Wine routes from Bergerac in the Dordogne

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The Dordogne, also known as the Périgord, is a region with a rich winemaking history dating back to the Middle Ages. After a difficult period in the 19th century due to grape phylloxera, viticulture has recovered and is now flourishing, especially in the Bergerac region. From your holiday park in the Dordogne discover the beautiful wine routes of Bergerac in the heart of the Dordogne. This region, located about 120 kilometers from Bordeaux, offers a range of wine experiences for every enthusiast. Start your discovery at the Maison des Vins et de Tourisme "Quai Cyrano" in the historic center of Bergerac. This beautifully renovated former monastery gives you information about the Route des Vins de Bergerac et Duras. There are also tasting rooms, a cozy wine bar and even an oyster bar. During the route you will learn more about several wineries and well-known wine regions, each with their own character: Monbazillac: Known for its white, liqueur-like wines; Pécharmant: High quality red wines; Rosette: Refined white wines and Saussignac: Sweet white wines. It is worth driving a part of the wine route during your holiday in France and doing a wine tasting.

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Wine tasting, how do you do that?

Wine tasting is an art that goes beyond just drinking wine. It is a process that helps you to  recognize and appreciate the subtle nuances of different wines. Below are some tips to taste wine like a real connoisseur.

Step 1: Look – Hold your wine glass against a neutral background and look at the color and clarity of the wine.

  • White wine: varies from young green to old yellow.
  • Red wine: varies from young light red to old rusty brown.
  • Rosé wine: can vary in color from orange to pink, depending on age and style.
  • Clarity: older wines can be cloudy due to sediment.

Step 2: Rolling - Hold the glass by the stem and turn it in small circles, both on the table and in the air. This allows oxygen to reach the wine, releasing more aromas.

Step 3: Smell – Give the wine a quick smell. Pay attention to the different aromas:

  • Fruity aromas (strawberry, citrus)
  • Floral aromas (blossom)
  • Earthy aromas (potting soil, minerals)
  • Spicy aromas (pepper, basil)
  • Animal aromas (horse, stable odour)
  • Aged in wood (vanilla, coffee, chocolate)

Step 4: Taste - Take a sip of wine and slurp while circulating the wine in your mouth. Do this for 3 to 5 seconds, taking note of the:

  • Sweetness
  • Acidity
  • Tannin content (especially with red wine)
  • Alcohol content
  • Body of the wine
  • Taste intensity
  • Finish: How long do the flavors last?

Step 5: Conclusion – Assess the wine based on your observations. Ask yourself:

  • Was the wine balanced?
  • Which aromas and flavors were dominant?
  • Did you like the wine?

By following these steps, you will be able to taste wine like a true connoisseur and develop your taste. Taste with friends or organize a wine tasting to practice your skills!

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Hiking through the vineyards of Bergerac

Taking a walk through the vineyards of Bergerac and the Dordogne valley together or with your family from your holiday home in the Dordogne is a good way to see the grape vines. There are several hiking trails that run through the vineyards of Bergerac.
Boucle de Monbazillac - This six-kilometer hike goes through the vineyards surrounding the Château de Monbazillac. During the walk you have beautiful views of the castle and the surrounding vineyards.
Hiking in Pays de Bergerac - The region offers numerous hiking trails through vineyards, bastides and picturesque villages. These routes are ideal for discovering the local culture and nature.
Route Bergerac – Rocamadour - Although this 180-kilometre route does not run exclusively through vineyards, but partly towards Sarlat and Rocamadour, it offers a wonderful way to explore the vineyards and hills of Bergerac before reaching the Dordogne valley.
Komoot Walks - Komoot offers various walking routes around Bergerac, including routes that go through vineyards. These routes vary in length and difficulty, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

You can also choose to take a guided walking tour through the vineyards. There are guides from the Office de Tourisme, private guides and online platforms with photos and tips from other users, which makes it easier to plan your hike.

