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Discover the best Bordeaux wine tours with authentic local guides.

We are a local company who specialise in providing authentic wine tasting tours, chateaux visits, and gourmet tours for foodies as well as historical and cultural tours. Choose a wine tour of Bordeaux city, Medoc, Saint-Emilion or Arcachon bay and tour in a small group, by e-bike or privately.

Your favorite Bordeaux tours

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Full day Classified Growth Medoc and Saint Emilion

This Bordeaux wine tour invites you to enjoy a full day discovering two prestigious wine regions of Bordeaux: Medoc and St Emilion! Join your friendly, expert local guide and uncover the authentic Bordeaux! Visit 3 chateaux, taste wine and tour the UNESCO World Heritage village of Saint Emilion.

Full day e-bike guided tour, Saint-Emilion vineyards (with lunch)

Take a wine tour through the vineyards of Saint-Emilion on an electric bicycle! Guided by your friendly, local tour lead, you will enjoy a leisurely ride through the vineyards and the famous chateaux of St.Emilion. The e-bike tour includes visits to 2 chateaux: a family-run estate & a Great Classified Growth estate.

Saint Emilion Great Classified Growth Afternoon

Take a wine tour from Bordeaux to discover the prestigious wines of the right bank and Saint-Emilion! You will explore the village of Saint-Emilion and a beautiful right bank chateau: a prestigious Great Classified Growth (Grand Cru Classé) chateau.

Tasting class - French wines

Become a wine expert in 2 hours with a wine tasting class in Bordeaux. Join a relaxed wine tasting class and learn about Bordeaux wines, and French wines in general.

Choose your tour type

By minivan or by e-bike, explore the best of the Bordeaux wine region with our friendly and professional local tour guides.

Private Tours

Enjoy a private tour discovering the prestigious chateaux of Médoc or St Emilion region.

Team building

All inclusive trips, corporate retreats, team building, garden party in the vineyards, dinner at the château, rally by bike or old french cars...

Our customers are talking about us

If you are in Bordeaux looking for a fun way to experience the wine history (and drink wine), then this e-bike tour is highly recommended. The guide was fun and amazing with her knowledge of the area and answering our group's many questions. The bike tour, lunch, wine, and history (and a fun group!) combined into an unforgettable day.

Trip Advisor

Wonderful tour. Our Guide was knowledgeable and friendly (and fellow participants were great as well). Visited two chateau wineries as well as a tour of the delightful St. Emilion. Beautiful scenery, fantastic guide, great winery reps. Would highly recommend.

We did the half-day tasting of St Emilion wines. Our guide was excellent, very informative and easy to listen to. The vineyards we visited were very good, although perhaps the lady at the first château should have taken us on a quicker tour. All in all, a very enjoyable outing. Thank you

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What brings us together? our passion for travelling, leaving and finally coming back to settle down in our elegant France. We have the love of others, the love of sharing and a thirst for new encounters. In short, we already love you guys!

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The Best Wine Tasting & Tours In Bordeaux

Browse through the best selection of bordeaux wine tours.

A terroir story | Château Balestard La Tonnelle

Wine Tasting and Tour at Château Balestard La Tonnelle in Saint Emilion, Bordeaux

The "Origins" tour | Château Balestard La Tonnelle

Tasting Distinct Wines at Château Balestard La Tonnelle in Saint Emilion, Bordeaux

Wine Tasting at Chateau Dauphiné Rondillon

Discover The Universe of The Great Wines of Loupiac And Cadillac

Wine tasting and tour at Château Loudenne

Visit the famous Pink Palace to step back in history and enjoy a walk at the vineyards or a picnic at Château Loudenne

Wine tasting and tour at Chateau La Rose Monturon

Join the winemaker for a walk at the vineyards and a wine tasting at Chateau La Rose Monturon

Wine Tasting and Tour at Château Bellerive in Valeyrac - 33340 France

Discover Médoc's subtle wine balance and exceptional terroir in a family vineyard in the beautiful Bordeaux Wine Region

Wine Tasting and Lunch at Chateau La Rose Monturon

Vineyard tour, cellar and barrel cellar complemented with an exclusive tasting of local wines and Bordeaux cuisine

Wine Tasting at La Closerie de Fronsac

Taste Amazing Wines of La Closerie de Fronsac, Bordeaux

Visite - dégustation at Château Sainte Barbe

Dive into the heart of Sainte Barbe!

Unique Old Vintages Wine Tasting at Chateau Siaurac

Bordeaux wine journey: explore terroirs, history, and iconic vintages from 1970 to 2016 in a unique wine-tasting experience.

Treasure Hunt | Château Sainte Barbe

Visiting and experiencing the Château Haut-Goujon : half a bottle offered per visit !!!

Enjoy the best of French hospitality, art exhibition and wines at the Château Haut-Goujon

Bordeaux Wine Tours Offered by Local Guides

Discover Bordeaux's wine scene together with knowledgeable local wine tour guides.

Half-Day Guided Wine Tasting Tour in Bordeaux Vineyards

Bordeaux Full Day Tour : Wine Tastings & Lunch

Enjoy this amazing guided wine tour in Bordeaux

Private Tour with Tastings in the Bordeaux Vineyards

We will organize a dream day for you to discover the most famous and prestigious vineyards in...

Bordeaux VS Rioja Wine Tour

Wine Tours ... The best small family, independent and sustainable vineyards with Man vs Wine!

Discover the wines of Bordeaux - History & Wine Walking Tour

An Exotic Tour

St Emilion Medieval Town and Vineyard Tour

A private tour in Bordeaux

Private luxury wine tour in a 1973 presidential Citroën

A road trip across the spectacular Bordeaux vineyards, aboard an exceptional French classic car:...

Luxury private tour of Bordeaux and vineyards in a 1973 Citroën DS Limousine Convertible

Enjoy in the same tour the two highlights of Bordeaux : the elegant heritage of the city centre...

Wine Tasting: Red Wines & Cold Meats

Delve into Bordeaux's vineyard heritage with a professional guide, discovering appellations, terroirs, and grape varieties

Visit the magic Saint-Emilion

Private Winetour in a Vintage Car

Vintage vineyard tour: ride in a Citroen 2cv through Bordeaux's vineyards, visit a castle vineyard, enjoy a winery tour, and picnic

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Accommodations in Bordeaux

Art & Wine Tours in Bordeaux

Cheese & Wine Tastings in Bordeaux

Chocolate & Wine Tastings in Bordeaux

Food & Wine Tours in Bordeaux

Harvest & Wine in Bordeaux

Hike & Wine in Bordeaux

Outdoor Wine Activities in Bordeaux

Picnic & Wine Tours in Bordeaux

Winery Restaurants in Bordeaux

Best cities to visit in bordeaux, france.

Bordeaux Wine Map

How to reach wine tasting experiences in bordeaux.

Wine tasting tours in Bordeaux are easily accessible by different means of transportation.

Looking for a more specific destination?

Design your perfect wine holiday in bordeaux, personalize your wine experiences with our team of experts..

Step into the world-renowned vineyards of Bordeaux with our private wine tours, tailored just for you. Each itinerary is carefully crafted to cater to your wine preferences and interests, providing a deeply personal exploration of Bordeaux's prestigious wine estates. From exclusive tastings in historic cellars to intimate meetings with top winemakers, your private tour is designed to immerse you in the best of Bordeaux's wine culture. Discover the art of winemaking and savor the exceptional flavors of Bordeaux on a journey crafted uniquely for you. To begin planning your Bordeaux private wine tour, please fill out the form below.

La migliore stagione per visitare Bordeaux?

La stagione per visitare i vigneti di Bordeaux è in realtà molto lunga, va da maggio alla fine di settembre. A maggio, le viti iniziano a crescere, mentre settembre è il periodo della vendemmia. Potrebbe essere molto interessante visitare la regione durante la stagione della vendemmia, ma alcune cantine non permettono l'accesso ai visitatori in quel periodo. Consulta la nostra lista di tour della vendemmia a Bordeaux per scoprire dove puoi partecipare alla vendemmia.

Cosa fare a Bordeaux?

La regione vinicola di Bordeaux offre una vasta gamma di esperienze per i visitatori. Ecco alcuni suggerimenti rapidi per un viaggio indimenticabile:

• Bordeaux: La vibrante e storica capitale.
• Saint-Emilion: La capitale del vino con una ricca storia medievale.
• Arcachon: Una città costiera unica con quartieri distinti.

Esplora di più nella nostra Guida di viaggio alla regione vinicola di Bordeaux .

Cosa degustare a Bordeaux?

Prima di intraprendere la tua esperienza di degustazione dei vini di Bordeaux, ecco alcune note di degustazione essenziali:

• Miscugli di Bordeaux rossi: Questi vini sono tipicamente corposi, con tannini elevati e acidità media. Aspettati aromi di frutta rossa e scura come ciliegie o ribes neri, completati da note di cioccolato fondente e erbe. Alcuni miscugli possono offrire anche accenni di grafite e minerali.
• Miscugli di Bordeaux bianchi: Questi vini sono secchi e vanno da medi a leggeri. A differenza dei loro omologhi rossi, i miscugli bianchi non hanno tannini e presentano un'acidità media o elevata. Cerca aromi distintivi di limone, citronella, pompelmo e agrumi.
• Vini dolci di Bordeaux: Questi deliziosi vini sono noti per la loro dolcezza e complessità. Puoi aspettarti sapori ricchi di miele, albicocca, pesca e frutta tropicale, spesso accompagnati da accenni di caramello e spezie. I vini dolci di Bordeaux offrono un perfetto equilibrio tra dolcezza e acidità, rendendoli una vera delizia per il tuo palato durante il tuo viaggio di degustazione dei vini di Bordeaux.

What travellers says about Bordeaux Wine Tours

Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequently asked questions by our visitors, quali sono le migliori esperienze enogastronomiche a bordeaux.

• Degustazione privata di vini e visita alla cantina presso il Château de Pressac
• Châteaux La Croizille & Tour Baladoz, St Emilion Grands Crus Classés: Visita e Degustazione
• Degustazione di vini con vista su Saint Emilion | Château Balestard La Tonnelle

Quali sono i luoghi che offrono i migliori tour enogastronomici a Bordeaux per gruppi?

• Chateau Kirwan
• Chateau Dauphiné-Rondillon
• Château Haut-Goujon

Cosa si fa di solito durante la visita ai Chateaux di Bordeaux?

Suggerimenti linguistici per visitare bordeaux, qual è il famoso villaggio vinicolo vicino a bordeaux, quale uva di bordeaux è considerata una delle migliori, are you interested in reading more about bordeaux.

If you are looking for organized tours, check out our list of guided wine tours .

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An authentic taste of the French lifestyle!

Bordeaux bespoke wine tours exploring vineyards by electrical bike or minivan in small groups or customized to make your trip truly memorable.

