Wine tourism: five unmissable getaways in the Bergerac vineyards

Many areas welcome visitors, especially during the summer season. Here are five suggestions for original visits

Spread across both sides of the Dordogne River, the Bergerac and Duras vineyards offer a wide range of culinary, recreational, and even sporting experiences. Throughout the year, and especially in summer, many wineries open their doors to visitors for tours and tastings. Here is a (non-exhaustive) selection of some unique experiences to enjoy in the Bergerac region.

In Saussignac, the Château de Fayolle is a must-see for wine and flea market lovers. Open since April, the Café des Chineurs is packed as soon as the warm weather arrives. Amidst this chic flea market, you can share a gourmet platter made with local products. Run since 2019 by Franck and Riki Campbell, the estate offers a bucolic setting; visitors can wander freely through the 15th-century gardens, discover the chapel and the dovecote. You can also opt for a "lake adventure" package with a guided tour of the château and access to a lake, pedal boats, and other fishing equipment. Information and reservations: +33 5 53 74 32 02 or by email at [email protected].

In Saint-Aubin-de-Cadelech, the Domaine du Siorac is a fine example of wine tourism. Going off the beaten track, Muriel Landat-Pradeaux offers several activities throughout the summer. Families can even have fun with a Terra Aventura geocaching trail in the heart of the 30-hectare organic vineyard. This treasure hunt, the only one hosted by an independent winemaker, combines hiking and culture, all free of charge. Another option: scooter or electric bike rides. On the way out, you can opt for a winemaker's picnic with local farm products (savory and sweet), a bottle of wine from the estate, and grape juice for enthusiasts. Prices: 15 euros for adults; 10 euros for children. Open Monday to Friday, reservations required at 05 53 74 52 90.

The castle is listed as a Historic Monument

In Colombier, the Château de la Jaubertie invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the moment. Listed as a Historic Monument, the estate also offers a showcase for art every year. Until September, the château is hosting an exhibition by Polish sculptor and painter Stefan Knapp, renowned for his monumental installations combining light, glass, metal, and ceramics. This unique exhibition pays tribute to his poetic and sensory world. To extend the experience, art workshops are offered on Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27, where visitors can discover the use of wine as a pigment.

This has been a summer staple for years. For seventeen years, Lydia and Nicolas Pruvost, from the Moulin des Pezauds in Monbazillac, have offered Winegrowers' Evenings every Friday evening during the summer, with meals and concerts. Feel of Sophy is back on Friday, August 22nd. On the culinary side: dishes prepared on Place, using fresh, local produce, can be chosen à la carte. However, reservations are essential, at 06 30 85 32 46 or via the Facebook page .

Chocolate lovers will be heading to Château Bélingard in Pomport on Wednesday, August 20, for wine and chocolate workshops in collaboration with chocolatier Hervé Robin. Three options are available, including a masterclass featuring nine subtle pairings between the estate's vintages and chocolates. Others may prefer to sign up for the Les Accords de Bélingard workshops, featuring four wine and Périgord product pairings accompanied by a surprise tasting.

Reservations at 05 53 58 28 03, every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in August.