best wine tour in bordeaux france

🍷 The 7 Best Bordeaux Wine Tours [2024 Reviews]

How would you like to spend the day out in some of the most beautiful places in the world, sipping some of the best wine with expert guides to teach you all about them?

You’ll be able to experience all that and more with these carefully curated wine tours! I’ve selected the top Bordeaux wine tours that are well worth your time and money, so you don’t have to worry about being on a sub-par excursion!

Whether you’re completely new to the world of wine or consider yourself a vino connoisseur, there’s something here for you. Let’s jump right in!

Best Wine Tours in Bordeaux

Quick answer: the 7 best rated bordeaux wine tours for 2024.

• Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux
• Saint-Emilion Private Full Day Wine Tour from Bordeaux
• Saint-Emilion Electric Bike Day Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch
• Bordeaux Full Day Wine Tour – 3 Wineries & Gourmet Picnic Lunch
• Full-Day tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux
• Saint-Emilion Afternoon Tour – 2 Wineries, Tastings & Delicacies
• Medoc or Saint Emilion Wine Tasting and Chateau from Bordeaux

Bordeaux Wine Tour Reviews

1. saint emilion day trip with sightseeing tour & wine tastings from bordeaux.

• Duration:  8 hours
• Departure:  12 Cr du 30 Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux
• Departure Time: 9:30 AM
• Includes:  Short walking tour of St. Emilion village, professional English-speaking qualified driver/tour guide, 3 wine tasting sessions, transport by air-conditioned minibus

Bordeaux is certainly a lovely place, but if you’re looking to explore a UNESCO World Heritage-listed region many aren’t aware of, Saint-Emilion awaits with its architectural marvels and wine!

The Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux  offers a beautiful day full of various visits to stunning chateaus, complete with thorough wine tastings at each!

If you’re looking to simultaneously explore and sip on world-class reds and whites, look no further than this steal of a deal!

Our tour started out by heading to the central meeting point to hop onboard a spacious, climate-controlled minivan where we had plenty of room and big windows for premium views of the gorgeous countryside.

As we rolled along, our friendly guide offered an educational commentary about the history of the region, as well as more specific points relating to their wines. Our first stop of the day was the charming medieval village of Saint-Emilion, which dates back all the way to 56 BC!

We got out and explored the grounds of a breathtaking chateau before heading inside for a guided wine tasting, while the guide and local staff showed us how their soil and climate work together to produce these very unique-tasting grapes.

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This is how the Bordeaux region has distinguished itself amongst other wines around the world, and we of course got to taste some of their masterpieces!

We then made our way to the actual town of Saint-Emilion, which is very easy to cover by foot and is filled with amazing historical monuments, views, and of course, wine.

After taking some leisure time to browse around, grab lunch, and do some shopping, we stopped at a gorgeous wine estate in Pomerol, where our guide offered great commentary on the history, terroir, and different wine production methodologies!

I had no idea about the 2 appellations as well as the intricate backgrounds behind the different wines, which was cool to learn about! Thanks to the beautiful locations, friendly people, and expertise of our guide, it was a truly memorable day that I’d recommend to anyone!

Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. saint-emilion private full day wine tour from bordeaux.

• Duration: 8 hours
• Departure: Le Grand Hotel, an IHG Hotel, 2-5 Place de la Comedie, 33000
• Departure Time: 9:00 & 9:30 AM
• Includes: Pro English-speaking driver/guide (other languages upon request), transport by air-conditioned minivan, free wi-fi access on board, pre-selection of wineries and wine tastings

Perhaps you’re in the market for a more luxurious, private full-day wine tour that offers exclusivity, personalized attention, and unforgettable wine tastings.

If so, look no further than the Saint-Emilion Private Full Day Wine Tour from Bordeaux , which comes complete with a chauffeur to guide you through the gorgeous countryside dotted with historic chatueax and lush vineyards.

Learn from passionate winemakers about the intertwined artistry and traditions behind each wine, gaining a deep appreciation for the land that shaped them.

Your tour starts off with you having the option to either meet your guide at the InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel, or opt to be picked up from your hotel (if different from the one just mentioned).

As this is a private tour, you won’t be traveling in a coach designed for bigger groups, but rather a luxury vehicle for just your party and your guide.

Speaking of our guide, he was incredibly funny, kind, and offered plenty of insight into the history of the cities and wineries we visited as we cruised around!

You’ll also have the option of selecting to explore one of the following appellations: Medoc, Saint-Emilion, Graves, or Sauternes – all of which are world-class regions for wine.

Depending on which one you choose, your guide will start to curate a custom tasting experience and tours at 3 different well-renowned wine chateaux!

Our guide actually helped us make our selection beforehand, going off of our interests and wine preferences, which was a big bonus for me.

I loved the way this tour was spaced out, offering plenty of time at each chateau for learning about the history of each, as well as the wines (with plenty of tastings!).

We had a lovely bike tour throughout the little Medieval village, which let us see it from end to end, making stops at little cafes and curiosities along the way. This is definitely not your cookie-cutter, run of the mill tour that just rattles off facts you could easily find on Google!

3. Saint-Emilion Electric Bike Day Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch

• Duration: 8 to 9 hours
• Departure:  RUSTIC VINES – 33000, 26 Rue de la Devise, 33000 Bordeaux
• Departure Time: 9:00 AM
• Includes: All fees and taxes, lunch, bottled water, use of electric bike and helmet, alcoholic beverages, English-speaking guide

This next tour reminds me quite a bit of the previous one, though it focuses solely on Saint-Emilion. If you’re looking for an exclusive experience just for you and your party, check out the Saint-Emilion Electric Bike Day Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch !

Combine breathtaking natural landscapes with top-notch wine and incredible castles, and you have the making for a fantastic day!

This 8-hour experience is filled with premium features, like easy, round-trip transportation from Bordeaux so you don’t have to worry about spending money on separate transportation.

Upon meeting our guide, it was immediately evident that they were incredibly knowledgeable, offering us a fun commentary about the region’s history as we headed out.

Our transportation was very comfortable, with ample legroom and big windows great for viewing and taking photos along the way.

Once we got to the beautiful Saint-Emilion, we had the pleasant surprise of renting e-bikes, donning helmets, and taking a casual bike ride over to our first vineyard estate of the day!

As it was still morning time, the weather was perfect and made for a very relaxing cycle on over to Chateau Bernateau. This family-run, family-owned estate looks like it’s from a fairytale, and we got the chance to tour the property before tasting and learning about their wines!

After our magnificent tasting, we had a delicious picnic lunch on site, consisting of your typical French fare like an array of soft and hard cheeses, cold cuts, veggies, and more.

We then digested while we cycled on over to Chateau de Chambrun – Chateau Moncets for another in-depth visit and wine tasting before having leisure time in the village itself.

We finished things up with a charming little wine tasting right in the center of the village, where I had a fabulous Merlot and Cabernet Franc!

4. Bordeaux Full Day Wine Tour – 3 Wineries & Gourmet Picnic Lunch

• Duration: 9 hours
• Departure: 12 Cr du 30 Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux
• Departure Time: 9:05 AM
• Includes: Transport in air-conditioned minivan, local English-speaking guide, visits and wine tastings at 3 wineries, gourmet picnic-style lunch at chateau with glass of wine

This next tour really impressed me with how much they managed to fit into one day, while still making it feel like everything was perfectly-timed. I didn’t feel rushed or herded around like cattle – rather, our guide went above and beyond with their planning and meticulous organization.

The Bordeaux Full Day Wine Tour – 3 Wineries & Gourmet Picnic Lunch is that “best bang for your buck” tour that lets you see some of the very best this region has to offer.

This is a small-group tour, so we benefited from having our guide’s attention the entire time and felt comfortable asking any questions we had. This, along with our cozy little air-conditioned minivan created a more intimate experience that really improved upon our tour.

Getting to gaze out over the rolling, vineyard-covered hills while our guide regaled us with interesting historical commentary and wine facts was the perfect way to journey out there, too!

Depending on our preferences, we got to choose between a visit to a winery in Pessac-Leognan or Graves, and we had a delicious time tasting some unique reds and whites at one of the area’s most well-known chateaus.

After that, we continued on to Saint-Emilion, which I have to say, the wine is some of the best I’ve ever had but it’s so charming on its own it’s worth going for the vibe alone!

Here, we went to a famous family-owned vineyard where we tasted their very best wines before enjoying a cute picnic-style lunch surrounded by the beautiful scenery.

We got some free time to walk around the village before traveling to Pomerol for another incredible wine tasting in a chateau, with a friendly and fun host. The sparkling wine was oddly enough my favorite, considering I’m not usually a fan of sparkling wines.

I guess that just attests to the high level of quality of the estates we visited on this tour, with memorable times spent with our little group and guide!

5. Full-Day Tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux

• Departure: 2ter Rue Mably, 33000 Bordeaux, France
• Includes: 8 wine tastings, visit to 3 wineries, air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver/tour guide, guided tour of Saint-Emilion village, picnic in chateau

How would you like to spend a luxurious afternoon in some of the best wine country in the world, experiencing some of the world’s most prestigious wine appellations firsthand?

If that sounds interesting to you, do yourself a favor and check out the Full-Day Tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux .

Starting off early in the morning, you’ll make the most of your day traveling around to 3 top-notch wineries in comfortable transport with an expert guide there to help lead you through samples of some of the best wine on the planet.

It’s such a relief arriving to a tour and feeling like you’re in good hands with a knowledgeable guide – that’s exactly what you get here.

I’ve been on wine tastings where it feels like we’re just going through the motions – not learning about what makes each wine special and the differences from one to the other.

That’s not at all the case here, as our guide did a fantastic job working with the chateau staff to provide us with an immersive, in-depth education.

First things first, we went on a guided walking tour throughout the heart of the medieval village of Saint-Emilion, which really appealed to all of us history buffs in our group!

Then, it was time to visit our first chateau for a comprehensive wine tasting, learning all about the terroir, different blending techniques, and the area’s history.

After all that sipping and learning, it was time to relax with a picnic lunch consisting of savory cheeses and artisanal charcuterie, paired with a nice glass of wine.

After this, we headed to Bargaux, where I had my first experience tasting at a Grand Cru Classe Chateau (1855 classification), and it really made me realize why Bordeaux wines are so well-reputed all over the globe!

With plenty of tastings and photo stops, I can honestly say I don’t think my guide left anything out! Natural beauty, friendly staff, lots of history, and plenty of world-class wine – what more could you ask for?

6. Saint-Emilion Afternoon Tour – 2 Wineries, Tastings & Delicacies

• Duration: 5.5 hours
• Departure Time: 1:30 PM
• Includes: Transport by air-conditioned minivan, English-speaking local guide, 2 winery visits, 5-6 tastings, Saint Emilion medieval town guided walk, French aperitif: wine paired with local delicacies at the second winery

If you would like to experience some of the best wine right from the source while still staying on a tight budget, this next tour is for you. The Saint-Emilion Afternoon Tour – 2 Wineries, Tastings & Delicacies is an amazing value that includes convenient round-trip transportation!

Not only that, but it comes in the format of a small-group tour so you don’t have to worry about traveling around with a huge herd of people and get to experience this region the way it was meant to be!

This is also a fantastic option if you don’t want to commit to or simply don’t have the time for a full-day tour like the others that I’ve covered have been. It’s significantly shorter, while still managing time effectively enough to have substantial visits to 2 famous wineries!

It’s also a great way to dip your toe into the Saint-Emilion AOC (appellation) if it’s your first time here, with a great tour guide that does a great job of educating in an approachable way.

After meeting up with our guide at the tourism office, we boarded our comfy minivan and headed straight out to a Grand Cru winery to learn about the different stages of the winemaking process.

After walking through the estate, we had one of the winemakers then take us through a tasting of these high-quality wines (as one should expect from a Grand Cru vineyard!).

It was a smart idea for us to then go on a guided walk through the quaint streets of Saint-Emilion to let us walk off some of the wine before heading to another family-owned winery!

This winery operated very differently from the first, which was a more “corporate” experience with high-volume productions and different processes. It was very interesting to see the differences of each and get to taste their productions, allowing for a nice compare and contrast.

