Backstage Pass to Bordeaux & the Dordogne Valley

Affectionately and appetizingly considered one of our premier food and wine destinations, our Bordeaux to Dordogne Biking trip is a quintessential B&R trip. The riding is smooth, the landscape stunning, the local culture alluring, the feasts incredible, and, naturally, the wine is… well, the superlatives rarely capture the essence of the experience itself, do they?

In true B&R fashion, those local experts who help to guide the adventure are a unique lot, drawn from our deep connections to the life that flourishes here and the land that they call home. Region to region, we tend to attract personalities who add immeasurable colour and character—not to mention considerable knowledge and know-how—to the trip.

As we’re so often reminded, travelling is an eye-opening encounter wherever you go, but it’s the company you keep along the way that makes for an ever more memorable experience. So as our Regional Director Lewis Evans relates in his own idiosyncratic fashion, there is no shortage of great company to help transform your travels on this B&R journey. Herein, a brief character assessment of the experts who help us along the way.

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1. Day 2—Dylan: Canadian married into French wine-making family of Bordeaux. Grape digging, as it were. George Butterfield heard him give the “best wine talk” he’d ever heard. It is my personal aspiration to do the 25th best by next year. Dylan leads us through the wine school event on our second day when we learn to discern the good from the bad. Once again the secret here is his ability to put things into perspective without droning on about tannins.

2. Day 2—Charles: French guy in charge at Château Lynch-Bages. If Dylan is not available to do the wine school Charles does it. To witness him sticking his nose into a glass of wine is enough for most people to want to give up their day jobs and become winos. His English is excellent and he’s hell-bent on promoting tourism in the area.

3. Day 4—Audrey: Winemaker at Château Figeac. I’m in love. She’s beautiful and has a French accent when she speaks English that makes me want to become a French man; her man. It is the kind of event that has men crowding to the front asking questions about oak vats. This forces me to get in close, sometimes even to envelop her in a crushing bear hug. I’m convinced that she is 80% of the reason why Château Figeac sells its wine. Anyone disputing this claim is invited to a duel with me.

4. Day 5—Alain: Local guide for Château Beynac tour in the Dordogne. He also hosts a lunch at his place on the last day. Alain is a Parisian who has lived in Bordeaux for 20,000 years and once dated Joan of Arc. He is a specialist in symbolism and mythology (step aside Dan Brown) and has written several books on the subject. He has worked as a guide his whole life (there is hope yet) and speaks five languages. He also has the most amazing orange/gray eyebrows you’ve ever seen.

5. Day 6—Christine: Local guide for the Font de Gaume cave painting tour. Of British origin she has lived in France for +20 years. She does an excellent job at putting things into perspective and has recently published a book through Yale University Press entitled Stepping Stones: A Voyage Through the Ice Age Caves of the Dordogne.

Ready to respond to the challenge laid before you? That’s just a taste of what’s in store. So if you like the sounds of what—and who—will be joining you for your next adventure, you’d better book soon!