SOLD OUT - The Ultimate Bordeaux Winemaker Trip with Jonathan Ray, 18 - 22 October 2024
SORRY, THIS TRIP HAS NOW SOLD OUT AND WE ARE BUSY PLANNING FURTHER TRIPS FOR 2025
It is the greatest wine region of all, and it would take a lifetime to learn everything there is to know about it. But much can be learned – and much can be drunk – in just a few days, so join drinks editor, Jonathan Ray, and an intimate party of like-minded Spectator readers on a bibulous, whistle stop tour of Bordeaux.
We will take in the Left Bank and the Right Bank, visit grand châteaux including Ch. Pichon Baron, drink fine wine, eat great food and meet stellar winemakers – nothing short of Bordeaux royalty in the form of Max Sichel, Jonathan Maltus and Edouard Moueix. We will stay in the4* Hotel de Seze in the heart of Bordeaux and will have plenty of time to get to know this magnificently refurbished city.
With visits to Margaux, Pauillac, Pomerol, St Emilion and Sauternes, we will cover a lot of ground – but at a relaxed pace and in good company. Do join us!
4 nights from £2,395 per person, incl flights from Gatwick to Bordeaux
Day 1 – MARGAUX
Having left Gatwick on an early flight, we will arrive mid-morning and head straight to Margaux and one of the Spectator’s favourite producers: Ch. Angludet, where Max Sichel himself will host us for a tour and tasting. We will then check into our base for the week: 4* Hôtel De Sèze. The afternoon will be at your leisure, giving you time to explore the glorious city of Bordeaux and perhaps visit La Cité du Vin, the most comprehensive of wine museums/exhibitions to get a fine overview of the region, before we gather for dinner in delightful La Tupina, much-frequented by local winemakers.
Day 2 - SAUTERNES
Today we travel 25 miles south-east of Bordeaux to visit Ch. Lafaurie-Peyraguey, one of the finest of all producers of Sauternes. Here we will learn all about how the exquisite sweet wines of the region are made and will taste some treats from the range before enjoying lunch in the estate’s celebrated Michelin two star restaurant: Lalique, set deep in the vineyard. After returning to Bordeaux, the evening and dinner will be at your leisure.
Day 3 – ST. EMILION
Today it’s St Emilion, a short drive from Bordeaux and home to some of the most prized wine estates in the world, thanks to its complex geology and microclimate. We will visit Ch. Tour Baladoz,the St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé estate owned, along with Ch. Haut Bréton Larigaudière (Margaux), Ch. La Croizille (St. Emilion) Ch.Lacombe Cadiot (Bordeaux Supérieur) and Ch. Tayet (Bordeaux Supérieur), by the De Schepper family. Head winemaker Jean-Michel Garcion and export sales director Anthony Crameri (stalwarts both of our notorious annual Clays, Claret & Cognac Cruises) will be our guides as we taste wines from the various estates in the remarkable tasting room suspended over the vines at Ch. La Croizille and enjoy a delicious lunch. There will be time in the afternoon to wander around the charming town of St. Emilion itself.
Day 4 – PAUILLAC/ST. EMILION
We will mark Trafalgar Day by visiting the properties overseen by two British titans of the Bordeaux wine trade: Christian Seely of Ch. Pichon Baron (Pauillac) and Jonathan Maltus OBE of Le Dôme (St. Emilion). As managing director of AXA Millésimes, the vineyard-owning arm of AXA Insurance, Christian Seely runs several outstanding estates, including Quinta do Noval (Douro Valley), Ch. Suduiraut (Sauternes), Disznókó (Tokaj) and Domaine de l’Arlot (Burgundy). He is based here, though, at Second Growth Ch. Pichon Baron and he will ensure they treat us to a tasting of some superb wines from the estate including back vintages of Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, Les Tourelles de Longueville and the mighty grand vin of Ch. Pichon Baron itself.
In the afternoon, we will return to St.Emilion to meet Jonathan Maltus, the maverick genius behind iconic Le Dôme (and several other estates besides), the producer of 100 Parker point and Decanter 5-Star wines and an OBE to boot. Jonathan is nothing if not forthright in his views and will be the most entertaining of hosts as he opens some special bottles just for us.
Day 5 - POMEROL
Thanks to an early evening flight, on departure day we will have time to meet yet another major Bordeaux figure in the form of Edouard Moueix, who has invited us to visit Ch. La Fleur-Pétrus (Pomerol) and to taste its wines before entertaining us to another tasting at the striking new winery of Ch. Bélair-Monange (St. Emilion) and a family lunch at the château, home to Edouard and his wife Kelley. We will then leave Bordeaux, replete and happy, on the 7pm flight to Gatwick.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Return flights
Four nights' accommodation with breakfast
The services of a Kirker Tour Lecturer
Wine tasting as described
One dinner & three lunches
All entrances fees and gratuities as described
For information and to book call Patrick Millar at Kirker Travel on 0207 593 2284 or email patrick.millar@kirkerholidays.com. Bespoke travel is available for those travelling from overseas
Customer Comments from recent Spectator Budapest Winemaker Trip
It was glorious , completely wonderful - thank you!!
I'd longed to visit Budapest so this was a very attractive proposition. Add on the wine, opera, thermal baths and it ticked many fabulous prospective boxes. And it delivered way beyond expectation.
Jonathan Ray was terrific. His knowledge and ability to communicate were outstanding. I felt that his reputation and his contacts with the wineries enhanced how they treated us, the tours they gave us and what they offered us to taste. We felt privileged and fortunate. He is also charming and personable and really assisted Graeme in the hosting role.