7. Medoc or Saint Emilion Wine Tasting and Chateau from Bordeaux

• Duration: 4.5 hours
• Departure: 2792 Pl. des Quinconces, 33000 Bordeaux
• Departure Time: 2:00 PM
• Includes: Transport by air-conditioned minivan, French appetizer platter, 3 to 4 wines tasted at St. Emilion, wine workshop, local guide

Learn firsthand about the history of French winemaking excellence with the Medoc or Saint Emilion Wine Tasting and Chateau from Bordeaux tour !

Head straight into the heart of picturesque vineyards and scenic countryside, with expert connoisseurs who let you in on some of the secrets behind these famous appellations! Offering a choice between Medoc and Saint-Emilion, each one has its own distinct varietals and terroir.

Along with the previous tour, this is the other best option if you’re looking for a more compact tour that still allows you to experience meticulous craftsmanship and regal landscapes!

The small-group setting is limited to just 8 participants, which is perfect for learning in a more intimate environment and asking questions without issue. We decided on the Medoc wine tour, where we saw Mouton-Rothschild, Latour, and Margaux.

We took plenty of photo stops while our guide filled us in on some fun facts and historical accounts With private tastings of bold Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots, I really got to discover the art of blending and aging and refine my tasting skills!

We were able to tour the wine cellars – some of which had fascinating histories that were even affected during WWII! We not only got to sample their incredible wines, but tried them alongside delicious French cheeses, breads, and sausages!

The Saint-Emilion tour is quite similar, where you’ll visit various chateaux (including one Grand Cru Classe) tasting the best of their wines alongside fresh, local cheeses, bread, and meats.

It’s a great “taste” of the amazing wines and magnificent chateaux in this legendary region, which is ideal for many who don’t want to invest an entire day to the purpose. You’ll get to learn, see, and taste a lot, offering insight into the importance wine plays to the entire country!

Wines Tasted

Tour guides.

The Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux is our Editors Choice for the best Bordeaux wine tour

Krysha Thayer

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The best wine tours in Bordeaux

If you’re looking for amazing wine tours and wine-related experiences, Bordeaux is your city! This shouldn’t come as a surprise in a region that is considered by many as the world wine capital. 

If you’re confused and don’t know what are the best wine tours to take in the Bordeaux wine region , I’m here to help. After years of traveling and trying different tours, guides, and winery visits I gathered a list of the best experiences the Bordeaux region has to offer. If you’re a wine lover or just interested in visiting several wineries on your trip to Bordeaux, keep reading as there’s a lot of important information here for you.

How to take a wine tour in Bordeaux

A semi-private wine tour to saint emilion or medoc, discovering wineries by bike – biking wine tours in bordeaux , group tours in the bordeaux wine region , private wine tours from bordeaux , self-guided tours in the wineries of bordeaux , wine activity in bordeaux .

If you have no problem planning your wine trip yourself and looking for winery recommendations , you can go ahead and skip to the Self-Guided Tours section of this article.

I want to start, however, by helping those who don’t want the hassle of organizing a wine tour. And even though, I personally like self-organized tours, there are a few big advantages to taking a guide.

First, you get a lot of knowledge about the history of the Bordeaux wine region and winemaking in Bordeaux. But also, it enables you to drink a lot of wine without worrying about driving back to Bordeaux.

Wine tours are probably the main attraction Bordeaux has to offer. So as you can imagine, there’s no shortage of guides and tour operators offering wine tours in the region. Some of them are very professional and knowledgeable and others less so. That’s why it’s important to know what you’re booking. 

There are several types of wine tours you can find in Bordeaux. 

A private wine tour with a guide who takes you straight from the doorsteps of your hotel to visit several wineries in one day. A more popular option is the semi-private wine you, where a small group is going to visit 2-4 wineries in one or two wine regions in Bordeaux . 

Then you have the big group tours with 10 to 50 participants. These are less recommended in my opinion but they are very well-priced. And lastly, you have more unique experiences that include food tasting, cycling, and more.

In this article, I summarized the best wine tours and experiences in each of these categories. All the tours on my list start in Bordeaux which is great for anyone staying in a hotel in the city center . 

Semi-private tours are small group tours of 6-8 people. These tours feel quite intimate even though they are not private. They’re usually not too expensive, considering the fact that it saves you transportation costs. So all in all, that’s the tour I recommend taking if you’re not into self-guided tours.  

There are quite a few companies offering private and semi-private tours from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion or Medoc. Here are a few I recommend. 

A Saint Emilion wine tour

One of the best travel companies to offer wine tours to Saint Emilion is Ophorus. Their tours include guided visits to some of the best wineries from different classifications of Saint Emilion. They also take you on a tour of the village of Saint Emilion where you get to visit some of the main landmarks.

The first option is a full-day trip to Saint Emilion and its wineries. If you have time, I highly recommend taking that tour so you can properly explore this world-renowned wine region, which has so much to offer. This tour includes a visit to three wineries from 1ᵉʳ, 2ᵉʳ, and 3ᵉʳ Saint Emilion wine estates (different growth classifications). You can book the full-day tour here .

If you don’t have the time for a full-day trip, there is also the half-day wine tour option with a visit to a one-classified growth winery and the village itself. The company offers daily tours in the morning and the afternoon. You can book the tour here .

*See recommended wineries to visit in Saint Emilion . 

Medoc Full Day Wine Tour, from Bordeaux

One of the tours I highly enjoyed was the one offered by Ophorus , a reputable company in wine tourism in this region. 

The full-day wine tour to Medoc includes a visit to three different wineries, all carefully chosen by their team. The tour allows you to visit wineries from different appellations in Medoc and observe the differences between the more prestigious chateaux and smaller family-owned properties. All the chateaux on the tours are either Grand Cru classé or Cru Bourgeois, so good wine is guaranteed. 

There are two great options for guided tours to the Medoc – A full-day tour and a half-day tour. I really enjoyed the full day, but I think that half a day is enough to get a taste of the Medoc.

Saint-Émilion Food and Wine Tour

If you want a full-day trip to Saint Emilion I recommend taking the one offered by Olala Bordeaux. Their tour lasts about six hours and includes a visit to three châteaux in Saint Emilion as well as a fun picnic. Book it here . 

* See recommended wineries to visit in Medoc . 

From Bordeaux: Afternoon Saint-Emilion Wine Tasting Trip

If you want to start the morning in Bordeaux and get to Saint Emilion later in the day, this tour might be perfect for you. The afternoon wine tour offered by Bordovino includes a visit to two wineries and a tasting of four Saint Emilion wines. 

As you get to visit one small family estate and a big Grand Cru winery, you have the chance to compare their wines and see the differences in their wine-making techniques. You’ll finish the day with an early evening tour of the medieval town. 

You can book the tour here . 

Cycling from one winery to another while enjoying the landscape of Saint Emilion’s lush vineyards is a beautiful experience you don’t want to miss. There are a few companies offering biking tours in Saint Emilion. Both companies I mention here offer only electric bike tours and that’s because Saint Emilion is a very hilly wine region which makes cycling hard.

Bordeaux: St-Emilion Vineyards e-Bike Tour with Wine & Lunch

This Saint Emilion full-day bike trip is offered by Bordovino. You start the day in Bordeaux and the company takes you to Saint Emilion where you’ll get the e-bikes. 

You then get a bit of time to tour the beautiful medieval town before you head on your cycling journey. The unique part of the tour starts once you get out of the center of Saint Emilion. You’ll cycle on the beautiful chateaux route, passing by famous estates like Petrus or Château Cheval Blanc. 

On this tour, you get to visit two Saint Emilion wineries and taste their wines. The visit to the first château also includes a light lunch in their garden. Their bike tours are offered only during the tourist season, starting in April. 

Book your bike wine tour here . 

Rustic Vines – e-bike tours

This is another recommended wine e-bike tour, offered by Rustic Vines, a company that specializes in biking tours. In this small tour, you get to visit two wineries and taste delicious local specialties during your lunch. You get a short walking tour of Saint Emilion at the end of the day and even have an extra wine tasting at a wine boutique.

Like in the previous tour I described, here too you start your tour in Bordeaux and the company takes you to Saint Emilion. If you’re already in Saint Emilion you can start straight from there, and get a reduced price.  Book your tour here .

While I highly recommend taking a semi-private wine tour, their prices range from 90 to 160 euros p/p. It’s not extremely expensive for a wine tour, however, it’s not an affordable price for a lot of travelers to the Bordeaux region. 

That’s where the group wine tours come in handy. 

The Bordeaux tourism office offers tours to most wine appellations around Bordeaux, including the less-known ones. You can choose between a day trip to Saint Emilion with a visit to one winery and a wine tour to areas like Medoc, Blaye, Graves, and Sauternes where you get to visit two wine properties. 

These tours are guided by professional guides who are generally quite charismatic 🙂 The main advantage of taking a group tour is the price which is usually under 50 euros p/p.

If you have the Bordeaux city pass , you get another discount of 15% – you can purchase the city pass here . 

The downside of these group tours is the number of people allowed on a tour which can easily get to around 40. 

Here’s the schedule of the group wine tours in Bordeaux: 

Monday: Saint Emilion or Fronsac  Tuesday: Medoc Wednesday: Graves and Sauternes  Thursday: Bourg and Blaye Friday: Entre Deux Mers (the white wine region of Bordeaux) Saturday: Medoc Sunday: Saint Emilion or Fronsac 

Some useful information: 

• All the tours start at the Tourist office of Bordeaux at 13:30 and last for five hours. 
• During the winter the tours are offered only on weekends
• Kids under the age of 5yo cannot join their tours 

You can book your tours directly on their website . 

Another option is private wine tours from Bordeaux . These tend to be quite expensive as you hire a person to accompany you the whole day. But if you find the right guide, a private tour can be an unforgettable experience.

The best guides in this region are personally familiar with many wine markers and can take you to unique places. 

Here are a few of my recommendations for private guides in Bordeaux.

If you’re looking for a tour in Saint Emilion, I highly recommend Nicolle from Sip . Her tour focuses on small independent producers in Saint Emilion. She also wrote a great book about Bordeaux wine which I highly recommend.

As she has been working as a wine guide for more than two decades she can organize tours to Medoc, Pessac Leognan, and other parts of the Bordeaux wine region. This is her Medoc private tour , for example. 

If you’re interested in discovering the Sauternes world, I highly recommend Anne from Aquitaine travel guide . 

If you’re looking for kid-friendly experiences, Anne is great at that too. Drop her an email with all your questions: [email protected]

Two other great English-speaking wine tour guides in the region are Malgorzata Balaban-Delcros and Marie Hallier ,who also offers amazing tours to Cognac. 

In the last few years, I wrote many articles about visiting wineries in the Bordeaux wine region . So if you want to go on a self-organized tour, you can find all the info on this site. 

Here are a few wineries that I recommend for English speakers: Château de Pressac in Saint Emilion, Château Pape Clément in Pessac Leognan, and Château du Taillan in Medoc.

And this is a full list of all Bordeaux wine-related articles with more winery recommendations, that will help you plan your Bordeaux self-guided wine tour:

Best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion  A guide to the Bordeaux wine region  A day trip to Saint Emilion How to visit wineries in the Bordeaux wine region without a car A weekend in the Medoc wine region  Best wineries to visit in Sauternes  Best wineries in Bordeaux to visit with kids 

If you’re planning on a wine road trip with several winery visits, I highly recommend renting a car. You can find good prices for rental cars in Bordeaux here . If you’ve already decided what chateaux you’re planning to visit and you just want a driver to take you there, you can find one here . 

Finally, if you’re in Bordeaux for a very short stay and have absolutely no time for a wine tour you have a few other wine-related activities in the city. 

Cité du Vin – visit the world’s biggest wine museum

La Cite du Vin is a unique cultural center, dedicated to the discovery of wine. Through its interactive exhibition, it offers a journey to both French and global wine history. Read about what to expect when visiting the museum in my article about my visit to the Cité du Vin . You can avoid the lines at the entrance by booking the tickets online – here . 

