Vineyards and Wine Tasting Visit Dordogne Valley

The Good Stuff….

Wine production in the Dordogne Valley is, like food production, a major speciality.

From the major hub of production around Bergerac through to charming boutique wineries in between, the Dordogne Valley is a smorgasbord choice of premium wines for both connoisseurs , casual wine lovers or for those just partial to the good stuff.

From the internationally acclaimed Monbazillac of the Bergerac appellation to lesser-known gems like Coteaux de Glanes and Mille et une Pierres, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

With its rich soil and perfect grape growing conditions, the Dordogne summer sun sets off the rapid onset of ripening, nurturing the grapes to harvest. It makes for great wine and a perfect complement to the traditional gourmet produce of the area such as magret de canard or local Quercy lamb.
You will find the major wines of the region on restaurant menus and in bars throughout the valley.

The largest wine growing area is situated around Bergerac. In between are some
wines from dynamic boutique vineyards whose reputation for quality surpasses their small size.

5625 Chateau De Monbazillac Dordogne Libre

Boutique Chic

In days gone by the Dordogne Valley was full of vineyards scattered all over and almost on a scale of modern Bordeaux. Then in the 1850s with the invention of the steam boat, American aphids (phylloxera) stowed away and arrived in France, decimating the vines throughout the country. The Great French Wine Blight, as it was known, caused absolute carnage to wine production throughout France. In parts of the Dordogne it was largely abandoned, and wine growers turned instead to truffle farming and walnut production.

Recently wine growing has been rediscovered with a vengeance and thank the summery heavens! The boutique wineries that have arisen offer some real delights. You can sample, stock up for the holiday, or even bring home some local wines by visiting the producers directly.

Bergerac - A nose for wine

Up until the 18th century, several factors converged to boost vineyard development. King Henry III of England, captivated by the qualities of this wine, actively promoted the trade and encouraged the planting of new vines at the expense of other crops. Vast tracts of land were dedicated to vineyards due to the booming exports to England, and later to the Netherlands and Belgium.

The first sweet white wines, like Saussignac, Montravel, and Monbazillac, emerged in the 17th century. Nowadays, however, winegrowers also produce exceptional red, white, and rosé wines. These wines are primarily made from the same grape varieties found in nearby Bordeaux.

The Bergerac Duras: Natural Wines

In the Bergerac Duras vineyards, winemakers have long worked to preserve their land and it has passed down from generation to generation. Fully aware of their role as stewards of the environment, over 70% of vineyards are committed to an environmental approach.

At the heart of this patchworked landscape of vineyards and wilderness, the environment is a working tool that all are committed to safeguarding and preserving. Biodiversity is more than just an idea – it’s a way of life that is practiced on a daily basis and forms the DNA of the vineyards and an entire region.

The seven Bergerac Duras wines appellations - One for each day of the week!

The seven Bergerac wine appellations provide a sensory gastronomic delight within a stunningly preserved natural landscape. One of France’s oldest appellations, having recently marked its 80th anniversary, the Bergerac PDO (AOP in French) encompasses the entire Bergerac region, featuring red, rosé, and white wines:

Monbazillac: Renowned for sweet wines with enticing aromas of candied fruit, Monbazillac wines are distinguished by their freshness, smooth texture, and complexity. Cuvées labeled “Sélection de grains nobles” are the most concentrated, containing over 85g/l of residual sugar.

Pécharmant: Pécharmant wines are rich, complex reds. While enjoyable when young, they gain added elegance with age.

Montravel: Montravel wines come in four varieties—dry white, sweet, syrupy, and
red—each marked by a refined freshness.

Saussignac: A light sweet wine, Saussignac owes its sugar content exclusively to the noble rot fungus used in production.

Rosette: A mellow wine with a touch of finesse, Rosette is characterized by its freshness and modern appeal.

