Can’t Choose A Vineyard To Visit? Here Are 5 Reasons Why This Is The 1 To Book
Picking a French vineyard to visit can feel like a daunting task, with so many châteaux, so many tasting menus, and so many “unmissable” experiences to take into consideration. If you want to cut through the noise, we have found the best place to start. Enter Château Quintus: a Saint-Émilion hilltop estate that makes a strong case for being the most memorable vineyard France has to offer.
In Partnership With Domaine Clarence Dillon
Part of the family-owned Domaine Clarence Dillon (the people behind Château Haut-Brion), it has just launched its first-ever wine tourism programme, built around walks, picnics and blind tastings. Here are five reasons it deserves a spot on your list.
1. All wine lovers are welcome
Whether you, like me, religiously order a dry white and call it a day, or you’re the type who hunts for the notes and flavour profile in every sip, Quintus welcomes and embraces every kind of wine enthusiast. For beginners, The Introduction to Wine Tasting is a great place to start. It is led by a Quintus ambassador who helps you put words to what you’re smelling and tasting, with a mystery wine served blind alongside Château Quintus and Le Dragon de Quintus.
For those with a little more experience, the Quintus Masterclass: Three Vintages, One Identity is the one to book. It offers a vertical tasting of 2016, 2019 and 2022, with both wines poured from each year. Guided through these distinctive expressions, guests are invited to discover how time, terroirs and the unique conditions of each vintage reveal the evolution of the estate’s wines.
Whether you, like me, religiously order a dry white and call it a day, or you’re the type who hunts for the notes and flavour profile in every sip, Quintus welcomes and embraces every kind of wine enthusiast.
Amelia, Culture & Lifestyle Editor
2. The setting is hard to beat
Quintus sits on a limestone promontory more than 60 metres above sea level, with a 360-degree panorama over the Dordogne Valley. The vineyards face all four directions, which gives the Merlot and Cabernet Franc a mix of soils and microclimates. Every experience here is built around that landscape, so you’re not just visiting a winery; you’re seeing exactly where the wine comes from, all while being surrounded by breathtaking views.
Every experience here is built around that landscape, so you’re not just visiting a winery, you’re seeing exactly where the wine comes from, all while being surrounded by breathtaking views.
3. Trails for every kind of explorer
Whether you’re after a guided tour or want to explore the grounds for yourself, Château Quintus has every base covered.
The Dragon Trail is a self-guided walk through the estate’s two-hectare park, past vineyards, woodland paths and oaks, with phone-friendly content at marked stops. It ends at the Dragon sculpture that watches over the estate, followed by a tasting of Quintus wines.
If you’d prefer more depth, the Private Tour: The Art of Blending Terroirs takes you through the vineyard and cellars, finishing with Château Quintus and Le Dragon de Quintus side by side.
4. Picnic among the vines
If you are looking to elevate your experience even further, few things are more idyllic than a spot of lunch among the vines, and the Quintus Picnic offers exactly that.
If you are looking to elevate your experience even further, few things are more idyllic than a spot of lunch among the vines, and the Quintus Picnic offers exactly that.
It offers a seasonal spread comprised of fresh, local flavours, laid out among the estate’s vineyards and woodlands. A glass of Le Dragon de Quintus comes with it, a juicy, floral red that suits a sunny afternoon. Just remember to reserve at least 10 days ahead.
5. It’s a greener way to visit
Quintus is also as committed to the land as it is to the wine. The estate sits within the Mediterranean ecological corridor, and the team has planted native hedgerows, left flowering fallow areas and put up more than fifteen birdhouses and insect hotels. No insecticides have been used since 2017, and the estate holds HVE (2018) and ISO 14001 (2019) certifications. It also takes part in the Bulle Verte programme for sustainable wine tourism.
Plan your trip
If this sounds right up your street, the good news is that booking is straightforward. Château Quintus is in the heart of Saint-Émilion, and the whole programme is run through the estate’s website. You can view every experience, check what’s included and reserve your spot via their website below.
Where: 601 Daugay, 33330 Saint-Émilion, France
Website: www.chateauquintus.com
