Can You Walk to Wineries in Saint-Emilion, France?
You can walk to wineries in the town of Saint-Emilion and those surrounding it.
The town is quite small, you can reach most wineries in under 10 minutes on foot. If you are up for a hike in the vineyards, there are some beautiful estates within a short distance from the town.
Wineries in the town of Saint-Emilion
Chateau Villemaurine
Chateau Villemaurine, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe is one of the closest to the town of Saint-Emilion.
The name first appeared in the 7th century when the Moors set up a camp at a site initially called Ville Maure, which eventually became known as Villemaurin.
Today, the chateau is owned by the Onclin family.
By appointment.
The highlight of the tour is a visit to the underground cellars dug in the limestone plateau under Saint Emilion.
Chateau Guadet
Château Guadet, Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion, is located right in the centre of Saint-Émilion. Since 1844 the chateaux is owned by the Lignac family. Today it is run by the 7th generation of the family: Vincent and Guy-Pétrus Lignac.
The castle is open for guided tours all year round from 10 am to 6 pm.
Visits can be privatised by request.
The highlight of the visit is a medieval underground cellar full of memories of different ages: a real travel throughout the French history.
The wines are organic and biodynamic.
Chateau Petit-Gravet
Château Petit-Gravet is located 900 meters from the town of Saint-Emilion
Claude Nouvel who operates this family property of 3.66 hectares, is committed to conversion of vineyards to organic farming since 2016. The 2019 vintage was the first labeled organic.
By appointment
Wineries around the town of Saint-Emilion
Chateau Soutard
Chateau Soutard dates back to the 16th century when the first farm buildings were erased made of limestone. Soutard was first mentioned in 1513 with the mention an a farm and a windmill of Mayne de Soutard.
The first castle was built on the property in 1741. Soutard became one of the first chateaux to plant their vines “in rows”. Michel des Ligneris acquired the property in 1919, and his family ran the property until 2006, when Chateau Soutard was acquired by La MONDIALE, a social protection group in France and the owner of Chateau Larmande and Chateau Grand Faurie La Rose nearby.
Today, the chateau is a beautifully renovated winery, with guest rooms and opportunity to drop in for a glass of Soutard. The chateau is classified as Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé.
Chateau Soutard is in the walking distance from the town of Saint-Emilion. Follow a beautiful alley of linden trees to enter this beautiful property.
By appointment.
Chateau Soutard offers a variety of experience from wine tours and tastings paired with fine French cheese to nature trail walks. You can also rent a bike and ride along Saint-Emilion vineyards.
Chateau Beausejour Becot
Chateau Beau Sejour Becot is a Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe B winery, owned by the Becot family since 1969.
The estate is believed to have been making winemaking since the Gallo-Roman period.
The name “Beau-Séjour”, meaning “a lovely stay” appeared when n 1787 General Jacques de Carles enjoyed staying here and named the estate.
The chateau is located on the limestone plateau just a stone throw away from Saint Emilion.
This is my favorite winery to bring my clients to. You will be amazed by the 800 years old underground cellars and the hospitality of sommelier Loic.
By appointment.
Tuesday through Saturday
Chateau La Gaffeliere
Situated southern slopes of Saint-Emilion plateau Château La Gaffelière started its history in the 4th century when Ausonius, a Roman poet, had a vineyard in the same spot.
In 1969, Comte Léo de Malet Roquefort, the owner of the chateau discovered numerous mosaics relating to Gallo-Roman times. The family de Malet Roquefort has run the estate for more than 3 centuries and still live in the magnificent chateau.
The wines of Chateau Gaffeliere come from an exceptional terroir, a so-called “golden triangle”, the area between Chateau Pavie and Chateau Ausone, on limestone and siliceous soils.
Chateau La Gaffeliere is accessible on foot from the village of Saint Emilion.
From Monday to Sunday by appointment.
Drop-ins for tastings are accepted where availability permits.
Chateau Coutet
Chateau Coutet is an family vineyard where different generations are living and working to create excellent Saint-Emilion wines.
Established on a hill of Saint-Émilion, less than a kilometer away from the village of Saint-Emilion, Chateau Coutet has an atmosphere of authenticity and tranquility.
Most of the work at Chateau Coutet is done manually and without chemical treatment.
If you are up for a walk in the vineyards you can walk to the chateau from the village or take a bike. Access by car is a little difficult from D-243, I recommend taking D-670 and approach the chateau from the south.
By appointment.
Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Chateau Pavie
Chateau Pavie, Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A, is one of the iconic wineries on the Right Bank of Bordeaux.
Visiting Chateau Pavie is a luxurious experience, from its vineyard, to exquisite building and cellars, to its elegant wines.
It is believed, that Romans were planting red peaches and then vines on the Pavie hillside in the 4th century.
Since 1998, the chateau is owned by the Perse family who brought the winery to its current fame. The winery was promoted to 1st Grand Cru Classe, a top category in Saint Emilion wine hierarchy, in 2012. Only three other wineries were found worthy of this prestigious ranking.
The Perse family also own a 2 Michelin-star restaurant in the nearby village of Saint Emilion, a bistro, as well as a hotel. The family manages several other wineries in the Bordeaux wine region.
A visit to Chateau Pavie will be an unforgettable experience on your tour of the Right Bank Bordeaux wineries.
By appointment.
Monday through Friday.
Languages: English, French, Portuguese.
Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret
Acquired in 2007, by Francoise Lannoye, Château Ambe Tour Pourret – AOC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, is located only a couple of minutes away from the medieval town of Saint-Émilion.
It is a small estate with a beautiful tower. Average age of the vines is 35 years.
The 5-hectare vineyard is comprised of 75 % Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.
The winery offers guided tours and tastings by appointment as well as cooking classes and wine and food pairing.
Besides red wine of the Chateau, you can taste sparkling wines Celine from the chateau’s sister property.
Come to enjoy a glass of wine with a snack in the chateau courtyard.
For more wineries in Saint-Emilion, see my list of Bordeaux wineries.
If you are on a self-guided Bordeaux wine tour, these winery visits in the Saint-Emilion area are easy to book online. However, check the distances between Saint-Emilion and these wineries.
