OPEN HOUSE IN THE CHATEAUX OF SAINT-EMILION
TWO DAYS OF TASTING AND DISCOVERY

APRIL 28 and 29, 2007.

The appellations of Saint-Emilion, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Montagne Saint-Emilion, Lussac Saint-Emilion and Puisseguin Saint-Emilion are organizing an Open House weekend for Saturday, April 28 and Sunday,
April 29,2007.

70 producers from the Saint-Emilion area will be opening their cellars and chateaux and will offer tours of their wine estates, free tastings of recent or older vintages, discovery of the 2006 vintage, exhibitions, cultural activities, contests and more.

Wine lovers and novices alike can explore chateaux as well as the medieval city of Saint-Emilion and its surrounding villages. Eight of these villages belong to the Saint-Emilion Jurisdiction, which has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A weekend to discover the wines of Saint-Emilion

-A Warm Welcome at the Chateaux
Wine growers of the area open their doors and introduce their products through tastings, exhibitions, buffets, games and contests, and visits of their wine estates.

- Wine Classes
The Ecole du Vin (Wine School) of the Maison du Vin in Saint-Emilion (located next to the Collegiate Church) offers a one-hour introductory class (11 a.m), of four wines from four different terroirs conducted by an oenologist.

- Photo Exhibition at the Maison du Vin in Saint-Emilion.
“The Seasons of the Vine and of the Wine” (free, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

-The Medieval Village of Saint-Emilion
As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the village offers wonderful opportunities to discover its narrow cobblestoned streets and hidden troglodyte treasures. Guided visits are available through the tourist office: visit of the Ermitage, the collegiate cloister, ramparts, the collegiate church, the monolithic church, the catacombs and more.

 

 

-The Pottery Museum
An exceptional collection of pottery from the Southwest of France, dating from the Gallo-Roman period to present day, located in an underground cave.

-The Ecomusée of Libournais in Montagne
A different look at the wine-producing landscape and civilization through four activities: “Voyages to the Vineyard” (presentation of the Saint-Emilion vineyards); the “Winegrower’s Museum” (popular art and traditions); and the “Ethnobotanical Garden and the “Vineyard’s Path” (a 2.5 mile trail).

- The 7th edition of the short film festival
A discovery of the short films from Lussac will be presented by amateurs and students.

- Hiking and Biking in the Vineyards
There are 11 marked hiking and bike trails in the Saint-Emilion vineyards. Free detailed maps are available at the Saint-Emilion Tourist Office and the Maison du Vin des Crus Satellites in Montagne.

- Train of the Great Vineyards
Or you can visit the village and vineyards aboard the “Train of the Great Vineyards”. Departures every 45 minutes from 10 a.m. in front of the Saint-Emilion Tourist Office (duration : 35 minutes).

-The Saint-Emilion Contest
A question-and-answer game allows participants the chance to win bottles of wine. The answers to the questions are found at the chateaux visited.

A brochure with the complete list of participating chateaux will be available as of April 5, 2007.

For more information:
Maison du Vin of Saint-Emilion
Place Pierre Meyrat
33330 Saint-Emilion
Tel: 33 (0)5 57 55 50 55
www.vins-du-saint-emilion.com
info@vins-saint-emilion.com

Maison du Vin des Crus Satellites de Saint-Emilion
BP 11
33570 Montagne
Tel: 33 (0)5 57 74 60 13

Photos available upon request; Press Contact:
Astrid DEYSINE – 05 57 55 50 58; astrid.deysine@vins-saint-emilion.com
Maison du Vin de Saint-Emilion – 05 57 55 50 55