Domaine Du Vigneron

About this property

Set in the Golden Triangle of Tarn, in the oldest wine-producing area of France, Domaine Du Vigneron is a beautiful place for guests to gather, create memorable moments and enjoy French rural life amongst the vineyards of this idyllic region.

The domaine is a former wine-estate which has been lovingly restored by its current owners to create an impressive estate full of charm and comfort, set amidst vineyards with views to the village church nearby. The Manoir itself was originally the home of a local wine maker; it was the grand ‘Maison de Maitre’ and has deep roots in the local wine making community. Indeed, the owners now run their own organic winery close by and guests can visit to sample the wines in a stunning setting.

The main house, the Manoir, features travertine flooring and ample living space including a lovely relaxed living area with doors opening onto the courtyard and an honesty bar so you can enjoy local wines at home. There are five pretty bedrooms  including a great family suite ideal for younger guests and their parents plus a superb kitchen, perfectly equipped to create feasts using the very best local produce around.

For larger groups of up to 26 guests, there are also three beautifully converted apartments featuring many original features such as exposed timber and stonework, as well as a studio, ideal for an accompanying nanny or a teenage wanting their own space. The apartments and main house surround an enclosed courtyard where you will also find a large air-conditioned events room and adjacent kitchen, perfect for a wedding celebration, wine-tasting evening with friends or just an intimate family gathering. 

Set in 5 acres of wonderfully maintained gardens and parkland, featuring lavender, roses, an orchard and vegetable garden, guests can swim in the large heated swimming pool with great views over the surrounding countryside. Enjoy lazy lunches or sunset aperitifs by the poolside covered barn with its al-fresco dining area and outdoor kitchen or the energetic can have a game of boules, practice yoga in the gym space or play tennis on the all-weather court.  Younger guests are also looked after with a small enclosed children’s play area.

Just 3km away is a village with restaurants, a local bar and some small shops including a wonderful artisan business selling local meat, cheeses, bread, cakes and wine plus you can also order freshly prepared local dishes to take home.

This rural and rustic part of southern France, filled with hilltop villages and bastide towns, is known as the Golden Triangle of Tarn, including the wine town of Gaillac with its beautiful abbey, the idyllic hilltop town of Cordes-sur-Ciel and historic Albi with its classified UNESCO World Heritage status. Gaillac is one of the oldest producing wine regions in France, dating back to Roman times, and it is said that King Henry VIII favoured some of the world-renowned wines made here. In the summer, the area is alive with apéro concerts and other local festivals linked to the wine and gastronomy of the region.

Closer to home you can go for rural walks following trails near the domaine, cycle across gentle hills or find more challenging routes (after all Le Tour de France often passes nearby!).

Further afield, if you wish to experience French city life then Toulouse is only an hour away and a great place to explore, especially for space lovers who must visit the amazing Cité de l’Espace.

Domaine Du Vigneron is set in The Tarn, part of the Occitanie region in south-west France. It’s located in a small hamlet overlooking a Pigeonnier and a tiny sleepy village with a church.

The house and grounds are surrounded by vineyards, indeed the Manoir used to be the ‘Maison de Maitre’ of the local winemaker and the house has deep roots in the local wine-making community. Guests can visit the owners’ own vineyard which can be reached in a few of minutes by car and there will be opportunities to try some of the owners’ own organic wine (red, white, rosé and sparkling varieties).

The domaine is only 3km from a more lively village with a restaurant, bakery, small store, chemist, bank and local bar. This village, a short drive away, also has a wonderful family-run shop with locally sourced artisan products such as meat, cheese, bread, pastries, cakes and wine. In the summer the shop has a rotisserie on a Sunday morning, sometimes accompanied by local wine tastings and live music. They can also produce freshly-made dishes for you to take home.

This is true rural France with a relaxed and slow-paced way of life, a region filled with hilltop and bastide towns, markets and wonderful local cuisine. This location is known as the Golden Triangle of Tarn which stretches between Gaillac (14km), Cordes-sur-Ciel (13km) and Albi (30km).

