8-Day Bordeaux & Cognac

Bourg Wine Day Trip Bordeaux

A week of fine wines, beautiful scenery, and French art de vivre. This all-inclusive journey combines Bordeaux’s most iconic appellations with a visit to Cognac, the birthplace of one of France’s most celebrated spirits.

Over eight days, you’ll visit grand châteaux, family-run estates, and historic distilleries, tasting your way through Bordeaux’s Left and Right Banks before heading north to discover the craft of Cognac.

Between vineyard visits, enjoy free time in Bordeaux to explore the city’s markets, museums, and riverside cafés at your own pace.

Tour details

Length: 
8 days, 9 nights

Service: 
Fully Supported, All-Inclusive Guided Tour

Appellations: 
Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, Pessac-Léognan, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac, and Cognac

Wine Tastings: 
Bordeaux Red, White, and Sweet Wines, plus Cognac tastings

Private Transportation:
Luxury Mercedes-Benz Van

Eight-Day Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary Example

Bordeaux-Historic-City-Center-Saint-Andre-

Day 0

Your guide will greet you at the airport or train station and bring you to your hotel in central Bordeaux. Relax, recover, your Bordeaux “wine-cation” starts tomorrow!

  • Airport or train station pickup and hotel check-in
La Place de la Bourse Bordeaux

Day 1

Spend the day getting to know the city on a private walking tour through its historic streets and grand squares. You’ll visit a favorite local wine shop for an informal tasting, then end the day with a river cruise featuring Bordeaux wines, cheese, and charcuterie.

  • Private Walking Tour of Historic Bordeaux
  • Walking Tour of Historic Bordeaux
  • Stroll the riverfront Chartrons Open-Air Market
  • See the Cité du Vin world wine museum (tickets included)
  • Optional: Visit a local wine merchant for a private wine tasting paired with local cheese & charcuterie
  • Optional: Evening River Cruise with Wine, Cheese & Charcuterie
yquem tasting

Day 2

Travel south to Bordeaux’s oldest vineyards, where elegant reds and golden dessert wines have been perfected for centuries.

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:00 am – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Classé de Graves Estate
  • 12:15 pm – Fine-Dining Lunch at a Michelin-Guide Restaurant
  • 3:00 pm – Visit & Tasting at THE Premier Cru Supérieur Château in Sauternes
  • 5:30 pm – Return to Bordeaux for a relaxed evening
bordeaux private chateau visit day tour

Day 3

A classic Left Bank day filled with Cabernet Sauvignon and grand architecture. Travel the Route des Châteaux and visit some of Bordeaux’s most famous estates.

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:00 am – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac
  • 11:30 am – Visit & Tasting at a Second Estate in the Médoc
  • 12:45 pm – Gourmet Lunch at a Local Bistro in the Village
  • 2:30 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Prestigious Château in Saint-Estèphe
  • 5:30 pm – Return to the hotel for the evening
Bordeaux Cabernet Grape

Day 4

An elegant return up the Left Bank for more Cabernet Sauvignon and endless vineyards. Visit some world-famous Bordeaux estates and experience a fine-dining restaurant. 

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:00 am – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Classé Escate in St-Julien
  • 12:00 pm – Gourmet Lunch at a Fine-Dining restaurant in the Château
  • 3:00 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Prestigious Château in Margaux
  • 5:00 pm – Optional visit of a local Chocolaterie
  • 6:00 pm – Return to the hotel for the evening
Bordeaux Grand Theatre

Day 5

Take a break from the vineyards and enjoy a slower day in the city. Wander through Bordeaux’s elegant streets, shop in local boutiques, or settle into a café for a long lunch and people-watching.

Optional experiences:

  • Private River Boat Cruise with Wine, Cheese & Charcuterie
  • French Cooking Class with Bordeaux-Based American Chefs
  • Wine Tasting Workshop

However you spend it, this easygoing day lets you enjoy Bordeaux at your own pace.

Barrel Maker in Pessac Wine Region

Day 6

Merlot takes center stage today as you travel to Bordeaux’s Right Bank, where lush vineyards and family estates produce some of the region’s most elegant wines.

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:00 am – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Château in Fronsac
  • 11:30 am – Visit & Tasting at a Pomerol Estate
  • 12:30 pm – Gourmet Lunch at a Local Restaurant Overlooking the Vines
  • 3:00 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Family-Run Property
  • 6:00 pm – Return to Bordeaux
cognac bay trip from bordeaux

Day 7

Head north for a day dedicated to France’s most refined spirit. Visit traditional distilleries, taste rare blends, and learn about the long aging process that gives Cognac its character.

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:30 am – Visit & Tasting at a Cognac House
  • 12:30 pm – Gourmet Lunch at a Distillery Restaurant
  • 3:00 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Second Cognac Maison
  • 6:00 pm – Return to Bordeaux for the evening
Bordeaux Wine Vacations Travel StEmilion copy

Day 8

Spend the day in one of Bordeaux’s most beautiful wine villages. Saint-Émilion’s cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and limestone cellars make it a must-visit.