Côtes de Duras: Available in four styles—dry white, sweet, rosé, and red—Côtes de Duras wines offer a wide range of flavors, from fruity to more intense reds, and whites from very dry to sweet. These wines have distinct personalities and are easy to pair.

Small is beautiful

One such is Coteaux de Glanes. Easily one of the smallest wineries in France they make some outstanding reds here (ohh and their rosé is excellent too). The principal variety is Merlot or the award winning Merlot-Gamay blend. A tiny vineyard of only some 40 hectares, the small batches across the range of red, rosé and white have seen their principle wines garner multiple awards over the years. If you can, visit this winery and discover for yourself the passion of the winemakers when you chat to them and taste their range.

Coteaux de la Vézère is an AOC Corrèze-labelled winery that has embraced an eco-responsible approach, offering a range of organic wines. In the early 1990s, a group of fifteen enthusiasts, with no prior experience in winemaking, decided to revive the vineyards on the Vézère’s steep, schist and slate-rich slopes. Together, they created a unique cooperative model where each grower is an associate and owner of the vineyard. The winery produces both white and red wines, featuring Chenin, Sauvignon Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc varieties.

Returning to wine production only recently (with fruity reds and rosés) the vineyards of Roc-Amadour are another example of a boutique winery rekindling their history of cultivation that stems back to Roman times.

Look out for these estate labels in a bar/restaurant, market or supermarket in the valley.

Medieval Knees-up

Another vignoble growing in popularity is the small winery Mille et une Pierres. Home to organic wine this vineyard is also a leader in the making of Vin de Paille (straw wine).
Following a winemaking tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages the grapes are dried on straw (hence the name). The sweet result can be served as an aperitif or as the perfect accompaniment to Foie gras.

The Mille et une Pierres is part of the Vins de Corrèze, awarded with an AOC label in recognition for excellence in wine production. Part of the production is organic.

It is of course possible to visit these small wineries and sip their quality range but if you want a bigger sample of the local bounty head to the vineyards around Bergerac.

Wine Tasting around Bergerac

In addition to its rich winemaking tradition, Bergerac is also famous for the numerous wine trails available for visitors to explore and enjoy tastings.
Throughout the expansive vineyards of Bergerac, you’ll find numerous estate tours and wine trails to explore.

Tasting is one option, but you can also attend specialised wine events and enjoy overnight stays. For an interesting itinerary, you might visit the renowned city linked to the mythical Cyrano de Bergerac.

At Quai Cyrano in the old Bergerac, be sure to explore the fascinating options on offer at the Maison des Vins. Here at the Cloître des Récollets you can get steeped in the history of the Bergerac vineyards and its modern day community. The cloister was previously a monastery which played an important role in the Wars of Religion. Set around a stunningly elegant 17th century inner courtyard and nestled in the heart of historic Bergerac you can find out all there is to know about the captivating world of wine. Workshops about wine production, tasting
techniques, and more, are all led by the experts from the Maison des Vins team.

Then head out to explore one or two Châteaux!…

Wine tasting at the Château

The Château de Monbazillac estate

Located on a plateau at the edge of the Monbazillac appellation, this is a highly recommended experience. Rooted in the vineyards since the 16th century, a new museum dedicated to the wines of Monbazillac will transport you to the heart of the largest sweet wine vineyard in the world, while immersive exhibitions will take you back in time to the Bacalan family, who owned the Château during the French Revolution.

Take time to enjoy the panoramic view over the Bergerac valley before learning the art of wine tasting. A visit to the winery is highly recommended for a premier tasting and to see its impressive 600 m² aging cellar carved directly into the rock. Be sure to check out the stunning wall display of 6,000 bottles, each with its golden yellow hues, distinctive of the Monbazillac wine, awaits you.

Château Feely, Saussignac

Winner of the 2019 National Wine Tourism Trophy. This estate, certified organic for the past decade, excels in hosting visitors. The tour is tailored to
accommodate all levels of experience, and Caro Feely’s educational approach is consistently spot-on. Enjoy a tasting of whites, reds, and rosés. It’s an experience you’ll want to savour.

