Samonac: Wineries, Church Art and Hiking

Samonac brings together sacred architectural history, wineries and a hiking route rated as difficult. When planning your stay, it is worth distinguishing between the different ways to visit: appointments are required at some wineries, while the hike’s length and difficulty should be taken into account. This lets you choose whether to focus your trip on architecture, wine or hiking.

Church of Saint Martin: Gothic and Baroque Details

The chancel apse of the Church of Saint Martin has been listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments since December 21, 1925. It features a large pointed-arch opening with tracery windows in the Flamboyant Gothic style. Tracery refers to the stone framework of a window and is part of the Gothic design of the chancel apse here. The stained-glass windows there come from the workshop of Joseph Villiet. Another period is represented by the carved-stone Baroque pulpit, built in 1791. Gothic forms and a dated Baroque furnishing thus stand side by side.

Wineries and Ways to Visit

Château Macay is a single 42-hectare estate in the Côtes de Bourg appellation. Visitors can take a guided walk through the vineyards, visit the imposing 19th-century winery buildings with their red plasterwork, and then taste the wines. Free tours and wine tastings are available by prior arrangement.

Château Gravettes-Samonac is a family winery whose history in Samonac dates back to the 1950s. It produces red wine. Its total area is 37 hectares, and the soil is clay-limestone. Visits are possible from 9 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 6 p.m. Château Tour de Tourteau offers tours by prior arrangement from Monday to Friday. The visiting arrangements therefore differ, with appointments required at some wineries and set visiting hours at others. Confirm the arrangements for each winery before you arrive.

Two dates place Château Tour de Tourteau in different historical contexts: the tower has stood since 1800, while the history of the family winery dates back to 1835. Château Beaulieu adds an earlier historical reference to the story of the wineries: its history dates back to the end of the 18th century, when Pierre Robert, a notary in Samonac, built a Bordeaux chartreuse at the center of his estate.

Village Setting, Hike and Pilgrimage History

The center of Samonac sits on a rocky outcrop and is described as a picturesque eagle’s nest. Château Bel Air offers a different connection to the landscape: the estate lies in the heart of the Côtes de Bourg, on sunny slopes overlooking the banks of the Gironde and Dordogne rivers. These descriptions refer to different places and can be considered separately when planning your trip.

The Petite balade des lavoirs passes through the center of Samonac to the Church of Saint Martin and offers views of the church and its rocky outcrop. The hiking route is 14 kilometers long and rated as difficult. Take both details into account when planning, and check the route, trail conditions and signage on site.

The Fontaine Saint Justin also forms part of the area’s religious history. Pilgrimages there began in the 18th century. In the 19th century, thousands of pilgrims came, and almost 4,000 Masses were celebrated there. These details describe a historic pilgrimage tradition and should be distinguished from the wineries’ current visitor offerings.

Discover more destinations: Salignac, Soussans, Aillas, Capian, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Saint-Michel-De-Fronsac, Listrac-de-Durèze, Saint-Médard-En-Jalles.

For the broader travel guide: Gironde.