Bordeaux wine tours with locals

Our Top Experiences

Small Group Tour

Médoc Wine Lovers (afternoon)

Cabernet lovers, this tour is for you! On this Médoc wine tour trip you will be able to admire the classical architecture of a Grand Cru Classé chateau near Margaux, and learn all about the infamous 1855 classification. Enjoy a wine tasting paired with cheese to finish the afternoon in true French style.

From 95 € per person

Saint-Emilion Wine Lovers (afternoon)

Venture through the stunning landscape of Saint-Emilion, enjoying its flavorful wines and discover the secrets of its medieval village. Absorb the history, culture and have loads of fun with your local expert guide, as you are given an intimate and enriching tour of one of the world's most prestigous wine regions.

From 100 € per person

Graves & Saint Emilion Full Day tour: Bordeaux Essentials

This is our Bordeaux 'Great Escape' tour, the ultimate French lifestyle experience all in one day. Explore up to 3 different vineyards sampling various styles of wines and enjoying a relaxing French-style picnic by the vines. Unique to Bordeaux!

From 175 € per person

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Our private tours.

Private Tour

Bordeaux Private Walking Tour

Curious about Bordeaux landmarks? Consider yourself a culture lover? Have a thirst for a Bordeaux wine tasting? Try our private Bordeaux walking tour, perusing the streets from monument to monument, eating, drinking and learning all about Bordeaux's history!

From 65 € per person* *Price per person for a group of 8 people

Private Full Day tour Saint-Emilion & Pomerol

Need some inspiration? Check out some of our Saint-Emilion private wine tour itinerary idea! This full day tour will give you the opportunity to visit 2 wineries and discover the certified UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saint-Emilion. If you like Merlot style wine and authentic villages, this tour is for you!

From 180 € per person* *Price per person for a group of 8 people

A day trip in Cognac

For all Cognac lovers, Bordeaux Wine Trails invites you on a day trip to the historical vineyards of this famous French city.

From 179 € per person* *Price per person for a group of 8 people

What makes BORDEAUX WINE TRAILS

Get ready to enjoy the

French lifestyle.

A unique wine tour in Bordeaux, France.

Bordeaux Wine Trails invites you to discover the Bordeaux wine region, one of the best in the world. We have a history of winemaking and culture that we’re extremely proud of and want to share it with you !

Our goal is to give you an authentic taste of French food, wine, landscape, history and cultural heritage on every one of our Bordeaux wine tasting tours. Our local expert guides love what they do, entertaining and ensuring all our guests get the best from their time with us.

Latest Updates

Paris 2024 Olympics: Your Ultimate Guide for the Summer Games

The Paris 2024 Olympics are right around the corner, scheduled from July 26th to August 11th. With athletes coming from all over the globe and about 10 million visitors, Paris is getting ready to welcome a massive crowd of spectators and tourists alike! But if you're hoping to avoid the crowds of the busy city, we've got just the alternative for you. Just a 2-hours train ride away from Paris is Bordeaux, a charming city known for its world-famous wines. As Bordeaux experts, we're here to help you plan the perfect Olympic getaway.

What are the best wine regions to visit in France?

Unlock the essence of French wine: Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Loire, Champagne, Alsace, Rhône & Beaujolais - explore the Top 7 wine regions!

A romantic chateau lunch: the ultimate Médoc escapade.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, have you considered gifting a romantic wine and gastronomy experience at a chateau? The perfect gift for wine lovers!

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Bordeaux wine tours and châteaux visits

Best wine tours in Bordeaux

Discover 2 beautiful châteaux in the Medoc region of Bordeaux: a Great Classified Growth estate and a charming family-run estate, steeped in history. This afternoon tour offers great value f... See More

Our best-selling Bordeaux tour! Ride your e-bike through the vineyards of St.Emilion on your way to visit 2 chateaux: a family-run estate & a Grand Cru Classe estate. Enjoy guided tours and ... See More

Climb the highest sand dune in Europe, taste oysters and visit 2 châteaux in the Medoc, a family-run estate and a Classified Growth estate. Drive along the mythical “Route des Chateaux” and ... See More

Combine two famous Bordeaux wine regions in a day! Visit 2 chateaux in Medoc for tours and tastings in the morning. Then after lunch in a chateau, explore Saint Emilion, visiting a wonderful... See More

Join this private full-day tour in Bordeaux to visit the birthplace of Bordeaux wines and the world famous sweet wines of Sauternes, accompanied by an expert wine guide.  You will be picked... See More

Visit three châteaux and the fascinating medieval village of Saint-Émilion, accompanied by an expert wine guide. Taste the wines of a Grand Cru Classé château and enjoy lunch at a château. ... See More

Why Visit Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is a mecca for wine lovers and it's no surprise given the number of wineries, vineyards and châteaux there are to visit. If you're looking for a wine tour, then quite simply, Bordeaux is one of the most iconic wine regions in the world to visit! Wine-tasting tours and châteaux visits in Bordeaux are an absolute must for any wine lover or food fanatic. The Bordeaux way of life is a daily celebration of wine, heritage and culture thanks to the region's philosophy of “l’art de vivre”, which places great gastronomy, beautiful places, and bonhomie at the heart of everyday living - very similar to our ethos at Winerist! To really uncover the essence of Bordeaux you need to experience a  châteaux visit  and taste the wine, guided by locals and Bordeaux winemakers themselves! Bordeaux is one of our top wine regions and one that at Winerist we have visited many times so you can be assured that we offer the very best tours that the region has to offer. Find your ideal wine tour of Bordeaux here . WINE TASTING TOURS IN BORDEAUX At Winerist we have the best selection of private and group tours of the Bordeaux wine region. Leaving from Bordeaux city centre or from your hotel, we offer a wide selection of wine tours and vineyard visits that will introduce you to the unique sub-regions of Bordeaux including Medoc, Saint.Emilion, Pauillac and many more. We believe the best wine tours are guided by the people that live and work there, that's why we carefully select our tours based on the local knowledge and unique perspectives of the local guides. And, we use our unique relationships with chateaux and winery owners in the region to bring you access to experiences not available elsewhere when you book private and tailor-made Bordeaux experiences with us.

Bordeaux wine travel is made easy with only short journey times from Bordeaux city to it's world-famous winemaking regions. Whether you go mad for Margaux or prefer a Sauternes, this is an incredible place to explore wine country. It helps, of course, that each Bordeaux appellation is dotted with beautiful châteaux to visit, tiny historic towns, and mile upon mile of undulating vineyards to tour.

The appellations here are described as Left Bank or Right Bank, depending on which side of the river they inhabit. From the legendary region of Medoc in the north, to the sweet wine producing Sauternes in the south; and the renowned estates of Saint Emilion and Pomerol in the east, some of the most sought-after wines in the world are produced here. How could this region not make for the best wine tasting tour ? FOOD TASTING EXPERIENCES IN BORDEAUX Whilst enjoying the region's wines we also recommend taking a food tasting tour to explore Bordeaux's incredible cuisine. Bordeaux is a gastronomic paradise, with fantastic restaurants representing every cuisine imaginable. Many of the best Bordeaux restaurants are, of course, focused on the rich culinary heritage of both France and Bordeaux, with fresh, seasonal local produce taking centre stage. If you're a fan of oysters, don't leave without visiting the Cap Ferret Peninsula, which is dotted with simple oyster farming villages where on a Winerist Arachon Bay tour you can taste the freshest oysters imaginable. Bordeaux is one of the best destinations for taking a mouth-watering gourmet food tour. MORE REASONS TO VISIT BORDEAUX Not only is Bordeaux a Mecca for wine and food lovers; the city is alive with fascinating history and a vibrant cultural scene. Formerly an important centre for shipping and trade, Bordeaux is now a cosmopolitan destination where history sits shoulder-to-shoulder with modernity. Get lost in the ancient streets of Saint Emilion; stroll through trendy Saint-Pierre and visit the cutting-edge wine museum Cite du Vin; stop for lunch in gastronomic Saint-Michel and end your day with a glass of the region's finest in one of the many wine bars of Chartrons. Winerist’s vast array of private wine and city tours and  small group tours will help you explore this amazing city.

WINERIST INSIDER TIP Our favourite way of exploring the vineyards of Bordeaux is by bicycle. It's fun, eco-friendly & can be enjoyed at your own pace. Choose an e-bike wine tasting tour from Bordeaux  for minimal effort!  

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30 Best Bordeaux Wineries & Famous Vineyards 2024

Discover The Best Bordeaux Wineries in 2024, Tours & Wine Tasting Experiences

The Bordeaux wine region is perhaps the most legendary wine-producing area in all of Europe. It’s best known for its medium to full-bodied red wines, luscious botrytis-affected dessert wines , gorgeous scenery, and famous chateaux. But Bordeaux is a vast destination to travel to. With over 38 sub-regions and a vibrant cultural scene in the city of Bordeaux itself, a wine lover could easily spend a month or more and not be done exploring.

At its most basic level, the region of Bordeaux is cut in half by the Garonne River, and wineries on either side are permitted to produce red wine blends consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon , Cabernet Franc , Merlot , Malbec , Carmenere , and Petit Verdot .

On the white wine front, both dry and sweet wines are produced with Sauvignon Blanc , Sauvignon Gris , Semillon and Muscadelle . Colombard and Ugni Blanc can also be found in small quantities at various boutique wineries.

In this travel guide, we’re going to list 30 of our favorite Bordeaux wineries throughout the entirety of the region that are worth visiting. We realize that each Winetraveler has a preference when it comes to wine styles and winery experiences, so we’ll do our best to split this list of wineries into a variety of categories.

In This Guide: Best Bordeaux Wineries, Wine Tours & Tasting Experiences

• Travel Logistics: Getting to and Around Bordeaux

Where To Stay in Bordeaux’s City Center

Tours & things to do in the city of bordeaux, the best private bordeaux wine tour, best bordeaux wineries to visit.

• Bordeaux Winery/Hotel Combinations
• Famous Bordeaux Vineyards

Bordeaux Wineries with Beautiful Grounds and Scenery

• Boutique/Family Bordeaux Wineries & Intimate Tours and Tastings
• Frequently Asked Questions about Bordeaux Wineries
• Pin This Article for Later on Pinterest

Fun Bordeaux Fact

The wine association within Bordeaux is currently experimenting with growing grape varieties foreign to the region, such as Tempranillo , Garnacha and Touriga Nacional , among others, in an effort to prepare for climate change in the future.

RELATED: 10 Sweet Wine Growing Appellations To Know About in Bordeaux

Travel Logistics Getting To and Around Bordeaux

As we’ve mentioned, Bordeaux is a big place, so travel logistics are important. The region resides in the southwestern portion of France, north of Spain’s Basque region. While the city itself has its own fairly large airport, it’s often difficult to find direct flights if you’re coming from the United States.

If you’re already in Europe, direct flights can be found from most major European cities. Otherwise, if you’re coming from the US, consider flying into Paris or Madrid and connecting to Bordeaux. You can search for current flight deals and get notified as they arise right here.