Château du Haut Pécharmant

Situated at the heart of the appellation on the highest hillside, Domaine du Haut Pécharmant features 23 hectares of low, south-facing vines. With
a winemaking tradition spanning five generations since 1929, the Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties yield exceptionally refined wines with notable richness and bouquet.

Château de Montplaisir

A smaller estate of some 5.5 hectares and specialises in organic
wine. Tasting room and shop are open every day of the year from 10am to 7pm.

Something stronger

If you are stuck for something to pop open for an aperitif or a digestive– try some of the local specialities of the Dordogne Valley. Vin de Noix – a walnut based aperitif, often artisanal, is made by picking the walnuts with their green shell cut in quarters and left to marinate in alcohol.

After your meal if you still have the stamina try some Vieille Prune. Sold in only the best restaurants throughout France, this local high end delicacy is handmade right here in the Dordogne Valley at the distillery of Louis Roque in Souillac. Three generations have passed on the secrets of bringing this plum digestive to life and a visit to the distillery itself is a fun learning experience as you discover the unique history of its production but also free sampling of the end result! Watch out it’s a taste sensation and one that will put hairs on your chest !

Distillerie Denoix, founded in 1839 in Brive-la-Gaillarde, is a prestigious liqueur factory that upholds the craftsmanship of 19th-century master liqueur-makers. Specialising in high-end liqueurs and aperitifs made from nuts, plants, and fruit, Denoix guarantees natural products with no added colorings or flavorings. Signature offerings like the Suprême Denoix liqueur and Quinquinoix walnut wine exemplify this tradition. Visitors can explore its beautiful boutique in the city centre of Brive, enjoy tastings, and witness the heritage behind this Living Heritage Company.

Just up the road

Further afield, but still close by, you can visit two noted viticultural areas, renowned for their own contribution to the rich history of French wine making.

Between 1 and 2.5 hour journey from the Dordogne Valley, if you are serious about wine or just very curious about some of the very best, it’s not that much further to go in order to discover the vineyards of some of the world’s most famous wine growing areas: Cahors and Bordeaux.

Cahors

With over 4000 hectares of vineyards, the reds of Cahors are world famous. Cahors is an AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée) wine producing region, this label ensuring for the consumer the genuine geographical origin of the wine whilst also guaranteeing standards of production.
Come and explore one of the oldest wine producing areas in Europe! The Romans first planted grapes here around 50 B.C., but today the principle wine cultivated is its famous red – comprised principally of the Malbec grape. The result is a dark red (almost black in colour) with a full body taste.

There are over 50 wine estates to choose from and you are invited to indulge in a tasting tour. Feel free to ask questions of the winemakers year round-
they will be happy to chat to you about their craft (tasting first though!).

Bordeaux

When heading to Bordeaux, make sure you stop in the picturesque town of Saint Emilion – a world heritage site. Internationally famous for its contribution to the Bordeaux stable, this stunning village is perfect to get distracted in – be it for lunch, sipping some of the latest batches or shopping and sending back bottles straight to your door (they will export everywhere).

An AOC accredited wine making area, whether sipping Grand Cru or not, you will find it hard to tear yourself away, but you must because you should absolutely visit the wine capital of Bordeaux.

La Cité du Vin

A must-see is the newly created City of Wine complex in the city of Bordeaux itself. La Cité du Vin is a wine lover’s nirvana, a veritable Disneyland of wine exhibition space- 3000 square metres large. Housed in an ultra-modern building– with twenty spaces dedicated to all aspects of wine, from the history of its production, wine attractions, workshops, exhibition space, wine tour information and of course wine tasting! They cater to an international English speaking audience too, with many workshops and wine tastings in English.

After a visit to the City of wine, you can always find out more by hitting the country roads that lead to the world famous wineries themselves. Pull up to a chateau and taste first hand the harvest that has been grown here since Roman times, for almost 2000 years.