La Cave

14,000 bottles of wine, 1,250 labels, 11 countries

AWARDS:

Best of Award of Excellence Wine Spectator 2007

Award of Excellence Wine Spectator 2006

Best Wine List of the Caribbean Gault & Millau 2007

Welcome to La Cave! Travel with us to our medieval wine cellar fantasy.

Thibaut ASSO:  Wine Director

Origin:    Nice, south of France
Favorite wine area:   USA (Napa, Sonoma)
Favorite white wine:   Karl Wente Nth Degree Chardonnay (Wente Vineyards, Livermore Valley)
Favorite red wine:   Silver Oak Alexander Valley 1997
Favorite Champagne:  Pol Roger Cuvee Winston Churchill 1996
About the wine:  more you drink - more you know 

Read Thibaut's Wine Newsletter

Christian Mirande:  Sommelier

Origin:    Martinique, French West Indies
Favorite wine area:  Burgundy
Favorite white wine:  Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches 1997
Favorite red wine:  Château Beychevelles 1982
Favorite Champagne:  Bolinger R.D 1990
About the wine :  Wine is like the universe, so many things unknown we need discovered.

View our entire wine list and waters served:

Full Wine List

Waters Served

Les Eaux/ Water List

The human body, which is made up of between 55 and 75 percent water (lean people have more water in their bodies because muscle holds more water than fat), is in need of constant water replenishment. Water is crucial to your health. It makes up, on average, 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. The water cleans the body and the lymph of all impurities, and it's very efficient specially when you live or stay in countries where climate is hot and humid like here in St Martin.  

Martine Sauveur
Elysee Spa Director / Nutritionist / Naturopath

Few words about the cellar from our friends:

If La Samanna had only the beauty of its location and a fine dining restaurant, it would be notable enough on the island of St. Martin.  But now, under wine director Thibaut Asso, it has also developed one of the most attractive and finest wine cellars in the Caribbean.  Impeccably controlled in temperature and humidity--crucial in the tropics--and rich in every category from Frenc Burgundies to California Cabernets--the cellar is also a romantic, candlelit sanctuary for those who wish to dine with a few close friends in a unique atmosphere.  
 
John Mariani
Food and Wine 
www.johnmariani.com

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Apres plusieurs dîners à la Samanna et à chaque visite je suis toujours impressionné par l'une des plus belles caves des Caraïbes ... avec une parfaite isolation, une excellente hydrométrie, un esthétique très réussi et une belle intégration des éléments Eurocave. C'est sans compter avec l'hospitalité et la gentillesse du chef sommelier.
Amicalement

Pascal Jolivet
Pascal Jolivet Winery
www.pascal-jolivet.com

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Arriving at La Samana gives you the feeling that you are close to paradise!
Once you discover this jewel on St Marteen there is no way you want to leave this beautiful place. Be ready for relaxing and delightful days. When it comes to dining experience heaven is right across the corner. Facing the beautiful bay the staff will professionally bring you a refine cuisine. To compliment the food you will need to pick up some wines. Going through the wine list is like flying over the greatest wine regions in the world.
Thibaut, a passionate wine director will nicely guide you through to pick up one one or several bottles which are sleeping in rest in the beautiful and well designed cellar. If you are a wine geek looking for gems ask Thibaut to escort you  in 'La Cave.' You will reach heaven. Sleeping and waiting to be enjoyed some rare and unique bottles. From Montrachet to Musigny, from Mouton Rothschild to Margaux. Thibaut is keeping this cellar alive by selecting  unique bottles as well as enjoyable and fun wines.
Bravo and keep up the good work La Samanna.

Laurent DROUHIN
Domaine Joseph Drouhin
www.drouhin.com

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Coming down the stairs into the La Samanna wine room feels like you are taking a step back in time into a European wine cellar.  The temperature drops, welcoming you in, and the walls are lined with the world’s best wines.  It’s a place that makes you want to linger for hours and that’s saying a lot given the fact that you are at one of the most beautiful resorts in the world.

