Meet your host at Villa St Simon

My name is Les Kellen. I fell in love with the town of Blaye and all of Bordeaux in 1999. I found and restored Villa St Simon with the vision to create a home-from-home in Bordeaux for friends and guests from all over the world.
Today the distinction between guest and friend is blurred – much of our wine cellar is stocked with the wines of guests who have become friends and who nowadays return regularly to enjoy their wine and their home-from-home in Bordeaux.
A long time ago teaching was my passion and my business – the teaching goes on – through Blaye Wine Academy we offer advanced courses for wine aficionados. But to be honest my greater pleasure is in simply guiding people on how to better enjoy Bordeaux wines. Join me on coached wine tastings or on the more useful Debunking de Wine.

With over 8000 chateaux in Bordeaux, between the famous five and the mediocre many there are good-value jewels. Finding the jewels is happily my never-ending mission. As a licensed wine negociant I source and make available to friends and guests the best value for money wines and wine futures that I can find in Bordeaux.

Whether you are passing through or (far more sensibly) taking a few days break in Bordeaux, come share my passion for all things Bordeaux. Stay at Villa St Simon B&B or one of our self-catering apartments.

I look forward to welcoming you to the fun side of Bordeaux.
Les Kellen