Exploring Médoc region: wine, food, culture and seaside
In partnership with Medoc Wines
Wine tourism is surely becoming my favourite type of travel! It’s relaxed and involves a lot of nature, history, learning something new, a lot of good wine and great food - everything that you really want from a holiday. Here are a few cultural highlights of exploring the Médoc region.
Visit a Carrelet.
These fishermen's huts perched on stilts above the water are a true symbol of local culture and offer a unique experience for discovering the region's traditions. We had a beautiful picnic with a bottle of Chateau Grand Tayac 2014 listening to the waves of The Estuary.
Visit as many chateaux as possible
Explore the diversity of Médoc wines, its unique climate formed by the ocean and the great hospitality of winemakers. Here are a few châteaux that you don’t want to miss.
Amazing Chateau Malescasse AOC Haut-Médoc. A beautiful «Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel» in Haut-Médoc appellation where art and wine come together. You can rent this property for a special event, family holiday or just drop in for a tour and wine tasting.
Chateau Laffitte Carcasset AOC Saint-Estèphe, Cru Bourgeois Superieur, one of the oldest in Saint-Estephe appellation! This chateau is also open for visits and tastings and rooms are available via AirBnb.
Chateau Leoville Barton AOC Saint-Julien which is owned by an Irish family since 18th century.
Chateaux Corconnac and Teynac exceptional properties on noble terroirs. Château Teynac has been recently restored by channelling light from the wine cellar with the tasting room, where raw materials, such as wood and steel, evoke the maritime world, a nod to the family’s passion for sailing.
Visit seaside
Have a relaxed day by the Atlantic Ocean in the pretty seaside town of Lacanau.
Stop at Château Paloumey for a tour of organic vineyards and tasting.
Book a tour to learn all about organic winemaking and have a tasting with the best vineyard view.
This chateau has a special place in my heart though. A few weeks back I was invited to join an incredible project! To explore winemaking region of Médoc through staying with one of the winemakers' families and embracing its lifestyle. I was welcomed by Pierre Cazeneuve to his family home at chateau Paloumey. By day we walked through the vines learning everything about organic farming. By night I was invited to join friends&family dinner and enjoyed long conversations about future of sustainable winemaking over a glass of Paloumey wine. In return for his hospitality I invited Pierre to visit London and see if we could bring that slow Médoc lifestyle to the British capital. Following week Pierre visited London and we explored East London enjoying Medoc wines from local wine stores along the way.
Don’t miss La Fete du Vin de Bordeaux
Plan a visit in July to discover the wine festival «La Fete du Vin de Bordeaux» where the producers of Bordeaux present their wines to the public over 4 days. It’s a really fun event with music, good food&wines and great place to explore culture of the region.
