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.
All-inclusive Bordeaux wine tours include a custom itinerary, private transportation, luxury accommodations, daily breakfasts, guided château visits, wine tastings, gourmet meals, and full concierge support. Every itinerary is personally designed to ensure a seamless and stress-free Bordeaux wine vacation.
Yes. All Bordeaux Wine Vacations itineraries are completely private, designed for couples, friends, or groups. You’ll have a private English-speaking guide, private transportation, and exclusive appointments at each location.
Our Bordeaux wine tours range from 1 to 10 days. Shorter tours focus on must-see regions like the Médoc and Saint-Émilion, while longer itineraries include additional regions such as Pessac, Sauternes, Graves, Pomerol, Arcachon Bay, and even Cognac.
Bordeaux Wine Vacation Day Trips start by picking you up from your hotel in a first-class touring van and driving through a sea of vineyards to the wine region of the day. You’ll visit 2 to 3 different wine-producing estates with tasting and tours of each property, enjoy a five-star gourmet meal that’s typically French, and pair the experience by tasting a comparative selection of fine wines from the region. At the end of the day, your guide will shuttle you back to your hotel and give recommendations or reservations for evening activities in Bordeaux.
The best time to visit Bordeaux for wine tours is from April to October, when vineyards are active and the weather is ideal. September is especially popular for the harvest season, and December offers festive wine-themed holiday experiences.
The short answer is no, you don’t need to speak French to have a great time in Bordeaux. Of course, the customary “Bonjour” and “Merci” go a long way, but you do not need to worry about being able to communicate in English. We are native English speakers, and the various châteaux guides and hosts are all perfectly capable of touring in English (with a very charming French accent!)
The top Bordeaux wine regions include Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Sauternes. Each produces a distinct style of wine, from bold Cabernet Sauvignon blends to elegant Merlots and sweet dessert wines. But as you can imagine, the lesser-known regions are some of our favorites.
We love to visit a mix of world-famous, prestigious châteaux and family-fun estates.
Some of our favorites are: Château Beychevelle, Château Léoville-Poyferré, Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Château de la Rivière, Château La Mission Haut Brion, Château Haut Bailly, Château Valandraud, Couvent des Jacobins, Château Fleur Cardinale, Château Carbonnieux, Château D’Yquem, etc.
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.
A self-guided Bordeaux wine tour is a fully planned itinerary that you drive yourself. We handle all château reservations, restaurant bookings, and directions, allowing you to explore Bordeaux at your own pace with confidence.
“Grand Cru Classé” refers to prestigious châteaux included in Bordeaux’s 1855 Classification, mainly in the Médoc and Graves. “Grand Cru” is used primarily in Saint-Émilion and follows a separate system. Both terms indicate quality, but the classification systems differ by region and history.
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.
Private Bordeaux Wine Vacations typically start around $2,395 per person for 3 days. Multi-day all-inclusive tours average between $700 and $900 per day, depending on season, accommodations, and inclusions. Additionally, we offer early-bird discounts for trips booked more than 8 months in advance, as well as a group discount for bookings of 4 or more guests.
Yes. Most Bordeaux estates require advance reservations for tours and tastings. Bordeaux Wine Vacations arranges all appointments ahead of time to ensure you have private, confirmed access to each château on your itinerary.
Bordeaux is easily accessible by high-speed train from Paris (about two hours) or by direct international flight into Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport. We include transfers from the train station or airport at the start and end of your tour.
You’ll taste wines from Bordeaux’s most iconic regions, including Cabernet Sauvignon blends from the Left Bank and Merlot-forward blends from the Right Bank. Most tours also feature sweet Sauternes and crisp white wines from Pessac-Léognan or Entre-Deux-Mers, with tastings at both Grand Cru estates and family-run châteaux. Plus, we love to throw in surprises that you won’t expect from Bordeaux, but are fantastic exceptions.
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. In most cases, gourmet lunches and wine tastings are included on all of our all-inclusive Bordeaux tours. Some dinners are also included, depending on the itinerary. Each meal highlights regional French cuisine paired with local wines.
Not at all. Our tours are designed for everyone, from first-time wine travelers to experienced collectors. Guides adapt each visit to your level of knowledge, making Bordeaux approachable, educational, and fun. After all, you’re on vacation!
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.
Absolutely. Most châteaux can ship directly to the United States, Canada, and many other countries. We’re always happy to help coordinate international shipping for any wines you purchase during your tour.
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.
Yes. In addition to wine tours, we can include activities like river cruises, market visits, cooking classes, or day trips to Arcachon Bay and Cognac. Each itinerary can be tailored to include cultural, culinary, or coastal experiences that complement your time in Bordeaux’s vineyards.
Pricing varies depending on what you’d like your trip to include. Since every itinerary is custom-built, we design each program around your preferences, from hotels and châteaux visits to meals and private experiences.
Most of our tours average between $700 and $1000 per person, per day, depending on the level of comfort and style you’re looking for. Once we chat and learn more about your travel plans, we’ll outline clear options so you can see exactly what fits best.
The deposit is $995 per person and goes toward your total trip cost. It officially secures your travel dates and allows us to begin making all of your château and hotel reservations. The remaining balance is due 90 days before your trip.
Yes. Groups of four or more guests receive a 10% discount on all-inclusive Bordeaux Wine Vacations. Larger private groups can request custom pricing and accommodations.
Although it’s not required, we strongly recommend having comprehensive travel insurance for your Bordeaux Wine Vacation. It’s the best way to protect yourself in case of unexpected events such as trip cancellation, interruption, or medical emergencies while traveling.
If you need to cancel your trip, we’ll always do our best to assist. Please note that the deposit at the time of booking ($995 per person) is non-refundable. Refunds on the remaining balance are based on when we receive your written notice of cancellation:
All refunds are processed within 10 business days of receiving written notice. In the event of an unforeseen circumstance, we’ll do everything possible to recover and refund as much as we can from our partners.
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.
Step 1: Let’s talk
We start with a friendly phone conversation to get to know you and hear all about your dream Bordeaux vacation; what you love, what you’d like to see, and how you enjoy traveling.
Step 2: Your trip outline
We’ll send a custom program draft with ideas and options that match your interests, so you can share feedback and fine-tune the experience.
Step 3: Confirming your program
Once we’ve refined the plan together, we’ll confirm your itinerary. This is also when you’ll pay the deposit, so we can begin securing all your reservations.
Step 4: We make the magic happen
Our team books every château, hotel, and activity in your itinerary, double-checking each detail so everything runs seamlessly.
Step 5: Final payment
90 days before your trip, you’ll make your final payment, and we’ll finalize any last-minute touches or special requests.
Step 6: Tour package delivery
Around 45 days before departure, you’ll receive your complete Tour Packet via an online portal and offline PDF with your confirmed itinerary, reservation details, daily summaries, restaurant suggestions, free-time recommendations, and helpful packing tips.
Step 7: Bienvenue à Bordeaux!
As soon as you arrive, we’ll roll out the Bordeaux-red carpet and handle everything from here. All you have to do is relax, stroll, sip, and enjoy the wine-cation of a lifetime.
Step 8: After your trip
Once you’re back home, we’ll reach out for your feedback (and hopefully a kind Google review!) to help us keep refining and sharing Bordeaux with future travelers.
Bordeaux Wine Vacations
(828) 774-6971
