Discover Château Capitoul: a wine estate in the Languedoc.

The French region of Languedoc, which includes the culturally rich cities of Narbonne and Montpellier, is often considered the "secret Mediterranean". Here you can enjoy the picturesque coastline and the surrounding expanse. These unspoiled areas are home to the centuries-old Château Capitoul winery, where agricultural heritage and modern sophistication combine.

In the spring after opening in September 2021, we checked into one of eight stylish rooms in the 19th century, chateau and began our countryside journey.

There were views of the 240-acre vineyards that extended to the neighboring villas. Some of them are up to 220 square meters in size and feature private pools, making them ideal for self-catering family vacations. I decided to take charge of my wellbeing and made my way down the winding stone staircase to the cozy Cinq Mondes Spa to enjoy a rejuvenating massage. After an hour of sensory indulgence, I settled into the bubbling Jacuzzi and heated pool, skipping the 30-meter-long outdoor infinity pool while my husband explored the surrounding landscape by bike. The maze of paths stretching throughout the grounds made bicycles and golf carts the preferred means of transportation at Chateau Capitoul.

Meanwhile, the Mediterranean gardens, designed by world-renowned landscape designer James Basson, can best be enjoyed on foot.

The hotel presents two excellent restaurants, so there is no reason to leave the grounds to explore the cuisine of the Languedoc. Our first dinner was at the cozy Asado Bistro, where an expansive terrace overlooking the vineyards invites for a late lunch in the sunshine. The restaurant takes its name from the wooden ovens on which a variety of meat, fish and vegetable dishes are cooked.

Sale land in region 424 999 $

France,region

2347 м²

A look at the hotel's wine list shows that the emphasis here is on in-house wine production. Chateau Capitoul's award-winning brands include red wines made from the Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah grape varieties, as well as white wines, in which the Bourboulain variety accounts for at least 40% and gives them floral and fruity notes. Of course, we tasted them both. We also appreciated the red and white wines of the hotel winery Vigneres Bonfil, which plays an important role in making Roussillon a land of fine wines.

Within the historic castle is the gastronomic restaurant Meditteraneo, which can accommodate a maximum of 30 guests.

We were more than happy to take an elegantly decorated table for two. This restaurant is run by Chef Valère Diochet under the direction of two Michelin-starred Chef Lionel Giraud. It serves pan-Mediterranean cuisine made with seasonal produce that surprises and delights the senses, while matching wines complement each elegant dish. Our review was excellent. On the short drive back to Narbona, we promised to return to Chateau Capitoul, the estate that so graciously shares the riches of the Languedoc.