Saddles and Cellars
Vérac | France
Nature
Food/Drink
1
Go just for the experience
Wine Tasting near Bordeaux with vineyard horse riding, vertical cuvée tasting, and gourmet lunch.
About
Book
Nearby

Natalia Bonnelye
What is this?
Set in the grounds of a French château, this experience begins on horseback, riding through rows of vines that roll gently across the landscape. Even without previous experience, the ride offers a sense of freedom and connection with the land that nurtures each grape. The vineyard meanwhile reveals itself with its scents, colors, and changing perspectives, making the approach to wine an experience in movement as well as taste.
Back at the estate, the pace shifts as glasses are poured for a vertical tasting of the signature cuvée L’Éclat. Three vintages—2018, 2019, and 2020 — invite you to trace the subtle ways in which time and climate leave their mark. Each sip is a reflection of the vineyard’s dialogue with nature and the careful craftsmanship behind the bottles.
The experience reaches its peak with a gourmet lunch prepared by a local chef. Seasonal ingredients, paired thoughtfully with the wines, create a table that celebrates both tradition and creativity.
What makes this unique?
This is an exclusive experience that provides high-touch engagement with the vineyard and the people behind it. Riding through the vines is a rare chance to feel the land as it breathes, to sense its rhythms before tasting what it creates.
The vertical tasting is another distinction, usually reserved for insiders. Exploring three vintages side by side, guided by those who know the cellar intimately, you begin to see how each year leaves its own mark. It’s an immersion in time and craftsmanship — a perspective that turns each glass into a story.
The gourmet lunch brings it all together. Seasonal dishes are paired to echo the wines, and at the table, conversations flow with the chef and winemakers. Their stories, knowledge, and hospitality give life to a shared moment that feels both refined and deeply human — leaving you with a connection that lingers well beyond the last sip.
What is the profile of the host?
Nathalie and Olivier Bonnélye share a deep passion for wine and hospitality that led them to transform a château into a place of craft and conviviality. Nathalie turned what began as a pastime into her profession, combining formal studies in wine commerce with a natural talent for creating meaningful connections.
Olivier, whose career once took him around the world in science and business, always kept wine as his constant passion. In 2021 he embraced the dream of becoming a vintner, dedicating himself to reviving the potential of the estate and the historic French grape Côt (Malbec).
What to bring?
For your comfort and safety, it is recommended to wear comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Jeans or trousers are ideal, along with closed-toe shoes (please avoid sandals or heels). A bottle of water is also advised, especially in warmer months. No riding experience is needed.
Where is this located?
Where will we meet?
You'll meet Nathalie and Olivier in the courtyard of Château L’Éperon.
Share
EUR 300
per person
Private
2 - 6 peopleⓘ
4 hours
The price includes all fees and tips.
1-hour guided horseback ride through the vineyards, with helmets and riding safety gear.
Guided visit of the winery and barrel cellar.
Vertical tasting of cuvée L’Éclat (vintages 2018, 2019, 2020).
Gourmet lunch prepared by a local chef and paired with estate wines.
A refined and immersive journey into the heart of Château L’Eperon.
Offered in English, French
Private
2 - 6 peopleⓘ
4 hours
The price includes all fees and tips.
1-hour guided horseback ride through the vineyards, with helmets and riding safety gear.
Guided visit of the winery and barrel cellar.
Vertical tasting of cuvée L’Éclat (vintages 2018, 2019, 2020).
Gourmet lunch prepared by a local chef and paired with estate wines.
A refined and immersive journey into the heart of Château L’Eperon.
Offered in English, French