L’Ecole Des Vignes France

Experience the true beauty and tranquility of Corsica at L’École Des Vignes, located in the rural heart of south-west Corsica with majestic views of the Cagna mountains.
Set on a vast estate producing award-winning wines and olive oils, this is a truly special and unique place. As you arrive you will be greeted by bountiful pomegranate and olive trees and be intoxicated by the scents of eucalyptus and maquis, Corsica’s  thick carpet of wild and fragrant herbs.
The domaine dates back to the mid-19th century and its history is one of true Corsican spirit and passion. After making his fortunes in Africa, the original wine-maker travelled back to his cherished homeland and created a ‘Grand Jardin’ of olive groves, vines and fruit trees in this idyllic spot. Locals came to work there and a new hamlet was created, with the estate producing high-quality wines right through to the early 20th century.
After a period of neglect, the current owners fell in love with the domaine and its story and began in the 90s to restore it to its former glory. They spent years carefully re-planting the olive trees and vines whilst sensitively renovating the hamlet’s former buildings such as the wine cellar, olive mill and gendarmerie. It’s now once again a prestigious domaine which proudly respects the estate’s rich heritage in this corner of natural paradise.
L’École Des Vignes, formerly the hamlet’s old school, has been wonderfully transformed into a 2-bedroom holiday home with its own private pool and gorgeous terraced gardens looking straight out to the magnificent mountains. The interiors are beautiful with an air of rustic elegance and understated luxury across its living space, delightful kitchen and two pretty bedrooms with charming en suite bathrooms.
Outside the infinity pool is surrounded by old terracotta tiles and a summer kitchen with barbecue allows you to prepare al-fresco meals whilst gazing at the amazing landscapes. Perhaps you’d prefer to take in the views from the outdoor salon, sipping wine from the domaine after spending time relaxing in the hot tub and hammam.
Each morning you will receive a basket of freshly baked bread and home-made pastries for breakfast and a chef can be arranged on request. The hospitable owners wish for you to be able to make the most of the seclusion of this special place without having to venture far – they even offer a shopping service and in the summer you can help yourselves to whatever may be growing in their vegetable garden. You will also be invited to tour the domaine and try some of the excellent wines and olive oils.
There’s no doubt you will also want to visit some of this incredible island! From hiking and horse-riding through the mountains to swimming and snorkelling in the crystal-clear sea, this is an area of remarkable beauty. Plage de Roccapina, just 14km away, is considered one of the island’s most idyllic beaches whilst the historic village of Sartène is a 20 minute drive via scenic winding roads. Spend the day in Bonifacio or discover beachside restaurants for leisurely lunches in Tizzano or La Tonnara. 
L’École Des Vignes allows you to experience the very best of Corsica’s natural beauty from your terrace with such amazing scenery, scents and sights surrounding you in this hidden paradise. L’École Des Vignes is part of a highly-regarded estate producing wine and olive oil in a stunning area of south-west Corsica, around 20-minutes from the historic village of Sartène. Here you are surrounded by incredible natural beauty and majestic views of the Cagna Massif.
Take in the views when walking through the domaine, following sign-posted trails across the 1000 hectares of vineyards, olive groves, maquis-covered countryside and beyond.
Within a 5 to 10 minute drive there are a couple of restaurants whilst the nearest shops and supermarkets can be found in either Sartène or Pianottoli, both around 20 minutes away via the winding country roads.
Sartène is an enchanting village surrounded by wonderful landscapes. Explore the old town, discover pretty shops and dine in traditional restaurants with picturesque terraces. The Saturday morning market is a particular delight where you will find locals selling Corsican honey, cheeses, cured meats as well as fruit and vegetables (there are also smaller markets on a Tuesday and Thursday from late June to August). The newly opened Musée Départemental de Préhistoire is a must for those interested in Corsica’s fascinating pre-historic remains (this region is where many of the hundreds of menhirs can be found).
Beach-lovers will adore this corner of south-west Corsica, especially the most beautiful Plage de Roccapina with its white sand and turquoise sea, perfect for snorkelling. From here you can follow a maquis-covered trail across to the lesser known Spiaggia di Erbaju – both beaches are incredible! Pack your picnic and sun-hats as there are no facilities on these two glorious beaches.
You can also visit the lovely coastline around the gulf of Figari and Pianotolli, around 25km away, or head a little further south to La Tonnara where there’s a great choice of watersports such as wind-surfing, kite-surfing and jet-ski. Tizzano (with an excellent beachside restaurant) and Campomoro can also be found further north towards Propriano.
A boat trip is another fantastic way to discover the south-western coast – take an organised tour, a fishing trip or even hire your own skipper for the day. If you are interested in diving then there are a couple of diving schools close by that are suitable for a variety of abilities and will take you out to some outstanding sites.
This is also a paradise for those who love walking – one of the most well-known hikes to the top of ‘l’Omu di Cagna’ departs from nearby Giannuccio (or the most experienced hikers can even walk there from the domaine). For horse lovers, two equestrian centres in the region offer rides near the sea and mountains.
Bonifacio is another magical place to spend the day. Explore its steep citadel on top of limestone cliffs, admire the mesmerising sea-views, discover pretty little shops and cafes and enjoy a leisurely lunch by the marina.
Boats depart from Bonifacio to the idyllic and remote Lavezzi Islands, wonderful for those who love walking and swimming in wild surroundings. At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning – Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting / childcare services
Extras included at this property:
– Tour of domaine and wine-tasting included- Daily breakfast basket delivered (home-made bread and pastries)- Welcome pack with essentials provided (coffee, tea, milk)- Artisan, organic toiletries provided (made from Corsican maquis)- Daily maid service included- Shopping service offered (items at extra cost)- Cleaning essentials provided
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
– Private chef- Meal deliveries- Bespoke culinary tastings – In-house massage- Yoga and/or fitness sessions
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!