Are you willing to discover the most beautiful French châteaux and wineries? Travel around the French vineyard, discover emblematic wineries and châteaux. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the best vineyards you can discover in France: let’s go!

What are the most beautiful châteaux in the Bordeaux vineyard?

Château Malartic Lagravière

Known under the name Domaine de Lagravière and for the quality of its terroir, the property was bought by the family of the Comte Hippolyte de Maurès de Malartic, great servant of the kings of France, at the end of the XVIIIth century. Then it was bought in 1850 by Ms Arnaud Ricard, and Château Malartic Lagravière was born since then.

The name “Lagravière” refers to the quality of the Graves soils: a layer of gravel on the surface, a subsoil of shell limestone composed of fossils and veins of clay. Thus, the vine is perfectly fed, giving this particular and exceptional taste to the wines. Furthermore, the château is one of the six Crus classified both for its red and white wine in the classification of Graves in 1953!

Located at 15 kilometers from Bordeaux, Château Malartic Lagravière opens its doors to wine lovers searching for authentic wine tourism experiences. Enjoy their special visits, gourmet workshops and many more discoveries! Not to mention the private events to celebrate weddings and the seminars for the professionals…

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

More than 6 centuries of prestige are written in the history of Château Smith Haut Lafitte. First acquired in the XIVth century by Verrier Du Bosq, then bought by the Scottish wine merchant George Smith in the XVIIIth century, the château was named as “Grand Cru Exceptionnel” in 1842 by the Mayor of Bordeaux, Lodi Martin Duffour Dubergier. Then, in 1990, Florence and Daniel Cathiard fell in love with the Château Smith Haut Lafitte. So, they bought the property with the goal to pursue the tradition of excellence of this noble cru.

In order to preserve the terroir and the soils, the château use its own organic compost. It protects the soils with the hedges, forest, beehives and the fragile hillsides are worked with horses. This care for the terroir is reflected in the quality of their wines: chiseled whites and intense reds!

Our favourite wine activity: “La Forêt des Sens” (the Forest of Senses). This open-air visit allows you to discover the works of art of young contemporary artists. This walk will plunge you into the heart of an artistic and poetic journey…

 

What to visit in the Burgundy vineyard?

Château de Pommard

Created in 1726, Château de Pommard celebrates 300 years of know-how and the innovative vision of the Carabello-Baums since 2004. Lovers of nature, culture and wine, their goal is to protect, preserve and develop the château. Since 2016, the château is in conversion to biodynamic agriculture in order to reconnect with its roots. The first vintage entirely produced in biodynamic will be available in 2022.

Respecting nature is the most important thing for the château. The winemakers are working hand in hand with nature, they use natural solutions to respect the vines. Thus, their wines are healthier and more expressive: this is the reflection of their grape variety, terroir and vintage.

Discover the wines from home! Château de Pommard are proposing safe online experiences to face Covid-19. Order your bottle and you can taste their wine directly with the châteaux’s advisers. This is a new way to discover the Grands Crus wine route of Burgundy.

 

What Champagne Houses to visit in the Champagne vineyard?

Champagne Charles Mignon

Charles Mignon is a family adventure: Bruno and Laurence are the founders of the Champagne House, and they are now working with their children Manon and Guillaume. Thanks to its temperature-controlled stainless-steel vat room, the House can produce unique champagnes enhancing the terroir and the three grape varieties of Champagne (Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir).

Its exceptional champagnes allowed the House to be classified as one of the most prestigious Champagne Houses since 2003! The style of Charles Mignon is to find the perfect balance between the strength of Pinot and the elegance of Chardonnay, in order to create a structured, fine and pure champagne.

Are you searching for conviviality? Visit the vat room and the cellars, discover the secrets of champagne and its elaboration by tasting their vintages paired with local food.

AR Lenoble

The story began in 1870 when Armand-Raphaël Graser developed wine brokerage business in Champagne to take over the family business following the death of his father. In 1920, Armand-Raphaël decided to expand his business and started producing champagne, to which he gave the name “AR Lenoble”. The name “AR” for his initials and “Lenoble” as a tribute to the nobility of the wines of Champagne.

Then, 4 generations followed one another to perpetuate the family business, and now Anne and Antoine Malassagne, brother and sister, are leading the property. They attach particular importance to working the vines, and also favour a reasoned approach favouring biodiversity and soil life.

