Not every vineyard visit in the Saint-Émilion country needs a full day, and Château La Croizille is the clearest example. This is a compact, one-hour guided tour at an estate in Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, a village just outside the medieval hilltop town of Saint-Émilion, on the property known as Baladoz. It has been run by the De Schepper-De Mour family since 1950, and the visit lets you see two sides of that history in a single tour. First you walk through the traditional winery of Château Tour Baladoz, the older working cellar; then you move on to the new winery of Château La Croizille, where you can compare how the wines are now made. The visit ends with a tasting of three wines poured by your guide, who works in English, French or Spanish. Groups are capped at ten people, so it feels like a conversation rather than a lecture, and you can ask what you like about vines, blends and how right-bank wines differ from the Médoc. It is a good choice for people who want a genuine producer visit without the cost of a private driver, and for those who would like to add a château stop to a self-drive day around Saint-Émilion.
How to visit
The address is Château Croizille, Baladoz, 33330 Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, in the Saint-Émilion area. It is countryside rather than a street address in the town, so a car, a taxi or a driver is the practical way to arrive; check the route before you set out and allow a margin so that you reach the entrance on time, because the page asks you to arrive punctually for your timeslot.
You show a smartphone ticket at the entrance. The page lists the visit as wheelchair accessible. Free cancellation and a full refund apply until 24 hours before, and you can reschedule up to the same point.
What to expect
The tour lasts about an hour and covers both winery buildings before the tasting of three wines. Food is not included, so do not treat it as a meal, and plan lunch in Saint-Émilion afterwards. The wines are not named on the booking page, so you will taste whatever the estate is pouring on the day. The group is small, with a maximum of ten, so the experience is intimate and questions are welcome. Choose an English, French or Spanish guide at the time of booking if there is a choice.
Making the most of it
This works best as one stop in a self-drive day. Pair it with the village of Saint-Émilion itself for the monolithic church, the steep lanes and the market-square cafés, and book the château for a time that leaves enough room for the drive. If you would rather not drive after tasting, nominate a driver or look at the small-group tours that include several estates. It also suits a short winter visit, when the cellars are the main event and the landscape outside is bare.
A note on timing
One hour is short, which is exactly the point for travellers who are building their own route. Book the earliest slot that suits your lunch plans, then use the rest of the day for the village, the market square and a walk along the old ramparts. Because the tour is run in several languages, check that your preferred one is available for your date, and remember that the guide and the tasting can only be as good as your questions, so arrive with a few about blends, grapes and the difference between the two cellars.
What to expect
The experience
A one-hour guided tour of two wineries followed by a tasting of three wines, in a group of no more than ten.
Best time
Any time of year, with timeslots to choose from; arrive punctually for your slot.
How long
About one hour.
Tips
Food is not included, so plan lunch separately, and organise a driver or taxi because the estate is in the countryside near Saint-Émilion.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Independent travellers who want a short, genuine producer visit near Saint-Émilion.
- Families
- Children can join the cellar part, but the focus is on tasting; check the age policy with the estate.
- Couples
- An intimate small-group tasting that fits easily before lunch in Saint-Émilion.
- Pair with
- The village of Saint-Émilion, a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- One hour for the visit plus travel time.
Good questions
What does the Château La Croizille tour include?+
A guided visit to the traditional winery of Château Tour Baladoz, a visit to the new winery of Château La Croizille and a tasting of three wines. Food is not included.
How long does it last?+
About one hour.
What languages are available?+
The guide speaks English, French or Spanish.
How big is the group?+
The maximum is ten people, which keeps the visit personal.
Can I cancel?+
Yes. Free cancellation with a full refund is possible until 24 hours before the visit, and rescheduling is allowed up to the same point.
