Stay in a Château paradise in a Bergerac vineyard gite

Nestled in the heart of the French countryside, between Bordeaux and Bergerac, Château Masburel has a long and illustrious history of winemaking. From the moment it was built in 1740, it was destined to be an elegant and comfortable home as well as a working vineyard. The accommodation today is every bit as luxurious as you would expect from such a historic location. It also forms an excellent base from which to explore this fascinating and beautiful part of southwest France.

Accommodation fit for a king

In addition to four sumptuous en-suite bedrooms with vineyard views in the château itself, the newly refurbished Tapestry Gîte combines modern luxury with eighteenth century charm. Built using local stone and with softly painted wooden shutters, the gîte offers peace and tranquility in the historic surroundings of the château’s grounds. It has a sleek and functional stainless steel kitchen, which opens onto a fresh, pretty dining area. Traditional tapestries adorning the walls, which give the gîte its name. Combined with Louis XVI-style furniture in the bedrooms and comfortable leather sofas in the generous sitting room – it’s an elegant stay.

As the estate includes a working vineyard it isn’t suitable for younger children. But with two comfortable double bedrooms and a modern shower room, this is the ideal base for two couples or for a family with teenagers. The setting is idyllic. The gîte has a private patio with an outside dining space overlooking the vineyards and woodlands beyond.

It really is the perfect place to soak up the peace and quiet of the Dordogne countryside. Whether you listen to birdsong over a leisurely breakfast at the beginning of the day, or linger over a last glass of the Château’s delicious wine under the spreading canopy of stars before retiring for the night, from dawn until dusk the peaceful surroundings offer a real chance to relax and unwind.

Wine-tasting tours

While you stay at Château Masburel, you will also have the opportunity to tour the estate. And of course to taste the appellation-controlled wines made on site. Since they bought the estate in 2018, Chris Walker and Irma Lazickiene have breathed new life into it. And, since 2021, their vineyards have been certified organic for the grape harvest. Over 33 hectares of land, the 19 hectares of the vineyards are extensive. Seven varieties of grapes are grown: four red varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec) and three white varieties (Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle) for use in wine production on site.

Harvesting here is left deliberately late in the season to really concentrate and deepen the flavour of the resulting wines. In fact, the château has won awards for its AOC Côte de Bergerac red wine. And it is renowned for its rich and complex red and white wines, earning a mention in prestigious publications such as Hachette’s wine guide.

Explore the Dordogne

Tapestry Gîte makes an ideal base for exploring the rolling countryside and historic towns and villages nearby. With historic architectural gems, open gardens, vineyards and even caves dotted across the countryside around Château Masburel, there is no shortage of things to do. The honeyed hues of Bergerac’s medieval buildings are a delight within a city steeped in history. It has a museum of wine, religious cloisters to explore, a heritage centre, castle and museums. If you are looking for activities to work up an appetite for lunch or an evening meal, the picturesque and shallow Dordogne River is a real playground. You’ll find water sports, boat hire and plenty of swimming spots nearby.

When it comes to food, you’re spoiled for choice with numerous restaurants – three with Michelin stars – all within reach. If you prefer to buy food and cook in the gîte, there are local markets almost every day of the week. The nearby town of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande has a charming Saturday morning market. Bergerac boasts food markets on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Good connections

Bergerac Airport is only half an hour away from Château Masburel. There are direct Ryanair flights from London, Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool and Bournemouth. The larger airport at Bordeaux is well-served by a number of airlines. By train, the nearest station is Sainte-Foy-La-Grande with connections to Bordeaux and fast trains to Paris. The chateau is approximately six hours drive from the ferry port at Saint-Malo.