Harvest season has arrived at Château Troplong Mondot in France

Those wishing to take the experience one step further can book onto the château’s four-and-a-half-hour “Dive into Harvest” tour. Available weekdays at 10am, the private, half-day experience promises to take guests to the heart of the action, offering an introduction to selecting the grapes which create the estate’s celebrated wines. An expert wine guide will take guests roaming across the estate’s impressive terroir, inviting them to try their hand at grape-picking from different plots – before taking to the cellar to learn all about fermentation and taste the newly harvested wine in its early stages. The beginning of the harvest is the most crucial moment for ensuring that each grape variety has the right taste required for the vintage, and guests will discover how to know exactly when each plot is ready to be picked. Over the course of a long al fresco lunch with the expert team at the harvesters’ table, guests will also have the exclusive opportunity to interact with the grape pickers and learn about working on the estate, before sampling a selection of prized vintages. New for this year, the estate will be welcoming food trucks during the harvest season, giving guests the chance to indulge in the local culinary scene while celebrating this highlight of the Saint-Émilion calendar.

Alongside the celebrated winery, Château Troplong Mondot offers some of the best accommodation in the region, including The Keys, a magnificent 19th century white stone country house containing two individually decorated bedrooms and one suite, and its regal 18th century château, available on special request for up to ten guests on an exclusive hire basis. Dining is a true highlight at Troplong Mondot and its restaurant, Les Belles Perdrix, has fast become the most sought-after table in the area, having just been awarded 1 Michelin Star, as well as a Green Star for the restaurant's sustainable practices. Seasonal offerings during the autumn months include mushroom gnocchi with roasted mushrooms and lovage; John Dory with green olives and herbs, a vegetable jus and stuffed courgette flowers from the garden at Troplong Mondot; a tart made with locally grown tomatoes, mozzarella crémeux, tomato caramel, and a vinaigrette using herbs grown on the estate.

By day, guests can take dips in the château’s private swimming pool, hit the running trails that wind through the vines, or explore the local area that surrounds the picturesque estate. Couples can slow down the pace with an electric bike ride, passing other Premier Grand Cru Classé vineyards in action and perhaps even paying them a visit to observe other harvesting methods. The enchanting local town of Saint-Émilion is just a short walk away, for strolls along the Dordogne river and charming independent food shops and boutiques. The culinary scene is awash with restaurants and bars offering plenty of choice, while this UNESCO-world heritage site is home to a fascinating underground troglodyte heritage including the biggest monolithic church in Europe.

To find out more, visit www.troplong-mondot.com