The ticket to the museum is quite pricy but you can enter the museum for free with the Bordeaux CityPass . To enjoy the free entrance you must enter the museum before noon.

Bordeaux Small-Group Wine Tasting class 

You can also take a morning wine-tasting class with a Professional sommelier guide. This is a two-hour workshop where you’ll learn about and taste wines from different wine regions in France.

Book the class here . 

Wine tours with kids

Most wine tour providers in this region do not welcome kids on the tour, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the Bordeaux wine region with your kids. All you have to do is choose a château from my article about the most kids-friendly wineries in Bordeaux . 

Pin this article, so you can use it on your visit to the Bordeaux wine region!

First time visiting Bordeaux?

If you’re visiting Bordeaux for the first time, be sure to check out my  ultimate guide to Bordeaux , which will get you familiar with all the “must” places to visit in Bordeaux. To help you to choose a hotel in Bordeaux 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 choose your preferred 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

* 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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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).

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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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Best Bordeaux Wine Tastings & Wineries to visit

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

Château La Fleur De Boüard

25,00 € - 525,00 €

Château Yon-Figeac

13,00 € - 55,00 €

Château Suduiraut 1er Cru Classé de Sauternes

20,00 € - 40,00 €

Château de Bonhoste

10,00 € - 28,00 €

Château de Rayne Vigneau 1er Grand Cru Classé 1855

17,50 € - 240,00 €

Château Haut Breton Larigaudière

10,00 € - 35,00 €

Château Ferrand

15,00 € - 35,00 €

Château Lanessan

15,00 € - 30,00 €

Château De La Rivière

Château Destieux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé

30,00 € - 50,00 €

Château Pape Clément, Grand Cru Classé

25,00 € - 99,00 €

Château Rol Valentin

15,00 € - 55,00 €

Château de Sales

8,00 € - 40,00 €

Château La Croizille, Grand Cru Classé

18,00 € - 48,00 €

Vignobles Chatonnet - Château Haut Chaigneau

10,00 € - 40,00 €

Château Hourtin-Ducasse

15,00 € - 25,00 €

Vignobles Bardet

Château Dauzac, Grand Cru Classé

15,00 € - 49,00 €

Château La Tour Blanche, Grand Cru Classé

0,00 € - 69,00 €

Clos Des Abbesses

22,00 € - 42,00 €

Château Bouscaut

12,00 € - 35,00 €

Château d'Agassac

Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux

Château Pillebois

Vignobles Moncets & Chambrun

7,00 € - 30,00 €

Château Loudenne

10,00 € - 300,00 €

Château Prieuré Marquet

20,00 € - 45,00 €

Château Monconseil-gazin

7,00 € - 49,00 €

Château Grangey

15,00 € - 40,00 €

Château De Chelivette

14,00 € - 39,00 €

Château Luchey-halde

9,00 € - 50,00 €

Château Chauvin

10,00 € - 30,00 €

Château Balestard La Tonnelle, Grand Cru Classé

15,00 € - 20,00 €

Château Larrivet Haut-brion

Château Croix Beauséjour

Vignobles Mouty

Château Sainte Barbe

3,00 € - 30,00 €

Château Giscours, Grand Cru Classé

18,00 € - 75,00 €

Château Léognan

Château de Camarsac

Domaine Du Grand Ormeau

0,00 € - 10,00 €

Château Siran

9,00 € - 25,00 €

Château Haut Bailly

50,00 € - 60,00 €

30,00 € - 59,00 €

Château Tournefeuille

8,00 € - 30,00 €

Château Fleur De Lisse

25,00 € - 160,00 €

La Maison Cardinale

40,00 € - 50,00 €

Olala Bordeaux

Château Jouvente

5,00 € - 25,00 €

Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac

19,00 € - 49,00 €

Vignobles Bedrenne

20,00 € - 25,00 €

A La Française Bordeaux

64,00 € - 179,00 €

Château De Malherbes

Château Réaut

12,00 € - 25,00 €

Chateau Tour Saint Fort

Château La Garde

Château De Seguin

Château Franc Mayne, Grand Cru Classé

Château Toulouse-Lautrec

Chateau Fontesteau

Château Doisy Daëne

Max Bordeaux

25,00 € - 60,00 €

Château Haut Nouchet

3,00 € - 25,00 €

Château du Payre

Château Chêne Liège

25,00 € - 90,00 €

Château Saint-Hilaire

0,00 € - 20,00 €

Domaines Fabre

Château Fonroque

25,00 € - 45,00 €

Château Cazebonne

Cité Du Vin de Bordeaux

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Fully updated schedule

Every host on Winalist directly updates its schedule according their availabilities. Therefore, by browsing and booking on Winalist, your have direct access to the most up to date availabilities of the experiences.

Change your mind anytime

We understand that you plans might change, that's why we offer free cancellation for every experience on Winalist. Just check the cancellation policy before booking so you’ll know the timeframe in which you will be able to cancel your booking.

Last minute

Experiences available on last-minute

From €20.00

From €10.00

From €15.00

From €25.00

From €40.00

From €22.00

From €49.00

Full or half-day tours

Best guided tours in Bordeaux

From €199.00

From €159.00

From €149.00

From €179.00

From €320.00

From €99.00

From €169.00

Glowing reviews

They loved their experience!

Visit to the castle today. Very interesting visit but a little (too) quick.

Very pleasant visit with a passionate person.

Amazing visit, beautiful location. A special thanks to our host, who was so knowledgeable and friendly.

Unequivocally the best way to get to know the reality of a good Sauternes. The service was magnificent, the explanations were very complete, the history of the pr...

Fantastic - tour, wine tasting and charcuterie board were excellent (also highly recommend the pate). Also - it is open on a Sunday and has a wine bar whereas ma...

Very informative and good the visit Was a nicectour

We highly recommend this visit Initiated or not, we learn a lot about the domain, the way of working, the choices made on the domain A very interesting experience...

Great experience, the visit and tasting went very well. The castle is magnificent.

Wonderful experience and excellent service from Emilien. Looking forward to seeing you again

Château Sansonnet, Grand Cru Classé

Wonderful experience, our host was Karine - she was outstanding! She took the time to make us feel welcome & tailored the wine tour for us, so we could learn ...

Wonderful cellar The visit with Thomas was very interesting and informative.. Fabulous vertical tasting of Sauternes premier cru...not to be missed

Many thanks to Valérie who passionately transmits the history and know-how of the estate. Very enriching visit, in an exceptional place. We had a great time, w...

Really perfect, the person was very generous with the information she shared with us 💓

Château Haut-lagrange

Very pleasant visit. She explained everything in detail and the tasting was very good. Very friendly.

Our guide was amazingly informative. We learnt a lot about the whole process from grape to bottle. There wasn’t a single question she couldn’t answer. We’ve...

Visit made this afternoon. Very beautiful estate and castle which remains authentic. Visit made with a passionate and exciting person who made us discover the Pom...

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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. 

Best cities to visit in Bordeaux

Best wineries in Bordeaux

278 experiences

Best wineries in Pauillac

204 experiences

Best wineries in Margaux

39 experiences

Bordeaux wines

Taste and buy wines from the Bordeaux region from our hosts during your experience

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By appellation

Good to know before visiting the Bordeaux Wine Tastings & Wineries

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 ?

• Château Yon-Figeac with an average rating of 4.8 among 199 reviews.
• Château Suduiraut 1er Cru Classé de Sauternes with an average rating of 4.8 among 168 reviews.
• Château de Bonhoste with an average rating of 4.8 among 163 reviews.
• The duration of the experience: The longer the visit and tasting, the higher the cost.
• The type of visit: Visit to a cellar, wine estate, or distillery.
• The presence of a guide: A tour guided by an expert, especially over a half or full day, can increase the price.
• Services included: Premium tastings, number of wines tasted, and additional activities such as wine workshops or meals.

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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!  

Plan Your Visit

Best known grapes, best time to visit, how long to stay, how to get there.

Best Bordeaux Wine Tours

Article written by Elisa This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Bordeaux is known worldwide for being France’s wine capital. It is a true mecca for wine lovers who will have a blast visiting wine châteaux and doing tastings.

Touring the Bordeaux wine region is one of the best things to do in Bordeaux ! There are many wine tours from Bordeaux, but if you have a car, you can also organize self-guided wine trips in the region.

The Bordeaux wine region is vast, and you will find excellent vineyards on both the Garonne River banks, where castle-like estates produce superb wine in fairy-tale settings. To help you decide which type of wine tour works best for you, we put together this comprehensive guide to the best Bordeaux wine tours.  

Are you planning a Bordeaux trip last minute?

Below are some of the best Bordeaux tours, hotels, and more!

• Book your flight tickets to Bordeaux (BOD) ; Book your train tickets to Bordeaux .
• Book your transfer from Bordeaux Airport to the city with Welcome Pickups

Looking to travel around Bordeaux independently? Click here for the best rental car rates in Bordeaux .

Top Experiences and Tours in Bordeaux

• Bordeaux Guided Bike Tour
• Cité du Vin Entry Ticket
• Garonne River Cruise with a Glass of Wine
• Day Trip to Saint-Emilion Wine Region
• Day Trip to the Médoc Wine Region

Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Bordeaux? Get your hands on a  Bordeaux City Pass !

Top Bordeaux Accommodation and Lodging

• InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel (historical 5-star hotel in the Old Town)
• Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa (lovely and central boutique hotel with seasonal pool)
• Meininger Hotel Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean (budget hotel ideal for long stays)
• Check the full list of our favorite hotels in Bordeaux

Don’t leave for Bordeaux without travel insurance!

Compare plans, prices, and coverage with  Travel Insurance Master , a comparison site that will find the perfect fit for you amongst the world’s leading programs.  Travel Insurance Master is also the best place to look for senior travelers .

Bordeaux Left Bank vs Bordeaux Right Bank – Where to Go?

The  Bordeaux Wine Region  is not only one of the most famous French wine regions but is also one of the largest. Where to go for a Bordeaux wine tour? The Bordeaux wine area has three main wine production areas:

Rive Gauche (Garonne and Gironde Rivers’ left bank). Here, Cabernet Sauvignon is the main grape variety. North of Bordeaux is the area of the famous red wines of Médoc and Haut-Médoc (Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux, and more). South of Bordeaux, the AOC Péssac-Léognan and AOC Graves produce good and lighter reds and whites, while the AOC Sauternes produces botrytized sweet wines.

Entre-deux-Mers is the wine production area located between the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. This area produces good reds and whites. The AOC Entre-deux-Mers , however, only concerns the white dry wines, while the rest of the production in this area is sold as AOC Bordeaux or AOC Bordeaux Supérieur.

Rive Droite (Dordogne River’s Right Bank). Merlot is the main grape variety here. This is the area where the famous red wines of AOC Saint-Emilion and AOC Pomerol are produced.

Guided Bordeaux wine tours explore the region’s most famous wine areas and include transportation and an expert guide. I have taken several Bordeaux wine-tasting tours, and I never knew in advance what châteaux we would visit during the tours. However, I was always satisfied with the places we visited.

Following is a handy table with the best wine tours from Bordeaux in the Bordeaux. The groups are small, with up to 8 people.

Best Wineries in Bordeaux for Self-Guided Wine Trips

When opting for a self-guided wine tour, you must remember that most wine tastings and visits to the wineries are available by appointment only. You won’t be able to show up to a château you like and count on someone being available to welcome you to the property and give you access to the tastings.

In addition to reserving your wine-tasting spots, you will need a car to get to the wineries. We suggest you check out DiscoverCars.com , a comparison site that will find the best car rental deals.

Following is a well-rounded list of the best wineries in the Bordeaux wine region. The Châteaux du Médoc are the most popular, but there are also beautiful wine estates in Saint-Emilion and the Right Bank in general. At the time of writing this article, all the wineries below offer tours in French and English with tastings, and you can book through the links below.