Tim Duncan
Siver Oak Cellars
www.silveroak.com

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Close your eyes (which is difficult, while you are reading) and imagine this: You walk through the entrance door of a hotel. Immediately, your eyes are distracted and your sight is captured by a stunning view: The ocean in the most amazing colors, a white beach, beautiful sunshine; paradise can’t be far from this place. You move on and you are being guided down a stone-wall staircase. Its warm, sandstone color and the cool air from the cellar form a pleasant combination. You reach the bottom level and you enter a wine cellar. Not just any wine cellar. It is one of a kind – in every aspect. Dimmed lights, a perfect wine cellar climate, a large table to conduct tastings, everything’s perfectly tidy. As you browse around, you find all the greatest wines and champagnes from around the World. Only a few moments ago, looking at the sea and the beach, you thought, that heaven was close. You would not have expected heaven to be that close. ‘Petrus of this cellar’, the guard, spirit and keyholder of this paradise is Thibaut. One cannot imagine a more charming and profound guardian of Heaven on Earth.

L. Konstantin Guntrum
Louis Guntrum
www.guntrum.com

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I have such fond memories of the wine cellar at La Samanna. Their wine cellar is so carefully thought out, the presentation so beautiful, and the service so professional and discreet, one can’t help but be impressed. Thank you Thibaut for a wonderful experience! 
I can’t wait to return!

Emma Swain
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery
www.sebastiani.com

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I had the opportunity to spend few hours in the cellar of La Samanna and must admit that is was an unexpected surprise. I have not only been impressed by the large selection of wines, the professionalism of the sommelier and the perfect conditions to store wines. The most impressive was the atmosphere. Something is really going on in this room but it is very hard to describe.
My one and only suggestion would be: spend few days at La Samanna and find the key that opens this special place.

Anthony Moses
Baron Philippe de Rothschild
www.bpdr.com

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It is a great honor that La Samanna has placed our wines in his cellar. Over the past thirty five years our family has worked hard to produce quality Napa Valley wines that will match the beauty and dedication of La Samanna. I had the good fortune to have dinner with the Wine Director in Bordeaux this past year. Over that dinner I enjoyed his passion and enthusiasm for fine wine, great food and making new friends. It is with this spirit of friendship and enjoyment that everyone should appreciate the wines from La Samanna’s fine cellar.

Bruce Cakebread
Cakebread Cellars

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The Wine director, with his passion and love for fine wines, has created a rare wine oasis in the midst of this Caribbean paradise. Having personally known La Samanna resort from Mr. Frankel's time, I can attest to its great fame and elegant tradition, but now more than ever under the direction of wine director and his professional team, this resort has risen to a new level of excellence and splendor. A guest will have a most unique enogastronomical experience starting with a wine tasting on La Samanna's sunset terrace bar, to fine dining with a tropical flair, to finally topping off the evening in the most unique cellar that one can find anywhere this side of the Atlantic.  Closing one's eyes, one would think that they were transported to the great Chateaux of the prestigious estates of Europe. Besides its natural ambiance, the cellar contains an impressive collection representing most of the finest wine regions of the entire world. The wines are perfectly stored and always served the way that they deserve to be.

Luciano Castiello
Castello Banfi

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For one of life's best fine dining experiences, I highly recommend La Samanna on the island of St. Martin.  La Samanna is a truly perfect destination -- luxurious accommodations, entrancing beaches, great staff and its crown jewel is the opportunity for enjoying fine wine and well prepared meals.  One might expect the staff, the beaches and the location, but one dinner at the restaurant will change your idea of a great dining experience forever.  If you visit their wine cellar, you will fine one of the true treasures of the Caribbean.  I am the type of person who chooses wines first and then food to follow.  La Samanna's cellar is more than up to the task.  Entering their cellar is like entering a candy store for wine lovers.  Excellent selection, perfect storage conditions and an ambiance to make you forget you are on St. Martin - you are transported to wine heaven.  A job well done to all of La Samanna and to ther Wine Director for the wine cellar.

