About Us
Jason South, director of St Emilion Wine Tours, is a New Zealander who has lived in France for many years. He is married with a French wife and young son and is fluent in both English and French (imperative when translating for English-speaking clients).
    Jason has become an avid wine enthusiast, having arrived in France in the late 1990s. He was imported to the country to play professional rugby, which he did for several seasons with UA Libourne and RCC Hyeres. During his playing career, Jason had the fortune to come into contact with many of the principals in the wine industry in France, particularly those around the St. Emilion and Pomerol districts where Libourne is located. He was previously employed by prestigious Chateau Cheval Blanc in an apprentice position, widening his knowledge and understanding of the region, its wines, and wine-making techniques.
  Several of the presidents and players of the rugby clubs he represented are prominent winemakers and chateau owners. It was from these close friendships that his business , St. Emilion Wine Tours, was born.
    Among Jason’s regular tour stopovers are Chateau La Clide and Chateau St Pey, both makers of St Emilion Grand Cru merlots and both owned by former rugby friends. Other tour destinations include Chateau Belair, as well as internationally renowned Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Figeac, all makers of Premier Grand Cru Classe wines.
    The unique value of St. Emilion Wine Tours with Jason is that he provides that extraordinary personal touch. Part of the tour includes meeting the winemakers and visiting the inner sanctum of each vineyard, being among the barrels and fermenting tanks, and often even having the tasting wines drawn from barrels by beaker.