Top 10 wine tours in Bordeaux

In Bordeaux, there is nothing more normal to drink a good glass of wine… Beyond the tasting, we offer you a real wine tourism experience! Here are our top 10 tours, to discover the Bordeaux vineyards, learn all about viticulture, learn to taste and appreciate the wines of Bordeaux and the Gironde.

The Bordeaux vineyards are located in a temperate oceanic climate, thanks to the Gironde's maritime coastline. It is also a slightly hilly and very sunny country. Finally, these are rich and silty lands, bathed by the waters of the mouth of the Gironde, where two rivers meet: the Garonne and the Dordogne. To discover this original ecosystem, see our article on the Gironde estuary and its most beautiful villages. This environment is ideal for the vineyard. Large vineyards were established there during antiquity and are still famous today. The territories of the Gironde are divided by these wine-growing areas: Blayais, Saint-Emilion, Bordelais, Entre-deux-mers, Sauternes, Médoc. We take you on a discovery tour of wine tourism in Bordeaux, in the heart of these territories.

Source: Tasting perched at Château de Rayne Vigneau

In the Blayais: the Château de Monconseil-Gazin

Le Blayais is known for its Côtes de Blaye vineyard. This wine-growing region is very old and was established by the Romans, as evidenced by the Gallo-Roman villas of Plassac. Just next to the Field of Monconseil-Gazin welcomes you to its wine chateau, one of the oldest buildings in the area, passed on from generation to generation since 1894. This 5th generation of winemakers will tell you the story of the region and his family, to share his passion for the vine with you.

Certified by Best of WineTourism, they offer many wine tourism activities:

• The guided tour will also explain the work on the farm, strolling between the vines, the vat room and the cellar. It ends with a tasting of Blayais wines.
• An escape game on the theme of oenology, with an “escape pass” to be validated on several sites;
• The oenopiades and the 12 works of Bacchus, a fun and instructive journey;
• Oenological Tai Chi sessions;
• Workshops, walking tours...

In Saint-Emilion: Château Ambre Tour Pourret

In Saint-Emilion, we invite you to discover the appellations "Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux", "Puisseguin Saint-Emilion", "Saint-Emilion Grand cru", but also "Crémant de Bordeaux". Célène Bordeaux is a winery, born from the merger of the Maison de Crémant de Bordeaux and the Lannoye vineyards.

Wine tourism at Château Ambre Tour Pourret:

• cooking classes and the discovery of good pairings between food and wine;
• masterclasses to learn to taste and appreciate wines;
• picnics to enjoy during your walks in the vineyard or their restaurant;
• guided or audio-guided tours with tasting of wines and crémants;
• original gourmet tastings, accompanied by cheese or chocolate.
  

The Château Haut-Goujon

We set off to discover the “Lalande-de-Pomerol” and “Montagne-Saint-Emilion” appellations at Château Haut-Goujon. Very attached to his work as a winegrower, the owner will share it with you during the visit. You can also discover the cooperage.

In Bordeaux: the Château du Payre

In the Bordeaux region, the Château du Payre has a particularity… In this very masculine wine world, the estate has been handed down for five generations from mother to daughter!

The wine tourism at Château du Payre:

• Sophrowine;
• guided tour of the cellars, with wine tasting, accompanied by a cheese platter;
• full tour of the farm;
• discovery of the harvest for children and tasting of grape juice;
• vineyard walk and hike;
• family harvest...

L'Entre-deux-mers, Château les Maubats

Château les Maubats is an authentic family estate, which invests in transmitting its passion for Entre-deux-mers wines.

Wine tourism at Château les Maubats:

• Initiation to tasting;
• investigation at the castle;
• tasting evenings...

In the Sauternes region, Château la Louvière

In the Sauternes region, the Château la Louvière makes you discover the history of Pessac-Léognan in its building classified as “Historic Monuments”.

Wine tourism at Château la Louvière:

• Guided tour;
• tastings, accompanied by various sweets;
• initiation to tasting;

Rayne Vigneau Castle

Also in Sauternes, the Château de Rayne Vigneau is considered one of the most prestigious properties in the Sauternes vineyard. Several times winner of the Best of WineTourism competition, its tours and tastings live up to their reputation.

Wine tourism at Château de Rayne Vigneau:

• Visits and tastings of the different wines;
• “OenoVisa” pass;
• tasting perched in the trees;
• initiation and awakening of the senses;
• escape game;
• microlight flight;
• assembly workshops, olfactory discovery; "Essence and perfume"...

The Graves of Château Jouvente

To discover the wines of the appellation "Bass", the Castle Jouvente welcomes you to his mansion of the 17th century, its vineyards, its underground cellar and barrel room. You can also go on a family treasure hunt: "on the trail of youth".

In the Médoc, the famous Margaux: Le Château Desmirail

In the Médoc, the village of Margaux is internationally recognized for its vineyards and wine châteaux. At Château Desmirail, you can discover the property, the vats and the cellars during classic visits, with a cheese tasting, or during specific visits on the olfactory aspects of this great wine.

If you want to make other visits to this vineyard, La Maison du Vin de Margaux will direct you to find the one that suits you.

To accompany your wine tastings, do you know the “Sarments du Médoc” and the “Guinettes”? Mademoiselle de Margaux will tell you this beautiful story and will make you discover these delicacies.

Pauillac, capital of the wine-growing Médoc: Cave de la Rose Pauillac

“Mouton-Rothschild, Latour, Lafite-Rothschild…” These are sweet names to your ears! Pauillac is reputed to be the wine capital of the Médoc and in fact, it is home to no less than a hundred properties… To avoid getting lost, we recommend that you start your visit with the Maison du Tourisme et du Vin, which will help you organize your stay.

La Cave de la Rose Pauillac brings together around thirty owners and makes you discover the wines of Pauillac thanks to its original activities:

• “The Odyssey of the Rose”, an immersive visit;
• traditional visit with gourmet tasting;
• tasting in the dark;
• masterclass of the Rose Pauillac;
• wine and cheese visit.

Our other good deals

• Best of WineTourism rewards properties offering quality and original wine tourism activities. You can consult the list of their laureates.
• The Domaine des Deux cèdres is a former winery, which organizes stays in the heart of the different vineyards, the “Wine Odyssey Bordeaux” routes: 2 CV circuit, discovery of the Côtes de Blaye and Bourg, Saint-Emilion, Médoc, Cognac...

• Forme&Châteaux is an original concept that combines sport and discovery of the Saint-Emilion vineyard in Libourne. There you will find walking and electric bike tours, stretching and guided tours.

Here is our tour of the Bordeaux vineyards finished. We hope that you have inspired and given you good ideas for your next holiday in Gironde. If you want to know more, here is our page on Bordeaux and the Gironde: its geography, its history...

To organize your stay more easily, discover our “Around me” option: Our geolocation service helps you find nearby tours and activities, a restaurant, or your accommodation.

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Bordeaux Gironde Guide.