Fodor's Expert Review Château La Villatade

On a sprawling wine estate, far from Carcassonne's madding crowd, this serene retreat is owned by ever-hospitable (and English-speaking) vintners from Toulouse, who happily share their best vintages and fine countryside lifestyle with guests. Accommodations have neutral tones and clean lines, with rustic accents like exposed barn beams and lime-washed plaster walls; the 314 surrounding acres are wrapped in rolling hills with grapevines and a few olive groves. Be sure to try La Villatade's Rituel, a deep red wine.