Eric Wente
Wente Vineyards

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Suite à mon passage dans le site idyllique de la Samama, j’ai trouvé l’endroit quasi parfait pour associer detente et plaisir. Pour ne parler que de ma passion en tant que viticulteur depuis plus de 7 générations à St Emilion au travers de quelques crus prestigieux tel que: Chateau Cheval Blanc 1er GCC (1832 à 1999)  puis aujourd’hui avec Chateau Trianon (10ha, 80% de merlot , 10% de Cabernet Franc, 5% de cabernet Sauvignon et unique à St Emilion 5% de carmeneres) GC, Chateau Bellefont Belcier GCC (14ha 70% de merlot, 20% deC.Franc, 10% de C.Sauvignon, promu Grand Cru Classé en 2006), Chateau de Francs (40ha en Cotes de Francs,70% merlot,20% C.Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, acheté en 1985 avec Hubert de Bouard (château Angelus)). Mais aussi a l’etranger avec : Massaya Winery au Liban (Créer en 1997 avec Daniel Brunier proprétaire du Vieux Chateau Télégraphe et la famille Ghosn) et depuis peu avec Constantia Glen en Afrique du Sud (30ha, 100% sauvignon blanc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, malbec, dans la region de Constantia la plus qualitative d’Afrique du Sud). La pluspart de ces vins se retrouvent dans la prestigieuse cave de La Samanna. Un lieu où, sous l’impulsion du directeur des vins, plaisir et passion sont les maitres mots. Une place magique et intemporelle pour les amoureux du vin.

Dominique Hebrard
Maison Hebrard

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The depth and breadth of La Samanna’s wine cellar is widely recognized as setting the standard for the Caribbean.  I am well aware of the team’s knowledge of wine and, equally important in today's culinary world, meticulous ability to pair wine with food.   A meal here is both impressive and memorable, and my experience has been consistently superlative.  La Samanna’s offerings and sophistication regarding wine and wine service are noteworthy, and performed with unobtrusive warmth and elegance.  World class wine, cuisine, service and a breathtaking island location.…one dreams of places like this.

Christopher Da Silva
St.  Francis Winery

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Venir à La Samanna fut un réel plaisir, quel lieu magique. En plus de son site exceptionnel, se trouve en son sous sol une cave à vin recelant des merveilles. Une sorte de caverne d’Ali Baba pour les amateurs de grands vins, tant par sa diversité que par sa qualité. Il s'agit sans aucun doute de l'une des plus intéressantes des caraibes.

Marc Perrin
Domaine Perrin & Fils

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Curiosity, professionalism this has been the thought of my husband Norbert and my to the visit at our Winery in Piedmont (Italy) of the Wine Director, wines director de La Samanna. Then during Vinitaly in Verona, the most important fair of  Italian wine, we have again been able to appreciate the dowries of a truth passionate expert. Let him to help you to choose wine, it will be a divine experience.

Raffaella Bologna
Braida di Bologna Giacomo Winery

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Quel magnifique restaurant et sa cave gorgée de très beaux vins des propriétés les plus prestigieuses. Moi même vigneron et producteur d'armagnac depuis huit générations je vous recommande cet endroit magique. Vous passerez un moment inoubliable et surtout vous aurez l'occasion de découvrir des vins d'une grande finesse. Laissez vous tenter et conseiller par le Directeur des Vins, mon ami qui saura satisfaire vos attentes.

Cyril Laudet
Château Laballe, Bas Armagnac

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La Samana is undoubtedly a place of passion…, passion for beauty, for life style, food and of course wine. One cannot spend an hour or a month at La Samanna without getting a taste of the “sublime” and the flavours that this stunning estate provides. And if you feel a bit adventurous; you might want to follow the wine director for a tour in the wonderful wine cellar which hides some of the most intriguing and unique wines of this world!
Enjoy your “Samanna experience” and make the most of it…

Samuel & Muffi Guibert
Mas de Daumas Gassac Estate

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Mr. the wine Director
We at Flora Springs Winery appreciate all the support you and the luxurious resort La Samanna have give our winery, you are a true gentleman!
All the best,

John A. Komes
Flora Springs Winery

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It´s hard to find a Spanish Wine List throughout the world with just a few references but with all the essential wines for the most exclusive wine lovers. Surf among the Vega Sicilia Icon wine, the best sellers Marqués de Cáceres and Protos to our most international brand Torres. Anything you need is here, in the middle of the Caribbean paradise, the star is the wine cellar at La Samanna.

