Saint-Estèphe is a town in Gironde, in Aquitaine region Nova, 10 km north of Pauillac.
Its territory of 23 square kilometers is bordered to the east by the Gironde estuary and it belongs to the natural region and vineyard in the Médoc.
Occupied from the Bronze Age, the town sees developing a metallurgical activity during the second millennium BC. A dense forest then covers part of the land.
Since ancient times, however, the wine business was gradually gaining ground. Despite the conflicts that disturb the area in the Middle Ages and under the old regime, Saint-Estèphe the vines are growing in quality and reputation, and important areas are recognized.
The 1855 ranking confirms that rank, five Grands Crus is listed on the town. The village has about 1,600 inhabitants remains a reference today: over 9 million bottles are produced each year on 1,200 hectares of the appellation Saint-Estèphe and the 60 castles of the town (that is to say 60 areas because not all have a castle heritage sense), besides the crus, 35 are crus bourgeois.
That makes Saint-Estèphe capital of wine tourism in the Medoc.
Before going through the vineyards and castles in the village, it is necessary to discover the Saint-Estèphe Parish Church (also known as Saint Etienne), built in the eleventh century in Romanesque style. The church, however, was rebuilt from 1764 in Baroque style, a second phase of work taking place in the 1840s Since then, the building protected as historical monuments is known to house one of the finest decorative ensembles religious art in the region, particularly in the choir. Altarpieces, paintings, statues, religious objects (monstrance) are sumptuous. Note that the tower dates from 1855 and stalls and organ was installed in 1892.
then up to the many castles and estates, some elders in the secular history, more recent: though most offer winery tastings or tours, schedules and rates are including variable depending on the period (including at harvest). Moreover, if some tourists are initially sensitive to the quality of the wines produced, others are more interested in architecture. Before initiating therefore the ideal route is to start with a visit to the home of Saint-Estèphe wine, instead of the church. It gives general information on naming and detailed updated information on the properties. Information +33 5 56 59 30 59.
However, here is a selection of some "unavoidable".
And include the High Marbuzet castle which dates back to the eighteenth century, which has 65 hectares. It is rated exceptional bourgeois thought. See also, the castle les Ormes de Pez, the Chateau Phelan Segur (XIX), the Château de Pez (which dates back to the sixteenth century), the Château Cos d'Estournel (1811), ranked second largest in 1855, like the château Montrose (XIX) while the castle Calon Segur which dates from the eighteenth ranked third grand cru. The castle Cos Labory, built in the late eighteenth, it is ranked fifth vintage. The Lafon-Rochet castle, finally, which dates back to the seventeenth, was fourth grand cru.
Back then the village where in the cemetery near the cenotaph (tomb that does not contain the remains of the dead) white marble dedicated to young people from the dead village head or from their wounds during the war of 1914-1918 was built a mausoleum containing the remains of 187 soldiers from Africa or Asia also died during the First war. Their first graves were moved because of construction in the 1930s.
In terms of sports "nature", Saint-Estèphe has a track dedicated to ULM. The local club occasionally offers first flights. An original way to observe the vineyards and castles! Information on +33 5 56 41 28 07. A bowling alley is also available, as well as a field reserved for fans of motocross: Contact in +33 6 07 39 44 89.
Finally, hikers not specifically focused on wine heritage, maps and information on +33 5 56 52 61 40. A circuit may include a passage by the banks of the Gironde where are visible number of typical squares (shacks on stilts dedicated fishing, sometimes beautifully appointed). Always estuary side, wearing the Chapel (with bilge into the water and health) rather fall under the single mooring point but it is not without charm. Information +33 5 56 59 35 93.
Finally, it is possible for visitors to join the outings organized by the local ATV club: join the +33 5 56 59 39 91.
