Saint-Estèphe is one of the most prestigious appellations in the Médoc. It reveals magnificent itineraries in the heart of the vineyards and castles.
Let yourself be guided and seduced by the richness and abundance of this unique region.
Are you curious or passionate about wine? Uncover the secrets of how Saint-Etienne wines are made. Free or guided tours are possible at different times of the year in majestic estates as well as smaller family properties where you can share privileged moments with the winegrowers.
And to end this great experience, a tasting will show you the fruit of everyone's work.
Upload the compleate list of the châteaux that welcome you
The various visits selected will lead you to taste authentic and characterful grape varieties.
You will live unique moments through original activities. Come and share the experience of wine tourism here!
Park on the square and take the opportunity to visit the Saint-Étienne church, built from 1764 on the walls of a Romanesque church and whose interior is one of the most beautiful Baroque ensembles in the Médoc.
Before starting your journey, do not hesitate to take a tour of the Maison du Vin to seek advice from the reception team.
And enjoy a free tasting with an innovative system of wine service by the glass from the French brand, Digby.
With 1250 hectares of vineyards, Saint-Estèphe is undoubtedly the Médoc appellation that offers the greatest variety of terroirs.
Between vineyard and estuary, this route will allow you to discover on foot, by bike or by car, its castles scattered in the different hamlets of the village, as well as their rich and singular architecture.
The five fountains of Saint-Estèphe
At the turn of your walk in the heart of the vineyards and castles, do not hesitate to go see further to the fountains that are part of the unmissable heritage of Saint-Estèphe.
Indeed, among the treasures hidden in the village of Saint-Estèphe, the fountains hold a major place.
In the past, long before running water in homes, public fountains were the only places where drinking water was, supplied with wells and streams.
They were often located in the center of a square and were then a major place of village sociability, a place of exchanges, discussions and sometimes conflicts, to which mainly housewives and children converged, at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
There were also fountains and washhouses in each hamlet large enough in number
of inhabitants. This is also the case for that of Aillan where a spring flows and feeds it. Take the path to Bocq, with stone walls and ogive-shaped openings somewhat reminiscent of Gothic architecture.
Near the Saint-Corbian fountain you can also admire a magnificent old dovecote.
The fountains located at the hamlets called Marbuzet and Pez are easily visible.
The huts in the vineyard
In Saint-Estephe, several huts compose the vineyard. They were once used as shelters for winegrowers who could store their work tools, these huts are now part of the wine heritage, such as this renovated hut part of Château Ormes de Pez. You can admire it before entering the village of Saint-Estèphe by borrowing the road D204, on the right, at the opposite of the cimentery.
These stone "houses" testify to a past time. Very useful shelters for the winemaker who could take refuge there to take a break, have lunch or shelter in case of bad weather, the hut was also a convenient place to store his tools. The mechanization, the replacement of the horse by the tractor, the faster access between the house and the vineyard have made these constructions less useful, hence their gradual disappearance.
The architecture of the vineyard huts is very varied. The smaller ones have only one piece. The most sophisticated have two rooms on the ground floor topped by one floor. Inside, there is usually a chimney that allowed the worker to warm up during the break. A few may present some comfort with equipment such as a bottle hole, a small closet, shelves.
Some cabins can be several centuries old. If most have disappeared or are in a state of ruins, some could be restored by their owner.
For the first time, Saint-Estèphe's winegrowers welcome you every Wednesday afternoon in July and August for free tastings.
Upstairs at the Maison du Vin, from 2 p.m. at 6 p.m., come and discover the châteaux of Saint-Estèphe.
Several vintages are offered. Meet the owners or the teams involved in the aging of the wines.
The list of participating châteaux.
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