We wish to thank all our guests for making our last season so enjoyable. We were privileged to welcome so many wonderful wine enthusiasts from all over the globe to Manoir de Gourin in 2011.
Guest Testimonials
"Thank you for a wonderful time. We thought it would be a good week in france but it was
better than we dreamed. Made perfect by our hosts, Simon and Karin, the beautiful setting and surrounding area. The icing on the cake for us were the wine tasting dinner, and wine tour with Simon, where we able to taste the real Loire. Karin's wonderful cooking and Simon's knowledge of the local wines of this region, combined with their great hospitality has made our week truly one of the best." Geraint and Kathy, Caerphilly, UK – 2011
"Thank you for a wonderful 3 day wine tour. Our visit to the Loire was truly the highlight of our vacation." Jim and Sally Zipursky, Omaha, USA
"An amazing week in the magical setting of the Loire. Karin and Simon have been fabulous hosts – attentive and approachable, welcoming and all round wonderful. The supper and Simon's one day wine tour were the highlights of our stay! We've thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our stay and would return in a heartbeat!" Keith and Jo Mallette, Montreal, Canada – 2011
"First time in Loire. Enjoyed the wine tour with Simon and Karin's fantastic cooking! (esp. raspberry and strawberry tart)! Loved the Garden Apartment and the pool. Couldn't ask for anything more… Thank you very much." Simon and Sonja Matic-Langford – 2011
"We have had such a lovely holiday staying in Layon Cottage in the beautiful grounds of 
Manoir de Gourin. Thank you so much to Simon and Karin who were so friendly and made us feel very welcome. We especially enjoyed our one day wine tour in the sunshine with Simon. His tour around the loire countryside was fantastic and we learnt a lot about wine from him, Richard and Pierre – the lunch provided by Karin was amazing too. Thank you both so much." Ali & Kev Hosking, Reading, UK – 2011
"We have had a truly fantastic week at Manoir de Gourin. The garden apartment exceeded our expectations, the pool and the grounds lovely. Karin and simon were the perfect hosts. We enjoyed the supper night. The food was delicious & the wine was excellent. Thank you for making our first visit to France so memorable. We will recommend our friends to come over. Hope to come again." Ken & Barbara Cronin, Croydon, Victoria, Australia – 2011
"Karin and Simon have created a delightful environment achieving almost instant relaxation. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, making the most of the pool and the excellent suppers at the manoir. The all day wine tour is not to be missed and we go home not just with plenty of lovely wine to remind us of our time here but also much wiser about the wine process and what we should avoid in terms of additives. We loved our breakfasts on the terrace. Thank you both, we shall certainly recommend your patch of paradise to our friends." Susanna & Peter Hanks, Reading, Berkshire, UK – 2011
"Karin and Simon, we are back and I wanted to thank the two of you for making our visit
such a pleasure. The dinner and company were excellent and I really did get a great deal out of Simon's knowledge of wine and the wine business. The opportunity to meet with Pierre and Richard gave me a great deal of insight I do not think I could have gotten any other way. They are both interesting and charming men" Tom and Kathy Cardwell, Florida, USA
"Thanks so much for the warm welcome and fantastic holiday. Montlouis was fabulously boutiquey and the location superb. The one day wine tour with Simon was definitely the holiday highlight!" Piran and Jess, London – 2011
"Thank you Simon and Karin for a lovely week. The weather was good and the pool was wonderful. The all day wine tour is an absolute must! We visited 3 vineyards and all the wines were lovely and we bought 22 bottles! How we are going to get them all in the car (2 seater sports) I don't know! It's been the highlight of the week, thanks." Charlie and Victoria, Kent, UK - 2011
"Fantastic end to our honeymoon. lovely pretty area and great apartment. Karin and Simon are so helpful and a highlight for us was the fabulous evening meal in their home with great 
food and atmosphere. The wine tour was very informative and we learnt a lot about wine we didn't know. We came away with the most amazing sparkling red! Good restaurants, lots of places to see but if you want to relax the pool is outstanding and so very clean! Thanks for a fabulous stay. We will be back!" Gwen & Will Evans, Guildford, UK - 2010