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:00 am – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Classé Château
  • 11:15 am – Guided Walking Tour of Saint-Émilion’s Medieval Village
  • 12:30 pm – Gourmet Lunch at a Local Restaurant
  • 2:15 pm – Private Tour of the Underground Church and Hermit’s Grotto
  • 3:45 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Boutique Family Estate
  • 6:00 pm – Return to Bordeaux for your final evening
Airport Bordeaux

Day 9

After breakfast, your private driver will take you to Bordeaux Airport or the Saint-Jean Train Station.

A warm farewell and a bon voyage until next time.

What’s included:

  • 9 nights in a 4 or 5-star hotel (breakfasts included)
  • 6 gourmet lunches with wine
  • 2 fine-dining dinners with wine
  • 2 Cognac maison tours and tastings
  • 10+ château and estate visits
  • Countless unique wine tastings
  • Private wine guide and host throughout the week
  • Luxury transportation for all excursions
  • Entrance fees for all visits and tastings
  • Airport/train station transfers
  • Full support from your local concierge
  • Tickets to La Cité du Vin Wine Museum

What’s not included:

  • Flights
  • Travel & Health Insurance

We hand-select four- and five-star properties to maximize comfort while minimizing cost, which is included in your all-inclusive Bordeaux wine vacation. Here are some of our favorites:

For self-guided tour parties wishing to upgrade their accommodations, we can provide custom pricing for four- and five-star hotels, pending availability.

Short-term rental options such as Airbnb can be accommodated.

We are your local guides. Who better to show you around breathtaking Bordeaux than local expats who have fallen in love with this region?

Having the local perspective enhances your experience, providing insider knowledge and opportunities that only a local resident can offer.

From greeting guests when they arrive to personally handling reservations and transportation, to curating excursions, to problem-solving (e.g., unexpected cancellations and other unforeseen issues), your concierge is here to help make your trip unforgettable.

For more info, head to our About Us Page

Starting at $6,980 (USD) per person

Pricing will vary according to locations and personal preferences.

Discounts available for groups of 4 or more, and early-bird reservations.

Tour highlights

  • Explore Bordeaux’s most famous appellations, including Médoc, Margaux, Graves, Sauternes, Saint-Émilion, Fronsac, and Pomerol.
  • Enjoy private château visits and tastings led by winemakers and experts at Grand Cru Classé and family-run estates.
  • Visit Cognac, home of France’s finest brandy, with guided distillery tours and rare tastings.
  • Savor Michelin-level dining and gourmet lunches at vineyards and fine restaurants throughout the week.
  • Spend a free day in Bordeaux, with included tickets to La Cité du Vin Wine Museum and time to explore the Chartrons market.
  • Travel the Route des Châteaux, the legendary road through the Médoc lined with world-famous estates.
  • Experience the elegance of Sauternes, where noble rot turns grapes into golden, honeyed wines.
  • Walk the medieval streets of Saint-Émilion, tour its underground church, and enjoy panoramic views over the vineyards.
  • Learn from passionate winemakers, distillers, and chefs who share the secrets behind their craft.
  • Relax in comfort with private transportation, a local guide, and 5-star accommodations for a seamless Bordeaux stay.

Bonjour Bordeaux

Craft your wine adventure effortlessly. Fill out our form, secure your spot, and get ready for an unforgettable journey through Bordeaux’s wine country.

FAQs

Can Bordeaux Wine Vacations customize an itinerary?

Yes. In fact, every Bordeaux Wine Vacation is customized based on your interests, preferred wine styles, and pace of travel. We combine our experience and local partnerships to create an itinerary that’s unique to you.

A Bordeaux château visit typically includes a warm welcome, a guided tour of the vineyard and cellars, and a seated tasting of the estate’s wines. You’ll learn how the grapes are grown, harvested, and aged, often hearing stories about the château’s history and winemaking philosophy. Visits usually last about an hour and a half, offering an authentic glimpse into both the craft and culture behind Bordeaux wines.

The Left Bank (Médoc, Graves, Pessac-Léognan) is known for Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends, while the Right Bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac) focuses on Merlot. Both sides offer world-class wines, landscapes, and history.

Most Bordeaux Wine Vacations day trips include visits to 2 or 3 châteaux, allowing time for guided tours, tastings, and a leisurely gourmet lunch. Longer itineraries feature a balance of vineyard visits and cultural experiences.

Yes. Not only are we English-speaking, we’re a small group of international globetrotters fluent in English, and passionate about Bordeaux’s history, culture, and wine traditions.

Smart-casual clothing is best for Bordeaux wine tours. Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking through vineyards and estates. During warmer months, bring a hat and sunglasses; in cooler months, a light jacket or sweater is ideal. Wine cellars stay at a constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Bordeaux is a coastal city, so a small travel umbrella or light rain jacket is never a bad idea.

We aren’t a large agency with staff that’s out of touch. We’re a small group of local Bordeaux enthusiasts offering private, all-inclusive itineraries curated just for you. We focus on authentic, personalized experiences and handle every detail, so you can enjoy Bordeaux with confidence and ease.