Once you’re in the city, we highly recommend spending at least a couple of nights exploring its cobblestone streets, Place de la Bourse, delicious restaurants, wine bars and of course, La Cité du Vin (a new and impressive “wine city” and museum, skip the line with this ticket ).

Stay at the opulent 5-star Intercontinental Bordeaux for luxury digs, a rooftop bar, and a perfect location near the opera house. Or, stay at Hôtel des Quinconces for an equally luxurious experience in the city center but with a more boutique vibe.

Before we dive into the wineries, there are a few more must-do activities while visiting Bordeaux.

Stop at exceptional wine bars like Le Bar à Vin, Tchin Tchin Wine Bar, Julo and Voilà ! Bar à vins du monde .

Experience Bordeaux like never before on this 2-hour electric scooter tour ! With an easy-to-ride and eco-friendly electric scooter, you can cover double the distance in half the time, while exploring the picturesque Garonne riverside and iconic landmarks like Bordeaux Cathedral and Pont de Pierre. Get insider tips from your local guide and capture unforgettable moments at Place des Quinconces and more. Choose from a morning or afternoon tour departure and make the most out of your Bordeaux adventure.

Indulge in the culinary delights of Bordeaux with a 3-hour gourmet food walking tour . Led by a knowledgeable foodie guide, you’ll visit three beloved local shops to sample the staples of French cuisine, including canelés (a Bordeaux pastry), cheese, and charcuterie, accompanied by a glass of wine. Learn about the wine industry and its fascinating history in Bordeaux, and at the end of the tour, head back to a central apartment to enjoy all the delicious specialties you’ve gathered, paired with another glass of wine.

Discover a unique and exciting way to explore Bordeaux with a private motorcycle tour . Hop on the sidecar and take in the breathtaking views while your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating anecdotes about the top landmarks and hidden gems along the way, from Place de la Bourse to Palais Gallien. With hotel pickup included, enjoy a stress-free and personalized experience tailored to your interests. Avoid the hassle of navigating and discover Bordeaux from a perspective rare to visitors.

Alternatively, you can customize a personal and private guided walking tour around the city to all of its major sights and landmarks with our local friend Sophia.

RECOMMENDED: Book These Highly-Rated Bordeaux Wine Tours

Once you’ve spent a few romantic days wandering the city streets and indulging in epic cuisine at restaurants like Restaurant Son’  and Le Petit Atelier des Faures,  rent a car and prepare to explore the countryside. National, Europecar and Hertz all have downtown Bordeaux rental offices. So check rates well ahead of time here and lock up a rental for the duration of your trip.

If you’d prefer not to drive and would like to explore Bordeaux’s wine country in a private, guided fashion, we highly recommend scheduling a day trip with Atlas Bordeaux . You’ll visit some of the most noteworthy wine regions like Medoc, Saint-Emilion, Graves, Sauternes, or Pessac-Leognan. Group tours to regions like Saint-Emilion are also available. One other fun way to explore the countryside is by bike .

Did You Know?

Bordeaux, acclaimed for its viticultural prestige, also shines as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable urban harmony and architectural unity. The city’s enlisting under this prestigious designation is credited to its expansive quays along the Garonne River, the imposing Place de la Bourse, and the grandeur of the Port of the Moon—an elegant urban and architectural ensemble that dates back to the Enlightenment period. For wine enthusiasts venturing into this region, there’s an intriguing slice of lesser-known history; the city’s wine trade expansion in the 18th century directly influenced its urban plan and development. Exploring Bordeaux reveals hidden gems like the historic wine merchants’ district, Chartrons, where cobbled streets whisper tales of wine barrels rolled out for international shipment. Bordeaux’s contribution to the world of oenology is also reflected in its innovative La Cité d u Vin , a cultural facility that offers a multisensory journey through the world of wine across various cultures and civilizations. This contemporary museum, shaped like a swirling glass of wine, not only symbolizes the city’s rich wine heritage but also offers an avant-garde edge to the classic wine country tour.

As we just mentioned, some Winetravelers may prefer to visit the Bordeaux wine region in a guided fashion. If that’s what you’re looking to do, we highly recommend scheduling a full-day private trip with Atlas Bordeaux . Below, you’ll get a taste of what some of your travel options are in the region, so you’ll be better prepared to craft the perfect trip. Atlas will help you do that and more.

Decide on the region (or multiple regions) you’d like to visit most. Typically, most of our readers are interested in visiting Medoc, Margaux, Saint-Emilion, Graves, Sauternes, or Pessac-Leognan. You can even request some of the wineries we mention in this list that you’d like to visit. They will then design a custom, all-inclusive itinerary for you. Typically, your full-day experience is complete with transportation, lunch, and private wine tastings. You can opt for family-operated establishments, or arrange for a Michelin-star restaurant on your itinerary. It’s completely up to you.

Where to start? We recommend you take a few moments to think about the kind of experience you want to get out of your visit to Bordeaux. Are you looking to visit some of the most famous chateaus? Do you prefer more boutique wineries? Are you looking to travel at a leisurely pace and get lost in the region? Are you looking for wineries with views or lodging? Luckily, we’ve covered a bit of everything in this list. The first wineries we mention here include accommodation if you’re looking to stay on a vineyard. 

Winery/Hotel Combinations

Château pape clément.

Location: Pessac Leognan

Why Guests Like It: Luxury, Castle/Chateau Experience, History, Great Service, Beautiful Grounds, Restaurant, Elegant

A visit to Chateau Pape Clement is worthwhile simply for the wine alone, however, it’s also one of the most memorable hotel experiences you’ll likely have in France. During one of our recent 2-night stays, we had the opportunity to dine in the incredibly well-maintained gardens, with over 60 acres of vines planted in the distance. The rooms feel historic and ornate, exhibiting a vibe of elegance we have yet to experience at any other winery hotel in France.

Without going into too much detail (we’ll let the staff at the chateau do that for you), wine production dates back to the 1200s. The property was also once owned by a pope, hence its name. If you’re looking to stay on a vineyard at one famous winery in Bordeaux, this is your opportunity. Book a stay for your preferred dates right here.

La Maison d’Estournel

Location: Saint-Estèphe

Why Guests Like It: Location, Great For Couples, Exceptional Food (Custom Even), Great Service, Fabulous Grounds, Luxurious Rooms

For a truly “French” experience, consider staying and dining at the sumptuous La Maison d’Estournel . Here, the staff go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. One day for lunch, they were kind enough to set our table up outside in the gardens on request. With a sommelier on hand to answer any of your Bordeaux wine questions, combined with a menu that changes daily and a chef willing to tailor a meal to your preferences, you really can’t go wrong. 

Location-wise, La Maison d’Estournel is just minutes away from many of the famous Bordeaux wineries we discuss a little later on in this guide, including Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Mouton Rothschild.

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Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE – Château Lafaurie Peyraguey

Location: Sauternes (Bommes)

Why Guests Like It: Modern, Luxurious, Exceptional Restaurant, Service, Location

An often-overlooked travel experience in Bordeaux is a stop in Sauternes. This is where some of the most delicious and meticulously crafted sweet white wines are made, better than anywhere else in the world. Château Lafaurie Peyraguey’s new opulent Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE exudes luxury. It’s the perfect stop for couples looking for upscale amenities, cuisine and modern, chic luxurious rooms. Better still, you’re in close proximity to a number of our favorite wineries in the Sauternes region. From the restaurant’s floor-to-cieling glass windows, you can gaze out at the vineyards of Chateau Sigalas-Rabaud. In the other direction, you can see Chateau d’Yquem in the distance. Stay here .

Château Sigalas-Rabaud

Why Guests Like It: Luxurious, Exceptional Service, Great Wine Produced on the Property, Beautiful Views and Grounds

Literally right next door to LALIQUE, consider staying at Chateau Sigalas-Rabaud for a true French vineyard resort experience. This is a family-run operation and Laure and her team are guaranteed to make you feel welcome. We had the pleasure of walking with her through the vineyards while she discussed the production process of their famous botrytis sweet wines. Then, we continued on through the vines on foot to visit both Chateau Rayne-Vigneau and Château Lafaurie Peyraguey. You’re also in close proximity to wineries like Clos Haut-Peyraguey and Chateau d’Yquem, which are must-visits. If you book a trip , tell her we sent you. 

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Domaine du Papillon

Location: Medoc

Why Guests Like It: Peaceful, Removed, Family-Operated, Swimming Pool, Great Breakfast

If you’re looking to stay in a slightly more affordable hotel in the Medoc region, Domaine du Papillon provides a great base and welcoming hosts. Christoph and Sabine go out of their way to make sure all their guests are content with their stay. There’s even a chance they’ll have breakfast with you and give you advice on the best places to taste wine while you’re in the area. While not a winery itself, this hotel has spacious grounds that are perfect for lounging and taking your visit to Bordeaux at a slower pace. You’re also only a short distance from a number of wineries in the Medoc.

Château Borgeat de Lagrange

Why Guests Like It: Castle-like Setting, Great Service, Beautiful Grounds

Location: Blaye

Up until now, all of the winery/hotel combinations we’ve mentioned have been on the left bank of the Garonne. Château Borgeat de Lagrange will take you a little further south in Bordeaux and place you not far from the right bank of the river. That means more of the wines over here will be Merlot dominant. Consider a stay at Château Borgeat de Lagrange for peaceful and beautiful surroundings, a swimming pool, a historic building and a great jump-off point to visit a number of Right Bank wineries. Here, you’ll feel like you’re taking a step back in time.

Le Pain De Lune

Why Guests Like It: Boutique, Excellent Service, Beautiful Grounds, Location

Location: Bourg

For a more relaxed, boutique accommodation, consider staying at Le Pain De Lune . This is a smaller villa, yet gorgeous and well-maintained both externally and internally. It’s also right on the right bank of the Dordogne River, where the Garonne splits. What we tend to hear from our readers most about this place is the service. If you’re looking for advice about the best things to do in Bordeaux, don’t be shy to speak with your host, Philippe.

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Famous Bordeaux Vineyards & Château To Visit

Château haut-brion.

Location: Pessac

Why Guests Like It: Location, Historic, Great Wine

Chateau Haut-Brion is not only one of the most famous and oldest wineries in Bordeaux, it’s also conveniently located near the city of Bordeaux. That being said, it makes for an ideal stop if you’re staying in the city. In terms of what you can expect when you visit the winery, the staff are incredibly friendly, the grounds are stunning, and most guests are incredibly pleased with the tours they offer. While this is a first-growth winery, we found that the staff didn’t make it seem so and were incredibly humble. If you’re lucky, you may get to taste some of the legendary ’09 or ’10 vintages.

Visits to Haut-Brion are difficult to attain, but you can request a potential experience if you complete their requested form. It helps if you work in the wine industry and it helps more if you request the visit well in advance.