Bordeaux Left Bank

• Château Talbot – Grand Cru Classé (Saint-Julien /Haut-Médoc)
• Château La Haye (Saint-Estèphe /Haut Médoc)
• Château Saint-Hiliare-Domaine Uijjtewaal (Médoc)
• Château Ferrière – Grand Cru Classé (Margaux /Haut-Médoc)
• Château Kirwan – Grand Cru Classé (Margaux /Haut-Médoc)
• Château Haut-Bages Libéral – Grand Cru Classé (Pauillac /Haut Médoc)
• Château Malartic-Lagravière – Grand Cru Classé (Pessac Leognan)
• Château de Cérons (Graves)
• Château Gravas (Sauternes)

Bordeaux Entre-deux-Mers

• Château Le Grand Verdus (Bordeaux Supérieur)
• Château de Camarsac (Entre-deux-Mers)

Bordeaux Right Bank

• Château Cadet Bon – Grand Cru Classé (Saint-Emilion)
• Couvent des Jacobins – Grand Cru Classé (Saint-Emilion)
• Château Mazeyres (Pomerol)
• Château Taillefer (Pomerol)

Bordeaux Wine Tour vs Self-Guided Wine Trip

Joining guided Bordeaux wine tours has many advantages, like that it is more educational, as you are with an expert guide, and there is no planning to do on your part since the tour is fully organized.

Among the disadvantages of guided wine tours is that the schedule is not flexible since everything is already organized. Guided Bordeaux wine-tasting tours are usually more expensive than self-guided wine trips.

On the other hand, self-guided wine trips allow you to craft your own itinerary by selecting the wineries in Bordeaux where you want to stop and for how long, all for less money than a guided wine tour.

However, the biggest cons of self-guided wine trips is that you will have to do a great deal of research beforehand and then book everything by yourself. 

Stay in a Château-Hotel for the Ultimate Bordeaux Wine Experience

To take your wine experience in Bordeaux to the next level, you should stay overnight in one of the stunning châteaux-hotels you will find in the countryside. 

Imagine waking up in a picture-perfect château surrounded by lush vineyards, breathing fresh air.

The best perk of staying in châteaux-hotels is that you will likely have private access to cellars, and you can do extensive wine tastings accompanied by seriously delicious food prepared in the on-site restaurant.

There are châteaux-hotels for every taste, from cottage-like accommodations to luxury options. Here is the list of the best châteaux-hotels to stay in Bordeaux.

• Château Meyre (Médoc)
• Le Château Réal (Haut-Médoc)
• La Maison d’Estournel (Haut-Médoc)
• Château Cordeillan Bages (Médoc)
• Château Hotel Grand Barril (Saint-Emilion)
• Clos 1906 (Saint-Emilion)

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Discover Wine

Where to go wine tasting in bordeaux.

This Discover Wine series focuses on regions of the world that you can visit for wine tasting.

If you want to go wine tasting in Bordeaux, we have all the information you’ll need to put together a fun and informative self-guided wine tour in Bordeaux .

We know this area can be daunting to newbies, so we’ve not only put together a list of some of our favorite Chateaux in Bordeaux, we’ve also included a primer to help you understand the area, along with how to get there, how to get around, and where to stay.

» You might be interested in these 7 Great Bordeaux Wine Tours: Find the Best Tastings and Vineyards.

» You might like these 14 Top Saint-Emilion Wineries to Visit in 2023 .

Planning a trip to Bordeaux ?

• Easiest way to book wine tasting appointments: Rue des Vignerons (instant booking!)
• Book a private wine tour with driver with B for Bordeaux (personalize your tour)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they find all the best deals)

Where to Stay in Bordeaux See all hotel options

• Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel, an IHG Hotel  (5-star hotel in Bordeaux Centre)
• Château Fombrauge – Bernard Magrez Luxury Wine Experience  (Saint Emilion)

Best Tours and Experiences in Bordeaux:

• Bordeaux Walking Tour (Private)
• Medoc Full Day Wine Tour – 150€/pp – a full-day tour to discover 3 carefully selected châteaux.
• Saint Emilion Full Day Wine Tour – 155€ – Visit & tasting at 3 Châteaux.

Bordeaux is a world-renown wine region with great popularity and highly acclaimed wine. There are many appellations with quirky differences that you’ll want to discover for yourself by tasting the wines in the vineyard.

Somewhere along the way you might even learn what a first-growth verses fifth-growth is.

The predominant grape varietals in Bordeaux are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and each region uses it’s own specific blend.

We’ve always found that traveling ourselves to a wine region is the best way to learn an incredibly amount about its wine and the industry in a short amount of time. 

If you’re just beginning to research a wine tasting trip to Bordeaux, you’re in the right place. Let’s go!

Table of Contents

Self-Guided or Bordeaux Wine Tour

The first consideration you’ll probably be making is whether you want to take a guided wine tour or do a self-guided tour. If you don’t have a designated driver, or don’t wish to spit the wine instead of drinking it, you will need to take a wine tour.

There are many to choose from. You can go on a group tour, which are plentiful, but often include up to 30 people and are on a pre-planned route that you can’t decide on. Tours typically go to great wineries and there’s a lot of information given – plus you don’t have to take care of a single detail.

With Rue des Vignerons:

• Medoc Half Day Wine Tour – 95€ – Visit & tasting at 2 classified châteaux, all costs included.
• Saint Emilion Full Day Wine Tour – 155€ – Visit & tasting at 3 Châteaux plus free time to explore Saint Emilion.
• Saint-Emilion Half Day Wine Tour – 110€ – Visit the vineyards, the chateau, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saint-Emilion. 
• Saint-Emilion by bike (full day) – 160€  – Departure from the tourist office in Bordeaux in a minivan. They will take care of the handling of the bikes, the visit to a chateau in Saint-Emilion and wine tasting, followed by a picnic type lunch in the vineyards. Finish with a visit to the medieval village and a wine tasting in a family winery.
• From one bank to the other: Graves and Saint-Emilion (full day) – 170€ – Departure from Bordeaux. Start with a visit to a Grand Cru Classé of Graves, a wine tasting, followed by a lunch with food and wine pairing in a chateau of St-Emilion. Tasting of a glass of Crémant in a magical place located in the heart of Saint Emilion and a visit to the village. Finish with a visit to a family winery in the Pomerol or Saint-Emilion appellation.

Arrange a Private Tour

If you don’t want to build your own self-guided wine tour to the wine areas of Bordeaux, I suggest booking a private wine tour through B for Bordeaux, a wine tour company run by Berit Simonsen, who is very knowledgeable and works closely with the wineries to ensure your visit is great.

With this tour, the whole process is up to you. You can decide where to go yourself, or have Berit take care of all the details for you. You can book one day or 5 days – it’s entirely up to you.

Here’s a recent customer review: “We considered a few options for a day tour of the Medoc but chose Berit on the basis of her great communication, responsiveness, reasonable rate and her flexibility in meeting our requirements. Our expectations were fully met, even exceeded.”

Check out the offerings here and be sure to tell her that Savored Journeys sent you.

Self-Guided Touring

I personally prefer to do self-guided touring when I visit wine regions because it gives me the greatest flexibility and I actually really like researching and choosing the wineries I want to go to.

While there is a little more work involved because you have to set up all the tours yourself, there are tools that will help make this super easy. The one I use is called Rue des Vignerons . It’s a French website that makes booking wine appointments super easy.

The site has 450 wineries and distilleries, both family-owned and famous houses, that includes 1,500 bookable experiences, including tastings, tours, workshops, and meals. You can book online up to 30 minutes before and your appointment is confirmed instantly. This is the website I used to book all of my Bordeaux tasting appointments.

In our descriptions below, I will give you links directly to Rue des Vignerons for each winery so you can easily book it.

⇒ Spending more time in the Bordeaux area? Check out our one-week itinerary for Bordeaux.

Must-Visit Wineries for Wine Tasting in Bordeaux

As mentioned previously, the Bordeaux wine region is very large. It can be broken up into areas of popularity, for the sake of simplifying your wine tasting route. Be aware that tours and tastings at most of the chateaux is by appointment only. Don’t count on showing up and there being someone available to welcome you.

It’s best to begin this process around 2 weeks before arriving. I suggest making reservations through the Rue des Vignerons links I’ve included below, or contact the wineries individually.

Left Bank Wine Tasting

First, you have the Left Bank. In the left bank, the top appellations are Medoc , Haut Médoc , Saint-Estephe , Margaux , Saint Julien , Pauillac , and Pessac-Leognan .

Medoc might be the most popular of these, but definitely not the only place to do some great wine tasting on the Left Bank. Just don’t expect to get in to all of – or any of, for that matter – the First-Growth Chateaux. Instead, try to visit the Chateaux that you already drink wine from.

If you’re new to the world of Bordeaux wine, then I suggest you choose a spot on the map and find a cluster of Chateaux that are within easy distance of each other and just try something new!

Must-Visit Chateaux on the Left Bank

Be sure to make reservations well in advance of your visit and leave at least 2 hours for each visit.

Château Lafon-Rochet

Located on a hill at the highest point in the Saint-Estephe appellation, this is a family-run château that is one of the five Grands Crus Classés in this appellation. They offer wine tours and tastings by appointment only. You can book a tasting for 2 or 3 wines, or a traditional tour, or an experience tasting with their Primeur wine taken from the barrel, a vintage of their second wine “Pèlerins de Lafon-Rochet” and two other vintages. Contact [email protected] | Website

Château Kirwan

A highly regarded cellar, this 3rd Grand Cru Classé in Margaux hosts tours and tastings, as well as lunches and dinners in their grand castle location. The family has been involved in the production and trade of Bordeaux wines for 8 generations. An authentic, warm and intimate environment. You can book an interactive tour and tasting, a private tour, or a tasting with bread and cheese. Contact: [email protected]

Chateau Lamothe Bergeron

Located between Margaux and Saint-Julien, the Château Lamothe Bergeron has a 67 ha vineyard on the Haut-Médoc appellation. Its wine reflects the quality of the terroir marked by the Garonne river and it has Cru Bourgeois status since the 19th century.

When you visit, you can tour their fully-restored building from the 19th century and do a tasting. They have an introduction to wine tasting that includes 3 of their wines, or you can add on a vineyard and cellar tour. They also have a tour and tasting followed by a picnic in the garden.

Chateau Marquis de Terme

With 40 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, Château Marquis de Terme produces mesmerizing wines, medium to full bodied wines, with supple tannins, lots of depth and amazing aromas. It’s been a family-owned operation since 1935.

They offer a lot of different programs for visitors, from a simple tasting of their wines, to a tour and tasting, a guided bike ride through the Margaux vineyards, followed by a tour of the château, and a tasting, and even a wine and chocolate pairing workshop.

Chateau du Taillan

Château du Taillan has been a family property since 1896 but today five sisters hold the reins of the Château, located at the gateway to Bordeaux and the Médoc. Their beautiful property was classified in February 2020 as a “Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel”.

A visit to Chateau du Taillan can include tour of the 16th century vaulted cellars and in the vat house, followed by a tasting of two wines or a gourmet tasting wit charcuterie and farmhouse cheeses. Click below to check out all the options and make an appointment.

Chateau Angludet

For more than 250 years, Château Angludet’s vineyards have been located in Cantenac, on the prestigious terroir of Margaux. Today, Château Angludet is the wine estate of the Sichel family, a wine merchant in Bordeaux for six generations.

Tasting appointments take place on their terrace in the gardens of the property. You can enjoy one of the 8 private tasting areas and try some wines by the glass or bottle, platters of cold meats and cheese and even dessert pairings (if reserved in advance).

Chateau de la Haye

Château La Haye is one of the oldest wine estates in Saint-Estephe and has remained within the same family for 370 years. According to legend, this château served as King Henri II and Diane de Poitiers’ hunting lodge. At the time Henri II was married to Catherine de Medici. Rich! Their monogram, H and D is interlaced and engraved in stone at the entrance to the Château. 

Here you can do a free tour and tasting, or even a private romantic tasting with wine and chocolates in a 16th century setting. Click the link below to see the options.

Where to Stay in the Left Bank

There are many chateaux on the Left Bank that have accommodations. You could choose to stay at one where you can also have a tour and tasting included. Here are two great choices:

★ Château La Tour Carnet: Find the best deal on Expedia . Compare prices and read reviews on TripAdvisor .

