Le Chai au Quai

Laithwaite's have restored Le Chai au Quai and made it a significant and compelling wine destination on the right bank. Only 45 minutes from Bordeaux and 15 minutes from Saint Emilion, Le Chai au Quai was the brain child of Tony Laithwaite who has loved, lived, worked and studied the vineyards of Castillon since the 1960s. He began to take wines back to England for friends and family and then a few customers. Voila! Laithwaite's Wine was born from passion and determination.

Having remained empty for many years, the building was beautifully restored by Laithwaite's and turned into a fully operational wine making facility complete with immaculate and shining stainless steel vats,the finest oak barrels to age the wines and a modern wine laboratory to develop award winning wines.

The Wines

The winemakers of Laithwaite's seek out the best of the grape vintages from Bordeaux and the South of France. From Bordeaux, Le Chai Au Quai's wines originate not only from the right bank Castillon area around the Chai but also from other distinguished appellations such as Saint Emilion and Pomerol and the left bank,including the Medoc, Margaux and Pauillac.

The Chai au Quai Wine Shop is one of the best stops you`ll make if you`re fortunate enough to visit the vineyards of Bordeaux. Here you will find the definitive collection of Le Chai wines together with a selection of international wines from the Laithwaite's exclusive portfolio. The friendly and helpful local staff will help you discover wines to your own taste. Think Christmas presents!

Price Point - affordable - 3.50 to 30 euros per bottle

Quality - award winning

Payment - by cash, check, or credit card.

Events, Tours and Tastings available on request - please contact Le Chai Au Quai by email: lechaiauquai@directwines.com or Tel: 0033 5 57 40 13 31.

There are so many reasons to visit Le Chai au Quai. Every year Le Chai`s calendar is filled with wine tastings both tutored and informal. (Check out the Events calendar of MyDestination).

A visit to Le Chai gives you the opportunity to experience Le Chai, home to expert winemakers and Laithwaite's French team who are happy to take you on a guided tour explaining the winemaking process and talk you through the strong list of Le Chai's handcrafted wines. A wine tasting afterwards brings the whole story together.

If you can, try to visit on one of the seasonal special events days. You may enjoy an art exhibition, a music concert or get caught up in the excitement of harvest. During the summer, step back in time and enjoy the re-enactment of the Battle of Castillon (July through August) which marked the end of the 100 years war.