Wine routes with children

Although the wine route in Bergerac is mainly aimed at wine lovers, there are some activities that are fun for children:
Walks through the vineyards - Many wineries have extensive vineyards where children can walk and enjoy nature. This can be a fun way to introduce children to viticulture and the landscape.
Visit to castles - Castles such as Château de Monbazillac not only offer wine tastings, but are also fun and interesting to tour as a castle.
Picnics in the vineyards - Some wineries offer the possibility to organize a picnic in the vineyards. This can be a fun way to get kids involved in the wine experience by planning a cozy lunch or midday meal.
Animals on wine estates- Some wine estates, such as Château de Fayolle, are also home to animals such as horses or goats. Children can pet and feed them.
Wine-free activities in the area - Bergerac also offers other activities for children in the area, such as canoeing on the Dordogne, a visit to Le Parc du Thot to observe prehistoric discoveries or one of the amusement parks in the region. Although the wine route itself is mainly aimed at adults, the combination of these activities and the beautiful surroundings can ensure that children also have a good time.

Festivals around wine

There are special events and festivals around the wine routes in Bergerac and the surrounding area. Here are some highlights:
Jazz en Chais - Jazz concerts are organized throughout the year in the wine cellars of Bergerac. This event combines music with wine tastings, providing a unique experience for wine and jazz lovers.
Châteaux en Fête - In April, nearly 80 castles in the Dordogne open their gates to the public. While this event is not specifically focused on wine, it can be an interesting way to explore the historical context of the wine region.
Festival Grain d'Automne - This festival takes place in autumn, in the heart of the vineyards of Bergerac. It's a fun way to celebrate the harvest and taste local products.
Marché nocturne or Marché gourmand - These summer night markets offer an atmospheric opportunity to sample local products, including wine. While they are not specifically focused on wine, they are a fun way to try regional gastronomy.
L'Eté Musical - During the summer months, a variety of musical performances are held at special locations in the Bergerac region. This can be a fun way to combine trying wines with music.
These events offer a combination of culture, music and local products, making them an unforgettable experience for visitors to the wine routes in Bergerac.

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Grape harvest: on holiday in the Dordogne

For a unique experience, plan your holidays in the Dordogne - Lot during the harvest period, which is usually in September. In some vineyards you can even help with harvesting the grapes. This is a fun way to experience wine production up close. Harvesting grapes in France is a careful process that varies by region, type of wine, and method.
Time of harvest - The grape harvest takes place between the end of August and the end of October, depending on the region, grape variety, and weather conditions. For champagne, the harvest usually begins in late August or early September, determined by the Comité Champagne. The ripeness of the grapes is measured by the balance between sugars and acids; The ideal time is when these interscede.
Manual or mechanical harvesting - Manual harvesting is common for quality wines such as champagne and Beaujolais. Grapes are picked with pruning shears to maintain quality. The handicraft ensures a careful selection of healthy grapes. Mechanical harvesting is faster and cheaper, but less selective. Machines can pick unripe or damaged grapes and have drawbacks such as soil compaction and premature oxidation.
Post-picking process - Grapes are collected in bins and transported to the press. Here they are weighed and pressed. In champagne, a distinction is made between the first pressing (cuvée) and second pressing (taille), where the cuvée is of higher quality. For some wines, some of the grapes are picked as early as July during the Vendanges vertes to avoid overproduction and increase quality.
Rules and traditions - In certain regions, such as Champagne, manual picking is mandatory according to the méthode traditionnelle. The start date for the harvest is officially set by local authorities through a ceremony called Ban des Vendanges.
Seasonal Labor - During the harvest, thousands of seasonal workers work in French vineyards. It is an intensive period in which all grapes have to be picked within 1 to 2 weeks.

