Between vineyards and hospitality

It’s the smallest appellation between Pomerol and Saint-Émilion: the Graves de Vayres offers an ideal terroir between sea and countryside, according to Guillaume Sévellec, Chairman and CEO of Château Fage, a 4-star address inaugurated two years ago. Just over three years of work were enough to transform 12,000 m² of vineyards and ruined buildings into a complete site – vineyard, brasserie, hotel – at the instigation of winegrower Yves Glotin, who initially simply wanted to increase the size of his vineyard. With the exception of the manor house and three dovecotes, all the ruined buildings have been redesigned and refurbished to create an inspiring, intimate and well-considered venue. With just 26 keys, the aim here is to offer a personalised welcome and to embrace slow tourism. There’s no reception area, just a large lounge and a first meeting with the ‘lady of the house’, an opportunity to go into more detail together about what you’re looking for long before you arrive.

In the style of an informal concierge service, the best of the region and local activities are on offer: cycling through the vineyards, tastings, cookery classes, yoga in the heart of nature… Reconnecting with the outside world and the character of the terroir anchor the stay, even in the rooms, whose colour palettes reflect those of the different grape varieties. Garnet and straw yellow are complemented by the omnipresent wood, cork and solid oak flooring.