★ Château Ormes de Pez in St Estephe: Find the best deal on Expedia . Compare prices and read reviews on TripAdvisor .

Wine Tasting in Graves/Pessac Leognan

If you have some extra time in your schedule, another good place for wine tasting is Graves , Pessac Leognan appellation. This area has its own unique micro-climate and soil conditions which lead to it being suitable for both the production of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as white grape varietals.

For this reason, you’ll find a more even balance of both of the major Bordeaux grapes in the wines of this appellation. They are also classified until a separate Classification.

Must-Visit Chateaux in Graves and Pessac Leognan

Chateau Pape Clement

This is one of the oldest Grand Crus of Bordeaux. Aside from the fact that the grounds and the chateau itself are incredibly beautiful, Chateau Pape Clement offers a wide range of activities for visitors, from tours and tastings, wine workshops and creating your own wine, to horse-carriage rides through the vineyard. You can also stay overnight in the lovely hotel. Contact:  [email protected] | Website

Luchey Halde

This historic vineyard disappeared in the 20th century but its lands were preserved from urbanization thanks to the army’s takeover. They occupied the land for 80 years. Then in 1999, Bordeaux Agro Sciences (a National School of Agricultural Engineers) acquired the land to rebuild the vineyard, with a magnificent terroir. It is not a modern winery with innovative production and quality wines. Visit for a gourmet tasting or a tour of the facility with a tasting.

Château Couhins

Château Couhins is located at Villenave d’Ornon. It was ranked in 1959 when it was owned by a wine merchant family, but is now owned by the INRA “Institut National de Recherche Agronomique”, which has saved it from disappearing in 1968. They’ve won many awards for their tourism offerings. You can book a tour and a tasting.

Château Bouscaut (Grand Cru Classé)

Twenty minutes south of Bordeaux, Château Bouscaut, a Graves Cru Classé for its red and white wines, opens its doors to visitors all year round from Tuesday to Saturday. Visit them for a simple tasting tour or a themed workshop (blending workshop, food and wine pairing or wine and cheese, etc).

Chateau Latour Martillac

Château Latour-Martillac, a Graves Cru Classé since 1953, got its name from the tower in the main courtyard, a vestige of a fortress built in Martillac in the 12th century by the ancestors of the famous philosopher and winemaker Montesquieu. The red and white wines of Latour-Martillac are recognised as the best of the Pessac-Léognan appellation.

Where to Stay in Pessac

We chose not to stay in Graves, as we stopped by the chateaux we wanted to visit in between stays in Bordeaux city center and Saint-Emilion. But if you have time and want to stay a few nights in Graves, then we have one highly-recommended suggestion:

Chateau Pape Clement: Find the best deal on Expedia.com. Compare prices and read reviews on TripAdvisor .

Holiday Inn Bordeaux Sud – Pessac, an IHG Hotel: Find the best deal on Booking.com . Compare prices and read reviews on TripAdvisor .

Right Bank Wine Tasting

We love the town of Saint-Emilion and think it’s the perfect place to do some wine tasting and to discover the beauty of Bordeaux. The Right Bank has a decidedly more relaxed, unpretentiousness that is welcoming to guests, even if you don’t know much about wine.

If you base yourself in or near Saint-Emilion, you can easily get around to the biggest appellations on the Right Bank, which are Saint-Emilion and Pomerol . Of course there are other, smaller appellations too, but these are the main ones where the classifications of Saint-Emilion come from.

If you have a car, you can very easily drive yourself between the chateaux. The roads are very good and well marked. You can’t miss seeing the chateaux dotting the landscape as you drive along. We even found that they are much close together than we imagined they’d be from the map. It often took us only 5 minutes to drive between the chateaux on our itinerary.

If you’re scheduling your own itinerary, you’ll want to leave about 1.5 hours for each tour/tasting and driving time. Any more than that might leave you wandering around trying to find something to do in between. We also suggest stopping for a long, leisurely lunch.

Must-Visit Chateaux on the Right Bank

Take a look at the map above to determine which ones you think might fit your itinerary the best. They are all within a pretty small area, so it won’t require a lot of driving to get between them.

Chateau de Candale

This is one of the few chateaux that offer lunch and dinner. While it’s a bit farther from the center of town, it’s worth the drive. The restaurant l’Atelier de Candale, is owned by a famous winemaker and cooper,   Jean Louis Vicard.   The outdoor patio is perfect for al fresco dining with a view of the vineyards. You can also take a tour and have a tasting.

Chateau Chauvin

Château Chauvin, a Grand Cru Classé since 1955, has belonged since 2014 to the Cazes-Régimbeau family, who are also co-owners of the famous Château Lynch-Bages in Pauillac, a pioneer in wine tourism, which has been receiving numerous visitors for decades.

Just 40 km from the centre of Bordeaux, this small family estate offers a friendly stopover with a visit to the new cellars. Click below to book a tour and tasting.

Château de Pressac

Château de Pressac, a Grand cru classé since 2012, is a prestigious winery of St Emilion with a strong medieval history. The Chateau was built in the 14th century. The first grape variety which was used for their wines was the “Noir de Pressac”, which is now called “Malbec”. Tours and tasting costs are 25€ and 35€.

Château Cadet Bon

The Château Cadet Bon is a famous Grand cru classé winery with a biological / organic approach. Its wines are composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Their vines are located on one of the most typical terroirs of St Emilion, so you can taste the quintessential wine of the area. The soil is composed of three types of minerals which provide the wine’s complexity. Wine tours are from 13€.

Château Bernateau

The Château Bernateau is a family-owned winery with 8 generations of winegrowers. The winery has an organic approach and is located 5 minutes from the medieval city, on a beautiful spot that has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are tours and tasting available along with a guided walk through the vineyard.

Château Grangey

Château Grangey is family owned organci winery just 5km from St Emilion. It was built 3 centuries ago and has a strong history. Franck and Elodie (the winegrowers) describe themselves as wine lovers who are happy to share their passion with visitors and to invite them into their world. Their tour and tasting is 15€ or 40€ with a vertical tasting of their premier wine, Château Grangey. 

Château Beau Séjour Bécot

This is an iconic chateau of St Emilion, awarded “Premier Grand Cru classé”. The setting and experience are breathtaking, exactly as you would hope for a Bordeau winery. The Becot Family, who have been established in ST Emilion since the French Revolution, bought the winery in 1969 and it was classified as a Premier Cru in 1996.

The soil of the vines has an exceptional terroir composed of calcaire, which is very unique. They also have 7 hectares of ancient limestone quarries that form a perfect cellar for tens of thousands of bottles of wine. The wine tours and tasting are more expensive here (from 41€), but it’s worth it.

Chateau Guadet

This chateau is a small, family-run winery right in the heart of Saint-Emilion. It has been in the family for many generations. There is a really extensive and incredible underground cave cellar that you can tour, which ends in a wonderful tasting of their Grand Cru Classe wine. It is essential to make a reservation prior to visiting the cellar. Make a reservation online .

Château La Croizille (Grand Cru Classé)

The Château La Croizille is located on the hills of the Saint Emilion plateau, on one of the richest terroirs of the appellation. The 5 hectares vineyard includes different plots with an important soil variety and a high altitude that reaches 90 meters. Visit for a discovery or gourmet tasting and tour, or to have a picnic alongside your tasting.

Château Clarisse

Bought in 2009 by Didier and Olivia Le Calvez and rebranded with the name of their daughter, this magnificent 15-hectare vineyard is located on the ventilated plateau of Puisseguin. It’s a family project and they are making an elegant and harmonious wine from the successful marriage of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The entire winemaking cycle is based on cultivation practices that respect nature and the clay-limestone soils of this rich terroir. On a visit, you can do a cellar tour, a gourmet food pairing, or a tasting from the barrel.

Chateau Mauvinon

Located just 4km from the famous medieval village of St Emilion, Chateau Mauvinon is a lovely family owned estate of the prestigious Saint Emilion appellation classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The winery offers a simple tasting of 2 or 4 wines, or you can book a walk in the vineyards, a visit of the vat house and a commented tasting of 3 wines paired with 3 cheeses to better understand wine and food pairing.

Chateau La Dominique

This Chateau is a Grand Cru Classe in Saint-Emilion, with high quality wines and a really interesting cellar, designed by famous architect Jean Nouvel. Stay for lunch or have a nice relaxing dinner at the restaurant, Le Terrace Rouge, where you’ll have a lovely view of the vineyards from their unique red stone terrace.

This is one of the only Chateau that we found where you can stop by the tasting room for a wine tasting (no tour) without an appointment. Make an appointment or restaurant reservation.

Where to Stay in Saint-Emilion

When in wine country, we prefer staying somewhere surrounded by vineyards in the countryside, rather than in the city center. Both of these options are available to you in Saint-Emilion.

★ Chateau Hotel & Spa Grand Barrail – If you want the countryside experience and have a car to get around with, you absolutely must stay here We had an incredible second-floor room with a balcony overlooking the main Chateau and it was just fantastic. If you can get this room (or similar) it will add greatly to your experience in Saint-Emilion.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor or book on Expedia

★ Hostellerie de Plaisance – If you don’t have a car and would prefer to be able to walk to some of the chateaux from the city center, then this is a great choice for luxury located right in the city center.

Read reviews on TripAdvisor or book on Expedia.

How to Get to Bordeaux’s Wine Regions

Bordeaux is an easy city to reach, as it is very well connected with the rest of Europe . It is just a few hours’ train ride from Paris, making it an easy side trip.  I’m not aware of any direct flights from the U.S. to Bordeaux, but there are a lot of connecting flight options (which is great news for anyone looking to take advantage of a  free stopover in another major European city).

Once you’ve landed in Bordeaux, you can take a bus or the tram into the city center, or rent a car and drive to the countryside to visit the Chateaux. If your goal is wine tasting and going on Bordeaux vineyard tours, then a car is a necessity. Not that you can’t get around by public transpiration, but it will take you so much longer. We recommend booking a car through Discover Cars . They’ll find the best deal for you.

Once you’ve decided on a wine region to visit, you can make appointments to visit the Chateaux, or you can find a guided Bordeaux wine tour (either a group or private tour). This is a good option if you don’t like to drive yourself around, or if you’re not good at sipping and spitting wine.

If you only have the option of public transportation and don’t want to go on a guided tour, the easiest and best option is to visit Saint-Emilion. You can take the train directly from the center of Bordeaux to the center of Saint-Emilion. From there, you can walk to at least a dozen Chateaux.

Want to visit other great wine regions in Europe ? Check out our full guide .

Learn More About the Bordeaux Wine Region

The first thing you need to know about the Bordeaux wine region is that it is split up into many different sub-regions, or appellations. There are over 290,000 acres of vineyards in the whole of Bordeaux, so it’s enormous, to say the least. With over 7,000 different Chateaux in the region, it is both the largest and most important wine growing region in France .

Throughout Bordeaux, you’ll find wines that are designated with their Bordeaux appellation on the label, as well as wines that do not have this designation. That is due to the fact that there are very strict rules governing the production and marketing of wines from this area.

In order to be labeled with the specific Bordeaux appellation, all aspects of the growing and vinification must take place within the appellation. That means the vineyards are located there, the work to create the wines is located there, and the Chateau itself is located there.

The wine must also be a blend of the grape varietals required for that appellation. For the Left Bank, that blend is heavy on the Cabernet Sauvignon, lighter on the Merlot. For the Right Bank, the blend is heavy on the Merlot, lighter on the Cabernet Sauvignon.

⇒ To learn more about Bordeaux Classifications and regulations, visit the Complete Guide to Bordeaux on The Wine Cellar Insider .

The blends are specified this way due to the nature of the soil in both of these areas. Merlot grows better in the limestone and clay soils found on the right bank, while Cabernet Sauvignon grows best in the gravel-predominant soil on the left bank.

You’ve probably already heard these territorial specification: Left Bank and Right Bank. They refer specifically to the area of land on the left and right of the River Gironde that flows through the center of Bordeaux.