Château Giscours

Location: Margaux

Why Guests Like It: Impressive Vineyards & Facilities, Affordable & Informative Tours, Delicious Wine

This winery maintains one of the largest vineyard areas in the Margaux sub-region of Bordeaux. Their wines are world-famous, and there’s a good chance whether you’re a novice wine drinker or an expert that you’ve seen various vintages on wine shop shelves. This is a beautiful property to visit. An opportunity to taste the essence of Margaux within a castle, along with an informative tour. We only paid 12 euros and had a very nice experience. Email or call them at +33 (0)5 57 97 09 09 and [email protected] to schedule a visit.

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Château Margaux

Why Guests Like It: Historic, Delicious Wine, Impressive Castle/Vineyards, Great Service, Luxurious

There’s a reason why Chateau Margaux remains one of the most famous wineries in the world. A visit to their property will quickly tell you that they must have been doing something right all of these years. Our readers frequently claim that some of the vintages sampled at Margaux are “the best glasses of wine we’ve ever had.” That’s assuming you’re into big-bodied and luscious Cabernet-dominant reds, of course. This winery simply cannot be missed. And while it’s clearly a large, somewhat corporate operation, the grounds and facilities are nothing short of breathtaking. The guides who take you through the facilities are also clearly passionate about the work they do here, and you’ll have a great time. Visits to Chateau Margaux are strictly by appointment only and can be difficult to schedule. It’s best to call them directly and see what your options are: +33 (0) 5 57 88 83 83.

Château Latour

Location: Pauillac

Why Guests Like It: Beautiful Grounds, Hospitable, Great Wines, Service, Restaurant

For such a famous producer, we didn’t feel like we were visiting some sort of corporate operation. Clearly, the winery has been successful, but the staff couldn’t have been more friendly and accommodating. The wines are also top-notch. If you’re able to sneak in for a visit to the property, it’s open Monday through Friday. Unfortunately, due to COVID they’ve been a bit more restrictive as to who may be able to visit. It’s open for tours and tastings geared towards professionals within the wine industry currently, but you may be able to schedule a visit by calling them at +33 5 56 73 19 80.

Château Mouton Rothschild

Why Guests Like It: Historic, Fantastic Wine, Opulent Property, Great Service, Museum

Another one of the most famous Château on Bordeaux’s left bank, Mouton Rothschild is another first-growth that has been crafting delectable juice since 1853 (though it was only elevated to first growth in 1973). As you might expect, the grounds and facilities here are impressive, as is the quality of service. However, it’s worth noting that this winery has only recently started providing tours again due to COVID. You may be able to schedule a visit by appointment only, call +33 (0)5 56 73 21 29 to inquire.

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Château Lafite Rothschild

Why Guests Like It: Castle Vibes, Beautiful Grounds and Vineyards, Exceptional Red Wines

Everything from the vast circular barrel room, the tasting areas, to the gardens, vineyards and castle itself is impressive at Château Lafite Rothschild. Located just north of Mouton, it’s worth a stop here if you’re planning on touring Pauillac. Unfortunately, this is another producer that has been pretty restrictive with visits due to the current COVID situation. Tastings and tours are by appointment only, +33 (0) 1 53 89 78 00.

Château Cheval Blanc

Location: Saint Emilion

Why Guests Like It: Exceptional Wine, Historic, Rooftop Wine Tastings, Beautiful Grounds

We aren’t going to get your hopes up for visiting Cheval Blanc. It’s entirely possible, but wine tourism is something they currently are not promoting to the public. Cheval Blanc is now currently owned by LVMH (Moet Hennessy), and its primary focus is production and distribution. If you’re an industry professional, you can expect a guided tour through their vineyards, facilities and cellar, topped off with a tasting experience on the rooftop of the chateau that overlooks Pomerol and Saint Emilion. 

Chateau d’Yquem

Location: Sauternes

Why Guests Like It: Historic, Beautiful Grounds, Incredible Sweet Wine

Arguably one of the most famous Chateau in all of Bordeaux, d’Yquem produces some of the most sought-after sweet white wines in the world (unfortified). The property is vast, and somewhat removed from other producers in the area. You can actually see the towering estate from miles away. We remember briefly stopping in Saint-Croix-du-Mont (another sweet sub-region) to explore the terroir there, and in the distance, we could see d’Yquem standing high above the landscape. If you step into the main lobby of the winery, it makes all of the other nearby producers seem tiny.

Luckily for Winetravelers, Chateau d’Yquem is open to the public for visitation. However, appointments are required and visits are private. Be sure to book your visit well in advance .

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Château Petrus

Location: Pomerol

Why Guests Like It: Legendary Wines

Some of the most sought-after red wines in the world reside under the label of Chateau Petrus. We’re only mentioning it here because they are so famous, but it’s unlikely you’ll ever get to experience a visit to the facility in Pomerol. These days, Petrus focuses exclusively on production, not visitation. Visitors are only allowed on the property if they receive an exclusive invitation, and it’s almost always for those within the wine or hospitality industries.

Are there more famous Bordeaux wineries worth mentioning? Absolutely. Unfortunately, the way it currently works in Bordeaux (and especially with the ongoing COVID situation), the more famous the winery, the more difficult it is to get a visit. Should more legendary first-growths open up their doors to visitors, we’ll add them to this list. In the meantime, we’ll continue on with more exceptional Bordeaux wineries that are currently open to the public.

When it comes to the scenery in Bordeaux, you’re pretty much going to find it everywhere. That being said, this is a tough list to narrow down, so we’ve included Bordeaux wineries that have exceeded our personal expectations both in terms of views and the service provided.

Château Marquis

Why Guests Like It: Rent a Bike, Boutique, Great Service, Great Wines, Affordable, Beautiful Scenery

Located in Margaux, and not far from the famed Chateau Margaux, this more humble property is geared towards the wine tourist more than most in Bordeaux. Not only is the wine great and the surrounding vineyards beautiful, it’s one of the few wineries in Bordeaux that you can also rent a bike and explore the surrounding countryside. Definitely worth a stop, and the staff are happy to give you recommendations for additional things to do in the region.

Château Lamothe Bergeron

Why Guests Like It: Beautiful Property, Newly Restored Tasting Room, Immersive Tourism Experience

The vibe and setting outdoors at Château Lamothe Bergeron makes you feel as though you’re at some 18th-century outdoor French gala. When you make your way inside, you’ll feel almost exactly the opposite. This chateau went above and beyond to provide a high-tech wine tourism experience to its guests. The building has been almost completely restored recently, the tasting room is beautiful, and the tour and tasting options allow for an immersive experience. You’ll have the opportunity to taste the wines in their various developmental stages. This is also an ideal winery if you’re not looking to spend much money, as their most basic tasting starts at just 8 euros.

This is one of the few wineries in Bordeaux that (at least currently), doesn’t require reservations. You can visit from April to October: 7 days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm – from November to March: Mondays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 5.30 pm.

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Marquis de Vauban Castle

Why Guests Like It: Caters To Tourists, Horse-Drawn Carriage, Beautiful Property, Great Service, Lunch, Camping, Beautiful Views, Family Friendly

Unlike many Bordeaux producers who shy away from wine tourism and prefer to focus on wine production, Marquis de Vauban Castle provides an ample range of tasting and tour options to guests. You can choose to take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the property, take a little train ride if you have kids in tow, take an underground passage tour beneath the citadel of Blaye, or have a romantic lunch with your significant other overlooking the grounds. This property also supports motorhomes if you’re cruising around Bordeaux and provides electrical hook-up.

Château Prieuré Lichine

Why Guests Like It: Informative Tours, Beautiful Property, Great Service

For those looking for a detailed and personal tour of a lovely estate in the Margaux region, Château Prieuré Lichine is worth a stop. You’ll take a walk through the lovely courtyard, visit the wine cellar and production facilities, and learn about some unique and modern production techniques being implemented. Our tour guide Sarah also gave us background on the Margaux region itself, diving deep into the regulations and wine-making techniques of the area. The tasting room is also remarkably beautiful, and you’ll likely spend an hour or two relaxing or walking the grounds.

Château Castera

Location: Saint-Germain-d’Esteuil

Why Guests Like It: Great Value, Great Wines, Beautiful Property, History, Great Service

One of the few luxurious wineries perhaps in all of Bordeaux where you can get an informative tour and tasting for as little as 6 euros. As you’re guided through the property and production facilities, you’ll hear the passion in the guide’s voice. This is another castle-like setting, and the operation is run by a relatively young and enthusiastic team. Our favorite part about the visit is the escape game they offer from the top of the castle tower. Certainly a unique experience and an indication that guests having a memorable experience is important at Château Castera .

Château Dauzac

Location: Labarde

Why Guests Like It: Great Service, Beautiful Grounds, Welcoming Staff, Great Wines

This is a great winery to visit that’s a bit removed from many of the more popular wineries in the area. The property is sprawling, offering opportunities to buy a bottle and post up to have a little picnic of your own. If you choose to do a tour at Dauzac , they tend to be small and personalized. It begins in the vineyards, then you’ll be walked through the production facilities, the wine cellar and finally get to relax in the tasting room.

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Chateau Rayne-Vigneau

Why Guests Like It: Stunning Property, Great Wines, Warm Staff, Sensory Experiences

Boutique/Family Wineries & Intimate Tours and Tastings

Château moutte blanc.

Location: Macau

Why Guests Like It: Boutique, Family Operated, Warm Staff, Great Quality Wines, Petit Verdot

Moutte Blanc focuses on the Petit Verdot variety. A grape that is typically used in smaller quantities in Bordeaux blends, so sampling wines from this producer will undoubtedly provide a unique experience. A small, yet pretty castle-like setting, Château Moutte Blanc is one of those family-run wineries that will likely to give you a warm welcome should you knock on their door. To be safe, we don’t recommend that and suggest you make an appointment: +05 57 88 40 39.

Vignobles Noailles

Location: Côtes de Bourg

Why Guests Like It: Family Operated, Warm Staff, Great Wines

This boutique, family-run estate will leave you humbled. Escape the typical large estates of Bordeaux and visit this quaint house and vineyard located in Teuillac, Côtes de Bourg. What’s encouraging about Vignobles Noailles is that many of our friends who are tour operators in the region bring their guests to this winery because they know just how good the wine is and how special the experience is. Both individual and group visitation experiences are offered, and typically include walks through the vineyard, a cellar visit, and a tasting afterword. To schedule a visit, call +33 (0) 6 16 06 08 48 or email [email protected] .

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Château Arnauld

Location: Haut-Medoc

Why Guests Like It: Boutique, Warm Staff, Great Wines, Location

This “boutique castle” is ideal for those looking to taste exceptional wine in a relaxed setting at an affordable price. Due to COVID, walk-ins are no longer offered, however visitation can be reserved ahead of time . They currently have two tasting and tour options, the first is a 1-hour visit that includes a vineyard walk and explanation, in addition to a visit to the production facilities and barrel room. Finally, you’ll have a delightful tasting in their recently renovated tasting room showcasing two of their best wines. The second option includes everything previously mentioned, except a third wine is included along with a chocolate pairing.

