Vineyards, long tables, conversations that stretched for hours…
As Good People of vitruta, we spent two days in Bordeaux. Invited by Maison Kavaklıdere and guided by Selin Osmanoğlu, the journey felt less like following a route and more like moving within a rich, flowing rhythm.
Throughout the trip, we sensed how Bordeaux reveals itself through the relationship between production, place, and people, where speed quietly gives way to craft and patience. The city does not insist on telling its story; it asks to be felt through time spent within it.
The first day began at Château Léognan, set among the vines. Each dish was thoughtfully paired in texture and taste. Here, wine is not simply something to be tasted; it is an extension of soil, climate, and time.
As the day unfolded, our connection with the city became more fluid. Even with Selin’s recommendations in hand, Bordeaux’s streets encourage getting lost rather than finding your way. And in that state of wandering, the city reveals itself most naturally.
The evening concluded at the Michelin-starred Amicis restaurant. Located between Allées de Tourny and Place des Grands-Hommes, this elegant two-storey space is led by chef Alexandre Baumard. The balance between precision and simplicity in the cuisine echoed the overall tone of the day.
The second day began with a closer look at production. At Tonnellerie Sylvain, the barrel-making process reminded us how craft remains deeply physical and rooted in repetition. The relationship between wood, fire, and human touch felt like another way of measuring time.
Later, the day took shape around a long table at Château Claud Bellevue. With Maison Kavaklıdere’s investment in this historic estate dating back to 1668, the space carries a renewed presence. Here, time seemed to stretch beyond any set program. Conversations, meals, and wine flowed into one another without separation. Under the warm light, the moment felt like a contemporary reflection of a Monet painting.
In the evening, we arrived in Saint-Émilion, a town that still holds its medieval character. Rather than representing the past, it preserves it quietly within the present. Stone streets, narrow passages, and the way light moves across surfaces create a sense of timelessness. It became a setting for both slow walks and shared moments behind the camera.
These two days in Bordeaux, shaped by the generous hospitality of Maison Kavaklıdere and enriched by Selin Osmanoğlu’s thoughtful curation and storytelling around wine, came to an end with a lingering sense of taste and conversation that stays with us.
