8 Best Wine Tours in Bordeaux

It is impossible to talk about Bordeaux without mentioning its wines. Any visit to the city or the Gironde region will be enveloped in the aromas and flavors of these wines, each with its own name. To give you a small idea of what to expect, there are almost 60 controlled designations of origin.

So, add it to your list of the best things to do in Bordeaux: immerse yourself in this wine-making tradition that dates back centuries. There are many different tours to choose from. The ones I'll show you below are the most interesting.

This is one of the most renowned and oldest wine-growing areas in Bordeaux. If you book an excursion to Saint Émilion, you will learn that the main varieties grown here are Merlot and French Cabernet. You will also discover that the wide variety of wines is largely due to the different characteristics of the soil and a truly privileged microclimate.

There are countless wineries and different wines in Saint-Émilion, and this experience is the perfect excuse to discover and taste them. The tours usually also include a visit to one of the vineyards surrounding the city.

An interesting fact: the vineyards in this area were the first to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But these vineyards were famous long before that. They were already being cultivated in the Roman Empire, although wine production did not spread until the 8th century, thanks to the followers of a Breton monk who retired to these lands. It was this monk who gave his name to this great wine region.

• Price: from €106 per person.
• Duration: from 5:45 hours.
• Advantages: it will be an intensive wine-tasting course.
• Disadvantages: not all routes are accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Add lunch and a bike tour to your visit to Saint Émilion

If you fancy doing something different, I suggest an even more complete option Book an excursion to Saint Émilion from Bordeaux with a bike tour, lunch, and wine tasting. This way, you can enjoy the beauty of the region's landscapes at your own pace. You don't need to be in great shape, as the terrain is flat and you can choose an electric bike.

The tours usually include wine tasting in a winery or castle, as well as a guided tour of Saint Émilion and a light lunch. All in all, this is one of the most entertaining day trips you can take from Bordeaux.

• Price: from €189 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8.5 hours.
• Advantages: includes lunch and bike tour.
• Disadvantages: rain or cold weather may affect the tour.

The Médoc is a true paradise for wine lovers. Some of the world's most prized wines are produced in this region. In fact, there are up to 60 Grand Crus Classé wines here, the highest classification for Bordeaux wines.

The fertility of the soil, an exceptional climate, and meticulous winemaking processes have made this possible for centuries. And that's just one of the many interesting things you'll learn on this tour, where you'll see endless vineyards on land that, at first glance, seems unsuitable for growing grapes.

If you book the Médoc wine tour, you may be surprised to learn that there are up to 1,500 vineyards in this region. They are divided into two large appellations: AOC Médoc and AOC Haut-Médoc. Each of these includes other different appellations. You can also book the Médoc wine tour with a visit to the château and discover this architectural gem.

Details of interest

• Price: from $106 per person.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes.
• Advantages: allows you to learn in depth about all the stages of wine production.
• Disadvantages: these tours are not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

This tour has a unique feature: it can be done by land, following the Corniche road, or aboard a boat that takes a short cruise through the estuary formed by the mouths of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. Either way, you will discover the beauty of two other wine-growing areas in the Bordeaux region.

These areas produce renowned wines with designation of origin: Côtes de Blaye, Côtes de Bourg, and Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux. You can taste some of them either on board a boat or by stopping at a winery on the land tours.

It's not all vineyards and wine. Blaye, for example, is home to a magnificent citadel that is a World Heritage Site. And if you opt for the Corniche road tour, you'll see troglodyte houses perched on the cliffs.

Details of interest

• Price: from €70 per person.
• Duration: around 3 hours for boat tours, land tours are slightly longer.
• Advantages: option of taking the boat tour.
• Disadvantages: the boat trip does not allow you to get close to the vineyards or visit wineries.

This tour will teach you about the history of wine in the region, its peculiarities, and countless interesting anecdotes as you explore the city. If you're only going to be in Bordeaux for two days, this is a great way to get a first taste of the city before exploring it on your own or with another guided tour.

These tours also include a stop at a wine bar and a tasting of some of Bordeaux's best wines. With the help of an expert, you'll learn to distinguish aromas and nuances and appreciate the full value of the renowned wines of this wine-growing region.

I should also mention that if there is one highlight of these tours, it is the Chartrons district, whose streets are lined with countless bars and traditional taverns. If you feel like relaxing with a typical aperitif accompanied by a good wine at the end of the guided tour, this is the perfect place. It is a lively neighborhood with lots of charm.

Details of interest

• Price: around €80 per person.
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Advantages: you will discover some of Bordeaux's most iconic places while learning about its wines.
• Disadvantages: you will only gain a superficial knowledge of Bordeaux wines.

The Entre-deux-Mers region is known as the French Tuscany. Imagine rolling hills and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see. In fact, it is the largest wine-growing region in Bordeaux.

Guided tours will explain the unique characteristics of this area. Located at the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, it is particularly fertile. As a result, a wide variety of wines are produced here, including Bordeaux Blanc, Bordeaux Rosé, Clairet, Bordeaux Rouge, and Crémant de Bordeaux, among others.