Gaillac (14km) is a beautiful town on the River Tarn where you can visit the historic Abbey Saint-Michel and also sample some wine fines made using rare grape varieties – it is said that wines made here were the favourite of King Henry viii.  Indeed, this is one of France’s oldest wine-growing areas dating back to the Roman times and there are many opportunities to sample wines in surrounding Gaillac vineyards. In the summer the area is alive with apéro concerts and other local events and festivals linked to wine and gastronomy. The annual Gaillac 'Fête des Vins' takes place over the first weekend of August and is a great way to sample everything the area’s winemakers have to offer.

To the north, Cordes-sur-Ciel (13km) is a magnificent 12th century hilltop town whilst Albi (30km), with its classified unesco World Heritage status, is a wonderful old city with amazing viewpoints of the medieval architecture and river, a dominant cathedral, a fantastic food-hall and charming cobbled shopping streets. 

There are also many other hilltop villages, bastide towns and traditional markets to visit across the region. On a Sunday morning don’t miss the Sunday market in Saint-Antonin Noble Val (26km), a wonderful medieval town where you can also hire canoes or kayaks to explore the Averyon gorges and there are also climbing and caving opportunities near here.
There are a number of walking routes that pass by the domaine (including a path that is part of the St Jacques de Compostela pilgrims' route) and there are also two horse-riding centres nearby that offer treks and lessons. If you wish to play golf there are a couple of courses within half an hour.

Cycling is also massively popular in France and the roads here are perfect for both gentle cycle rides or more challenging routes. The Tour de France often passes close by and will be doing so again in July 2019.

Toulouse (75km/1hr), France’s fifth largest city and an international centre for all things aviation, is just one hour away with its historic centre and amazing Cité de l’Espace.

Accommodation

1) Manoir + 3 Apartments + 1 Studio: max. 26 guests
2) Manoir Only: max. 10 guests
Manoir Interior

Ground Floor

-    Sitting room
-    Dining room
-    Informal living-dining room (with honesty bar) with doors to courtyard
-    Fully equipped kitchen
-    Study
-    Cloakroom

First Floor

-    Family suite with double bedroom with dressing area and adjoining twin bedroom. En-suite bathroom shared between the two rooms
-    3 x double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms

Apartments
(only included in the price for 26 guests)

'The Barn' Interior (3 bedroom apartment, separate access)

Ground Floor

-    Open-plan living-dining room with satellite TV, DVD player and wood burning stove (63m2). Doors leading to terrace for al-fresco dining with BBQ
-    Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped including a pantry, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, microwave, electric oven and induction hob
-    Two double bedrooms (sharing Jack and Jill style bathroom)

First Floor (mezzanine level via passerelle walkway)

-    Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and dressing room

'The Wine House' Interior (2 bedroom apartment, separate access via terrace)

-    Open-plan living area with satellite TV, DVD player
-    Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped including fridge-freezer, dishwasher, microwave, electric oven and induction hob
-    Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom
-    Twin bedroom with en-suite shower room
-    Private terrace with BBQ and al-fresco dining area

'The Granary' (2 bedroom apartment, separate access via external metal stairs)

-    Open-plan living-dining room (50m2 inc. kitchen) with satellite TV and DVD player
-    Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped including fridge-freezer, dishwasher, microwave, electric oven and induction hob
-    Double bedroom with en-suite shower room
-    Twin bedroom with en-suite shower room
-    Private balcony and terrace with BBQ and al-fresco dining area

'The Studio' (1 bed studio)

-    Open-plan double bedroom with kitchenette
-    Separate bathroom
-    Small enclosed outside space

Courtyard

-    Reception room with air-conditioning (55m2) ideal for events or gatherings  
-    Catering kitchen with air-conditioning (linked to reception room)
-    Gym/yoga/pilates space (55m2)

Outside Grounds

-    Heated swimming pool (13mx7m) with alarm system. Open June to end of September
-    Sun-loungers and parasols
-    Poolside covered barn with kitchenette, WC and shower room
-    Courtyard with seating and shade under trees
-    Tennis court (all-weather) with basketball hoop
-    Trampoline
-    Boules set
-    Small enclosed childrens’ play area
-    3 x BBQs
-    Orchard
-    Vegetable patch
-    Chickens on site
-    5 acres of gardens and grounds

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Central heating
-    Satellite TV
-    DVD players
-    Fans
-    Table tennis
-    Air-conditioning in the events reception room and adjoining kitchen only