On the Left Bank, you’ll find perhaps the most famous of the Bordeaux appellations, Medoc. It is in Medoc that the first wine classification began, with the Official Classification of 1855. It was during this classification that the First-Growth Chateaux were recognized, and they have remained the same ever since.

Speaking of official classifications, there are currently four such classifications in Bordeaux. The 1855 classification, the Cru Bourgeois, Classifications of Graves, and Classifications of Saint-Emilion.  They all have different specifications and rules.

While the 1855 classification in Medoc has not changed in all those years, the Classification of Saint-Emilion changes roughly every 10 years, giving a periodic chance for Chateaux to earn a spot in the coveted classification.

As you can see, visiting Bordeaux for wine can be very rewarding and educational, but it can also be really overwhelming to first-time visitors. Using the above information should help you iron out a good itinerary for visiting Bordeaux’s wine regions. Then all that’s left to do is get there and enjoy the wine! Let us know if there is anything we can do to help with your planning!

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

1 thoughts on “ Where to Go Wine Tasting in Bordeaux ”

Im looking for a wine tour package that includes transport to Chateau Latiste Rothchild or Mouton Rothchild however the link you have posted to viator mentions that they only drive past but with no visit.

Happy to contact and organise directly but transport from Bordeaux city is difficult so i wondered if there was a specific tour with minibus to these vineyards as they are the only ones we want to visit.

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Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Bordeaux Tours

15 Best Bordeaux Tours

Though the port city of Bordeaux has slightly more than 250,000 residents, when combined with the surrounding suburbs, that number approaches nearly 800,000.

That makes it one of France’s largest metropolitan areas – and it’s one of the country’s most celebrated agricultural, historical, and wine-producing areas.

Its southern location means relatively mild year-round weather. In addition to its cultural, art, food, and wine attractions, it’s also renowned for natural beauty.

Comprised of rivers, marshlands, a thriving urban center, and hundreds of thousands of acres of grapes under cultivation, it’s truly a unique place.

Below are 15 of the best tours of Bordeaux.

1. 3 ½ Hour Old Town and Market Food Tour

Like most of France’s tourist destinations, Bordeaux is a wonder for the senses, and that’s especially true for those with seasoned taste buds.

The city’s historic Old Town area features a bustling market that’s the region’s culinary centerpiece.

This walking tour includes the services of a local guide, who’ll explain the city’s history and culture—especially how it relates to both food and wine.

Guests will meet locals, sample products like chocolate, cheese, and cured meat, and learn about what makes Bordeaux so unique.

Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, but tours meet and start at a central location that’s easily reachable.

2. Sightseeing by Sidecar

What could be more romantic and exhilarating than zipping around Bordeaux in the sidecar of a vintage motorcycle?

Not much, according to previous tour guests.

Along the way, guests will see many of the city’s most significant sights, like Place des Quinconces, St. Michael’s Basilica, the Grosse Cloche Bell Tower, and Grand Opera.

While en route, your guide will describe the things you’re seeing, as well as point out places you may want to explore on your own when the tour is over.

Itineraries vary depending on the season, weather, and traffic, and multiple sidecars may be booked simultaneously to accommodate groups.

View Prices & Reviews

3. River Cruise with Guide

River cruises are fun ways to get a unique perspective of amazing cities like Bordeaux.

Guided river cruises last 90 minutes, begin in the middle of the afternoon, and are open to visitors who use wheelchairs.

Along the way, guests will see many of the city’s most notable attractions – like the spectacular Place de la Bourse and the impressive Chaban-Delmas drawbridge – while learning about them from their guide.

Tours include aspects of art and architecture, history and culture, and, of course, food and wine.

Onboard food and drinks are available at extra cost, and both in and outdoor seating are available.

4. 3-Hour Bike Ride

For those who’ve just spent countless hours on a cramped jetliner or in a tiny cabin on a cruise ship, bike tours are excellent ways to stretch your legs and get insight into the new area you’re visiting.

Tours depart from the city center, just a stone’s throw from the magnificent Saint-Andre Cathedral.

Participants will get all the gear they need before heading out to explore the city’s attractions.

It’ll probably be abundantly clear very quickly why Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and why it’s consistently ranked as one of Europe’s best destinations.

Bike tours are generally appropriate for those of most ages and levels of physical ability.

5. Guided Winery Tour & Wine Tasting in Saint Emilion

France is one of the world’s premier wine-producing countries, and many of its wineries have been around for centuries.

On this guided winery tour in Saint Emilion Grand Cru, visitors will go to both historical and contemporary wineries.

Guests will enjoy thorough tours of each facility, learn about how grapes are transformed into delectable and intoxicating beverages, and sample a number of products of varying colors and flavor profiles.

Participants are often particularly impressed with the traditional architecture and craftsmanship found in the older winery’s facilities, and the impressive modern technology used in the more state-of-the-art ones as well.

6. Bordeaux Metropole City Pass

Want free entry to some of the city’s main museums?

Discounts on meals, cruises, wine tastings, and sightseeing cruises on scenic rivers?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then the Bordeaux Metropole City Pass is for you.

Depending on which option you choose, passes are valid for 48 or 72 hours, which means the flexibility to see the things that interest you at your own pace.

Since this is a guideless tour, participants will receive a guidebook full of valuable information that’ll help them make the most of their time.

Other options include transportation by bus or train, as well as the services of a live guide for those who’d like an insider’s insight.

7. Bordeaux Lunch Cruise

Seeing Bordeaux from the deck of a slowly rolling tour boat is a unique experience that tends to make a big impact on first-time visitors to the area.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux is chock-full of historical, architectural, and cultural attractions that are worth checking out.

While cruising along the River Garonne, guests will learn about the things they’re seeing from the boat’s guide and narrator, and probably discover things they’ll want to check out for themselves when the tour is over.

A three-course onboard meal including appetizer, main dish, and dessert is included in the tour’s cost.

8. La Cité du Vin Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket with Wine Tasting

Though Bordeaux itself is one of the world’s premier wine cities, it also features an attraction called La Cité du Vin that features nearly two dozen exhibits focusing on the region’s wine.

La Cité du Vin is an impressive venue both inside and out. It is a great attraction for visitors unfamiliar with the area because, in addition to its focus on wine, it encompasses bits of history, culture, and lore.

This skip-the-line and wine tasting ticket is a great value for do-it-yourselfers. Visitors generally spend about three hours on-site before heading out to explore other attractions.

Hand-held audio guides are available in eight languages.

9. Bordeaux City Discovery Game

For many energetic tourists, traditional guided tours can be a bit boring.

Thankfully, there are options that let guests interact with others and their surroundings, and this City Discovery Game is one of them.

Using their cellphones, participants will use their problem-solving skills to answer riddles which will lead them from one attraction to the next.

There are 12 stops in all, each of which reveals fascinating aspects of the city’s history that might not be discovered otherwise.

Discovery game tours are great options for families with children and fun-loving visitors traveling in small groups looking for a unique experience.

10. Private Welcome to Bordeaux Walking Tour with a Local

A decent hat, a bottle of water or two, and a pair of comfortable shoes are really all it takes to experience Bordeaux on this private walking tour with a local guide.

Unlike larger tours, where busses and minivans are the main modes of transportation, walking tours allow guests to see things from street-level, which translates into a more intimate and memorable experience.

Guests will meet their guide at their hotel, learn about the neighborhood in which they’re staying, then head out to take in many of Bordeaux’s most prominent attractions.

Short walking tours are great first activities for those interested in getting up to speed quickly.

11. Wine and Food Tasting at St. Emilion’s Chateau Terrace

From chateaus and bistros to vineyards and cafés, there’s really no shortage of culinary hotspots for foodies to enjoy while visiting Bordeaux.

Though harried travelers often spend significant portions of their vacation time hopping from one attraction to another, ample opportunities exist for those who’d like to relax, imbibe, and enjoy the good life for a few hours.

This wine and food tasting combo tour is held at St. Emilion’s Chateau Terrace’s wine bar, which overlooks idyllic vineyards below.

Guests will enjoy three distinct wines from different regions while listening to relaxing music and dining on a variety of tasty tapas dishes.

12. Bordeaux: Full-Day Countryside Tour

The Bordeaux countryside is characterized by amazing natural beauty, large tracts of scenic vineyards, award-winning wineries, and abundant historical attractions.

If it sounds like too much to experience in one day, it’s not.

This ten-hour tour gets underway early and includes round-trip transportation and the services of a local guide.

Tour stops include the otherworldly sand dunes of Pilat, Arcachon Bay, and the Medoc wine region.

Along the way, guests will have time to stop and enjoy the splendor while learning about the things they’re seeing.

Also included are instructor-led wine tastings, a picnic-style lunch with fresh oysters, and entrance fees to two chateaus.

13. Bordeaux by Night Private Citroën 2CV Tour

If you’ve never seen or ridden in a vintage Citroën 2CV, you’re in for an unforgettable experience on this Bordeaux by night tour.

Old Citroëns are generally small, cramped, and loud.

Thankfully, they’re also quintessentially French, making them perfectly unique and romantic ways to experience one of the country’s most iconic cities.

Tours are available lasting either 45 or 90 minutes. They whisk guests to significant sites like the Place des Quinconces, the Grand Theater, the Quays of the Garonne, and St. Michael’s Basilica.

At night, many of the city’s attractions are awash in spectacular light, making for a unique perspective that’s especially popular with photographers.

14. Winery and Wine Bar Tour

For true wine lovers, there may be no more alluring destination than Bordeaux, France.

Unlike other wine tours that tend to focus on tastings, this immersive winery and wine bar tour gives guests in-depth insights into the whole process of winemaking.

Tours last four hours, begin mid-morning and include transportation by bus, a local English speaking guide, and visits to a winery and wine bar.

Multiple samples are included, as are light snacks that pair well with wine, like fresh bread, olives, cheese, and an assortment of deli meats.

Though tours end just after 1:00, guests may stay at the wine bar longer on their own.

15. Craft Distilleries and Cognac Vineyards Private Tour

The grape-growing areas in and around Bordeaux produce some of the world’s most sought after wines, but cognac is another much-loved product.

This tour includes visits to two cognac estates that are owned and operated by local families.

Guests will tour the distilling facility, learn about how aging barrels are made, why the area is so perfect for producing cognac, and sample a variety of the estates’ best vintages.

Tours are only open between Monday and Friday and include lunch and drinks in a small village restaurant before making the scenic drive back to town.

15 Best Bordeaux Tours:

• 3 ½ Hour Old Town and Market Food Tour
• Sightseeing by Sidecar
• River Cruise with Guide
• 3-Hour Bike Ride
• Guided Winery Tour & Wine Tasting in Saint Emilion
• Bordeaux Metropole City Pass
• Bordeaux Lunch Cruise
• La Cité du Vin Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket with Wine Tasting
• Bordeaux City Discovery Game
• Private Welcome to Bordeaux Walking Tour with a Local
• Wine and Food Tasting at St. Emilion’s Chateau Terrace
• Bordeaux: Full-Day Countryside Tour
• Bordeaux by Night Private Citroën 2CV Tour
• Winery and Wine Bar Tour
• Craft Distilleries and Cognac Vineyards Private Tour

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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The best wine regions in France

France and wine: it’s as natural a combination as peanut butter and jam, or rhubarb and custard. While they may not have invented winemaking (that honour goes to the Georgians, who crushed their first grapes some 8,000 years ago) the French have vinification deeply embedded in their cultural DNA, claiming both the world’s most famous wine regions and its most-loved grape varieties. From the soaring peaks of Jura to the surf-fringed shores of Languedoc, you can hardly visit a corner of this country without catching sight of a neat row of vines.

And yet, despite this constant, the wine tourism experience is never cookie-cutter. You can sip a long-aged Cabernet Sauvignon in a grand Bordeaux château one day, then sit nosing obscure Négrette at a farmer’s table in Cahors the next. Such diversity is thrilling stuff for any traveller, but particularly the thirsty ones. These are the best wine regions to visit in France. Please do note: when planning your tours and tastings, it’s always best to contact wineries in advance as some only open by appointment.