The tours include, of course, visits to wineries and a small wine tasting. But you'll discover much more: mills, fortified villages called bastides, and a few castles. You'll also stop at a Romanesque gem and World Heritage Site, the Abbey of La Sauve Majeure. The Benedictine monks who founded it were the first to clear the forest that covered this area and plant vines 1,000 years ago.

Interesting details

• Price: around €70 per person.
• Duration: around 4.5 hours.
• Advantages: you will discover some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Gironde.
• Disadvantages: includes wine tasting, but no appetizer or lunch.

These are two other major wine-growing areas in Bordeaux, which you can discover on an interesting tour. In fact, they have their own wine route. To give you an idea of their importance, it was in Graves that the first vines were planted in Bordeaux no less than two thousand years ago.

These areas produce well-known wines with Designation of Origin, such as Pessac-Léognan, Barsac and, of course, Graves and Sauternes. You can taste some of them at stops in local wineries. Many of these wineries are organic and produce their wines in an almost artisanal way.

And you won't just see wineries. Graves and Sauternes are also dotted with beautiful chateaux. Tours usually stop at the Château de la Brède. It is not surrounded by vineyards, but by a beautiful park, and is notable because it belonged to the famous philosopher Montesquieu.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately €70 per person.
• Duration: around 4.5 hours.
• Advantages: this is one of the most interesting alternative routes to Saint Émilion or the Médoc due to the history of the area.
• Disadvantages: lunch is not included.

If you don't have much time during your visit to Bordeaux to go on excursions to the wine-growing areas, you can take a simpler tour: a workshop dedicated exclusively to the region's best wines. With the help of specialists, you will learn to distinguish the region's main wines, differentiate their aromas, colors, and nuances.

They will also explain everything about them, from vine cultivation techniques to how the grapes are harvested and, of course, how the wine is made in the cellars. It will be like taking a tour of French wine-making tradition in a couple of hours without leaving your seat. It is an interesting and, above all, very educational experience.

Details of interest

• Price: from €40 per person.
• Duration: approximately two hours.
• Advantages: this is the best option for very short stays in Bordeaux.
• Disadvantages: no visits to wineries or vineyards.

If you fancy a different experience and are spending a few days in Bordeaux, you can take a short trip to Cognac to discover the secrets of another of France's most internationally renowned drinks: brandy.

These tours usually include a visit to a distillery where you will learn how the brandy-making process differs from that of other grape-based drinks. You will also learn to appreciate its nuances from an expert sommelier. And you will learn many other interesting facts, such as that Cognac is the largest vineyard in France.

On the way, don't miss the magnificent landscapes of the Charente region, dotted with hills, vineyards, castles, and charming villages.

Interesting details

• Price: around €600 for a group of up to 8 people.
• Duration: around 9 hours.
• Advantages: allows you to discover another region of France.
• Disadvantages: it can be tiring due to the length of the trip and the distance from Bordeaux.

If you're spending three days in Bordeaux, there are even more activities to delve deeper into the world of wine, not only in France but also internationally.

• A visit to the Cité du Vin, the City of Wine, is a must. This unique building houses an authentic theme park dedicated to wine, offering you a journey through wines from around the world.
• In the city, you can also visit the Wine and Trade Museum, where tastings are held and you can see both ancient and modern wine-making equipment.
• To immerse yourself fully in wine culture, another option is to take part in interesting experiences such as a wine masterclass or even activities where you can make your own wine.

To fully enjoy these wine tours in Bordeaux, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

• If you are going to take part in any of the excursions through the Bordeaux vineyards, remember to wear suitable clothing and footwear. In summer, don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun while visiting the vineyards.
• Any time of year is perfect for enjoying these tours. The grape harvest takes place at the end of summer. Meanwhile, watching the vineyards turn into a sea of colors is one of the best things to do in Bordeaux in autumn. And in spring, you'll see them in full bloom.
• Some of the excursions are not accessible or are only partially accessible. If you need an accessible itinerary, it is advisable to check in advance.
• In general, tours that include tastings are only open to participants of legal drinking age. If you plan to visit Bordeaux with children, you should look for alternative activities or a tour that does allow minors.
• Wine tastings are usually accompanied by a tasting, usually of local cheeses, or a small appetizer. Make sure this is the case beforehand, and if not, bring something to eat.

The duration varies greatly. If you only have a day or two to see Bordeaux, I recommend choosing a guided tour of the city that stops at a tavern or bar to taste some of the typical wines. These tours last between two and three hours.

The tours that leave the city for the wine-growing areas of Bordeaux last a little longer, between four and five hours for half-day tours and around eight or nine hours for full-day tours.

If you like the world of wine, here's a little tip: plan your stay in the city well so you can enjoy several of these experiences.

Bordeaux encompasses several production areas, numerous appellations, and countless different wines. Getting a general idea of this wealth is difficult without the help of an expert guide. Otherwise, you may get lost and fail to discover the secrets of the best wines in this area.

In addition, professionals will take you to the best taverns, wineries, and chateaux, so you'll have the most complete experience. And, most importantly, you won't waste time looking for these places or waiting to visit them. Don't hesitate, booking a wine tour is one of the best things you can do in Bordeaux.