Winter Holiday Season In Bordeaux

Fog winter vineyards

See Bordeaux at its coziest. The city glows with lights, the vineyards rest under cool skies, and the air smells of wine, chestnuts, and festive cheer. This 9-day journey blends world-class wines with the magic of the holidays, complete with visits to iconic châteaux, Michelin-star meals, and exclusive access to the Bordeaux Tasting event.

Whether you’re sipping sweet Sauternes beside a crackling fire or strolling through the Christmas market with a glass of mulled wine, winter in Bordeaux offers something rare and beautiful, warmth, elegance, and timeless French hospitality.

Tour details

Length: 
9 days, 10 nights

Cost: 
Starting at $7,495 (USD) per person

Service: 
Fully Supported, All-Inclusive Guided Tour

Appellations: 
Médoc, Margaux, Graves, Pessac, Sauternes, Fronsac, Pomerol, St-Émilion, and more.

Wine Tastings: 
Bordeaux Red, White, Rosé, & Crémant

Private Transportation:
Luxury Mercedes-Benz Van

Winter Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary Example

Bordeaux Wine Vacation Place de la Bourse

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
Bordeaux Christmas

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
  • Optional: Visit a local wine merchant for a private wine tasting paired with local cheese & charcuterie
  • Optional: Evening River Cruise with Wine, Cheese & Charcuterie
Bordeaux-Vineyards-in-WInter

Day 2

The Médoc is the home of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux’s most prestigious estates. You’ll travel along the famous Route des Châteaux, stopping for tastings and a gourmet lunch among the vines.

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:00 am – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Classé Château in Margaux
  • 12:15 pm – Gourmet Lunch at a Local Bistro
  • 2:30 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Cinquième Cru Château in Saint-Julien
  • 4:00 pm – Stop at a Local Chocolatier or Vineyard Overlook
  • 5:30 pm – Return to the hotel for the evening
St-Emilion-Bordeaux-Winter

Day 3

Head south to the birthplace of Bordeaux wine. Graves is known for elegant reds and refined whites, while Sauternes produces the region’s celebrated golden dessert wines.

  • 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-Christmas-Market

Day 4

Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring Bordeaux’s museums, galleries, or cafés. Visit the Musée d’Aquitaine or La Cité du Vin for an afternoon of art and wine culture, then spend your evening wandering through the Christmas Market; lights, mulled wine, and local treats everywhere you turn.

  • Morning – Free Time for Shopping or Museums
  • 12:30 pm – Lunch at a Favorite Café or Brasserie
  • 3:00 pm – Visit to La Cité du Vin or Musée d’Aquitaine
  • 6:00 pm – Explore the Bordeaux Christmas Market
Underground Barrel Tunnels in Fronsac

Day 5

The Right Bank offers softer, Merlot-driven wines and beautiful rolling countryside. Fronsac and Pomerol combine elegance, history, and authentic family estates.

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:30 am – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Château in Fronsac
  • 12:15 pm – Lunch at a Local Château or Gourmet Bistro
  • 2:30 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Family-Run Estate in Lalande-de-Pomerol
  • 4:00 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Pomerol Château Known for its Rich Reds
  • 5:30 pm – Return to Bordeaux for the evening
saint-emilion-wine-shop-wine-shelf

Day 6

Spend the day in one of Bordeaux’s most beautiful wine villages, exploring its limestone cellars, cobblestone streets, and exceptional wines.

  • 9:00 am – Pick-up from your hotel
  • 10:00 am – Private Walking Tour of the Medieval Village
  • 12:30 pm – Fine-Dining Lunch at a Village Restaurant
  • 2:00 pm – Private Tour of the Underground Church & Hermit’s Grotto
  • 3:00 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Classé Château in Saint-Émilion
  • 5:30 pm – Return to Bordeaux for the evening
Bordeaux-Tasting-2024

Day 7

The festive highlight begins. The “Bordeaux Tasting” Event brings together nearly 130 producers at the Palais de la Bourse for two days of wine, champagne, and discovery. Taste across every appellation, meet winemakers, and learn their craft.

  • 10:30 am – Entry to the Bordeaux Tasting Event (Tickets Included)
  • 12:30 pm – Lunch Break with Local Food Vendors
  • 2:00 pm – Guided Tasting with Exhibitors
  • 6:00 pm – Return to the hotel for a cozy evening
bordeaux_tasting-2023

Day 8

Continue exploring at your own pace. Attend expert-led workshops or relax with a glass and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

  • 10:30 am – Return to the Bordeaux Tasting Event
  • 12:00 pm – Optional Food & Wine Pairing Workshop
  • 3:00 pm – Explore the “Food & Chill” Lounge
  • 6:30 pm – Return to the hotel for a relaxed evening
bordeaux_tasting-2023

Day 9

Spend your final day as you please, perhaps a final stroll through the markets or a quiet museum visit, before closing your trip with an unforgettable farewell dinner paired with exceptional Bordeaux wines.

  • Morning – Free Day for Shopping or Cafés
  • 12:30 pm – Lunch at Your Leisure
  • 7:00 pm – Michelin-Star Farewell Dinner
Airport Bordeaux

Day 10

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 5-star hotel (breakfasts included)
  • 4 gourmet lunches with wine
  • 2 Fine-Dining dinners with wine
  • 10+ château and estate visits
  • Tickets to Bordeaux Tasting and Christmas Market events
  • Private wine guide and host throughout the tour
  • Luxury transportation for all excursions
  • Entrance fees to museums and châteaux
  • Full support from your local concierge
  • Airport/train station transfers

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 $7,495 (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

  • Celebrate the festive season in Bordeaux, when the city sparkles with lights and winter charm.
  • Stay in a 4 or 5-star hotel in the heart of Bordeaux, surrounded by cozy cafés and Christmas markets.
  • Visit both Left and Right Bank appellations, including Margaux, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, and Sauternes.
  • Taste iconic Bordeaux wines, from rich reds to golden dessert wines, at Grand Cru Classé châteaux.
  • Experience the Bordeaux Tasting event, where nearly every appellation pours under one roof.
  • Stroll through the Bordeaux Christmas Market, filled with local crafts, mulled wine, and festive cheer.
  • Enjoy Michelin-star dining and gourmet French cuisine paired with perfectly aged wines.
  • Explore the city’s history on a private walking tour and visit La Cité du Vin wine museum.
  • Travel comfortably with private luxury transportation and full support from your local guide and concierge.
  • End your tour with a farewell Michelin-star dinner, raising a glass to the warmth of winter in Bordeaux.

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.