Château d’Arcins

Why Guests Like It: Historic, Personal Attention, Great Wines

It’s well worth a stop at Chateau d’Arcins for their wines and history alone, but it makes even more sense to stop here since it’s practically across the street from Chateau Arnauld. For us, the coolest thing about Chateau d’Arcins is that they’ve been producing wine since the 14th century. It’s argued that they’re the oldest estate in Haut-Medoc. What’s even more interesting, supposedly wines were crafted here at the command of the notorious Knights Templar. Call them to reserve a visit at +05 56 58 91 29.

Château Hourtin-Ducasse

Why Guests Like It: Friendly Staff, Great Tours, Beautiful Grounds, Boutique, Great Wines

We love visiting Château Hourtin-Ducasse thanks to the amicable hospitality of owners Michel and Maria. Taste wines alongside the winemaker himself, and straight from the barrel. They’ll take the time to get to know you here, just as much as you’ll be eager to get to know them. This is one winery where while we always recommend scheduling an appointment ahead of time, if you knock on the door they’ll likely let you in and give you all of their attention. Truly passionate about their work, Château Hourtin-Ducasse is one winery we hear again and again from our readers that they will be returning to.

Château Nodot

Why Guests Like It: Museum, Biodynamic, Great Wines, Affordable, Friendly Staff

The staff at Chateau Nodot go above and beyond to welcome their guests to their winery. What’s more, this is one winery that prides itself on being biodynamic . If you’re looking for a somewhat removed, authentic, boutique and focused wine tourism experience in Bordeaux, stop by Nodot. This is an area that’s not very sought out as a tourist destination, so you can expect more personal attention and we believe you’ll be impressed with the quality of wine production in the area as well. Contact them ahead of time at: +05 57 42 50 38

Château des Tourtes

Why Guests Like It: Family Friendly, Warm Staff, Beautiful Setting, Boutique, Great Wines, Bike Rentals

There are few things not to like about visiting Château des Tourtes . For starters, their most basic tour and tasting (of 5 wines might we add), is free. You can upgrade your tour to include small bites for just 6 euros. If you’re hungry, schedule a lunch or dinner (35 euros) while watching a movie that discusses the history of Bordeaux. Lastly, they also offer a guided tour with a the winemaker or one of their sommeliers, which includes a workshop on blending wine (40 euros).

RELATED: The Story of the Cabernet Franc Grape Variety

Unique Experiences, Festivals & Museums

Depending on the season, Bordeaux offers a number of special experiences travelers can partake in. These range from harvest festivals, grape stomping, cave tours and beyond. Below, we’ll list a few of our favorites and when they typically take place, and how you can take part.

Visit La Cite du Vin for a completely immersive museum experience into everything wine. The architecture of the facility is remarkable, but there are also a plethora of interactive, family-friendly experiences designed to utilize all of your senses to really get to know wine and wine production. There is a restaurant on-site also, but it closes by 4 so plan to have lunch if you’re looking to spend the day here.  Book your entry ticket here .

La Fête du Vin , or the annual Bordeaux wine festival offers a number of special events, experiences and shows over a 4 day period in June.

Embark on a running and drinking marathon (literally) during Marathon du Médoc. During this unique event, you’ll literally be running winery to winery tasting some of the finest wines on a pre-determined route. Check if you can register for the next marathon or get on the waiting list here .

The Bordeaux River Festival, or the Fête du Fleuve is one of our favorites. Also typically occurring in June every other year, local gastronomic-focused businesses showcase their craft to locals and tourists alike. This is a great way to immerse yourself in Bordeaux food culture right on the banks of the Garonne River.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bordeaux Wineries & Bordeaux Wine Tours

Can i do a bordeaux wine tour.

Absolutely! Bordeaux is one of the world’s most renowned wine regions and offers a wide variety of wine tours for all tastes and budgets. These tours can range from half-day to multiple-day excursions, offering you the chance to visit prestigious wine chateaux, learn about the winemaking process, and taste some of the world’s finest wines. Currently, our most popular, private and customizable tour of Bordeaux is offered by Atlas Bordeaux . Another popular and fun way to experience Bordeaux’s Saint-Émilion subregion is to do it on an e-Bike tour , allowing you to get outdoors, stop at vineyards along beautiful paths, with lunch included. Most tours will take you through the iconic vineyards of Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, or Sauternes, among others, where you can explore the picturesque landscapes and historic vineyards that have made Bordeaux wines famous. Some tours also offer gourmet meals, cheese and wine pairings, or combine wine tasting with other local attractions. Remember to book in advance, particularly during the high season, to secure your spot and avoid disappointment. Also, be sure to check whether your tour includes transportation, as drinking and driving is not only dangerous but also strictly regulated in France.

When should I visit Bordeaux wineries?

If you’re interested in the winemaking process, consider visiting during the harvest season, which typically occurs from mid-September to early October . During this time, you can witness the vineyards in full activity. However, for the best weather and to enjoy the beauty of the vineyards, late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) are generally the most pleasant times to visit. The weather is usually mild and the vineyards are picturesque. Summer is the most popular, and it’s also beautiful. You can’t really go wrong with a visit to Bordeaux during any season. Even during winter, you might get a more personalized visitation experience due to fewer crowds and a chance to meet the winemaker. Bordeaux wineries are generally open for this year-round. However, it’s always a good idea to check in advance, as some smaller vineyards may have limited visiting hours during the off-season or may require an appointment.

What’s the best way to get around Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is well-equipped with various transportation modes for convenience. The city’s public transportation system, which includes trams, buses, and river shuttles, is efficient and connects key parts of the city, making it easy for tourists to navigate. For those who prefer a more active means of transport, Bordeaux is one of France’s most bike-friendly cities, featuring an extensive network of bike lanes. You can rent a bike through the city’s bike-sharing program, VCub. If you plan to explore the wider Bordeaux region, including the vineyards, you may find renting a car to be the most practical option. Be mindful of the local driving rules and parking regulations. Lastly, for shorter distances within the city center, walking is often a great choice, as Bordeaux boasts a compact and pedestrian-friendly city center.

What are the must try wines and wine styles in Bordeaux?

To start, you must try the Bordeaux Reds, primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Left Bank wines, hailing from regions like Médoc and Graves, are Cabernet-dominant, delivering robust, tannic wines that age gracefully. They are well-structured, exuding deep fruit flavors with hints of spice and earth. On the Right Bank, regions like Saint-Émilion and Pomerol offer Merlot-dominant wines. These are generally softer and more plush, with a generous fruit character and subtle notes of herbs and spices. The contrast between Left and Right Bank wines showcases the versatility and complexity of Bordeaux’s reds. For white wine lovers, Bordeaux doesn’t disappoint. Don’t miss out on the dry white wines, primarily produced from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon in regions like Graves and Pessac-Léognan. These wines balance refreshing acidity with a broad, rich texture, often layered with flavors of citrus, tropical fruits, and a delicate minerality. Lastly, a visit to Bordeaux isn’t complete without tasting the world-renowned sweet wines of Sauternes. Made predominantly from Sémillon grapes affected by noble rot, these wines are intensely flavorful and lusciously sweet, yet perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity. Winetraveler Tip: Noble rot wines are some of the most unique and exceptional wines on the planet with amazing age-ability. If you can find a sushi restaurant that serves Sauternes or other sweet Bordeaux regional wines, try a sushi and wine pairing with them, we promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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Great list. Which, if any, of these are the most wheelchair accessible?

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The Best Winery Tours & Tastings in Bordeaux

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Explore the top wine tours and tastings in Bordeaux Wineries Tours & Tastings

Château Fleur De Lisse

From 25,00 €

Château de Bonhoste

From 10,00 €

Château de Rayne Vigneau 1er Grand Cru Classé 1855

From 17,50 €

Château Suduiraut 1er Cru Classé de Sauternes

From 20,00 €

Château Pape Clément, Grand Cru Classé

Château La Croizille, Grand Cru Classé

From 18,00 €

Château Yon-Figeac

From 13,00 €

Vignobles Chatonnet - Château Haut Chaigneau

Vignobles Bardet

From 15,00 €

Château De La Rivière

Château de Sales

From 8,00 €

Château Lanessan

Château Haut Breton Larigaudière

From 12,00 €

Château Ferrand

Château Hourtin-Ducasse

Château Destieux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé

From 30,00 €

Clos Des Abbesses

From 22,00 €

Château Pillebois

From 5,00 €

Château Bouscaut

Château Rol Valentin

Château Monconseil-gazin

From 7,00 €

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, 1er Grand Cru Classé

Château Loudenne

Château Prieuré Marquet

Château Dauzac, Grand Cru Classé

Château La Tour Blanche, Grand Cru Classé

Château d'Agassac

Domaine Du Grand Ormeau

Château Larrivet Haut-brion

Château Haut Bailly

From 50,00 €

Château Croix Beauséjour

Château de Camarsac

Château De Chelivette

From 14,00 €

Vignobles Jean-louis Trocard

Vignobles Bedrenne

A La Française Bordeaux

From 64,00 €

Château Jouvente

Château Luchey-halde

From 9,00 €

Chateau Fontesteau

Vignobles Moncets & Chambrun

Château Chauvin

Château Sainte Barbe

From 3,00 €

Château Tournefeuille

Château Grangey

Château Giscours, Grand Cru Classé

Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac

From 19,00 €

Château De Malherbes

La Maison Cardinale

Olala Bordeaux

From 29,00 €

Château Balestard La Tonnelle, Grand Cru Classé

Château Franc Mayne, Grand Cru Classé

From 35,00 €

Château Toulouse-Lautrec

From 23,00 €

Château Chêne Liège

Château Paloumey

Chateau Tour Saint Fort

Château La Garde

Domaines Fabre

Cité Du Vin de Bordeaux

I Love My 2cv

From 99,00 €

Château Siran

Château Faugères

Vignobles Mouty

Max Bordeaux

Château du Payre

Château Réaut

Château De Seguin

Château Léognan

Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux

Château Cazebonne

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When it comes to experiencing the best Bordeaux wine tours, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you're looking for a day tour, day trip, private tour, bike tour, or walking tour, there is something for everyone. One of the highlights of these tours is the opportunity to visit Bordeaux's most famous wine appellations, where you can taste some of the world's most famous wine. With its prestigious wineries and picturesque vineyards, Bordeaux is a must-visit for any wine lover. You cannot recommend Bordeaux wine tasting tours enough!

One of the most popular destinations for wine tours in Bordeaux is the medieval village of Saint-Emilion. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its stunning architecture and rich history, making it the perfect backdrop for a day wine tour. Whether you choose an afternoon tour or a full day tour of Bordeaux, you'll have the chance to taste wine from some of the region's most prestigious wineries. A trip to Bordeaux is not complete without a visit to St Emilion!

