In 2026, we head to Bordeaux, home of course to Château La Clarière, our founding Vineyard Partner estate.

Vineyard Partners will be based in the grand, historic city of Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage destination, with its fine 18th and 19th century buildings and famous Gothic cathedral that contrasts so dramatically with its equally imposing, modern Cité du Vin. There will be free time each evening for you to explore the city yourself.

Detailed itinerary

We will meet at Bordeaux airport on Tuesday 2nd June and from there head to Château Thieuley in the rolling green countryside of the Entre-Deux-Mers. This is the property of the third-generation of the Courselle family, Sylvie and Marie, Jean-Marc Sauboua’s nieces in fact, renowned in their own right for top winemaking – both for long-lived whites and supple-fruit clarets.

We enjoy a rustic lunch at this very welcoming family estate, before leaving for Bordeaux city where we will be staying at the Four-Star Hotel Majestic. There is a welcome drink that evening to allow Vineyard Partners and guests to mingle over a glass or two of wine. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore the city and its wide choice of restaurants – from fancy Michelin-star to the more relaxed bistros.

Day 2 we head to Moulis-en-Médoc on the Left Bank, where we visit the grand Château Mauvesin-Barton, property of Lilian Barton, whose family also owns Château Léoville Barton in the Saint-Julien classification. We will taste wines from both properties before lunch at this very charming property.

We return to the hotel after lunch with the rest of the afternoon free to relax or explore the beautiful, historic city.

Day 3 we travel to Château La Clarière, the highlight of our trip, for a full exploration of this leading Castillon estate that started the whole Vineyard Partner concept. Head Winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua will be there to welcome us and walk us around the vineyards before a Masterclass tasting in the cellars.

After our tasting, we head to Le Grand Salon of the château, where we enjoy a reviving glass of the award-winning Harrow & Hope English fizz, made by Henry Laithwaite, Tony and Barbara’s eldest son. This will be followed by a relaxed country-style lunchalong with a lovely selection of wines.

We will then visit the beautiful medieval town of Saint-Emilion where there will be time to explore before the tour ends. Some of the party will be heading to the airport for a flight back, while those staying a little longer will be taken back to the hotel.

Do come and join us for this three-day trip of wine tasting, fine dining and exploration of beautiful château and their exquisite wines.

Open to Vineyard Partners and their guests.