AR Lenoble opens its doors and invites you to live unforgettable experiences. Choose among discovery visits, workshops, seminars… You will be delighted.

 

What is the most beautiful château in the Loire vineyard?

Château de Tracy

A parchment dating from 1396 is kept in the archives of the château and mentions the purchase of the Champs de Cris, planted with vines, which still belongs to the Château de Tracy. In 1586, François Stutt married Françoise de Bar who brought him the seigneury of Tracy as a gift. Through their marriage, the descendants of the Count of Assay and his younger son, François Stutt, current owners of the Château de Tracy, reunited the two branches of the same family that had been separated for nearly four centuries.

The current family business, recreated by the Count and Countess Alain d’Estutt d’Assay in 1952, is run by Juliette d’Assay, the last of their four children. She has taken over the running of the estate while perpetuating the spirit of quality and excellence that has always prevailed. In order to remain as faithful as possible to the terroir, the château practices natural viticulture and vinification.

Standing on a rocky spur overlooking the Loire River, discover and visit this sumptuous medieval and renaissance style château. Enjoy a guided walk through the vineyards to learn all about the Pouilly Fumé appellation, then visit the cellar and take part in the tasting of the château’s wines.

 

What to visit in Provence?

Château Romanin

In the time of the Greeks in 350 BC, Romanin was a place of worship dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Then a druidic place at the time of the Gauls. Romanin already offered a very appreciated wine under the name “Theopolis”. The château was built in the XIIIth century by Lord Raymond de Gantelme.

Nestled in the heart of a unique natural configuration, Château Romanin has been using biodynamic techniques since 1988 to revitalize the exchange between the plant and its environment in order to produce grapes of excellent quality for exceptional wines.

Discover the history of the château, the work in the vines and the know-how: visit the cathedral cellar at the top of the rock, enjoy the panoramic view of Mont Ventoux, taste the delicious wines and olive oil of Château Romanin!

Commanderie de Peyrassol

The property was founded during the XIIIth century by the Order of the Knights Templar, it was used as a stopover for the pilgrims. In 2001, Philippe Austruy, a wine lover, bought the estate from the Rigord family who had owned it since 1790.

On clay-limestone soils with a strong predominance of gravel and dating from the Triassic period, a variety of more than 10 grape varieties contributes to the complexity of the blends. Planted according to the best suitability for their environment, the grape varieties give superb results for the Commanderie’s reds and whites.

Whether you are looking for a bed and breakfast, a wine and gastronomy stay, a table for lunch, a tasting visit, a special event or a seminar, the Commanderie de Peyrassol will know how to welcome you properly! Enjoy the natural beauty of Provence.

 

What to visit in Sud-Ouest?

Châteaux Montus and Bouscassé

In 1979, Alain Brumont inherited Château Bouscassé and bought Château Montus in 1980. Alain’s motto is to care for the land and maintain the landscape. Thanks to the hilltop vineyards, the vines benefit from the sunshine that is essential for the good development of the vine.

The rich soil of the vineyard allows the elaboration of quality wines. At Château Bouscassé, you can find white clay, red clay, brown clay and variegated clay as well as “grep” rock. Château Montus, on the other hand, benefits from a limestone and pebble-based soil.

Take part in the visit of the two châteaux and their wine-making facilities, the Tannat Cathedral and the emblematic plots of land in the vineyard. Then enjoy a wine tasting and a lunch with food and wine pairing to learn all about the philosophy of the Brumont vineyards.

 

What is the most beautiful château in the Rhône Valley?

Château Beaubois

4 generations have succeeded one another since the 1920s to get the best out of the wines of Château Beaubois. In 2000, it was Fanny and François Boyer, brother and sister, who brought their stone to the edifice. Lovers of nature, they started with sustainable agriculture in 2001, and since 2009 the vineyard is certified in Organic Agriculture.

Thanks to its unique terroir, the château produces exceptional wines. The soils are made up of rolled pebbles, the Mistral wind influences the terroir and is very beneficial for the vines. The area of Camargue and Petite Camargue offers superb wild landscapes. Ponds, reed beds and biodiversity form a triptych of splendor.

Receiving guests at the estate is a real pleasure and a tradition: the château favors moments of sharing and conviviality. Enjoy a stay in a special setting in the heart of the estate and discover the know-how of the château.

 

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