Visit the wineries in the Dordogne during your holidays

Château de Monbazillac - In the heart of the Dordogne Valley, just 10 minutes from Bergerac, lies the majestic Château de Monbazillac. A protected historical monument with a mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture, this 16th-century castle is not only a sight to behold but also a paradise for wine lovers. Château de Monbazillac is known for its sweet dessert wine which has the same name. The vineyards surrounding the castle produce grapes that, thanks to the "noble rot", result in a wine with an unparalleled taste and aroma. The castle offers interactive tours that connect the past with the future through videos and light shows, interactive puzzles and animations, and a journey through the history of the wine trade and the French Revolution.
Château de Fayolle - In the rolling hills of the Dordogne, between Bergerac and St. Emilion, lies the beautiful Château de Fayolle. For lovers of organic wines, Château de Fayolle with a medieval castle in Saussignac is an unmissable stop. Château de Fayolle has 36 hectares of vineyards, where both red and white grape varieties are grown. The American owners, Frank and Riki Campbell, are committed to organic viticulture, producing wines with an authentic character and modern twist. Visitors can enjoy tours in English, tastings,  and stunning views of the vineyards. The tasting room offers a wide range of products, including dry and sweet white wines, liqueur wines and sparkling wines.
Château Feely - In the beautiful hills of Saussignac, in the heart of the Bergerac wine region, lies Château Feely, a biodynamic winery. Founded by Irish couple Caro and Sean Feely in 2010, it has grown into a model of sustainable viticulture and hospitality. The estate produces several quality wines under the Bergerac appellation: Red wines, white wines and sweet wines (under the Saussignac appellation). A special mention should be made of the white wine "Générosité", mainly made from old Sémillon vines from 1962. This wine is aged for a year in oak barrels. The winery offers tastings and interesting tours that focus mainly on sustainability.
Domaine L'ancienne Cure – This is a renowned winery located in Colombier, just south of Bergerac in the Dordogne. The domain, located in a former old rectory, is currently run by the fifth and sixth generation of the Roche family. The estate has dedicated itself to organic viticulture and has been fully certified organic since 2007. It is the producer of several appellations such as Monbazillac, Bergerac and Pécharmant.

Château Terre Vieille - In the heart of the Périgord, in the middle of the Pécharmant appellation, lies Château Terre Vieille. Founded in 1989 by Gérôme and Dolores Morand-Monteil, this family-run business is a must-visit for wine and history lovers. Château Terre Vieille is known for its powerful and round Pécharmant wines. These characterful red wines are made from four grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. Visitors to Château Terre Vieille are welcomed in the tasting room, which doubles as a museum. The tour offers you the opportunity to visit the cellars. Château Terre Vieille is not only interesting for its wines. The estate has a rich history and is an annex of the château where the famous philosopher Maine de Biran was born.
Domaine du Haut Pécharmant – This winery is located in Bergerac and is a good destination for wine lovers. Founded in 1929, this family business covers 35 hectares of vineyards on the hilltops of the Pécharmant appellation. The winery offers a mix of history, craftsmanship and culinary experience. There are several activities to do such as: Free walks: You visit the vineyards yourself with informative boards; Guided tours: With a guide, you'll tour the vinification and aging cellars, where you can see old implements like a copper backpack sprayer and a historic bottling machine; Tastings: Enjoy guided tastings to discover the different appellations, such as Pécharmant and Rosette.
Château Haut-Fongrive - In the heart of the Dordogne region, about 120 kilometers from Bordeaux, lies the beautiful Château Haut-Fongrive. The estate produces a variety of wines, including dry and sweet whites, red wines, and even a sparkling wine. Guests can take part in guided tours of the château's vineyards and wine cellars. On these tours you will learn all about the organic winemaking process and the unique terroir of the region. After the tour, you can enjoy a wine tasting in the tasting room, where you can discover and compare the different wines of the estate.
Domaine de Grange Neuve - In the heart of the Périgord Pourpre, near Pomport, lies Domaine de Grange Neuve with 70 hectares of vineyard. This family business has been run by generations of the Castaing family since 1896. The vineyards of Domaine de Grange Neuve are located on the slopes of the Dordogne valley, at an altitude of between 50 and 180 meters. This location, combined with the morning mist, mild temperatures and long sunny days, creates ideal conditions for producing wines full of character. The wines fall under different AOCs, including Bergerac, Bergerac sec, Côtes de Bergerac and Monbazillac. Domaine de Grange Neuve has received several awards, including Label Bienvenue à la Ferme; Vignobles et Découverte; Agriculture Biologique en Haute Valeur Environnementale.

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