Bordeaux Wine Festival: a Bordeaux experience not to be missed

From June 19 to 22, 2025, the Bordeaux Gironde Guide has tested for you an unmissable festival: Bordeaux Fête le Vin. Along the banks of the Garonne, under a radiant sun, Bordeaux vibrates to the rhythm of clinking glasses and bursts of laughter. Every end of June, the city transforms into a world epicenter of wine.

The 2025 edition, once again, proves the grandeur and international renown of this essential event for enthusiasts and the curious alike.

In this article, the Bordeaux Gironde Guide takes you through the highlights of Bordeaux Fête le Vin, 2025 edition.

Prepare to be immersed in the heart of the party!

What is the concept of Bordeaux Wine Festival?

The goal of Bordeaux Fête le Vin is simple: to celebrate the wines of Bordeaux and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in a festive and friendly atmosphere along the banks of the Garonne River. It is an international event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, both wine lovers and casual onlookers, from around the world.

The steps are as follows:

• A giant "Wine Route" on the quays : the heart of the event is a tasting trail of more than two kilometers along the Garonne, where visitors can discover wines from many of the region's appellations.
• The Tasting Pass : This is the key to the experience. By purchasing a pass, visitors receive a tasting glass, a glass holder, and coupons to taste a selection of wines in the various appellation pavilions.
• Meeting with winegrowers and merchants : this is also a unique opportunity to interact directly with local producers, to discover their passion, their know-how and the history of their wines.
• A local gastronomic offering : In addition to wines, the festival showcases the region's culinary specialties (oysters, cheeses, charcuterie, etc.) through a gastronomic village and food truck stands. Perfect for food and wine pairings!
• Entertainment and shows : Bordeaux Fête le Vin is much more than just a tasting. Concerts, shows, the presence of tall ships to visit, and various workshops (wine tasting, cooking) enliven the quays.
• A showcase for heritage : the event celebrates the richness of the region's wine heritage, as well as the cultural and architectural heritage of Bordeaux, particularly with the exceptional setting of the quays and historic monuments.
• The 2025 edition is committed to eco-responsibility and has put Japan in the spotlight, with Franco-Japanese agreements and dedicated pavilions. In addition, new tasting pass offers were proposed, as well as specific activities such as the "Green Box" to raise awareness about bottle reuse.

Bordeaux Fête le Vin is therefore a unique combination of tastings, gastronomy, culture and festivities, all in an exceptional setting.

The setting and atmosphere of the 2025 wine festival

For this new edition, everything takes place between the Place de la Bourse and the CAPC tram stop (Bordeaux Museum of Contemporary Art), along the banks of the Garonne.

The village stretches over several kilometers, while the large sailing ships are docked between the water mirror and the Pont de Pierre, which is under construction. These giants of the sea, open to visitors, add a touch of adventure to this already sublime picture.

The atmosphere on the quays was simply festive. The air was filled with a mixture of laughter, passionate discussions, and musical notes. The crowd was a veritable melting pot : wine lovers who had come to refine their palates, families out for a stroll, Bordeaux residents proud of their heritage, and tourists from all over the world. Conversations mingled, passing from French to English to Spanish.

Numerous activities and fanfares during the day invite everyone to get into the spirit of the festival. In the evening, DJs take over the venue to get festival-goers dancing. Every moment feels like a toast to life and wine.

The Tasting Route

Sesame: the Tasting Pass

At the heart of the experience, the Tasting Pass is the key that opens the doors to this wine world. Upon purchase, we receive an elegant branded glass, a practical glass holder to keep our hands free, and tasting coupons. With this key in our pocket, we set off to discover the more than 80 appellations present. Each coupon represents an invitation to a journey.

A new world to discover

The "Wine Route" is a veritable labyrinth of flavors. The quays are lined with pavilions, each representing a prestigious appellation. From Médoc to Saint-Émilion, via Graves, Sauternes, and Mouton-Cadet, we travel from terroir to terroir. The diversity is absolutely fascinating: powerful and structured red wines, lively and aromatic dry whites, fruity rosés, sparkling crémants, and even sweet liqueur wines.

Learn while tasting at the Bordeaux Wine School Pavilion

Amidst the bustle of the quays, one stop stands out for its educational approach: the Pavilion of the Bordeaux Wine School. This space is dedicated to learning and initiation. Here, trainers and students give mini-courses and workshops to decipher the secrets of wine.

This pavilion reminds everyone that behind the pleasure of tasting lies a complex know-how and a wealth of nuances. It is the perfect place for novices who wish to learn and for amateurs who want to refine their knowledge.

Highlights and events at Bordeaux Wine Festival

Tall ships on display

It's impossible to miss the sailboats that have dropped anchor on the Garonne for the occasion. Explore the decks and holds, while imagining the distant crossings.

For this 2025 edition, there are 3 of them:

• The Galeon, a Spanish wooden ship;
• The Français, a magnificent three-masted wooden barque;
• The Pascual Flores, a Spanish three-masted schooner.

Gastronomy: choice food and wine pairings

Wine is inseparable from gastronomy, and Bordeaux Fête le Vin understands this well. Between the tasting pavilions, a veritable gourmet village offers a range of local specialties. Oysters from the Arcachon Basin, regional charcuterie, cheeses, cannelés from Bordeaux…

The Drone Show

The traditional fireworks are over. Time for the drone show.

Once night falls, around 11 p.m., hundreds of luminous drones rise above the Garonne River, forming constellations of light in the sky. They draw bottles, glasses, and bunches of grapes, before forming the event's logo. It's a synchronized and poetic ballet that amazes the crowd two consecutive evenings. This more environmentally friendly choice brings a touch of innovation and offers a memorable conclusion to these days of festivities.

Our practical advice for future editions of Bordeaux Fête le Vin

To make your experience at Bordeaux Fête le Vin as memorable as ours, here are some practical tips:

• Buy your Tasting Pass online and in advance : this is the number one tip! Not only will you often benefit from a preferential rate, but more importantly, you'll avoid long lines on site.

• Arrive early in the morning : If you want to fully enjoy the pavilions and chat more peacefully with the winemakers, arrive as soon as they open, especially on weekends. The crowds are much smaller, making for a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
• Prepare your tasting itinerary : With so many appellations to choose from, it's easy to feel a little lost. Don't hesitate to consult the program and pavilion map beforehand. Target a few appellations or estates that particularly interest you to maximize your time.
• Hydrate regularly : Whether it's hot or not, remember to drink water between each wine tasting. Water fountains are available free of charge, and this is essential to fully enjoy each glass and stay energized throughout the day.
• Favor public transportation : The quays are in the heart of Bordeaux, and traffic and parking can quickly become a headache. Trams, buses, or even bicycles are ideal options for getting to the event with peace of mind.

To learn more about the event, visit the official Bordeaux Fête le Vin website.

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