In its idyllic position within the village of Barbotan in Gascony, La Bastide winery and estate provides a luxurious retreat for visitors to the region. Now, to mark 50 years since the estate’s vineyard Chateau de Sandemagnan produced its first Armagnac vintage, La Bastide in offering a celebratory weekend stay.
By signing up for the one-night weekend package, guests will be able to experience the spirit of La Bastide through a tour of the vineyard complete with vintage Armagnac tasting, and through an introduction to the region’s gastronomy.
Part of the Guerard family portfolio since the late 1960s, the Sandemagnan vineyard is known for producing some of the region’s finest Armagnac, a spirit that’s been distilled here since the 15th century.
Three appellations exist within the region: Bas-Armagnac, Armagnac-Tenareze and Haut-Armagnac. It’s within Bas Armagnac that Chateau de Sandemagnan can be found. Over 50 percent of the spirit is produced here and this vineyard is the biggest producer with all bottling and maturing taking place on site.
Between 60 and 70 barrels are produced each year, with around 1,000 barrels kept in the storage cellars enabling visitors to enjoy vintages dating back to 1967. Tours here are led by the vineyard’s oenologist Max Dumolié who reveals the process behind the spirit’s distillation and how to differentiate it from other brandies, before giving you the opportunity to taste a variety of Chateau de Sandemagnan vintages.
Back at La Bastide’s 18th-century charterhouse, guests can then indulge in the chef’s ‘fine country cuisine’ menu with seasonal dishes such as Gascony black pig, roasted hare and soft cod with pine nuts and citrus crust, or the ‘Santé-Nature’ menu, which embodies Guérard’s passion for healthy eating. The final flourish is a bottle of Armagnac Hors d’Age – Assemblage de Millesimes 1991-1999, which is given to each guest to enjoy at home.
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Rates for this one-night stay start from $553, based on two people sharing. bastide-gasconne.com.
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