Clubhouse: Gastronomic Playground

Megaresort developer Intrawest turns its attention to France’s wine country.

text by: Kim Fredericks

February 1, 2008

Oenophiles and epicureans are finally getting respect from the vacation home industry. Intrawest, a Vancouver-based megaresort developer, has deviated from its regular track of building ski and golf resorts to pay homage to those who prefer cooking classes and wine tastings to chasing fresh powder and golf balls.

The company selected Bordeaux’s rolling terrain to launch Domaine Haut-Gardegan, the newest community in its portfolio of Playground properties, which also includes beach locales in Bora Bora and Mauritius and two mountain destinations in France. Set on 247 acres in the appellation of Côtes de Castillon—just outside the wine region of Saint-Émilion—the new development will be a mix of condominiums, townhomes and villas totaling 425 residences in several different neighborhoods.

Castel de Bellevigne is the first community scheduled to open and will have 129 residences ranging from studios to three-bedroom villas. The furnished homes will have a chic chateau style, with warm color schemes and accessories that reflect the region’s history. The properties are being offered as commercial leases, allowing Intrawest to rent out the property for 11 years on behalf of the owner. Purchase of a unit grants up to four designated weeks of use per year, as well as a minimum of 2.5 percent guaranteed yield. (The rent for all the units goes into one pool, which is then distributed proportionally to owners based on the size of their residence.) A resort-to-resort exchange program allows owners to trade their weeks in Bordeaux for time in other destinations. Prices range from €300,000 to €1 million ($445,000 to $1.5 million).

While each neighborhood will have its own swimming pool, fitness center and restaurant, the lure of Domaine Haut-Gardegan will be its attention to culinary pursuits. A cooking school will feature a variety of classes for adults and children. The project’s pedestrian village will allow residents to stop by the bakery for croissants, chat with the wine merchant about Bordeaux’s grand cru vintages, purchase local truffles and fresh produce at the market, shop at various boutiques or enjoy dinner. "We are in negotiations with a well-known chef," says Benoit Delaby, vice president of development for the project. "This chef will run our school as a place to learn the French art of cooking; residents will learn how to savor the wine, how to cook specific French foods and how to dress a nice table."

Adding to the joie de vivre of Domaine Haut-Gardegan will be a full-service spa, a golf course designed by 2006 US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman and a quick, 45-minute drive to both the Bordeaux-Mérignac and Bergerac airports. Delaby says future plans include planting several acres of vineyards as well as creating partnerships with notable local wine producers to grant owners exclusive visits.