After a relaxed morning at the villa, where you may choose for a morning dip in the pool or a leisurely walk on the grounds, we gather for a leisurely brunch prepared by our chef, enjoying fresh, seasonal dishes paired with good conversation and the anticipation of the day ahead.

With our bellies full, there be a late morning departure for St. Emilion, the medieval heart of Bordeaux’s Right Bank and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Upon arrival, we explore the village including descending beneath its limestone streets to discover the monolithic church, ancient quarries, and cellars carved directly into the limestone that tell the story of St.-Emilion's winemaking heritage long before modern châteaux existed.

The afternoon is dedicated to up to two winery visits (time permitting), offering a chance to understand the unique qualities of St. Emilion's terroir, and the impact of its famous soil structure.

As evening settles in, we stay in the area for an elevated bistro-style dinner, where we'll enjoy vineyard views, classic regional cuisine and well-chosen local wines provide a fitting close to the day. After dinner, we make our way back to the villa, having experienced St. Emilion from below ground to vineyard and table.

Accommodation: 4-star villa/chateau on wine estate

After a relaxed morning, we gather at the villa for a light, chef-prepared lunch before heading out for an afternoon designed around choice and personal interest—whether your curiosity leans toward history, great wine, or quiet indulgence.

Guests may select from three curated options.

Option One: Castles focuses on Bordeaux’s architectural and political heritage, with visits to the Château de La Brède, birthplace of Montesquieu, followed by the hilltop Château de Cadillac overlooking the Garonne.

Option Two: Wine & Castle pairs a visit to the iconic Smith Haut Lafite—one of Bordeaux’s most respected estates—with the historic Château de Cadillac, offering a balance of grand cru wine culture and classic château exploration.

Option Three: Wine & Spa offers a more leisurely pace, with time at Smith Haut Lafite and its renowned spa (spa services at additional cost), ideal for those seeking restoration amid the vineyards.

Departures begin shortly after lunch, with staggered drop-offs to accommodate each experience. By mid-afternoon, the group reconvenes at Château de Cadillac for a guided visit, allowing everyone to share in one of Bordeaux’s most atmospheric landmarks. Spa guests are collected later in the afternoon, and the day concludes with a scenic early-evening return to the villa.

This flexible afternoon is designed to honour different rhythms—intellectual, sensory, and restorative—while keeping the group connected through shared moments and place.

Accommodation: 4-star villa/chateau on wine estate

We depart in the morning along Bordeaux’s legendary Left Bank wine road, where grand châteaux line the route from Margaux through Pauillac and beyond—an iconic landscape synonymous with some of the world’s most revered Cabernet-based wines. Our first stop is a morning château visit and tasting, offering insight into the estate’s history, vineyard practices, and cellar philosophy, with a guided tasting that sets the tone for the day.

Midday brings free time in Pauillac, where you can enjoy lunch at your own pace. Choose between a relaxed harbourfront café overlooking the Gironde estuary or a classic local brasserie, soaking up the everyday rhythm of this quintessential Médoc town.

In the afternoon, we return to the vineyards for a second château visit and tasting, allowing for a compare-and-contrast experience—whether between classification levels, terroirs, or winemaking approaches within the Médoc.

As the day winds down, we return to the villa for a chef-prepared dinner thoughtfully designed to spotlight Médoc pairings, bringing together the structure, depth, and elegance of the region’s wines with cuisine that complements and elevates them. An evening of great food, great bottles, and shared conversation closes a classic Left Bank day

Accommodation: 4-star villa/chateau on wine estate

We depart in the morning for the coast, where the landscape shifts from vineyard to sea. Our day begins with time walking the dunes and shoreline of Arcachon, exploring this unique meeting point of forest, sand, and Atlantic air. With sweeping views and the scent of pine and salt carried on the breeze, it’s a refreshing change of pace from the wine roads inland.

From Arcachon, we board a boat across the Bassin to Cap Ferret, gliding over calm waters toward one of the region’s most beloved seaside enclaves. Upon arrival, we settle in for a relaxed, quintessentially local experience: freshly shucked oysters paired with chilled Crémant, enjoyed in a casual cabane-style setting where the focus is on simplicity, freshness, and place.

After time to soak in the atmosphere of Cap Ferret, we return by boat and make our way back to the villa, carrying with us the flavours of the sea and the easy rhythm of life along the Atlantic coast.

Accommodation: 4-star villa/chateau on wine estate

After breakfast, we pack our bags and depart the villa, setting out on a scenic drive through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes, Barsac, and Cadillac—a landscape shaped by morning mists, intersecting rivers, and centuries of sweet-wine tradition.

Our day’s centrepiece is an in-depth wine experience at Château Guiraud, one of Sauternes’ most respected estates, followed by a Michelin-starred lunch that showcases the region’s gastronomic finesse. Thoughtfully paired wines highlight how Guiraud’s expressive, botrytised styles interact with savoury and seasonal cuisine, offering a refined perspective on the versatility of Sauternes beyond dessert.

In the afternoon, we stop for wine shopping at a favourite local merchant, allowing time to select bottles to take home—whether treasured discoveries from the week or benchmark classics.

We then continue on to Bordeaux city, where we check in and transition from countryside calm to urban elegance. The evening is free to explore Bordeaux at your own pace....wander the historic streets, enjoy an apéritif along the river, or choose from the city’s vibrant dining scene as you wish.

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Bordeaux

We begin the day with a visit to La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s landmark immersive wine museum, where interactive exhibits, multimedia installations, and panoramic views explore wine as a global cultural phenomenon: past, present, and future. It’s an engaging, thought-provoking experience that places Bordeaux within a wider world of wine traditions, trade, and storytelling.

From there, we head to the nearby Halles de Bacalan, a lively food market celebrating seasonal produce and regional specialities. This is an ideal place to observe everyday Bordelais food culture in action, from artisan cheeses and charcuterie to fresh seafood and pastries. Your guide will select some bites for you to try along the way.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy free time in Bordeaux’s historic centre, with opportunities for shopping, strolling elegant 18th-century streets, or simply settling into a café with a glass of wine and watching the city unfold.

In the evening, we regroup for a classic bistro dinner in Bordeaux, where timeless French cooking, convivial atmosphere, and well-chosen local wines provide a fitting close to the day.

We will arrange transportation for guests leaving us via Bordeaux Airport or train station. Others will have the option of extending the tour with 2 days in Cognac. If interested in the extension please advise us. Send an email to eatdrinkhalifax@gmail.com. Anticipated additional cost of $1100-$1300 per person.