There’s no need to leave your pup at home when visiting the Bordeaux wine region! Many wine châteaux love your dog (almost) as much as you do. There are a number of dog-friendly Saint-Émilion châteaux that are proud to welcome both you and your pup for a visit. Here are some of dog-friendly wineries (though not an exhaustive list), which Coco the Traveling Samoyed gives two paws up!
Château Cantenac
Château Cantenac is a charming family-run Saint-Émilion Grand Cru châteaux that has been in the Roskam-Brunot family since 1937. Of course, as a family-run estate you can expect to be welcomed by one of the family members themselves. And that’s exactly what makes Château Cantenac well worth a stop during your trip to Saint-Émilion.
Extremely welcoming to both humans and your furry four-legged companions, we recommend a private Prestige tour. This visit includes the classic tour of the vineyard, winery and barrel room, and ends with a tasting of four wines accompanied by bread and cheese.
The Prestige tour is available by reservation. Plan 1 hour 30 minutes for this tasting experience. Château Cantenac is best reached by car.
Château La Croizille
Château La Croizille is arguable situated at one of the prettiest viewpoints in the Saint-Émilion vineyards. Sitting high up on a hillside, the château’s vines tumble down the terraced plots from the unique tasting room.
What is particularly unique about a visit to Château La Croizille is that visitors actually get to visit two different châteaux sitting right next to one another. Both are owned by the De Schepper family, and the modern Château La Croizille is a stark contrast to its classical sister, Château Tour Baladoz. The tour finishes with a tasting of two wines, one wine each from Château La Croizille and Château Tour Baladoz.
Of course, dogs on leashes are welcome. And you might even like to linger on the terrace wine bar over an extra glass before having a walk on the vineyard paths with your dog.
Château La Croizille is open by appointment only from Monday – Sunday. Book your visit online and plan 1 hour for this tasting. The château is best reached by car.
Château Pas de l’Ane
Named for the donkey that is Château Pas de l’Ane’s mascot, this Saint-Émilion winery can be considered a baby in a land of storied estates. Nestled between famous neighbors Château Cheval Blanc and Château Figeac, Château Pas de l’Ane got its start in 1999 with just one hectare of vines.
The château has never stopped expanding and today there are 13 hectares of vines spreading over 5 of Saint-Émilion’s 8 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation areas.
Beyond the classic wine tasting visit, Château Pas de l’Ane offers visitors one of the unique wine escape game visits in the Bordeaux wine region. And you can even put your pooch to work sniffing out the clues to help you and are partners solve the case of the missing bottle of wine before the clock runs out.
Château Pas de l’Ane Escape Wine is available for 2 – 6 people with advance booking. Plan 2 hours for this escape game wine tasting experience. The château is best reached by car.
Château Rol Valentin
Like Château Pas de l’Ane, Château Rol Valentin is another baby among Saint-Émilion wineries. The château’s history only dates back to 1994, when it was founded by former European football (soccer) star, Eric Prissette. And since 2009 it has been a family-run estate belonging to Alexandra and Nicolas Robin.
Head to Château Role Valentin not only for the fantastic wines, but for the unique Shape of the Wine Glass workshop. This visit dives into how the shape of a wine glass can change the aromas and even the taste of the wine. You won’t believe it until you experience it. Of course, furry family members are loved and welcomed by Château Rol Valentin, too.
Château Rol Valentine is open by reservation. Plan 2 hours for the Shape of the Wine Glass tasting experience. The château is best reached by car.
Couvent des Jacobins
Located right in the heart of the village of Saint-Émilion, the Couvent des Jacobins is unique. It is the only château to be located in and have its wine making facilities located within the medieval walls of Saint-Émilion. It is set inside a former 13th century monastery and takes its name from the order of friars who once called the monastery home.
A true family-run estate, the current owners are descendants of Couvent des Jacobins’ founders. It is truly rare these days to find a Bordeaux wine estate that has remained within the same family since its founding.
Not only does the location within the village of Saint-Émilion make Couvent des Jacobins a must visit, but the wines are top notch. Visitors won’t miss out on a trip to the vines, either. You and your four legged companion are whisked off to the plot located just behind the Couvent des Jacobins in the estate’s own tuk-tuk.
No matter which visit you choose, all visits at Couvent des Jacobins are private. But we recommend choosing La Trilogie de Couvent. You taste not only the first and second wines of Couvent des Jacobins, but also make a special stop at the boutique CALICEM and taste this superior single grape wine that comes from a plot located right next to the famous Château Angélus and from arguably some of the best terroir in Saint-Émilion.
Couvent des Jacobins is open by appointment. Plan 2 hours for La Trilogie de Couvent tasting experience. The estate is located in the heart of Saint-Émilion. Saint-Émilion is easily reached from Bordeaux Center by train to Gare Saint-Émilion.
Les Cordeliers
Also located inside the walls of Saint-Émilion, Les Cordeliers has been producing sparkling wine for over 100 years. Totally different than the Saint-Émilion red wine blends typical of this area, the AOC Crémant de Bordeaux is Bordeaux’s champagne style sparkling wine produced in both white and rosé. While the grapes themselves aren’t grown within the walls of the medieval village, the crémant is aged in the maze of tunnels beneath the cloister.
No matter whether you opt for a tour to see the aging tunnels below or just grab a glass of the Bordeaux bubbly to enjoy in the enclosed garden, Le Cordeliers is a must-visit when in Saint-Émilion. Better yet, it’s also dog-friendly.
Les Cordeliers is open year round and wines by the glass or bottle, along with grape juice can be purchased from the bar in the garden. Tours can be booked at the Saint-Émilion Tourist Office or online in advance. The cloister is located in the heart of Saint-Émilion. Saint-Émilion is easily reached from Bordeaux Center by train to Gare Saint-Émilion.
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Katrina says
My husband and I are travelling St Emilion with our small, well behaved, dog – Dalton – and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog. We will definitely visit some winerys with Dalton. We are staying for a week very close to St Emilion centre so any other dog friendly recommendations (e.g. walks, things to do, nice restaurants etc) would be very welcomed and appreciated. Thank you
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Saint-Émilion is very dog-friendly! Restaurants are no problem at all. Almost all accept well behaved dogs both inside and on terraces. Just mention you have a dog when making reservations.
You can also visit the underground church, which is a must. The Cordeliers cloister is also dog-friendly. You can do the tuk-tuk tours. I would suggest mostly following my 3-Day Saint-Emilion itinerary as nearly all of it is dog-friendly.
You can also see many dog-friendly tips and recommendations on Coco’s Instagram: https://Instagram.com/cocotravelingsamoyed/