"We have just spent a near perfect week in Layon which is delightful and well thought out, some delightful touches. There is so much to see and do that a week is not long enough to explore this delightful area. The swimming pool was blissful after a hot day's sight-seeing. The meals at the manoir were superb, as was the wine tour. Many thanks to Karin and Simon for being such wonderful and thoughtful hosts. We leave with many happy memories.." Lynda and Clive Gilchrist, Cambridge UK 2010
"Arrived not knowing – departed refreshed, more knowledgeable and will now look at the moon in a different light! Great hosts, lovely time and a real joy to meet the winemakers…Simon and Karin, thank you." Alan and Karen Gottschalk UK – 2010
"What a wonderful part of the world. Congratulations on your vision, passion and dedication enabling many travellers, including ourselves, to experience such an interesting area of France. We thoroughly enjoyed the wine tour with you Simon and will continue to enjoy Pierre's wine during the remainder
of our travels. Thank you for the wonderful memories we take with us of the Manoir de Gourin and the Loire Valley." Helen and Geoff Edmonds, Australia July 2010
"Truly wonderful experience. fabulous apartment & hosts. Loved the wine tours. Will be back!!" Graeme & Irene McFarlane, Glasgow, Scotland – 2010
"We can't imagine feeling more relaxed! The surrounding areas are beautiful and we've been relaxing in the garden whilst enjoying the excellent 
facilities in the apartment. We also heartily recommend Simon's wine tour – fantastic wine at amazing prices. Thank you Simon and Karin." Matt and Sally, Hertford, UK – 2010
"What can I say that hasn't already been said…. fantastic hosts in Karin and Simon. Good food and a whole new world of wine. Facilities are superb with the gite and pool – all you need. To top it all off the landscape is wonderful and a beautiful place to visit." Linda and Martin Turner, London – 2010
"We had to spend 12 hours plus 4 hours to come here from our home in Tokyo. It is worth
for it. Wine tour was very informative. Every time we have wine from Loire, we remember the days here. Thank you very much Simon and Karin. Arigatou!" Mieko and Takashi Goto, Tokyo, Japan – 2009
"We have had a lovely and relaxing time. The apartment was very cosy and exactly what we were looking for. The wine tour we took was great! Especially the last visit to Richard at Chaintres was superb. Thank you for a wonderful holiday." Will and Janneke, Barcelona, Spain – 2009
"We have had a marvellous time here. Layon is so comfortable with everything one needs to make it feel like a 'home form home'. The surrounding countryside is beautiful with fields of vines and sunflowers in profusion. Lots to see in the towns in the area with many chateaux being quite spectacular. Karin and Simon are excellent hosts and we had a wonderful meal in the Manoir cooked by Karin and a superb wine tasting hosted by Simon. Many thanks Karin and Simon." Ann and Cliff Connelly, Guernsey, Channel Islands - 2009
"Thank you so much for a wonderful week. having previously stayed in french gites we were completely unprepared for the superb accommodation .The location is an excellent base to tour the countryside - some of our happiest days were spent d
riving to a town and walking through the woods and parks, discovering the real beauty of rural france. The wine tour and gourmet dinner evening were very much the highlight of out trip and we will always think fondly of your warm hospitality." Gena and David, West Parley Dorset UK – 2009
"What a perfect location for the ultimate in relaxation. Thank you Simon and Karin for allowing us a 'great escape' from the stress of life in the UK. What simon doesn't know about wines of this region isn't worth knowing! We particularly enjoyed the dinner, complimented by the perfect local wines – a wonderful birthday surprise, thank you. we will certainly be back next year." Di Lamb and Ewan Kinghorn, Marlmesbury, Wiltshire, UK – 2009
"Karin and Simon, we came for a relaxing week and achieved exactly that! Somewhere along the way we've learned a lot about wine and wine-making – a really good afternoon wine tour – thank you Simon (we'll never forget Chaintres!) and enjoyed a delightful wine tasting evening in your home – delicious dinner, wines, of course and such good company! We've explored a little and relaxed by the pool and in our very comfortable and so well appointed apartment. Do'nt really want to go home and are already planning our next trip. Thank you for all your help and advice." Helen and Norman, Herts, UK 2009
