In my quest to help you discover Bordeaux’s wine regions I tested another way to explore Saint-Emilion and its vineyards: the Segway®!

The Segway® is a two wheeled electric vehicle that is self-balancing and works by using your body weight to move forward or back. Truth be told, I did not find the idea very reassuring at first and the first 5 minutes were a little hairy…

I met up with Jean-Baptiste at Castle La Renommée (a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru) in Saint Laurent des Combes, early in the afternoon to begin our 2 hour excursion.

After a warm welcome, Jean-Baptiste did everything he could to reassure me before I stepped onto “the beast” for my first ride!
The safety rules are well explained and, though not compulsory, the Castle provides a helmet. Which is very reassuring for nervous, first time riders (such as myself!), even though falls are almost nonexistent.

And we’re off for a 2 hour ride! In my 10 years of immersion in the Bordeaux vineyards, I have never seen Saint-Emilion from this perspective. The Segway, all-terrain, allowed us to weave through the forest, easily cutting a path through the trees. See for yourself in this live video that I took at the beginning of ride: Ride a segway®

100% eco-friendly, this means of transport barely requires any physical effort – aside from standing upright!
After making our way through the forest, we continue onto the hills of Saint-Emilion passing through the vineyards of Château Pavie (if you please!)

And then suddenly, the most beautiful panoramic view of Saint-Emilion opens itself up to us! Amazing!

Without fuss and as naturally as if Segaways were always part of this medieval landscape we roll through “La Porte Brunet”.

And so we enter this wonderful village, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The journey back to the chateau is an easy ride. When we arrive at Château la Renommée the team gives us a visit of the grounds and of course a tasting of their wines.
One of the particularities of this estate is that it is managed by a wine investment group (GFV – Groupement Foncier Viticole) and currently has 58 different associates. Participation in this group is open to all individuals, which means that you can finally realize your dream of owning a winery in Saint-Emilion!! (Or at least in part by becoming a partner of the property.)
For more info, feel free to visit the Chateau’s website : Château la Renommée

All in all, I had a wonderful afternoon! Though at first I was a bit nervous on the Segway, it only took me a few minutes to relax and fully enjoy the ride.  I highly recommend this unusual activity to (re)discover Saint-Emilion.

| USEFUL INFORMATION |

Visit of Saint-Emilion in Segway® + tour and tasting: €39,00 / 2:30 – 3: 00
Introduction to the Segwyay® + tour and tasting: €19,00 / 1 h – 1 h 30

Château la Renommée
Place called “Maine”
33330 saint Laurent of Combes

GPS coordinates: 0 ° 08’05 “West / 44 ° 51’42” North
Phone + 33 (0) 5 57 24 65 93
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://la-renommee.pagesperso-orange.fr/index.html