Clos de la Barbanne

Californian Ease & French Wine Country Elegance

The creation of Californian expats who now produce hand-harvested, sustainably made wines in the heart of Bordeaux’s storied “Right Bank,” this B&B’s four unique rooms are named for local birds, and each offers a soothing aerie overlooking the undulating hills. Casual California styling meets timeless French antiques and architecture, and each room sleeps two guests—three kings and one room with a pair of XL twins. All rooms include daily breakfast, fresh flowers, Tuft & Needle foam mattresses, a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival, free parking and EV charging, and a private Clos de la Barbanne winery tour and tasting upon request. Assistance with local activity planning is also available.

Chambre Chardonneret: Inspired by the mesmerizing goldfinch, spied annually in the vineyard gardens between April and August, this melodic ground-floor room has its own private entrance, a custom oak bed and rich ancient timbers overhead. A sitting area punctuates the space, and the bathroom has a tiled shower.

Suite Tourterelle: An elegant upper-level king suite with high, beamed ceilings, stone walls and decorative hearth, and double French windows overlooking the countryside, this room was inspired by tender and serene doves. The intimate space has a private stairway entrance, a sitting area, and a deep soaking tub under a skylight.

Chambre Mésange: A spacious room named for the social chickadee, this ground-floor space is entered privately, though large sliding doors steps from a small garden. Grey linen curtains frame the doors, and blackout shutters darken the space as needed. A stately, stone hearth makes for a decorative statement opposite a small sitting area, and fine antiques mix with modern wood bedframes and a contemporary bathroom with shower.

Chambre Aigrette: A king room inspired by the egret’s graceful presence, this upstairs king suite is a study in soft, subtle grey mimicking the bird’s pretty plumage. Modern furnishings mix with stately antiques, and the bathroom features both a walk-in shower with handmade tiles and a standalone tub under a small skylight.

Around

Located at a working vineyard in Montagne-Saint-Émilion, a satellite village of the prestigious Saint-Émilion wine appellation of Bordeaux, the B&B makes a great base from which to explore one of France’s most highly esteemed wine regions. The Saint-Émilion region is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is covered in vineyards, winemaking chateaux, and traditional villages. Saint-Émilion village is only three miles away, a medieval town named for an eighth-century monk who, legend has it, lived hermit-like in a local cave and performed miracles that resulted in his sainthood. The town’s blonde stone is its architectural trademark, and the locally quarried stone has left miles of underground galleries.

The region’s wines are famous, of course, exceptional in great part because of this unique geology or terroir, and a microclimate in the Gironde region just off the Atlantic. This is world-renowned wine country, and tourism in the area centers around tastings and tours. Cycling is a popular way to get around to various vineyards, and there is no shortage of guided tour options throughout the region.

The B&B is also close to the Pomerol and Fronsac Bordeaux wine regions, well worth exploring (and sampling) and the beautiful city of Bordeaux, one of France’s architectural and cultural capitals standing majestically on the Garonne River, is 25 miles away and reachable by car in under an hour. Known for its stately 18th- and 19th-century mansions and abundance of public gardens, Bordeaux offers boutique shopping, notable museums, an exceptional food scene and, of course, a wealth of wine-making culture and tradition.

Location

Nearest airport: Bordeaux-Mérignac (30 miles); Paris to Bordeaux via TGV, under three hours, then 30 miles to the property

Best time to visit

March to November