Château Pas de l'Âne: a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru to discover near the Domaine du Dahu

Staying at the Domaine du Dahu, in Sablons in the Gironde, means setting down your bags at the heart of one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. Among the fine addresses to discover during your getaway, Château Pas de l'Âne holds a special place: a wine estate in the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, located less than 25 minutes from the domaine, this château combines winemaking tradition with inventive wine tourism. Far from the usual tours, here wine is lived as an experience in its own right — playful and accessible to seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers to the world of great wines alike.

An award-winning Saint-Émilion Grand Cru estate

Château Pas de l'Âne grows its vines within the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, one of the most renowned on the right bank of the Dordogne. The terroir, the patient work in the vineyard and the care given to winemaking produce wines of character, true to the identity of the Libournais. But the château does not simply make great wines: it has made welcoming visitors a genuine signature. This excellence in wine tourism has earned it a Best Of Wine Tourism distinction, an international award that recognises estates offering the finest visitor experiences.

For a couple or a group staying at the Domaine du Dahu, this is the guarantee of a carefully crafted visit, led by enthusiasts who know how to share their love of wine without ever slipping into elitist talk. You come here to understand, to taste, and above all to enjoy a great moment.

Guided tastings and introductions to oenology

At the heart of the experience is the guided tasting. Accompanied by a host from the château, you learn to recognise aromas, to understand the influence of terroir and vintage, and to put words to what you sense in the glass. For those who wish to go further, the château also offers genuine introductions to oenology, designed to decode the vocabulary and the gestures of tasting step by step.

Another highlight is the gourmet pairings: Château Pas de l'Âne stages tastings that pair wine with chocolate or macarons. The exercise is as delicious as it is instructive — it reveals how a food can transform the perception of a wine, and vice versa. It is an ideal interlude after a morning walking through the vines, and a particularly cherished memory for couples.

EscapeWine and Wine in Black: wine as an experience

This is undoubtedly what sets Château Pas de l'Âne apart: its playful wine tourism formats, which turn a visit into an adventure. Two experiences stand out in particular:

• EscapeWine: a concept that blends the spirit of an escape game with the world of wine. Puzzles, clues and challenges follow one another within the château setting, for an immersive visit where you learn while having fun. Perfect for a group of friends or an original outing with loved ones.
• Wine in Black: a blind tasting, in the dark, that pushes the senses to their limits. Deprived of sight, you rediscover wine through smell and taste alone — a surprising experience that reveals just how much our perceptions are shaped by what we see.

These formats make the château an ideal destination when you are looking for an activity to share: they appeal to connoisseurs and beginners alike, and are sure to create lasting memories and plenty of laughter.

A perfect stop during your stay at the Domaine du Dahu

During your stay at the Domaine du Dahu, Château Pas de l'Âne lends itself to a half-day getaway with no constraints. Its proximity — less than 25 minutes' drive — means you can set off at leisure after a morning by the lake, and return in the evening to the quiet of your floating chalet to extend the pleasure. The estate is ideally placed to explore the region: Sablons is less than 40 minutes from Bordeaux, about 20 minutes from Libourne and less than 25 minutes from Saint-Émilion.

To build a full programme around wine, our wine tourism page brings together the routes and estates to discover in the Libournais, and our article on a wine tourism weekend in the Gironde offers a day-by-day itinerary. Château Pas de l'Âne fits in naturally as one of the fine stops on a weekend among vines and great wines.

Visits, experiences and tastings are booked in advance: to find out which formats are available, the opening hours and the current prices, the best option is to check the château's website directly and reserve your slot before your visit.

Prices for visits and tastings at Château Pas de l'Âne

As a guide, here are the main formats offered by the château:

• Visit and tasting: €12 per person — a tour of the vineyard and cellars, followed by a tasting of two Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines.
• Introduction to tasting: €20 per person — a Saturday-morning workshop including the full tour, a tasting course and a tasting of 5 wines.
• Charcuterie and cheese board option: + €12 per person.

These prices are given as a guide and are subject to change. For up-to-date prices and to book your visit, please check the Château Pas de l'Âne website directly.