If you're looking for a unique and immersive experience, consider booking a wine tour from Bordeaux. These tours offer a deeper insight into the wine producing region and allow you to discover the Bordeaux wine in a whole new way. With options for wine tasting tours, winery tours, and more, you'll be able to tailor your trip to suit your preferences and interests. 

Appellations in Bordeaux

What to know before visiting Bordeaux Wineries Tours & Tastings

On the castle route of Bordeaux, be sure to visit the village of Margaux in the Médoc , home to the famous Château Margaux. Obviously, the village of Saint-Emilion is an almost compulsory pilgrimage for any wine lover. It’s a medieval city steeped in history, with a breathtaking view of the Bordeaux vineyards.

Blaye and Verrou Vauban overlook the Gironde estuary with impressive military buildings. Sainte-Foy-La-Grande is also one of the region's favorite villages.

It is always a good time to visit Bordeaux. It averages 13 degrees celsius (a little over 55 degrees fahrenheit) all year round in Bordeaux. The most pleasant months to visit Bordeaux are June, July and September. In August, the heat can be overwhelming. In May, the spring climate is very pleasant.

Bordeaux’s "Vintage" season takes place from September to November each year. Wine tours and tastings are a great way to explore this beautiful part of France, whether you're a wine connoisseur or novice!

Over 90% of Bordeaux wines are red wines. Bordeaux wine is primarily made from the three grapes that are grown in the Bordeaux region: cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. The blend and usage of these grapes varies between each winery, which creates unique flavors in each type of wine. 

It’s also important to note that many of the wines produced in Bordeaux are luxury Bordeaux wines , meaning that some varieties be fairly pricy. However, Bordeaux wines are always worth the splurge!

The different Bordeaux appellations contain different standards for minimum alcohol content, grape growing, aging, and more. For example, Bordeaux-Superieur AOP wines contain a minimum of 10.5% ABV and must age for a minimum of 12 months before release. The difference, although technically small, is a symbol of quality for many wines with the Bordeaux-Superieur AOP label. Many producers, who classify their wines as Bordeaux-Superieur, age their wines much longer than the minimum.

In order to take full advantage of the Bordeaux vineyards and the castles of Bordeaux, we advise you to choose several oenological experiences. The Bordeaux wine estates are numerous and vast. The Bordeaux region has wine tourism activities all year round. The vineyards of Bordeaux can be visited on foot and even by cruise from the Garonne. All this, with a good tasting of local wine. Saint-Émilion, Sauternes , Haut-Médoc , Pomerol , Margaux, etc. What will be your choice ?

• - Saint-Estèphe
• - Saint-Julien
• - Château Fleur De Lisse
• - Château de Bonhoste
• - Château de Rayne Vigneau 1er Grand Cru Classé 1855

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Free walking tours Bordeaux

BORDEAUX WINE TOUR: HISTORY AND WINE & CHEESE TASTING

Know all about Bordeaux Wine History and taste some of the best wine and cheese in the region together with our Sommelier

• Close to Tram stop B: Chartrons , 64 Quai des Chartrons

Discount of 10%

Small Group

BOOK NOW: GET 10%OFF ON THIS TOUR

Overview: bordeaux wine tour, nice & enjoyable bordeaux wine tour to explore the charming (wine) neighbourhood of chartrons with our in-house sommelier and a professional wine & cheese tasting..

This Bordeaux Wine tour is designed by our Sommelier. He will take you on a stroll through the UNESCO wine merchant streets, many of which are surrounded by 300 years old buildings. We will walk for almost 1 hour to discover the neighbourhood of the Chartrons while learning about:

• The different grape varieties in Bordeaux, 
• The important wine regions in Bordeaux
• The oldest and the most famous 1855 classification,
• How to read a wine label like a professional,
• How to remember the important names of the Chateaux (wine estate) in Bordeaux
• See the World largest wine exposition Museum
• Learn the history of Thomas Jefferson in Bordeaux
• A nice and pleasant walk with a wine expert & Friendly guide
• See the hidden historical monuments of the district and much more!
• Ending the tour with professional Wine Tasting of 4 Organic Wines paired with an assorted cheese platter in a nice wine bar.

At the end of the tour we will put all the theoretical knowledge into practical “learning by tasting”.

Our Bordeaux Wine tour starts at 13H30 PM from Tuesday to Saturday.

Discover the Best rated Bordeaux tours: Lowest price + 10%OFF

• PRIVATE :Best of Bordeaux Walking tour : See the Best of Bordeaux on this private tour designed exclusively for you.
• Bordeaux Organic food tour – French Apéro style - The first Organic Food Tour in Bordeaux try Wine,cheese,meat,dessert in Saint Michel area.
• Free Walking tour of Saint Emilion: Don't miss this at all!
• Free Walking tour Bordeaux : The Best city centre tour of Bordeaux @Tips based
• Tasting: Bordeaux wine & Cheese blind tasting experience - 4 wine & cheese

By taking our Ecological tours in Bordeaux you are supporting local sustainable business and giving a purpose to your travels. Happy Eco friendly Travels!

Other tours

Free walking tour bordeaux.

Tasting: Blind Bordeaux Wine & Cheese Tasting

Free Walking Tour Modern to Medieval Bordeaux

Free Walking Tour Saint Emilion

Small Group: Organic Food Tour Bordeaux

Private: Best of Bordeaux Walking Tour

Private Tour: Best of Saint Emilion

Review of our clients: Bordeaux Wine Tour

From Tuesdays to Saturdays.

• Meeting point – 64 Quai des Chartrons​ , Close to Tram Stop B Chartrons
• Ending Point – Wine bar in Chartrons
• Starting Time – 13H30
• This tour is a small group tour of maximum 15 participants.

24 hours before the tour start 100% refund after 24 hours no refund.

INCLUDED/EXCLUDED

• Exclusive Guide/Sommelier
• 4 Bordeaux Wines (1 glass of White wine, 2 glass of Red wine & 1 glass of Sweet wine)
• Assorted Cheese platter
• For Children - Juice & cheese will be offered
• Small group of maximum 15 participants
• Extra glasses of wine or cheese in the bar

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Discover our permanent exhibition.

• Discover our tasting workshops

Via Sensoria: sensory tasting journey

• Discover our sensory tasting journey

Info: We are expecting a large number of visitors on Thursday 9 May.

If you can, try to visit the Cité du Vin on another day.

Permanent exhibition

Embark on an interactive and sensory experience

• Vineyards of the world

Vineyards from the skies

The world of wine

Terroirs of the world

The vine-grower's year

Six Wine Families

• Through the ages

The Gallery of Civilisations

Wine trend alley

• Art of living

Good to know !

The Buffet of the Five Senses

And Action !

Dinner is Served!

Wine and me

• Wine around the world

Along the rivers

Wine conquering the world

The Bordeaux vineyards

The Epic Tale of Bordeaux

Today's program

Via Sensoria - Sensory tasting journey

Until 03/11/24

Details and languages

11:00 19:00

Bordeaux 360° Tasting workshop

Until 30/06/24

14:30 15:30

Introduction to wine tasting workshop

15:00 16:00

This is where your visit continues and Bordeaux begins

La Cité online

Prolong your experience

In conversation with Denise Adams, owner of Château Fontplégade

The vineyard between sky and earth

In conversation with Gary Shelley from Casson Mann / Champagne’s new museum

Terroir - Bordeaux

Bordeaux from the sky

Useful informations

Opening hours of the visiting areas, from 23 march 2024 to 2 november 2024.

Ouvert tous les jours de 10h à 19h

From 3 November 2024 to 6 January 2025

Ouvert en semaine et les dimanches de 10h à 18h Ouvert les samedis, jours fériés et vacances scolaires de 10h à 19h Fermeture à 16h le 24 décembre Fermeture complète le 25 décembre

Permanent course ticket + tasting at the Belvédère

Save time and have direct access to the Permanent Course thanks to the skip-the-line ticket.

La Cité du Vin

134 Quai de Bacalan Bordeaux Bordeaux

Opening at 10am

News from the Cité du Vin

New! In September, Bordeaux 360° tasting workshop is available in English.

1 September 2023

A day at Cité du Vin

4 April 2022

Picasso, the effervescence of shapes

16 November 2021

Cité du Vin

27681 reviews

Musée incroyable

Visite très interactive, mes ados ont adoré. Tout le monde apprend plein de choses, on touche, on sent, on admire et on fini la visite par une dégustation en haut du musée. Architecture magnifique.

September 2023, Tripadvisor

Invitation au lacher-prise

Via Sensoria vous envoute à condition de se laisser aller à ses émotions. Un moment formidable qui nous a rappelé beaucoup de souvenir et une certaine nostalgie des choses simples et du rapprochement à la nature.

June 2023, Tripadvisor

Visite exceptionnelle

Une visite incontournable ! Nous y sommes restés 4h, et nous n'avons pas eu le temps de profiter de tout. Mon mari en fauteuil roulant à lui pu profiter de la visite en autonomie complète. Le personnel est très agréable.

K8934GAsophiep

July 2022, Tripadvisor

Apprentissage interactif

Le concept interactif est tout à fait séduisant. Le musée est parfait pour des amateurs de vins ayant soif de découvrir les bases de cet univers d'une manière plus originale qu'un musée traditionnel. 

PaulinebY2968DC

September 2021, Tripadvisor

Magnifique journée

Pour y voir conter l'histoire du vin, ce lien entre des pays, des terroirs et des hommes. Très intéressant, avec une fin de visite magique et panoramique sur la ville.

Fouzia Sajed

July 2021, Google

Best museum ever

The museum is so interactive. The experience feels authentic, not just high tech. This would also be a good museum for kids given all the hands on experiences such as smelling scents to learn about wine smells.

June 2021, Tripadvisor

Incontournable

Cet endroit dédié au vin est remarquable de par son architecture et les thématiques sont d’un abord très faciles. Rien n’est laissé au hasard. Sa cave est époustouflante. Je recommande vivement ce lieu unique.

November 2020, Tripadvisor

Une expérience inoubliable

Vous aimez l’architecture ? Vous aimez les lieux atypiques ? Vous aimez la scenarisation des lieux ? Vous aimez les présentations non conventionnelles ? Alors, la cité du vin est faite pour vous! 

edouardd624

Toute la famille a apprécié cette visite, ludique et enrichissante. Le bâtiment architectural est splendide.

95610bibine

August 2020, Tripadvisor

A faire absolument

Nous avons passé 3h30 dans le musée. C est très intéressant on ne voit pas le temps passer. Les supports pédagogiques sont variés. C est une belle visite. Personnel très sympathique. 

February 2020, Tripadvisor

#insidelacite

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Visiting la Cité du Vin – Bordeaux’s wine museum

La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s wine museum, has become one of the city’s main touristic attractions. 

Inaugurated in 2016, the wine museum was set to celebrate wine culture around the globe and educate visitors about winemaking and its history. 

