In Epargnes, experiences range from a guided wine tour through vineyards and a cellar to architectural features at the Église Saint-Vincent that date back several centuries. At Domaine Poncereau de Haut, you can also learn about wine on a self-guided educational trail; the Calvaire offers a glimpse of religious art and past processions. The different types of wine experiences and the specific historical details are especially useful when planning your visit.

Experience wine: a guided tour or a trail

Domaine Poncereau de Haut offers two different ways to visit. On “Les Secrets du Vigneron,” visitors take part in a guided experience that leads from the vineyards through the wine cellar to a tasting. The Sentier des Cépages, by contrast, is a self-guided educational trail: information panels and puzzles accompany you along the route, at the end of which visitors can taste the estate’s cuvées.

The difference lies in how you get to know the wine: the guided tour takes you through the vineyards, cellar and tasting in sequence; on the trail, you explore the information independently through panels and puzzles. Both formats include a tasting. Availability varies by season, so check before travelling whether your chosen experience is being offered.

Architecture at the Église Saint-Vincent

The Église Saint-Vincent dates from the 14th century. On entering, you can see remains of an 11th-century portal. The bell tower was built in the 17th century. It stands on a buttress and is partly accessible via an external staircase. A buttress is a projecting section of wall that provides support; here, the tower’s location is a striking architectural detail. The different dates refer to separate parts of the building, ranging from the portal remains to the church and the tower, which was built later.

During your visit, you can take a closer look at several specific features: the portal at the entrance, the bell tower’s position on the buttress and the external staircase that provides partial access to it. The dates help distinguish the different parts rather than assigning the entire church a single construction period.

The Calvaire and its history

The Calvaire is located in an enclosed area surrounded by a small garden. It depicts Christ crucified, surrounded by four apostles. The site’s former use is also dated: until the middle of the 20th century, the Calvaire served as a destination for Rogation processions during the three days before Ascension Day. Identifying these days places the processions in the religious calendar and adds a historical function to the depiction.

A dated event in the calendar

According to the programme, the Fête du Pineau et des Terroirs in Epargnes took place from 7 to 9 August 2026. That edition was set to feature exhibitions, games, a vintage flea market, culinary specialities, shows, concerts and evening dances; a walk was also part of the programme. During the event, visitors could discover the region’s terroirs and meet producers. These programme details relate to the 2026 edition. If you want to include a later event in your plans, check its dates and programme again.

When planning your trip, you can clearly distinguish the main attractions: at the estate, you can choose between a guided and a self-guided way to explore; at the church and Calvaire, the architecture, depictions and historical use shape the visit. This lets you tailor your plans to the things that interest you most in Epargnes.

Discover more destinations: Jonzac, Saint-Augustin, Grand-Village-Plage, Trizay, St-Pierre De Pérignac, Arces-Sur-Gironde, Guitinières, Saint-Sulpice-d'Arnoult

For the broader travel overview: Charente-Maritime.