The ideal retreat for all lovers of fine food and wine this Autumn is in the beautiful countryside of Duras (not far from St Emilion).
Have you ever dreamed of relaxing in your own château, lost in the rolling vineyard-clad hills of Bordeaux? And with your own private chef to cater to your every culinary whim? Well now is your chance.
This Autumn sees the start of a new programme of retreats at the luxurious Orangerie Duras – a four bedroom National Historic Monument whose 800-year-old bastion forms part of the ancient fortifications of Château Duras. This is your chance to participate in 5-night food and wine retreats with one of the most respected wine experts in the Bordeaux region and a choice of two award winning celebrity chefs.
You will not only learn about their top tips and techniques of how to take great local seasonal produce and add a special twist, but also to mix and match with the best local wines searched out over the years by your own wine expert, Nicolle Croft. The Bordeaux vineyard is one of France’s largest and well known mostly for its top classified wines that fetch increasingly high prices. But it is also known for its smaller producer wines that often ‘go under the radar’ but that represent exceptional quality, authenticity and value for money.
Book now from EUR 2,250 per person
Our first retreat (11th to 15th September), hosted by wine expert Nicolle Croft and award-winning chef Alan Coxon, combines gastronomical expertise and local insider knowledge to provide you with an unforgettable experience of the region’s finest food and wines. Enjoy dishes perfected for five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, created with local seasonal produce, including two specially-created pairing menus. Alan will share tips from a career spanning four decades as a leading chef, culinary jurist and consultant, and from his role as Ambassador.
For our second retreat (9 to 13th October) we are excited to welcome Dan Lee, the current Masterchef Professionals Champion 2021. French trained, Dan has become a respected name for his innovative and uniquely-styled South-East Asian and European fusion menus, which he will prepare at l’Orangerie Duras using the freshest locally-sourced ingredients. Nicolle Croft will partner with Dan to create wine-pairing menus for two spectacular meals featuring his cuisine and the finest local wines.
For both retreats, Nicolle will guide you on two tours, exploring both of Bordeaux’s principal wine regions; the Right Bank Saint Emilion/Pomerol and the Left Bank Pessac Leognan, Graves and Sauternes, where you will visit some of the most prestigious properties as well as key small producers. She will introduce you to the winemakers, giving you an inside perspective on one of the world’s most famous wine regions.
Whether you’re enjoying a spectacular sunrise and coffee by the heated pool or taking in the view of the magnificent Chateau Duras, L’Orangerie is the perfect retreat from busy modern life and the ideal base for these two tours. Treat yourself this autumn to such a special experience and enjoy the region’s beautiful autumn sunny weather before the start of the winter months.
If you missed the autumn retreat, you can still join the 5-day Bordeaux tour in the Spring. Book your place for May 2023 edition.