Best for: natural wine

Not so long ago, wine snobs turned up their noses at this northern Burgundian sub-region, known for its unaged “nouveau” wines. But the past decade has seen a tide change, as younger, ambitious producers use the fruity local Gamay grape to craft seriously interesting – and great-value – natural wines. Centre your explorations around the Cru village of Morgon, interjecting jaunts into vine-carpeted scenery with sips from cult domaines like Marcel Lapierre , Jean Foillard, Jean-Paul Thévenet and Guy Breton. Their wines are light, lively, low-alcohol – the perfect refresher after a day touring Benedictine monastery Abbaye de Cluny or pretty stone villages Bagnol and Oingt.

Best for: wow-factor cellars

In the twin Champagne centres of Reims and Épernay, both an easy train ride east of Paris, the attraction isn’t the vineyards. Instead it’s what’s deep beneath the surface: vast networks of ancient crayères – chalk-mines-turned-cellars – where the world’s most famous sparkling wine slowly ages. Tour cavernous Gallo-Roman vaults 18m underground at Taittinger , looking out for WWI graffiti among the immaculate rows of wooden barrels. At Ruinart you’ll get a lavish house and garden to enjoy alongside a tasting of their signature Blanc de Blanc, and at Gosset a two-hectare park with beehives and seasonal art exhibitions.

Côtes de Provence

Best for: rosé-tinted romance

Yachts bobbing on blue surf, wafts of lavender on a sun-warmed breeze, lazy games of pétanque in a village square – Provence is a mood as much as it is a wine region. The wider area stretches from Cannes to the Alpilles mountains near Arles, with red, white and sparkling wines all in the mix. But if, to you, Provence means rosé, make for the ultra-pale heartland in Côtes de Provence, which radiates inland from the coast around chic Saint-Tropez. Maison Mirabeau ’s 20-hectare estate is studded with umbrella pines and chestnut groves, while Château d’Esclans hosts private tastings featuring its popular Whispering Angel blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle.

Best for: stunning scenery

Kissing the Swiss border and framed by a sub-alpine landscape of forested slopes and chocolate-box mountain villages, the smallest wine region in France dances to its own beat. Its unusual vin jaune (yellow wine), made in an oxidative style from obscure local varietal Savagnin, is fashionable among wine geeks for its nutty, briny character – a dreamy match for local fare such as Comté cheese. Vineyards are broken up by serene lakes, grazing fields of cows and dense forests dotted with wood-clad cabins. Savour it all in between tastings at the likes of Domaine Rolet and Domaine de la Pinte.

Bordeaux Libournais

Best for: prestige

When it comes to world-famous wine regions, Bordeaux comes top of the lot. The lauded chateaux of the Médoc are largely closed to the average visitor, but Bordeaux Libournais – also known as the Right Bank – is generally more accessible, with smaller producers, approachable wines and an atmospheric central hub in the form of handsome medieval city Saint-Émilion. Tour the wealth of stone monuments in the UNESCO -protected centre, including the monolithic church, Franciscan cloisters and Romanesque keep. Then check out the slick vinous operation at nearby Château de Ferrand , where experiences range from bike tours to private wine-blending workshops.

Middle Loire

Best for: diversity

Stretching 600 miles from the heart of France to the Atlantic coast, the entire Loire Valley is too big to tick off on a single trip. So get a taster of the highlights in the diverse Middle Loire, where sub-regions like Saumur, Vouvray and Touraine turn out everything from light-bodied Cabernet Franc to sparkling Chenin Blanc and fruity Sauvignon Blanc. The sightseeing draws of riverside cycling trails, Joan of Arc-era chateau and luxe new hotels (see Les Sources de Cheverny as example) are just as diverse as the vino. Try Bernard Baudry in Chinon or Domaine de la Chevalerie in Bourgueil for sublime reds, or Domaine Huet in Vouvray for all expressions of white, from sparkling to sweet.

Best for: white wine lovers

Beginning just 20 minutes outside the city of Strasbourg – with its photogenic half-timbered houses and cobbled backstreets – easterly Alsace is firmly white wine country. Grapes like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Sylvaner dominate in the family-run cellars strung along the meandering Alsace Wine Route. Make your way from Marlenheim to Thann in the south, sampling en route citrussy, mineral-tinged tipples crafted by historic producers such as 385-year-old Famille Hugel or Domaine Albert Seltz , winemakers since 1576.

Best for: brandy

Think of Cognac and wine might not immediately come to mind, but France’s most prestigious brandy is made entirely from grapes – all grown and distilled in vine-carpeted landscapes in the country’s south west. Producers like Courvoisier , Bache Gabrielsen and Delamain all welcome visitors to their operations in the heart of the action around the towns of Cognac and Jarnac. The biggest name of all, Hennessy , also offers Michelin-starred picnics among the vines. Between tastings enjoy the slow pace of life in the laid-back centres, or strike out further to explore thousand-year-old Abbaye de Bassac or for a river cruise along the winding Charente.

Best for: small producers

For many wine drinkers around the world, the ‘golden slope’ of Burgundy – heartland of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – is a holy pilgrimage point. Grand Cru vineyards in communes like Gevrey-Chambertin, Puligny-Montrachet, Pommard and Nuits-St-Georges have perfected expressions of these grape varieties over centuries, and sky-high prices for top bottlings reflect that. Still, with thousands of local producers, most small, there’s plenty to discover beyond the pricier labels. Base yourself in the handsome walled town of Beaune, crowned by ornately tiled former almshouse Hospices de Beaune, then stop off for a tasting at the likes of Château de Pommard .

Côtes du Lot

Best for: deep France feels

Want a wine holiday that takes you properly off the beaten track? Make for this lesser-known pocket of the south west, where sleepy towns are untroubled by masses of tourists and the winemaking is down-to-earth and free from pretension. In Cahors, inky purple wines – made from Malbec (locally known as Côt) – are on tap at Château Eugenie , where you can picnic among the vines. In Galliac, sample rare red Prunelard and white Mauzac at Domaine Plageoles . In between, visit prehistoric cave Pech Merle or take in the grandiose brick-built cathedral in Albi.

Best for: value

France’s largest wine region, Languedoc-Roussillon is also arguably its most underrated, with a diverse crop of grape varieties, wine styles and landscapes ranging from surf-licked beaches to rugged peaks. Affordable land gives winemakers freedom to experiment, spelling a huge selection of interesting bottlings at very fair prices. Sit by the seafront in Sète eating oysters from the neighbouring Étang de Thau while sipping zingy white Picpoul de Pinet; or head into the hills to savour a rich red blend in Saint-Chinian. Producers for your hit list include Château L’Hospitalet and Domaine de la Dourbie .

Northern Rhône

Best for: active adventure

With its dramatic steep slopes, the Northern Rhône is the perfect place for those who like to pair fine wines with a dose of active adventure in the form of hiking or cycling. And for red wine lovers, it holds even greater appeal, for this is the birthplace of Syrah. Well-known producers such as Michel Chapoutier and Paul Jaboulet Aîné show off it off at its most elegant. Meanwhile in the hub of Tain l’Hermitage, hugged by the Rhône river and landmark Hermitage hill, more deliciousness awaits on a tour of world-renowned chocolate-maker Valrhona.

I've been to France over a dozen times. Skip Paris and check out these 5 must-visit cities instead.

• Over the past few years, I've been to France 14 times.
• Although Paris is amazing, there are lots of other cities in France that are worth visiting.
• A few of my favorite cities include Lyon, Bordeaux, and Marseille.

Over the past couple of years, I've fallen in love with France and all it has to offer.

I live just a four-hour train or ferry ride from France, so I've been able to visit the country 14 times so far.

Although Paris has a lot to offer — the French capital was named one of the top cities for international travelers in 2023 — the country has other wonderful cities worth visiting.

Here are five of my top recommendations.

Lyon is home to roughly 400 underground passageways known as traboules.

A piece of my heart definitely belongs to Lyon. There's so much to love about the city, from beautiful winding streets and mouthwatering food to the lively nightlife scene .

I also found the people there to be very friendly. When I traveled to Lyon with my best friend, we found lots of the locals we interacted with were happy to share tips and ask us how our day was going.

There's also so much to do in the city. I recommend exploring the traboules, a massive network of hidden passageways that have been around for many years.

The historic tunnels and stairwells played a role in France's silk trade and World War II — and about 50 of the roughly 400 passageways in Lyon are still open to the public.

Bordeaux has a great food and wine scene.

In my experience, Bordeaux has some of the best food and red wine in France. Since I was there for a few days, I had time to venture into the Bordeaux wine region and go on a vineyard tour at the stunning Château Pape Clément.

I also recommend making time to visit a market like the Marché des Capucins, where I joined locals to sample fresh food and wine.

Nice offered a great balance of relaxation, history, and culture.

France's opulent southeastern coastal city didn't disappoint, giving my friend and me a great balance of relaxation, history, and culture.

Apart from one or two very touristy spots (beach clubs, we're looking at you), we found that the nightlife was still generally cheaper than going out back home in the UK.

Over five days, we visited four different beaches, which were easy to reach by train. We also took a trip up the mountain to the stunning medieval village of Èze, which was one of the most picturesque places I've ever been.

In the evenings, we enjoyed delicious food, headed to bars, and drank wine on the beach after the sun went down.

Marseille is a lively port city.

A stunning port city, Marseille is known for its artistic influences and seafood-focused cuisine. Head there to enjoy traditional French dishes like bouillabaisse (a hearty seafood soup), the beautiful beaches, and the nightlife.

When I visited with family, I fell in love with Marseille's old town in particular. The city is very walkable and I'd recommend wandering the streets, stopping off occasionally for delicious food and drinks.

Rouen is full of beautiful architecture.

Normandy's capital, Rouen, has some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen.

Located about two hours outside Paris, this city has impressive historical buildings, delicious foodie spots, and great shopping.

Of course, no trip to Rouen would be complete without a visit to the Joan of Arc museum. Whether you know much about her or not, the museum's interactive nature made it one of the most fascinating I've ever been to.

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Hors Bordeaux tasting notes: France

It is good to see the enticing diversity of French wines now offered through La Place, not only with the existing stars, but also in the fabulous value to be had in releases from Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s Domaine de Baronarques, Bouche du Roi, Odysée and Domaine Chapuis, says Colin Hay . 

French reds

The stars are, of course, Domaine de la Chapelle’s Hermitage La Chapelle and Beaucastel’s legendary Hommage à Jacques Perrin, joined for the first time by Georges Vigouroux’s Château de Haute-Serre’s Grand Malbec from Cahors. But there is fabulous value to be had in the releases from Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s Domaine de Baronarques, Bouche du Roi, Odysée and Domaine Chapuis (whether at village, 1er cru or grand cru level).

Domaine Chapuis Aloxe-Corton 2022 (Aloxe Corton AOC; 100% Pinot Noir; 13% alcohol; tasted in Bordeaux and then again and with more success, with more appropriate stemware, in Paris). Pure and quite crisp and bright. Simple, but fresh and engaging, with plenty of energy. Red berry fruits – strawberry, but this is more of a background note, with the cranberry and redcurrant more prominent. Quite strict and linear, the fruit tightly strapped to the spine making this feel rather austere. Well-sustained on the finish. 90 .

Domaine Chapuis Aloxe Corton 1er Cru 2022 (Aloxe Corton AOC; 100% Pinot Noir; sourced from three parcels, Les Vercots and Les Guérets in the south of the appellation and Les Valozières in the North, contiguous with Les Bressandes in Corton; 13.5% alcohol; tasted in Bordeaux and then again and with more success, with more appropriate stemware, in Paris). A clear step up from the simpler vintage-level Aloxe, with more structure, greater intensity and a pleasing fluidity across the palate. More floral too. Tender and lithe on the finish, with a pleasingly luminous mid-palate. 92 .

Domaine Chapuis Savigny-Lès-Beaune 2022 (Savigny-Lès-Beaune; 100% Pinot Noir; 13% alcohol; tasted in Paris from a sample directly supplied by the property). Less strict and severe than the Alxoxe-Corton, this is immediately fuller and more relaxed, the fleshy red berry fruits (raspberry and strawberry) more prominent and the redcurrant and cranberry more restrained. A nice sense of tension. Richer, plumper and more ample on the palate too, though the tannins are again quite aggressive at this early stage. Needs time. 91 .

