7 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 flavours of these wines, which have their own names. To give you a small idea of what awaits you, there are almost 60 controlled designations of origin.

So, add to your list of the best things to do in Bordeaux, immersing yourself in this wine-making tradition that dates back centuries. There are many different tours to choose from. The ones I 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.

In Saint-Émilion, there are countless wineries and different wines, and this experience is the perfect excuse to get to know and taste them. The tours usually also include a visit to one of the vineyards surrounding the town.

An interesting fact: the vineyards in this area were the first to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 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 hours 45 minutes.
• Advantages: it will be an intensive course in oenology.
• Disadvantages: not all tours are accessible to people with reduced mobility.

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

If you fancy doing something different, here's an even more comprehensive 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 physical shape, as the terrain is flat and you can choose an electric bike.

The tours usually include wine tasting at a winery or château, as well as a guided tour of Saint Émilion and a light lunch halfway through the day. All in all, it's one of the most entertaining day trips you can take from Bordeaux.

• Price: from €189 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8½ 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 rating among Bordeaux wines.

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

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 major 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 £95 per person.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours 45 minutes.
• Advantages: it 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 along 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 about vineyards and wines. 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.

Interesting details

• Price: from €70 per person.
• Duration: around 3 hours for boat tours, slightly longer for land tours.
• Advantages: option of taking the boat tour.
• Disadvantages: the boat tour 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 are 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 finest wines. With the help of an expert, you will learn to distinguish aromas and nuances and to fully appreciate the renowned wines of this wine-growing region.

I should also mention that the star of these tours is the Chartrons neighbourhood, whose streets are lined with countless bars and traditional taverns. If, at the end of the guided tour, you feel like enjoying a typical snack accompanied by a good wine, this is the perfect place. It is a lively neighbourhood with lots of charm.

Details of interest

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

The Entre-deux-Mers area 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-producing 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 and Clairet, Bordeaux Rouge and Crémant de Bordeaux, among others.

The tours include, of course, visits to wineries and a small wine tasting. But you will discover much more: mills, fortified villages called bastides and some castles. You will also stop at a Romanesque gem, a 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.

Details of interest

• Price: around €70 per person.
• Duration: around 4½ hours.
• Advantages: you will discover some of the most beautiful landscapes in Gironde.
• Disadvantages: includes wine tasting, but no snacks or lunch.

These are two other major wine-producing areas in Bordeaux, which you can explore 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. And you can taste some of them at the stops made at local wineries. These wineries are often 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 4½ hours.
• Advantages: it 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 fancy a different kind of experience and are spending several days in Bordeaux, you can take a short excursion to Cognac to discover the secrets of another of France's most internationally renowned drinks: brandy.

These tours usually include visits 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 they will explain many other interesting facts, such as the fact 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 per 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 duration and distance from Bordeaux.

If you are 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 a veritable theme park dedicated to oenology, offering you a journey through the wines of 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 bear a few things in mind:

• If you are going to take part in any of the excursions through the vineyards of Bordeaux, 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 a thousand colours 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 will need to find alternative activities or a tour that does allow minors.
• Wine tastings are usually accompanied by a tasting, usually of local cheeses, or a small snack. Make sure this is the case beforehand and, if not, bring something to eat.

Their duration varies greatly. If you only have a day or two to see Bordeaux, my advice is to choose 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.

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: organise your stay in the city well so that you can enjoy several of these experiences.

Bordeaux encompasses several production areas, numerous appellations of origin and countless different wines. It is difficult to get a general idea of this wealth 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 will 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.