Greetings from the Médoc, where I just got back after a couple days roadtripping down from our house to Biarritz. We started off with one night in St Jean de Luz (about 2 hours from Bordeaux) where we met up with dear friends Bruce and Joey for a day of exploring Guéthary, the most charming seaside town just outside of Biarritz, and an evening in St Jean de Luz where we were spending the night. Thanks to Bruce’s stellar planning, we had a killer meal at Petite Grill Basque with incredible Basque fare and some delicious rosé for just around 30 euros a bottle (as it should be…) before catching a glimpse of the eclipse. The next day we spent in Biarritz, shopping for Basque fabrics and jelly sandals, spending the night at the fab Regina Experimental. Extending our trip by one night after concluding that one short day in Biarritz was simply not enough, we spent the next day heading gradually north towards our town, St. Yzans. Of course the road trip would not have been complete without a drive through the Pays Basque and a perfectly decadent meal for which we headed to Auberge D’Achtal in Arcangues, about an hour outside of Biarritz. This meal was killer to say the least…a perfect (and massive) omelette chock full of cepes, a delicious warm duck terrine with cornichon made with all of the offcuts from the confit and magret, and of course, a duck confit with fries (heaven). Not exactly a summer meal but noteworthy nevertheless. We rushed to our last stop, a charming chateau-hotel just south of Bordeaux where I recorded an episode of my soon-to-come podcast (the Hotline), had a delicious dinner of a giant côte de porc cooked over an open fire of sarments (dried grape vines) and spent the night. It was a great few days spent in the Pays Basque which I seem to fall in love with more and more with each visit and get totally immersed in, hence why this newsletter was a couple days late! My apologies… This will also be the last Wm Brown Weekly of the summer, as myself and the team will be taking a few weeks off, à la francaise, to enjoy the last bits of summer.
We’re on the OOO stretch of late summer, which makes now the perfect time to drop my latest collaboration with Hemingsworth, the Medoc polo. Named for our place in France (where I’m presently enjoying summer’s swan song, G&T in hand), it’s our interpretation of the classic toweling polo made in a beautiful navy-white stripe.
It has a deep, Riviera v-neck and a large, pointed collar that can stay slightly raised at the back for an extra shot of louche cool. Fit-wise, we took inspiration from the best of 1970s and ‘80s tennis polos with a shorter arm and a body that’s neither too trim or too boxy.
It might be late in the game, but this is precisely what you want to wear lazing on the beach, the backyard or by the pool… go get ‘em while they last!
Speaking of, we’ll be going quiet for the rest of the month as Yolanda and I take our own vacation and begin prep for the next fall issue. But before signing off, we combed the considerable archives of the Wm Brown Weekly (which spans nearly five years!) for a few evergreen posts that can enliven your end of summer. Such as…
Sartorial lessons on beating the heat from 10-well dressed guys.
10 Summer Cocktail Alternatives from some of our favorite bartenders.
As well as three Upgraded Summer Cocktails, plus a few killer snacks!
My Summer Grill Kit, plus my Favorite Outdoor Cooking Methods.
And, of course, the ultimate in summer eating… the Wm Brown Cheeseburger!
Finally, in case you missed them, my recent Summer Swimwear Kit List and my Summer 2026 Kit List.
That’s it for now—see you in September!
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