Domaine Chapuis Corton-Languettes Grand Cru 2022 (Corton AOC; 100% Pinot Noir; perfectly situated just above Les Perrières at 250-330 metres and with an Eastern exposure, this would be Corton-Charlemagne were it planted with Chardonnay; 13.5% alcohol; tasted in Paris from a sample directly supplied by the property). Full and rich, and yet gracious, plump and plush at the same time this is perhaps the softest and most refined of the three Corton climat expressions. I love the delicacy, the restraint and, above all, the distinctly luminous quality I find on the mid-palate. Long and supple, tender and enticing even in its infancy. 94 .

Domaine Chapuis Corton-Chaumes Grand Cru 2022 (Corton AOC; 100% Pinot Noir; the most southernly-facing of the three Corton climat expressions from Domaine Chapuis, opposite the southern reaches of the Pernand Vergelesses vineyards; 13.5% alcohol; tasted in Paris from a sample directly supplied by the property). Ever so slightly darker in the glass and immediately more powerful and fulsome aromatically, this is gloriously articulate and expressive, with a strikingly pure fresh crushed loganberry and raspberry fruit. Quite ample on the attack, but with grippy and structuring tannins, this might require, just as it will reward, a little more patience than the Languettes climat cuvée . 95 .

Domaine Chapuis Corton Perrières Grand Cru 2022 (Corton AOC; 100% Pinot Noir; perfectly situated in the mid-slope where there was once as old stone quarry giving its name to this mythic climat ; 13.5% alcohol; tasted first at the Joanne press tasting and then, with more conducive glassware and with more success, in Paris). Lithe and limpid, grippy and sapid, this is perhaps the most structured of the three Corton expressions. Like the Corton-Chaumes, the exudes crushed red berries picked at perfect ripeness. Tasted first in Bordeaux I found this, like a lot of youthful Corton, a little burly and boisterous. But it’s much more refined and delicate, despite the considerable depth, power and concentration when I return to it in Paris almost two months later. Roses. Black tea. A little hint of darker berry fruits with gentle aeration. Very impressive indeed and, like the others, likely to represent excellent value. 95+ .

La Bouche du Roi Abondance 2023 (IGP île de France; 100% Pinot Noir; 13.5% alcohol; on clay and limestone; certified organic). The second release from this fascinating project to restore an old tradition of wine-making around Versailles – a region that was, in the 18 th century, the most productive in France. Very pure-fruited and bitingly fresh. Loganberry. Raspberry. Spice. White pepper. Pomegranate and redcurrant. Fresh, pure, lithe but with decent substance too. The fruit is tightly strapped to the spine giving this great structure and ratcheting up the intensity. The tannins are fine-grained and beady – like little glass rollers, more tactile in a way because of the clarity and luminous quality of the mid-palate. Linear, taut and tense, like all of these Bouche du Roi wines. Plenty of character. 92+ .

La Capitelle de Baronarques 2022 (Limoux; 54% Merlot; 26% Malbec; 20% Syrah; 15% alcohol). Quite deep and rich, aromatically expressive, with a nice touch of cedar alongside the plum and black berry fruits. A little spice and both black and green Szechuan pepper from the Syrah and a leafy florality that seals in the freshness. No less impressive than the grand vin given the challenges of the vintage. 91 .

Domaine de Barronarques 2022 (Limoux; 49% Merlot; 23% Syrah; 17% Cabernet Franc; 6% Malbec; 5% Cabernet Sauvignon; 15% alcohol). An immediately captivating and rather classical note of cedar. Glossily textured, lithe and limpid, gracious and refined, elegant and fresh. Lots of cassis, graphite and crushed fresh and croquant berry fruits – mulberry and raspberry predominating. There’s an evident link to left-bank Bordeaux here, notably in the quality of the tannins. Impressive, above all in the context of a somewhat challenging vintage. 94 .

Chateau d’Aussières 2020 (Corbières AOC; 77% Syrah; 23% Mourvèdre; 15% alcohol). Quite toasty. Spicy – cinnamon and nutmeg. Grated mace. Very Syrah peppery. Saline in its minerality, almost a little Italianate. Plum and dark berry fruits. But a ferrous touch too. Chewy, substantial, authentic but with slightly rustic tannins. A pleasingly unpretentious mouthful. 90 .

De Haute-Serre Grand Malbec (Georges Vigouroux) 2022 (Cahors; 100% Malbec; an inter-parcel selection, by plant and by grape; aged for 18 months in a combination of amphorae and oak barrels of 400 litres, around half of them new; around 6000 bottles; 14% alcohol). There’s been a lot of talk of this wine and it’s good finally to taste it. It’s worth the wait. Quite simply both the best wine from the appellation and the best French Malbec that I have ever tasted. Aromatically explosive, with tulip bulbs, lilac, violet, black pen ink, graphite and cedar vying with the black cherry and blueberry fruit and those gorgeous freshly crushed green and black peppercorns notes (there’s a distinct hint of ‘ au poivre’ sauce to this). Plump and plush, dense and extremely compact, with a considerable volume of ultra fine-grained beady tannin still to be resolved, this is built for the ages. I love the beautiful lift and sapidity of the fantail finish. 96 . RRP: €180.

Domaine de Terrebrune 2021 (Bandol; 85% Mourvèdre; 10% Grenache; 5% Cinsault; 14% alcohol). Meaty and gamey. Charcuterie, baking spices too and a wild garrigue herbal element. Candlewax. Tight on the attack and with considerable intensity. Quite sapid and fresh on the finish, though with a slight a touch of dryness to the tannins. Needs time but this is impressively substantial. 91 .

  Odyssée 2021 (Vin de France; 59% Cabernet Sauvignon; 30% Grenache; 11% Mourvèdre; 13.5% alcohol; from Pierre Graffeuille and Matthieu Dumarcher). Crystalline and pure. It’s actually quite difficult to pick the components here and, tasted blind, you might imagine this as coming from somewhere like Limoux (i.e.: Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, if not quite the right ones)! Candied fruits. Candlewax. A gentle florality. Raspberry. Bramble. A little cassis with aeration. Quite strict, more so than other vintages of this wine. Not yet totally integrated. Needs time. A little dry on the finish too. 91 .

Hermitage La Chapelle (Domaine La Chapelle) 2022 (Hermitage; 100% Syrah; 14% alcohol; tasted at La Lagune with Caroline and Delphine Frey around a month before bottling; then at the Joanne tasting in July). A little closed at first, but it opens nicely with gentle aeration. Walnut and walnut oil. Dark berry fruits. Sloe and plums, maybe a little damson and black cherry with a little coaxing. Peony, hyacinth, mimosa. Graphite. Earthy, with a little leafy, humous/ sous bois note. Sage too. Plump. This has a lovely shape, texture and form in the mouth, pushing at the cheeks just a little. Despite the sustained intensity of the record heat of the vintage, the exceptional terroir has retained an essential freshness. As Caroline Frey explains, everything on granitic soils coped so well despite this being the hottest vintage ever. A lovely trace of liquorice on the finish where one finds also chewy grape skins. 97 .

Château de Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin 2022 (Châteauneuf-du-Pape; 75% Mourvèdre; 10% Syrah; 10% Grenache;5% Counoise; 14.5% alcohol). Wild garrigue herbs. Sloes. Plums. Black berries and brambles. Briary fruit notes. Fruits of the forest. A natural sucrosity. A little touch of incense. On the palate the fruit is a shade lighter and, if anything, fresher still – raspberry and loganberry. Very pure and refined. Impressively crystalline and with a pleasing granularity to the tannins indicating the considerable aging potential. 97 .

French Whites

La Bouche du Roi Grande Vue 2023 (IGP île de France; 100% Sauvignon Blanc; 14% alcohol; certified organic). A lovely fresh and crisp sky-scraper vertical aromatic profile – nettles, freshly cut grass, gooseberry, white currant with a pleasing leafiness too. Very saline, with almost a note of liquorice – rare in a white – and impressively dense and compact over quite a slender and chiselled frame. Impressive stuff. Tender; tight; taut; tense. The best vintage of this that I’ve tasted. 93 .

La Bouche du Roi Grand Lever 2023 (IGP île de France; 100% Chenin Blanc; 12.5% alcohol; certified organic). Lifted, with a leafy and at the same time earthy aromatic profile. Prominent citrus and white almond notes soar vertically from the glass, with a little suggestion of straw and a hint of saffron. On the palate, just like the Sauvignon Blanc, this is wonderfully taut and tense, with a racy acidity that brings a sparkle and a brightness to the mid-palate before releasing a lovely fresh wave of sapidity on the finish. Granny Smith apple and pink grapefruit. Long and tapering. Once again, the best vintage of this wine to date. 92+ .

La Bouche du Roi Louis d’Or 2023 (IGP île de France; 100% Chardonnay; on clay and limestone; 13.5% alcohol; certified organic). Wonderfully tense and tactile from the get go, this is bright, intensely crisp and charged with a racy citrus acidity that hints at its geo-localisation towards the northern reaches of Chardonnay’s realm in France (one could almost imagine this as a the basis of a top single vineyard vinous Champagne cuvée). Dense, compact and with impressive richness and concentration, an effect achieved by the effect of the limestone, which pinches the wine from the attack and chisels it, holding the fruit very close to a well-defined central spine. Very linear; very focussed. 94 .

Domaine Chapuis Chorey-Lès-Beaune 2022 (Chorey-Lès-Beaune 2022; 100% Chardonnay; planted on a well-draining alluvial marle and limestone terroir ; 13% alcohol). A rare white Chorey-Lès-Beaune (over 90% of the appellation is planted with Pinot Noir). Simple in a way, but tense and tactile with an almost indulgent richness immediately countered by the fresh and biting acidity. Candlewax, a little peach flesh and assorted citrus notes – lemon cordial above all. A touch of fresh ginger too. 91 .

Domaine Chapuis Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022 (Corton-Charlemagne; 100% Chardonnay; from parcels of Les Languettes, Les Pougets et Le Charlemagne with an optimal Southern and South-Eastern exposition on marly limestone and clay at 280 to 330 metres; 13.5% alcohol). Both gloriously opulent, lush, plush and plump and, at the same time, seriously chiselled, bright, crisp and crunchy in its fruit signature. Beeswax, lime zest, lime cordial and white grapefruit, gooseberry, a little hint of mimosa and jasmine too, a subtle flinty minerality and a gentle sprinkling of ginger and aromatic spices. On the palate this is intense and structured, fluid and dynamic, but rich and full. Above all, though, it is sinuous, the fruit though bound quite closely to the spine, having just enough range to flow where its whimsy takes it. Relaxed and gracious. 94 .

Domaine de Baronarques 2022 (Limoux; 97 Chardonnay; 3% Chenin Blanc; non malolactic fermentation; 14% alcohol). This is bright, crisp and aerial. Candlewax; fifty shades of citrus; crushed rocks; and then the fruit – white grapefruit, c itron pressé , blood orange, orange blossom, green tea. There’s a distinct lime cordial note too with some of the viscosity that implies. Texturally rich but aromatically fresh and very vertical. Juicy. Refreshing and very clean on the finish. A triumph. 94 .

Hermitage La Chapelle Chevalier de Sterimberg (Domaine de la Chapelle) 2022 (Hermitage; 87% Marsanne; 13% Rousanne; 14% alcohol). Hyper-fresh, crunchy in its fruit profile and succulent in the mid-palate with excellent tension, poise and energy for such a hot vintage. Candlewax and candle smoke. Celendine, camomile and perhaps a hint of green tea. Blood orange. Wild herbs – oregano and marjoram. Viscous. This is always amongst the freshest wines of Hermitage, despite its richness, breadth and depth, and it is here once again. Tense. Rich. Harmonious and yet dynamic and energetic. Croquant and with fabulous upward thrusts of citrus freshness breaking through the sumptuous rich exterior. Pure and glistening, with a brilliant éclat . 96 .

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