The shape of this spectacular building is inspired by the movement of wine when it’s swirling in a glass. It can be seen from afar and uplifts the grungy port of Bassin a Flot, where the museum is located.

If you’re visiting Bordeaux and wondering if La Cité du Vin is worth your time, the short answer is yes 🙂 However, if you want a real glimpse into the best wine museum in the world, keep reading the article. Here I’ll walk you through what to expect when visiting La Cite du Vin, how to do it with kids, and what not to miss there. 

The museum has been recently renovated and many cool features were added to the permanent exhibition. This article was updated after my recent visit to the Cite du Vin in 2023 and includes all the new sections as well.  

Before we start, I have a detailed guide to the Bordeaux wine region so if you plan on visiting wineries in Bordeaux, be sure to read it. Also, see other good museums to visit in Bordeaux . 

Now take a sip of Bordeaux wine and let’s dive in!

What to expect when visiting La Cité du Vin?

La Cité du Vin was best described by my friend July who called it an amusement park for wine lovers. The museum offers an interactive journey into the wine world that includes videos, touch screens, sensory tables, interesting stories, music, and more. 

The permanent exhibition takes place on the second floor of the museum. You’ll get an audio guide, that you absolutely must use to enjoy the experience. There’s very little to read and a lot to see and listen to in this museum. 

Contrary to what many assume, the museum isn’t dedicated to the Bordeaux wine region. It’s actually a world wine museum. The exhibition takes you through many wine regions in the world. And on that journey, you learn about wine history, culture, different grapes and wines, and more. 

What will you discover at La Cite du Vin?

The permanent exhibition includes 18 sections that are divided into six areas.

The first one introduces you to the vineyards of the world through beautiful images and stories from winemakers.

The second is the “know-how” area – here you will learn about varieties of grapes and the winemaking process. One of the cool features here is flat touch screens, surrounded by gigantic wooden bottle shape statues, which help explore the major wine types, from red to sweet white wines and sparkling ones. 

The third area is about wine and civilization. Here you’ll dive deep into the history of wine and the latest trends in wine tourism, culture, design, and more.

The fourth area is called “Art of Living” and it’s my favorite part of the museum. Here you’ll find the “buffet of the five senses”. Plenty of different food items from fruits to honey and cookies are presented in front of you on two big tables, allowing you to explore different wine aromas.

Another part that was just recently added is the dinner table with a stunning visual art immersive experience. 

The last two parts are a bit less interactive but are fascinating to those interested in the history of wine. The fifth area is dedicated to the part waters and wars played in the history of wine around the globe. And the last part of the exhibition is finally dedicated to the Bordeaux wine region .

It’s time for wine tasting with a view

Now to one of the best parts of this experience – wine tasting!

Go back to the ground floor and take the elevator to the 8th floor (you’ll need your ticket for that, so don’t lose it).

This floor is called the Belvedere and it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Bordeaux. You can choose one wine from one of the regions that the exhibition is focusing on and take your glass to the balcony to see the view. A perfect ending to this enriching experience.

How to explore Bordeaux’s wine museum?

The permanent exhibition in La Cite du Vin is big and extremely rich in information. It can take about half a day to cover all of it. When the museum gets busy it can take even more time. Many visitors have either no time or patience to go through every piece of information offered by the museum.

If you have only two-three hours to visit the La Cite du Vin you can actually create a tour, that will be based on the areas of your interest and your time constraints.

Vising la Cité du Vin with kids?

Although kids are usually not very interested (or welcomed) in the wine world, La Cite du Vin can be a very kid-friendly experience. I wouldn’t recommend going through every section of the wine museum, however, there are quite a few interactive parts, they’ll be happy to discover. 

When you start your tour, build your own kids-friendly guide in the audio guide. Choose a one-hour tour (or more if your kids handle museums well) and then choose. In the areas of Interest choose things like wine making and art, which have more interactive parts in them. Let them touch, smell and enjoy the beautiful visuals.

If you’re visiting Bordeaux with kids take don’t forget to read my article about the best 30 things to do with kids in Bordeaux .

What else is there to do at the wine museum? 

When you finish the permanent exhibition don’t be in a rush to leave the Cité du Vin, you still have a lot of things to do there. 

The Museum regularly hosts great temporary exhibitions that focus on different cultural aspects related to the wine world. The temporary exhibition is located on the first floor and is included in the ticket to the Cite du Vin. 

Don’t miss the beautiful library of wine-related books located on the first floor. 

Additionally, La Cite du Vin daily hosts wine-tasting workshops in French, English and Spanish. These take place in stunning modern tasting rooms. The English workshop is mainly dedicated to Bordeaux wines while those in French are varied. You can choose workshops about specific wine regions or learn how to match wine with cheese or chocolate. 

Another thing to miss is the beautiful wine shop located on the ground floor. The shop has about 800 bottles, with 600 of them being non-French wines. The seventh floor is the fancy Le 7 Restaurant with a stunning view of Bordeaux. I haven’t had the chance to eat there yet but heard some mixed reviews.

All you need to know before going to la Cité du Vin

Tickets and prices.

The ticket is a bit pricey but definitely worth the one-time experience.

A ticket to the permanent exhibition (including a glass of wine) is 22€ for an adult and 9 € for kids over 6yo. A family pack is 54€ which is worth buying if you are two adults and two kids. 

The museum is top-rated and sometimes the lines can be quite long. To avoid that you can purchase the tickets online in advance.

Click here to buy your tickets in advance.  In case you decided to purchase the Bordeaux city Pass , you’ll get a 20% discount on your tickets to the Cite du Vin and use public transport for free to get there.

Opening hours

The opening hours of Cité du Vin are Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday – Sunday and bank and school holidays from 10 am to 7 pm. Opening hours change in the high season so check them out on the web site of the museum before going.

How to get to the wine museum

The easiest way to get to Cité du Vin is by tram B. The “Cité du Vin” station is located just two minute’s walk from the museum. 

If you are located on the other side of the Garonne river you can also take the boat (BAT 3). It’s the same ticket as the tram but you can get there in a more stylish way 🙂 

For more information about the hours and the other stations of the BAT3 -click here .

Another option is taking the city bikes from one of the V3 stations that are spread all over the city. The ride from the city center to the wine museum is one of the best things to do when visiting Bordeaux. I’ve even included it in my article about the best things to do in Bordeaux in one day . 

What else is there to do next to the wine museum ?

If you don’t have anything planned after your visit to the museum don’t rush to leave this cool neighborhood. This is an opportunity to discover the Bassin a flot district, which as you’ll see has a more hipster and industrial vibe to it. 

It’s one of the rising districts of Bordeaux with plenty of street art, bars, music venues, and a chic-covered market. If you want to learn more about the Bassin a flot (Bacalan) district check out my article about the north of Bordeaux .

If you want to explore the Bordeaux wine region more in-depth check out my articles about the best wineries in Saint Emilion and about traveling in the Medoc wine region .

If it’s your first time in Bordeaux check out my  ultimate guide to Bordeaux  to get familiar with all the must-see places in the city. To help you choose a place to stay I’ve gathered a list of the  best hotels in the center of Bordeaux  as well as a  guide to the districts of Bordeaux  to help you find your preferred AirBnB location.

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France  via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook  | Instagram  | Email  |  Facebook group

Pin this article for your next visit to Bordeaux!

* Note  – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂 

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A crystal wine glass that you have shown on this post is so wonderful and precious. I never see the this kind of crystal wine glass. I have download the photo and i will try to find this kind of unique glass.

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How to do a Bordeaux wine tour by public transport: Visit vineyards with no need for a designated driver

T he day took a bit of a wobble at Margaux. Not, you understand, because I’d been sampling some of Bordeaux ’s top-quality tipples after an excellent lunch accompanied by more wine . It was because Margaux village's station was deserted out of season, with train information displayed on screens, and no clue which of the two platforms was which. Trains making the 45-minute journey to Bordeaux city seemed to run at different times from both platforms.

I had to chance it; I doubted I’d have time to cross the open tracks once the train arrived. Luckily, I guessed correctly and chugged on with my discovery of Bordeaux by public transport .

Most people don’t realise the extent of France ’s wine producing region. It would take you two and a half hours to drive the 99 miles from its northernmost to southernmost extremities. No wonder those taking a vineyard tour generally drive or go on group trips. There is, however, another way – to visit the vineyards by trains, bus and tram. And aside from the slight hiccup I experienced at Margaux, I found it surprisingly easy.

One vineyard, Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion, is even within the sprawling city’s limits and can be reached by Bordeaux’s extensive tram network. What’s more, it’s designed by Philippe Starck, resembling the bow of a boat from the outside, while within the concrete wine vats are painted in different designs. (Tour with tasting costs €55).

It’s in complete contrast to the historic Chateau Pape Clement, a 25-minute bus journey away, or a 40-minute bus and train trip from the city centre. Vines were originally planted here in the 13th century by Bertrand de Got, who became Pope Clement V. Now, the grand cru classe wines lie maturing in an enormous barrel-filled room lit by chandeliers.

Read more on taking a wine road trip through Italy’s Piedmont region

You can make your own version in the 19th-century chateau in a process reminiscent of a school chemistry lesson, as you experiment with different ratios of merlot to cab sav. Once I had my winning formula, I bottled it, added a cork and foil and embellished the label: Chateau Jane. (Tour with tasting costs €20, a winemaker course costs €99).

Another day, another vineyard or three, this time in the Medoc with its famous Margaux appellation. The village of Margaux isn’t the most appealing, but you’re there for the vino, and that doesn’t disappoint. I started with the biodynamic wine at Chateau Ferriere, made to beyond-organic principles and according to the cycle of the moon; they also make biodynamic tea. (Tour and tasting costs €25).

It’s just a short walk from here to Marquis de Terme, which has an elegantly modern restaurant where I polished off a superb lunch accompanied by their delicious grand cru classe. The tour here is particularly interesting because they have an eye on the future as well as the past and are constantly innovating.

The expansive cellar not only holds rows of barrels in which to age the wine, but also other containers to achieve different finishes – pearl-shaped barrels, egg-shaped concrete vats, pottery amphora and a large wooden barrel connected by wifi to record changes in temperature, pressure and oxygen. I can confirm that the finished product is particularly delicious; I finished off my tasting with rum made in Martinique from the chateau’s barrels. (Tour and three tastings costs €35).

It was at this point that my little incident at the station nearly jeopardised the 20-minute train ride followed by a 20-minute walk to Chateau Saint-Ahon. Reminiscent of buildings in Paris’s Place de Vosges, this small property is extremely family friendly, with walks through the vines interspersed by informative panels. Its wines are a decent price, with the eponymous brand coming in at €14, which you can drink accompanied by a picnic of produce bought in the shop. (Tour and tasting costs €12). Better still, because it’s in Bordeaux metropolis, once back at the station, you can take a tram back to the sprawling city.

Where you stay here depends on whether you want to be near the station in the south (where I picked) or a tram ride from it near the beautiful Place de la Bourse in the centre, with its many restaurants.

