Bordeaux Grape Harvest Season Tour

Bordeaux Grape Harvest Tour

Experience Bordeaux at its most vibrant with our 7-day Grape Harvest Season Tour, when the vineyards turn golden and the region hums with energy. Travel through Bordeaux’s most iconic appellations — Médoc, Graves, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, and Sauternes — visiting world-famous châteaux as the harvest unfolds. Watch grapes being hand-picked, see fruit arrive at the cellars, and learn how centuries of winemaking tradition still guide each vintage today.

This tour goes beyond observation. You’ll meet the people behind the wines, taste freshly harvested grapes, and enjoy seasonal dishes like wild mushrooms, truffles, and duck confit, perfectly paired with wines from the same terroir. From strolling through the limestone vineyards of Saint-Émilion to sampling the golden sweetness of Sauternes, it’s a hands-on, sensory experience that captures the true spirit of Bordeaux’s harvest season.

Tour details

Length: 
5 to 10 days

Dates: 
End of September, Beginning of October

Service: 
Fully Supported, All-Inclusive Guided Tour

Appellations: 
Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux, Graves, Pessac, Sauternes, Fronsac, Pomerol, St-Émilion, etc.

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

Private Transportation:
Luxury Vehicles Mercedes-Benz Van

Bordeaux Harvest Season 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
medoc chateaux tours

Day 1

Spend a day exploring the renowned wine regions of Bordeaux’s Left Bank, home to iconic vineyards and the birthplace of Cabernet Sauvignon.

  • 10:00 am – Grand Cru Classé Château tour and tasting in Margaux
  • Gourmet Lunch at a Local Bistro
  • 2:00 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Cinquième Cru Château in Saint-Julien
  • 4:00 pm – Visit a local Chocolatier for a sweeter tasting
  • 5:30 pm – Return to your hotel for a free evening in Bordeaux

This day trip is perfect for wine lovers and estate adventurers eager to immerse themselves in the Médoc and Margaux’s rich history and flavors.

sauternes region day trip bordeaux

Day 2

Bordeaux’s southern wine region, where history, elegance, and extraordinary wines come together.

  • 10:00 am – Visit & Tasting at an exceptional Château in Pessac-Léognan
  • Fine-Dining Lunch, Visit & Tasting at a Premier Grands Crus Classé Estate
  • 3:30 pm – Visit & Tasting at THE Premier Cru Supérieur Château in Sauternes
  • 5:50 pm – Return to the hotel for an evening in Bordeaux

This day trip offers a perfect blend of world-class estates, premium wine tastings, fine dining, and stunning scenery.

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

Day 3

Have a free day to enjoy beautiful Bordeaux. There are so many great things to see and do, we’ll give you our favorite tips.

Included: Tickets to the Cité du Vin (World Wine Museum). This is a highly informative and interactive museum incorporating all of the senses as they pertain to wine. Learn as little or as much as you’d like. The tasting on the top floor, with 13 different wines to choose from, is an exceptional experience.

Optional: Take a private walking tour of the historic town center of Bordeaux, where you’ll see monuments dating back centuries and learn about the incredible transformation of this city over the centuries. We finish the sightseeing tour with a visit to one of our favorite wine shops in town, for a few glasses of some interesting Bordeaux wines.

Optional: One of our favorite experiences is an optional evening River Boat Cruise, complete with a Bordeaux Wine Tasting, paired with regional Cheeses and Charcuteries.

Fronsac Vineyards

Day 4

Experience a day on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, where gentle hills, limestone soils, and Merlot vines define some of the world’s most elegant wines. Your driver will meet you in the morning for a scenic journey through the countryside, filled with charming villages, quiet vineyard roads, and historic estates.

  • 10:00 am – Visit & tasting at a distinguished Château in Fronsac
  • 11:30 am – Visit & tasting at a charming family-run property in Lalande-de-Pomerol
  • Gourmet lunch of refined local cuisine and panoramic vineyard views
  • 3:00 pm – Visit & tasting at an elegant Château blending modern techniques with classic tradition
  • 6:00 pm – Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening in Bordeaux

This day trip captures the essence of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, intimate château visits, refined wines, exceptional food, and beautiful countryside views.

Bordeaux Wine Vacations Visit Saint Emilion

Day 5

Bordeaux’s Right Bank, where timeless traditions, breathtaking history, and exquisite wines are around every corner. 

  • 10:00 am – Visit & Tasting at a Grand Cru Classé Château in St-Émilion
  • Private Walking Tour of the Medieval Village
  • Gourmet Lunch at a Favorite Local Bistro
  • 2:15 pm – Private Tour of Underground St-Émilion Church
  • 3:45 pm – Visit & Tasting at a Family-Run Estate
  • 6:00 pm – Return to the hotel for an evening in Bordeaux

This day trip blends the rich culture of Saint-Émilion with the classic French village experience.

Airport Bordeaux

Day 6

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:

  • Private Wine Guide and Local Concierge Support
  • Accommodations in a 4-star or 5-star hotel, breakfasts included
  • Gourmet Lunches, including wine
  • Châteaux / Estate Tours
  • Unique Wine tastings
  • All Transportation for Excursions
  • Entrance fees to Estate Visits and Châteaux Tours
  • Transfers from/to Bordeaux Airport or Train Station

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 $4,775 (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

  • Experience Bordeaux at its most vibrant during “la vendange”, when the vineyards come alive with harvest activity.

  • Visit world-renowned châteaux and family-run estates across Médoc, Graves, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, and Sauternes.

  • Watch grape pickers at work and learn how each step of the harvest and winemaking process unfolds.

  • Enjoy exclusive tastings of freshly harvested grapes, new wines in production, and library vintages.

  • Meet the winemakers and cellar masters shaping Bordeaux’s next great vintage.

  • Savor seasonal cuisine inspired by the harvest; wild mushrooms, truffles, and duck confit paired with regional wines.

  • Stroll the medieval streets of Saint-Émilion and admire golden vineyards stretching across the Right Bank.

  • Relax in luxury accommodations with fine dining and exceptional local hospitality.

  • Discover how history, craftsmanship, and the changing seasons shape Bordeaux’s timeless wine culture.

Bonjour Bordeaux

For information and reservations, please contact us to chat about your ideal Bordeaux Wine Vacation…

 

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.