and wines tasted during previous Bordeaux tours
The Grand Tour of Bordeaux 1
May 25 - May 30, 2009
(6 days, 5 nights)
€ 3595 Euro (per person, double occupancy)
and
The Grand Tour of Bordeaux 2
July 6 - July 11, 2009
(6 days, 5 nights)
€ 3595 Euro (per person, double occupancy)
Sold out!
and
The Grand Tour of Bordeaux 3
August 31– September 5, 2009
(6 days, 5 nights)
€ 3595 Euro (per person, double occupancy)
Preliminary Itinerary*
Monday, Wine tasting: Classified Growths from Médoc and Saint Emilion
| In the afternoon you'll arrive at Chateau Coulon Laurensac, your residence for the next 6 days. After you’ve settled in in one of our comfortable rooms and maybe relaxed a little by the pool, it’s time for your first wine experience: A visit to our personal wine cellar with its impressive wine collection followed by an introduction to the fun of Grand Cru wine tasting. The wine and cheese dinner that follows the wine tasting will give you an excellent opportunity to get to know the other guests while savoring your first Grand Cru wines of this tour. |
|
Meals included: Dinner
Tuesday, Saint Julien and Pauillac
Today you are off for your first day in the vineyards. We have a rendez vous in Saint Julien at a “super” Second Growth. These 2nd Growths are considered to be almost at the same level as the First Growths. Whether this is true you may decide for yourself after tasting their wines. Right next door, in the Pauillac appellation, you’ll be impressed by the state of the art wine making facilities and vat rooms at First Growth Chateau Latour. Here you will taste an older vintage of the Grand Vin, as well as their 2nd and 3rd wines both of which are considered to be on the level of a Classified Growth!
Lunch with local specialties in an elegant local restaurant that is frequented by many chateau owners and wine traders.
This afternoon we'll be welcomed at 1 st Growth Chateau Lafite Rothschild, your second First Growth visit of the day. During your visit in the unique round aging cellar you’ll be explained what it takes to make such an excellent wine. Later that afternoon we have a rendez vous in Pauillac at Premier Grand Cru Classé Chateau Mouton Rothschild. You will walk by their oak vats in the vat room and you will see the famous labels each with a work of art by a contemporary artist. You will be impressed by the tour of Mouton’s private wine museum with its priceless art collection. After a tasting of Mouton’s spectacular wines from the 2007 vintage, we will return to Chateau Coulon Laurensac.
Dinner tonight will be at one of the 50 Best (Bistro) Restaurants in the World!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wednesday, Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes
After an early breakfast we leave for the Pessac-Léognan where we have the privilege of visiting and tasting Chateau Haut Brion, the oldest of the First Growths and one of the few chateaux in Bordeaux that employs its own cooper.
Our next appointment this morning is a visit and tasting at Grand Cru Classé des Graves where you'll see over 700 years of wine making tradition in action.
Of course we'll visit the chateau's private chapel and their adjacent collection of very old vintages.
In the village of Pessac we will indulge in lunch at an elegant restaurant close to First Growth Haut Brion.
This afternoon we are headed for sweet wine country. Our first stop is a 1st Growth where you will learn how these very special wines are being made..
Any other Sauternes will pale in comparison to Chateau d’Yquem, our next stop that afternoon. You can count yourself amongst the happy few who had the opportunity to visit and taste at this renowned chateau. Your visit will be guided by the cellar master of chateau d’Yquem. And of course he’ll lead you through the tasting following your visit.
Dinner tonight will be at a Michelin rated Relais & Chateaux Restaurant with its unique view on Bordeaux.
The restaurant is surrounded by its own vineyards. We’ve booked different tables for each couple so you can enjoy this feast tête à tête.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Thursday, Margaux and the city of Bordeaux
This morning, at your second trip to the Médoc, Margaux will be the center of attention. Our first stop will be at one of the famous Classified Growths of this very special appellation.
Later that morning we’ll be welcomed for our visit at 1st Growth Chateau Margaux. We think the chateau is perhaps the most beautiful chateau of the entire Médoc. ( We are a little biased as our chateau Coulon Laurensac resembles this First Growth) .
The wines produced here are considered the benchmark for the Bordeaux wines and an example for winegrowers all over the world.
 Michelin rated chef Nicolas Frion |
Lunch will be at Bordeaux's oldest Michelin starred restaurant, by many considered Bordeaux 's best restaurant. This restaurant was founded in 1825 and was among the 33 establishments featured in the original Michelin guide. The famous chef will prepare a very memorable meal for you.
Bordeaux’s center has undergone an amazing development and today is one of the most beautiful 
and sophisticated places in France. You can spend the afternoon and the evening in Bordeaux on your own. Visit the beautiful town hall or the Grand Theatre. Take a stroll over the largest square in Europe : the Place des Quinqonces or maybe you’d like to take a boat trip on the Garonne river.
Shopping victims will find their paradise in Bordeaux. Get your credit cards ready in the Golden Triangle, the famous shopping area where you will find them all: Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Hermès, YSL, Gucci, Lacoste, Longchamp and many more...
You can enjoy dinner on your own in one of the city's many fine restaurants. (It will be our pleasure to make a reservation for you).
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Friday, Saint Emilion and Pomerol
A unique experience is the visit to one of the world's most famous vineyard regions, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site: Saint Emilion. Today you’ll explore the beautiful medieval cobble stone streets. You can soak up the atmosphere and experience wine everywhere.
But we’ll start in Pomerol, one of the smallest appellations of Bordeaux . Here we’ll visit one of the best wine estates that Pomerol has to offer. We will taste these velvety wines that are ideal with subtle dishes.
Later that morning we'll visit a 1 st Growth of St. Emilion like Chateau Angélus.
You’ll experience the differences between the wines from St. Emilion and Pomerol and for example Médoc or Graves .
For lunch we will be received in the Michelin starred restaurant Hostellerie de Plaisance with its beautiful view on the medieval city.
The famous chef Philippe Etchebest (see picture on the right) will surprise you with his original and delicious creations.
After lunch we will visit one of the many wine shops in St. Emilion. We know which ones have the best wines and will give you the best prices. Of course they will ship everything you might be tempted to buy.
Your four course farewell dinner at Chateau Coulon Laurensac will be a very memorable experience, with several Grand Cru wines. One wine is sure to make a lasting impression: Château Mouton Rothschild 1994 ! The famous Dutch artist Karel Appel has painted the label of this wine.
With your dessert you will taste the King of Wines and the Wine of Kings: Chateau d'Yquem of an age of over ten years old!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Saturday, Bordeaux
Today ends an unforgettable Bordeaux Wine Experience. After a leisurely breakfast you can relax a little and may be take a few last pictures before it is time to say goodbye to Chateau Coulon Laurensac. Depending on your departure time you can spend some free time in Bordeaux.
Meals included: Breakfast
*Itinerary subject to change: every effort will be made to keep the itinerary as close as possible to what appeared here; however the final itinerary may vary due to wine chateaux schedules, availabilities and other factors beyond our control.
Tour price: € 3595 Euro (per person, double occupancy)
(Includes all taxes, tips and gratuities)
Avoid disappointment and reserve your place today!
We want to keep things personal so there are only ten people on this tour. That’s just you and four other couples!
This experience can be yours: just click here now for a detailed itinerary and more information!
Click here for images and wines tasted during previous Bordeaux tours
The abuse of alcohol is dangerous for your health.
Drink and appreciate it in moderation.
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Wine and culinary tours in the Bordeaux region, France
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