Cruise Excursion from La Rochelle to Bordeaux FD (private)

Highlights

  • Bordeaux wine tour in the Côte de Blaye appellation

  • Wine tasting sessions in 2 carefully selected wineries

  • Local Tour Guide, Expert in Bordeaux Wines

  • Tour can be customized to suit your interests

Summary

Visit Bordeaux Vineyards & discover the Blaye wine region on this small group private shore excursion from La Rochelle. Visit & wine tasting in 2 Chateau Wineries. Taste Bordeaux red or white wines. Tour conducted by Expert Wine Guide.

Tour info

Duration
8 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Adult: (5-99 years)
€1,400.00
Commentary
Meeting Point

Why take this tour?

Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from La Rochelle to discover the Bordeaux Wine region

Pick up in La Rochelle Cruise Port
This morning, we will come and pick you up at your Cruise Ship in La Rochelle Cruise Port. Meet your English speaking guide who is an expert on Bordeaux Wines. Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of your private wine tour with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to discover the vineyards of the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wine producing region. 

Travel in a spacious Premium minivan
Your private Bordeaux Wine Tour will take place in one of our very spacious Mercedes Minivans. This vehicle can take up to 8 persons. All our vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system that allows you to hear the commentary of your driver/guide no matter where you are seated. Also, there is free Wi-Fi access on all tour vehicles. Bottled water is also available in all our vehicles. 

Depart from La Rochelle and reach the Right Bank wine region
Starting in the port of La Rochelle, a short drive in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan brings you out of the city to the picturesque countryside plains and rolling hills of the right bank wine producing area. This is the heart of Bordeaux's famous wine region, where many vineyards carry the AOC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux designation. 

Each of these local wineries produce vintages with distinct soil features backed by a long winemaking heritage. The wines produced here are a blend of Merlot grapes with deep, bold flavors, along with other local grape varieties, especially Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser degree, Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines
Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation is located at the north of Bordeaux vineyard, on the right bank of the Gironde estuary. 450 winemakers work on 6000 hectares of limestone clay, gravelly clay and sandy clay soils. The red wines that are produced in the area are powerful while the white wines tend to be intense and complex with a slight acidity.

Visit & Wine tasting in 2 local wineries
Your program today will include a morning and afternoon visit in carefully selected Chateau Wineries of this appellation. During your winery tours you will be introduced to the art of winemaking followed by commented wine tastings of the local wines.

Personal discovery & Lunch (at own expense) in the City of Blaye
Mentioned in the "Song of Roland", the City of Blaye is a relay on the way to Santiago de Compostela for the pilgrims and is experiencing a major development due to its commercial port in the eighteenth century. The medieval city becomes the citadel of Vauban and the new town lies at the foot of the fortress, now listed by UNESCO World Heritage in the Vauban Network with Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc. Shopping street hosts a traditional farmer market twice a week. The streets retain traces of the glorious past of the city. 

While in Blaye, you will have some time for personal discovery and lunch (at own expense). The town is home to a UNESCO World heritage site part of the Vauban Network - the Blaye Citadel. It has preserved  its defense system organized by Vauban with its 1,5km of fortification, its doors and underground passages, as well as the buildings which are necessary for the smooth operation of a garrison : old monastery, jail, barracks, gunpowder depot... 1500 soldiers at the time of Vauban, more than 30 hectares of fortifications, the citadel of Blaye perfectly carries its motto: star and key of Aquitaine. 

What’s included?

  • Reservation for 2 selected Wineries

  • English-speaking driver/guide

  • Travel in premium, spacious vehicles

  • Pick up and drop off at Ship

  • Wine tasting fees

  • Entrance fees to monuments or attractions

  • Personal insurance & expenses

  • Meals & drinks

  • Gratuities for the driver/guide

Things to know

Before you book

  • Prices are per group from 2 to 8 persons - Larger groups please contact us

  • Tasting fees can be included during the booking process

  • Chateaux reservations will be made once the booking is confirmed

Before you go

  • Please be ready 10 minutes before arrival time

  • Tour involves some walking, comfortable walking shoes are recommended

  • Currency is in Euros

Cancellation Policy

    Up to 48 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 48 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

About operator:

Ophorus Tours is both a licensed Tour Operator, member of Atout France and ETOA, and a Transportation company with headquarters in Bordeaux. We operate since 2005 and conduct Walking Tours, Day Trips, Private Tours, Shore Excursions and multi-regional Tours throughout France. 

Our multilingual office staff is made up of France Travel Experts that design unique itineraries for both individuals and groups. Their perfect knowledge of the destination allows them to suggest carefully crafted programs to professionals of the Travel Trade all over the world. 

Our in house team of licensed, multilingual Tour Guides are local Experts that can conduct any type of tours including (but not limited to) Cultural & Historical, Food & Wine, Luxury, Battlefields, Active, Family friendly, Faith-based etc...