Domaine de la Pineraie. An estate traditionally run by men, where two sisters, wine makers and oenologists, Emmanuelle and Anne Burc, took over the business, injecting their expertise and at the same time respecting the good sense of their forebears. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 30 82 07 www.chateaupineraie.com
Côté Lot, hotel Le Bellevue’s restaurant. The view over the Lot valley is stunning, hence the name! The dishes are a perfect showcase of regional cuisine and are accompanied by a lovely selection of Cahors wines. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 36 06 60
The Virebent porcelain factory, one of the last workshops in France to manufacture decorations and tableware. Rue de l’Usine. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 36 46 31 www.virebent.com
Viré sur Lot
The Château du Cèdre, a return to the values of the land. A 27 hectare vineyard with fifty year old vines covering the “Bur” hillsides, characterised by the stony and favourable soil. Pascal and Jean Marc Verhaeghe work the vines in stages, with a lot of respect and a long vatting period. The 2009 vintage was classified as organic. Three cuvées, including the 100% Malbec cuvée “GC”, aged for 24 months in new barrels, were awarded all the accolades from the specialist wine press. www.chateauducedre.com
Château Gaudou. Fabrice, the last descendant of the Durou family, inherited 35 hectares of gently sloping Graves and clay on the third terraces of the Lot valley. Through a tradition bedded in modernism and the mastering of the vine’s vegetative cycle, he has crafted an exceptional vintage. Fabrice embodies the rebirth of the Château Gaudou label. The Réserve Caillau cuvée 100% Malbec, its premier wine, is very carefully handled, a fine wine for laying down, with silky tannins and smoky liquorice notes. For the record, Fabrice offered and planted some vines within the setting of the Bretonneau hospital in Paris, showcasing the therapeutic benefits of working the vines. www.chateaudegaudou.com
Floressas
Castel Chambert- Floressac
Château Chambert is spectacular. The entrance through the grand boxwood drive up to the château is magnificent and shows off the vineyards on the gentle rolling hills stretching as far as you can see over the Causse. The first vineyards can be traced back to the eleventh century. The fortified house dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth century was remodelled in the eighteenth century and has been completely restored since. The 80 hectare estate was bought in 2007 by a young investor by the name of Philippe Lejeune. The master of his wine store, Stéphane Derenoncourt, works the vines with the precision of an English nurse. His expertise, the good sense of the past combined with today’s technology results in great blends and the making of great wines, such as the Chambert 100% Malbec, the Château Chambert (a historic wine) and the range of Chambert gourmands. A specialty, the Rogomme, an oak-aged cooked wine. Les Hauts Coteaux. 46700 FLORESSAS – France. www.chambert.com
Duravel
Le Clos d’un Jour, a return to Antiquity, Stéphane Azemar vinifies a proportion of his wines in amphora. Tel: +33 (0)5 65 36 56 01
Château Cantelauze, guest rooms, meals, tastings, walks in the vineyards. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 20 11 84
Château de Rouffiac. Rooms Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 36 54 27
Soturac
Les Hauts d’Aglan. A vineyard passed down from mother to daughter. A passionate wine maker, Isabelle Rey Auriat is part of the fifth generation. On the right bank, the 14 hectares of vineyards are exposed on the hillsides and the highest terraces, on clay and limestone soil, a hard red earth. No wood, just rough concrete casks, as the tradition dictates, along with some stainless steel casks to be able to listen to the wine, a return to convention. The cuvée A from 2005, top of the range, was awarded a well-deserved gold medal. www.les-hauts-d-aglan.fr
Château Lamartine, a vineyard whose history dates back to 1883 and has since been racking up the awards, including the cuvée Summum labelled Lamartine Expression. The estate was for a long time a supplier to the Elysée. www.cahorslamartine.com
Saint-Matre
Château Vent d’Autan, a biodynamic wine-making estate that stands out by hosting “vino cure” sessions with organic beauty products (by appointment only). Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 31 96 75 www.vinocure.com
Château Tour de Miraval. Rooms Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 31 95 56 www.chmiraval.fr
Montcuq
A village full of charm. Venturing away from the vineyards, we highly recommend a stop in Montcuq. A village typical of the Lot region, full of charm and very chic, it is mainly frequented by foreign tourists during the summer. Refined bed and breakfasts and restaurants to eat at and a market on a Sunday morning. A very charming stop.
Rocking Horse, a simple and convivial bistro with entertainment in the evening. 18 rue de la Promenade. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 31 49 72
Hôtel du Parc restaurant, a well-known address, where you will devour Solange Adam’s traditional and sophisticated cuisine. Route Fumel. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 31 81 82
At the market on Sunday mornings
Evelyne Demeaux Levy’s AOC Cahors wines from the Château Tour de Miraval in Saint Matre.
Jean Pierre Caumont’s Vins de Pays du Lot, red and rosés from the Pech d’Auzone estate in Lascabanes.
Susan and Michael Spring’s AOC Cahors Cuvée du Bonheur, as well as nuts, prunes and jams from the Garinet Estate in Boulvé. Stéphanie Mathière’s goat’s cheese.
Painter Marcel Benaïs’ workshop, his canvases, oil paintings, collages and brushes, inspired by Pollock, are very colourful and contemporary. Tel.: +33 (0)6 08 61 58 26
Le Vieux Lion d’Or, where you will find hand painted drapings and delicate homewares by watercolour artist Jane Greenwood. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 21 15 29
On your way out of the Montcuq village, stop to browse round the Château de Gayrac. Antiques, second hand goods, ceramics and homewares, selected by Cathou Pradère Mazet. Open all year round. Tel.: +33 (0)5 65 31 82 06.
Saux
The Homs Estate, run by Couzit Thierry and Sons, has AOC Cahors wines as well as Vins de Pays du Lot rosés Conte de Tolosan, which are very pleasant. The estate hosts open days during the Spring and in Winter. www.domainedhoms-cahors.fr
Stefaan Eyckmans’s workshop
Located in the old presbytery. Native from Belgium, Stephen draws his inspiration from the still life of his Flemish masters, which he combines with contemporary objects and materials. Highly decorative, his work has been displayed in international art galleries. www.stefaaneyckmans.com
Lascabanes
Le restaurant de Patrick Duler. At the heart of Domaine de Saint-Gery, in a setting that is both luxurious and authentic, this restaurant offers dishes : exceptional foie gras with pink peppercorns or truffles, seared scallops with tomato fondue and fresh thyme or pork fillets marinated with black Gascon. 46800 Lascabanes France. Tel. : 05 65 31 82 51. www.saint-gery.com