Read more on how to do a sustainable wine tour of Chile

Wherever you choose, you shouldn’t go to Bordeaux without seeing the medieval hilltop village of Saint-Emilion, and enjoying some of its vintages. Happily, it’s just a 34-minute train journey away, followed by a 20-minute walk along a vine-fringed road (or an hour-long bus ride without the walk in season). The eponymous eighth-century saint lived in a cave here, which you can still visit along with the catacombs and spectacular monolithic church; Emilion’s presence drew religious communities who were adept at wine making.

They included the monks at the Couvent des Jacobins, whose atmospheric cellars are reached through a small wooden Harry-Potter style door beneath the stairs. Private visits give you time to chill out in the pretty gardens, while tastings of their organic wines are accompanied by cheese, chocolate or St-Emilion’s famous macaroons. (Tour and tasting costs €22).

It's much more touristy up the road at Cloitre de Cordeliers, where you can enjoy a restaurant picnic in the ruins of the cloister and take a mad tuk-tuk tour around the town and through some of the miles of underground tunnels carved out under Saint-Emilion by quarrying. (Tuk-tuk and tasting costs €25.) The ones here are used to store sparkling wine rather than Bordeaux red, but just a five-minute walk away, Chateau Villemaurine uses some of its own network of tunnels to mature its superb grand cru classe. Tours by torchlight head into the silence of the cellars, where bats hang from the ceiling and vine roots work their way through the overhead rock. It would be hard to find a more evocative place to end my trip. (Tour and tasting costs €20).

Travel essentials

How to get there.

Bordeaux is just two hours from Paris by train. Returns from London St Pancras cost from £235 ( thetrainline.com ).

Where to stay

The Golden Tulip is a modern hotel just minutes from the station with B&B doubles from £90.

More information: Bordeaux-tourism.co.uk , gironde-tourisme.com

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An afternoon wine tour in Medoc

Drive along the « Chateau Route » of the Medoc Region, pass by mythical appellations which made the reputation of the Bordeaux wines. This specific terroir produces powerful red wines. During the afternoon, enjoy the visit of  one chateau:  a prestigious Classified Growth chateau of 1855!

• Visit of one chateau
• Tasting of 3/4 wines
• Tasting class
• Aperitif with traditional french products
• Professional and very friendly guide

Sightseeing along the chateaux route

• Small group of 8 people

2:00pm: Meet your guide in front of the Girondins Column. Look for the sign "Bordovino - A la française Bordeaux". Leave Bordeaux & drive through the Chateau route of the Médoc. The guide will provide you with all the information about the Bordeaux & Médoc region.

3.00pm: Visit a Great Classified Growth 1855 estate. Visit the vineyards, the vat room and the cellars and enjoy some explanations about their wine making process, from the vine to the bottle. Finish the visit by a tasting of the estate’s wines while enjoying an aperitif with French delicacies (fresh bread, cheese, dried sausage…)

4.30pm: Your guide will take you on a van tour of the Médoc's finest châteaux, with a stop in front of Château Margaux. At the end of the tour, you'll stop by the vineyards to enjoy a glass of white wine served by your guide.

6:30 pm: Back in Bordeaux.

Good to know

What's included.

Visits and tastings at one chateau

Workshop to learn how to taste Bordeaux wines

Appetizers with French delicacies

Transportation

Not included

Pick up and drop off at the hotel

Number of participants

This tour is operated by Bordovino à la Française

This tour is forbidden for chidren under 4 years old

No animals are allowed

Meeting point

Bordovino à la française, they had this experience, you might also like.

Are you looking for a guided tour of Bordeaux or surroundings?

When are you available.

Château Tour d'Auron Bordeaux Supérieur

Il business delle bevande

‘freshness’ is the watchword of the 2023 vintage of white bordeaux.

As he nears the end of his whistle-stop tour of the leading appellations of Bordeaux, db’s Colin Hay looks at the white wines of Pessac-Léognan and Graves, the blancs secs he’s sampled so far, and the sweet wines of Barsac and Sauternes. Here he finds the holy grail for whites – freshness. 

It seems sensible to put them together in a single article not just because Barsac and Sauternes now produce some of the leading dry whites of the entire region, even if many of them remain underappreciated, but also because what makes both great in this vintage is the same essential ingredient – freshness.

Freshness is the sine qua non of spectacular white wine because it is the source of tension and interest, turning what would otherwise be rich, flat and flabby into something vibrant, vivid and dynamic. And in an age of global warming, it is becoming ever more difficult to find.

But freshness is the watchword of the 2023 vintage in Bordeaux for the whites. In tasting these wines one might be forgiven for thinking that they come from a rather cooler and more classical growing season than in fact they do. But the secret to their greatness lies not in the average temperature over the growing season (which was relatively high and certainly above the ten-year average) but the comparatively overcast month of July as well as impressive day-to-night temperature ranges during the harvest itself. Both served to lock in freshness. The results, overall, are also rather more homogeneous than the reds and it was often both exciting and refreshing to taste them.

But if the dry whites are great, then it is important to emphasise that the Sauternes and Barsac reach another level altogether. In this vintage I find them truly exceptional – in part for exactly the same reason and in part because the rainfall that came in mid-September provided near perfect conditions for the even and rapid spread of Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) which formed on healthy and perfectly ripe grapes. The yields are, once again, often tragically small (with Climens, Nairac and La Tour Blanche all at less than 3 hl/ha, even if, as Table 1 shows, the average appellation yield is at a somewhat more healthy 12.2 hl/ha). But the quality of these wines, their interest, their individuality and their personality, is truly exceptional.

Tabella 1: Resa media dei vigneti per denominazione (hl/ha)

Source : calculated from Duanes data compiled by the CIVB Service Economie et Etudes

We are accustomed to associating greatness with longevity and although these wines do have very significant aging potential (not least precisely because of all that natural acidity), I would nonetheless encourage you to consider opening at least some of them young – with all of that youthful fresh, sapid, vibrant tension and dynamic radiance still intact. Most of those who produce these wines today both quite consciously make their wines to be accessible younger and, no less significantly, drink them younger than we tend to do. They are on to something. And we should think of following their lead.

I vini stessi

Given the quality of the vintage it is perhaps unsurprising that the two dry whites of the vintage come from perhaps the two most famous white terroirs of the region, those of Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion . But they are staggeringly different – almost mirror opposites of one another. Haut-Brion is classical brilliance, a grand scale, big tableau wine of staggering potential and harmony. La Mission Haut-Brion , by contrast, is in a way more redolently expressive of the vintage, tight, taut and tense to the core, dynamic and disruptive, utterly mesmerising.

Les Champs Libres is the freshest, the tensest, the most chiselled and structured of these wines and an utterly brilliant advert for Sauvignon Blanc on limestone. It is now reliably one of the truly great blancs secs of the region.

Amongst the Pessac-Léognan classed growth power houses, it is difficult to choose between the sublime but very different personalities of Domaine de Chevalier and Smith Haut-Lafitte . Each is instantly recognisable, each is likely to be seen in time as one of the strongest ever vintages from this duo of exceptional and truly reliable estates.

And Pavillon Blanc de Margaux is once again the star of the Médoc blanc secs, a wine of great purity, great elegance, great intensity and incredible crystallinity. It sets the benchmark for the Médoc, above all in this vintage.

It is exciting also for me to find, I think for the first time, two blancs secs from Barsac and Sauternes amongst my list of the truly greats. They are the beautifully elegant and refined Lilium de Climens (a further honing and elevation of the same style that Bérénice Lurton cultivated in the larger production Asphodèle) and the fantastically energetic Rayne Vigneau Grand Vin Sec , a wine almost pulsating in its combination of freshness and minerality.

Turning to the wines for which Barsac and Sauternes are, quite rightly, rather better known there is a veritable embarrassment of riches in this vintage. At the summit we find two wines of potential perfection – a truly exquisite, discrete and utterly beautiful Climens and a quite brilliant and rather shockingly delicate L’Extravagant de Doisy Daëne .

These are for me the twin super stars of the vintage. But every one of the first growths has made a wine of exceptional quality that seems to express its identity, personality and terroir as clearly as I have ever before witnessed. Whether it is Sigalas Rabaud with its levity and delicate white florality or Lafaurie-Peyraguey with that little hint of lanolin that is, for me, its signature note, each of these wines seems to express itself and its terroir so clearly. They deserve to be tasted together. But alongside those that I have already mentioned, I would also particularly single out a simply stunning Suduiraut (a wine on sparkling form in recent vintages and, something of a personal favourite, Doisy Dubroca . I don’t think I have ever tasted better en primeur samples from either property.

But, quite frankly, de Fargues , La Tour Blanche , Doisy Daëne and Rayne Vigneau , amongst a host of others, will all be very capable of having me in raptures any time following their bottling. If en primeur is the time you buy your Sauternes, then these all deserve your close consideration.

Highlights in 2023

Blancs secs (Graves, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux blanc & Vin de France)

Vini dell'annata:.

• Haut-Brion (97-99)
• La Mission Haut-Brion (96-98)

Veramente grande:

• Les Champs Libres (95-97)
• Domaine de Chevalier (95-97)
• Smith Haut Lafitte (95-97)
• Pavillon Blanc de Château Margaux (95-97)
• Couhins Lurton (93-95+)
• Lilium de Climens (93-95+)
• Couhins (93-95)
• Cos d'Estournel blanc (93-95)
• Malartic-Lagravière (93-95)
• Pape Clément (93-95)
• Rayne Vigneau Grand Vin Sec (93-95)

Scelte di valore:

• La Garde (92-94)
• Grand Village (92-94)
• La Louvière (92-94)
• Picque Caillou (92-94)
• Fourças Dupré (91-93)
• Lions de Suduiraut (91-93)
• Le Merle de Clarke (91-93)

Sauternes & Barsac

Il meglio della denominazione:.

• Climens (98-100)
• L’Extravagent de Doisy-Daëne (98-100)
• Suduiraut (96-98+)
• Lafaurie Peyraguey (95-97+)
• Doisy Dubroca (95-97)
• De Fargues (95-97)
• Sigalas Rabaud (95-97)
• La Tour Blanche (94-96+)
• Doisy Daëne (94-96)
• De Rayne Vigneau (93-95)
• Haut Bergeron (92-94)
• Bastor Lamontagne (91-93+)

See here for Colin’s full tasting notes for Pessac-Léognan & Graves, Bordeaux blanc sec & vins de France , and Barsac & Sauternes 2023 , as well as his appellation analysis for Margaux, St Julien , Pauillac , St Estèphe,   Saint Émilion, Pomerol and  Pessac-Léognan   (rouge).

Per saperne di più:

A guide to Bordeaux 2023 in ten questions

Rapporto sull'annata Bordeaux 2023 parte I: qualità e quantità insieme, per una volta

Rapporto sulla vendemmia bordolese parte 2: un'annata di reattività, vigilanza e sorveglianza

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