Carlos Villar
Bodegas Protos

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Magic ambiance was my feeling when I entered the Samanna after a long travelling day (3 planes). Lovely services, nice food, relax atmosphere and the Wine Director's charm!! It was such a real pleasure to talk about wines with this enthousiast person. Great wine list and something I loved... the wine maps of the different wine regions on the list, I bet many clients think the same, it is very instructive. After dinner, we went down to the cellars to continue enjoying wine. Just one anecdote, when we switch off the light discovered how romantic cellars can be at the candle light!! Thanks for those moments Mr the Wine Director.

Purificación Mancebo 
Bodegas Vega Sicilia

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Ho avuto modo di visionare la Carta dei Vini de La Samanna, nello specifico la parte riguardante l'Italia. Mi rallegro con il direttore dei vini per la selezione straordinaria di grandi vino rossi e bianchi. Spero di ricambiare presto la visita che mi ha fatto lo scorso anno qui al Greppo.

 
Franco Biondi Santi
Tenuta Greppo (Biondi Santi)

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L’extraordinaire savoir-faire de l’équipe de l’hôtel s’exprime sur tous les aspects des grands établissements qui comptent à travers le monde : l’accueil, le décor, les plats et bien entendu les vins.
Chez Champagne Bollinger nous pensons que nos vins ont été faits pour être accueillis et servis dans un tel lieu. Merci à La Samanna de reconnaître ainsi un travail et un savoir-faire que nous menons depuis des années avec une vérité partagée. « Impress your meal »!

Ghislain de Montgolfier,
Champagne Bollinger

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Quel plaisir que de séjourner à La Samanna « havre de paix ».. luxe, charme et discretion sont au rendez vous. La Samanna est l’endroit ideal pour imaginer ce que peut être le Paradis, nous déconnectons de la réalité. La Samanna possède la plus belle plage des Caraibes, un coucher de soleil inoubliable, mais également, raffinement extrême, être guidé et descendre un escalier de pierres et de découvrir dans les caraibes cette magnifique cave « fraiche et humide » ou sont soigneusement alignés les plus grands vins et champagne sélectionnés avec beaucoup de recherche par le directeur des vins. Cet endroit respire la passion qu’il a pour son métier, son souhait de ravir et de surprendre les plus fins connaisseurs. Assisté de tout son équipe, le directeur des vins est discret mais toujours présent pour satisfaire vos désirs lors d’un diner privé servi au milieu de tous ces trésors « expérience surprenante ».

Nadia & Rene-Luc Chabasse
Cognac Chabasse & Bowen

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J’ai connu La Samanna dans un moment difficile après le cyclone Louis. Depuis quelques années c’est devenu le paradis. Pour passer une soirée merveilleuse rien de tel que un diner en cave en degustant des vins d’anthologies. Quel bonheur. Cela a été un grand moment que je n’oublierai pas.

Jean Durup
Château de Maligny

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Qui pourrait imaginer en poussant la porte de la Cave de La Samanna se retrouver dans l’ambiance intemporelle d’une cave de vieux Château : voûtes et vieilles pierres, lumière tamisée et l’odeur si particulière des caisses en bois. Les plus prestigieux vins du monde s’y côtoient, on y boit de très grands crus mais aussi les paroles du directeur des vins intarissable sur le vin tant il est passionné par son métier.
Les heures passent sans que l’on se rende compte… un grand moment de plaisir !

Benjamin & Magali Laurent
Wine Consultant, La Cave de Marigot