How to Visit a Famous Wine Chateau in France

How to Visit a Famous Wine Chateau in France?

Bryce Sanders, President?

Perceptive Business Solutions Inc.?

If you are a wine fan like me, visiting a famous chateau is like making a pilgrimage.? You want to see where the magic happens.? In the US, the California wineries have embraced tourism.? In addition to tours, they have tasting rooms and gift shops.? Europe can be different.? How can you visit a famous property??

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Why are they different?? Isn’t the object to sell wine?? If someone is interested in a tour, wouldn’t they also be interested in buying wine?? You are right.? The famous properties in Europe might not have any wine to sell!? That sounds absurd until you realize the production of their grand vin might be very limited.? Chateau Latour, a famous wine from Bordeaux produces about 18,000 cases or 216,000 bottles.? That’s the worldwide supply!? Chateau Petrus, another Bordeaux wine in nearby Pomerol, produces 2,500 cases or about? 30,000 bottles.? The wine is in such high demand it is almost all sold on preorders from negotiations, importers and distributors in the wine industry.? They don’t need over the counter sales at the cellar door!?

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How do you get to visit a famous chateau?? Back in the 1980’s, before the Internet, Robert Parker, the famous wine writer included the actual text for the letter to write in one of his books.? It was written in French!? You chose your chateau, mailed it far in advance and hoped for the best.?

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Technology has brought some improvements.?

1. Be broad minded.? Don’t hold out for one chateau.? Be flexible.? Let your local wine merchant know in advance you are planning a trip.? Do they have connections?? Where can they get you in?? They likely have a relationship with a distributor who might be able to arrange it.\?

1. Consider the vacation option.? Friends sailed with Viking River Cruises years ago.? I think the ship offered a shore excursion to visit Chateau Lynch Bages in the Paulliac commune in Bordeaux.? We sailed with Azamara on an ocean voyage.? They had a shore excursion that visited Chateau Beychevelle, another famous Bordeaux property.? Plan on booking the tour early.? They are likely for small groups and fill up quickly.?

1. Visit the chateau website.? The famous properties (and the not so famous) realize tourism can be a benefit and have set up websites for people back home wanting to learn more about their wine.? The site should also indicate if they offer tours and the procedure for booking.? This might be your best option if you have plenty of advance notice.? Contact several, assuming the will not all come through.?

1. Call or e-mail the chateau.? There might not be any mention of tours on their website.? There should be “contact us” information.? Start with an e-mail.? If you don’t hear back, try calling.? Again, this is all done in advance.? They can tell you are an enthusiast if you are making the effort.?

1. Does the famous property have a museum?? Some do.? If you visit the museum, at least you have gotten close to the vineyard.? You should be able to meet some staff.? Although the tours might be booked up, ask if there have been any last-minute cancellations.? Woody Allen said: “80% of success is showing up.”?

1. The Bordeaux Tourism office.? The city knows its wine and vineyards are a major draw for tourists.? They know some people make the decision to see where wine is made at the last moment.? On a rainy day I stopped into the tourism office.? It looked like plenty of different tours were on offer.? Unfortunately, I didn’t see any for the famous properties.? The tourism office should be able to get you in somewhere.?

If you are a wine fan and find yourself in Bordeaux, it would be “criminal” not to visit at least one chateau, ideally a famous property.?

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Bryce Sanders is president of Perceptive Business Solutions Inc.? He provides HNW client acquisition training for the financial services industry.? His book, “Captivating the Wealthy Investor” is available on Amazon.??