Maison du Vins provides a great base to explore the famous vineyards and Chateaux of Bordeaux - St Emilion is a 15 minute drive away and Bordeaux itself is around 55 minutes away.
The coast and famous dunes of Aquitaine are just 1.5 - 2 hours away.
The property is close to great restaurants and bars plus a variety of activities including two 18 hole golf courses and boats on the lakes making those family days out even more adventurous.
There are also lots of local markets- there's a food market for every day of the week, now that's impressive!
It is also a short drive to some big hypermarkets, plus the local village Lussac has a number of shops for food, chemist, garage and even flowers.
Wine
Maison Du Vins is perfectly placed for planning some adventures in wine - exploring, tasting and perhaps stocking up in one of the world's most famous wine producing regions of Bordeaux. As an area it is constantly evolving, and as Andrew Jefford the wine writer wrote, "it is now a region of experiment, ambition and grand stylistic diversity". And Maison Du Vin sits bang slap in the middle of the action.
So a leisurely 15 minute drive to the picturesque town St Emilion and the magnificent Grand Cru Chateaux of the Right Bank. Angelus, Ausone, Petrus among the greats to name check and book tours (but you may have to sell the family silver to buy in any quantity!). However there are so many other Chateaux to discover, many are more reasonably priced. Knock on the door of our local neighbour just outside Lussac called Chateaux Lucas to buy great wine direct from the grower.
In recent years some Chateaux have made it impossible not to visit, with their own restaurants serving great food alongside their wines within their grounds. Visit Trolong Mondot and La Dominque. Both on the edge of St Emilion. They are surprisingly well priced, good food, stunning locations, but still a little undiscovered. So go, but keep it a secret between us.
And whilst on the subject of furtive forays, explore the wines of Castillon. Described as Cotes de Bordeaux, but don't be fooled as the area hides many sparkling gems. There's a great bar restaurant at St Gene de Castillon owned by a well known Brit called Laithwaite which offers a wise and well edited selection to sample with lunch or take away. Mrs Laithwaite makes a superb and affordable champagne by the way.
And finally, there's the Left Bank wines of Bordeaux to discover. A little further away, about 55 minutes drive, and a whole new chapter. Where to start? Best to rebook another holiday at the house and we'll supply the second instalment...
The Region
One of France’s most iconic hilltop towns, Saint-Émilion is waiting to enchant wine enthusiasts, gastronomes, keen historians and Francophiles in so many different ways. With its UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, visitors will have the opportunity to sample AOC wines from one of the most famous and historic wine-growing regions in the world.
Start off by exploring the cobbled lanes of Saint-Émilion as you admire its beautiful architecture and churches – its origins date back to the 8th century. One of the most impressive sites is the 12th century stone-carved Monolithic church, the largest of its kind in Europe, a truly astonishing masterpiece – a guided tour of the church and catacombs is a must.
As well as the town’s famous Merlot, try Crémant de Bordeaux at Les Cordeliers, once a monastery that was brought by a winemaker in the 19th century – enjoy a glass of sparkling wine overlooking the cloister garden. Food lovers note there are several excellent restaurants including Michelin star establishments (Logis de la Cadène and La Table de Pavie are two famous names). Look out for French macarons as well - Saint-Émilion claims to be the birthplace of this delicious sweet treat.
Of course, wine tours and tastings can be arranged across the Saint-Émilion wine-growing region. There are so many to choose from, from small family-run vineyards to prestigious wine châteaux, and it’s fantastic to be able to buy such excellent wines directly from local producers. Wine connoisseurs note that the neighbouring Pomerol wine appellation should also be included on your itinerary for longer stays.
Meanwhile, explore the idyllic landscapes by bike, a wonderful way to appreciate the beauty of Saint-Émilion’s vineyards, or enjoy a hot-air balloon ride to capture the scenery below. A little further afield, canoe or kayak along the Dordogne near Castillon-la-Bataille, experience the vibrant markets of Libourne and travel to the great wine city of Bordeaux for another amazing day out in this captivating part of southwestern France.
