Now that normality has set back in following the festivities, we are looking ahead to the next events in the calendar, and February holds my favourite day of the year – Valentine’s Day!

What could be more romantic than treating your loved one to a surprise Grape Escape this Valentine’s weekend? We have put together an exclusive Rioja break for this special occasion, and don’t forget, if you book any of our Rioja tours before the end of January you will receive a case of Rioja delivered straight to your door for added celebrations!

Today also marks the release of our September 2016 dates for the elite Premium Bordeaux tour, and with only six places available you will want to get this one secured as soon as possible…

Roses are Red… and so is Rioja! Romance for Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day just over four weeks away it’s time to start planning the perfect romantic getaway to show your other half just how much you care!

In the luxurious surroundings of the extraordinary 5* Marques de Riscal, relax during a three day/two night stay across Valentine’s weekend. On Sunday 14^th February you will enjoy the day together, firstly experiencing a full tour of the Marqués de Riscal winery, which will conclude with a tasting of the estate’s wine.

A decadent afternoon of relaxation will then be arranged for you to spend some quality time together in the hotel’s luxurious vino-therapy spa. Following a fifty minute facial treatment in a private room, enjoy a bubbly barrel bath together, complete with exfoliating grape marc. This ultra-romantic moment will leave you both feeling fresh and exhilarated. Your afternoon of pampering will be concluded with a Caudalie massage for two: duo divine! In the evening, a gastronomic dinner will be served in the hotel’s bistrot restaurant.

Prices start at £559 per person, and if you book before the end of January we will also throw in a case of Rioja to be delivered straight to your door (UK residents only) in order to offer you a taste of what’s to come!

Please call us on +44(0) 1920 46 86 66 or e-mail in**@**********es.net for more information about this incredible experience. You will also find full package details here.

All New Premium Bordeaux: Dates Released for 2016!

The Premium Bordeaux tour is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime trip for any Bordeaux wine lover! Across three full days of transported tours with a specialist guide, nine of the region’s top Châteaux (including five First Growth estates) will be visited and many of these estates are opening their doors exclusively for the Grape Escapes tour. You will see what goes on behind the scenes at each of these famous estates, allowing a unique insight into how some of the world’s best wines are made.

There are so many highlights of the tour, we hardly know where to begin! You will delight in being welcomed as the VIP guests of the Premier Cru Classé Château Mouton Rothschild, where you will have an exclusive tour of the opulent estate and cellars, followed by the opportunity to taste the 2013 vintages of Châteaux d’Armailhac, Clerc Milon and Mouton Rothschild!

You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious three course lunch in one of the best restaurants in the region, a double Michelin-starred establishment in the heart of the Pauillac vineyards, owned by Château Lynch-Bages.

In addition, we will discover some of Bordeaux’s white wines made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc; as the VIP of guests of the revered Haut-Brion estate, which does not usually receive visitors! Premier Cru Classé, Château d’Yquem will also open its doors to the group, and here, you will taste the world’s most prestigious sweet wine.

These are just a selection of the tours and activities on this remarkable trip; during the five day break you will visit a total of nine premium Châteaux, on three full day guided and transported tours. You will have the opportunity to choose from a range of 3-5* hotels to stay at in Bordeaux, including the 4* Le Boutique Hotel, and the 5* Intercontinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel. Prices start at £1079 per person, and there are only six places available, so book as early as possible to avoid disappointment!

To find out more about this impressive escape, please give us a call on +44(0) 1920 46 86 66 or e-mail in**@**********es.net for more information. You can also find details of a wide range of Bordeaux tours here.

Speak soon!

Rachel