Graves & Sauternes Private Full Day Wine Tour from Bordeaux
About this activity
Highlights
- Visit the heart of Bordeaux’s wine regions
- Discover 3 selected wineries in Graves & Sauternes
- Pre-Booked Visits to Our Selection of Wineries.
- Tour can be customized to suit your interests.
- English-speaking, local guides expert
Full description
Discover the rich flavors of Graves and Sauternes with a private full-day wine tour from Bordeaux. Immerse yourself in the heart of Bordeaux’s esteemed wine regions, where you'll indulge in exclusive tastings at three carefully selected classified growth Châteaux.
With expert insights from your local, English-speaking guide, you'll learn about the unique terroir that contributes to these exquisite wines. This personalized tour can be tailored to suit your interests, ensuring a memorable experience. Enjoy the convenience of hotel pick-up and travel in comfort as you explore the stunning vineyards that have made Bordeaux a world-renowned wine destination.
Private Full-Day Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Sauternes Wine Tour from Bordeaux
Discover three prestigious Left Bank wine regions on a private full-day tour from Bordeaux featuring Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Sauternes. This expertly guided experience includes pre-booked visits to three carefully selected châteaux with tastings of exceptional red, dry white, and sweet white Bordeaux wines. Travel in a premium air-conditioned Mercedes minivan with an English-speaking wine expert guide and explore the diverse terroirs where Bordeaux winemaking began over 2,000 years ago.
Explore Graves and Pessac-Léognan Wine Regions
Your journey begins with convenient hotel pickup from Bordeaux and a short drive south to the Graves wine region, the original birthplace of Bordeaux viticulture where Romans first planted vines. Named after its distinctive gravelly soil composed of deep layers of gravel, stone, and sand, Graves produces both elegant red wines and acclaimed dry whites. Continue to Pessac-Léognan, a prestigious sub-appellation established in 1987 and home to Château Haut-Brion, the only estate outside Médoc to receive Premier Grand Cru Classé status in the 1855 Classification.
Visit 2 carefully selected châteaus where you'll tour the vineyards and cellars before tasting both red wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and dry white wines crafted from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Your expert guide accompanies you throughout, answering questions about history, technique, flavors, aromas, and food pairings.
Discover Sauternes and the Art of Noble Rot
After lunch, travel to the Sauternes wine region, world-famous for producing exceptional sweet white wines including Château d'Yquem, classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé Supérieur. Learn about the unique winemaking process involving Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), a beneficial fungus that concentrates sugars and creates intensely sweet, golden wines with aromas of honeysuckle, blossom, and stone fruit.
The region's microclimate of morning mist followed by warm, dry afternoons creates ideal conditions for noble rot to develop on healthy grapes. Visit one of Sauternes' most prestigious estates for a guided tour explaining the distinctive production process from vineyard to bottle, followed by a commented tasting where you'll discover which foods pair best with these unique dessert wines, from foie gras to Roquefort cheese.
Premium Transportation and Expert Wine Guide
Travel in a spacious Mercedes minivan accommodating up to 8 passengers with comfortable seating, air conditioning, and complimentary bottled water. Your English-speaking wine expert guide provides live commentary throughout the day, sharing knowledge about Bordeaux wine history, terroir, and production techniques. With pre-booked winery appointments and seamless logistics, you'll experience three distinct wine styles—Graves reds and whites, Pessac-Léognan classified estates, and legendary Sauternes sweet wines—in one comprehensive full-day tour.
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pick up from Bordeaux or surrounding area.
- Enjoy live commentaries from your wine expert guide.
- Reservations for 3 selected wineries of the Graves & Sauternes.
- Travel in recent, comfortable and fully equipped minivans.
- Tasting fees in the wineries
- Meals and drinks (lunch).
- Personal travel insurance, expenses.
- Gratuities for the Guide
Itinerary
Depart from Bordeaux
Meet your private wine guide at your accommodation and settle into your comfortable minivan. Head south into Bordeaux’s vineyard landscapes for a day of discovery.
Taste Pessac-Léognan
Begin at a carefully selected Pessac-Léognan estate. Explore the property, discover its winemaking traditions, and enjoy a guided tasting of elegant reds and refreshing dry whites.
Meeting point
Start Location
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, France
Important information
Know before you book
- Full-day tour visiting Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Sauternes regions
- Visits three châteaux with red, dry white, and sweet wine tastings
- All château tasting fees included in tour price at estates visited
- Hotel pickup included from Bordeaux and within 30 km radius
- Tour conducted in English; other languages available on request
Know before you go
- Tour duration approximately 8 hours; returns around 5:30 PM
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for vineyard and cellar tours
- Camera recommended for vineyard landscapes and château architecture
- Tour runs rain or shine; vehicle is climate-controlled year-round
Health & restrictions
Age, Height, Weight
- Minimum drinking age: 18
Food & drinks
- Drinks: Tasting fees included
Cancellation policy
For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: Up to 48 hours prior to departure: no cancellation fees except the booking fees. 48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund. No show - no refund.
Reviews
We booked a day tour to the Luberon Villages from Aix. Alex was our guide. We were so fortunate to have Alex as his knowledge of the history and the area was exceptional! There was only 2 of us on the tour and Alex made us feel very special and he went out of his way to make sure we had a fabulous trip. Definitely recommend this tour especially if you have Alex!
A fantastic tour! Ugo has an extraordinary talent in storytelling,. Clear explanations, perfect rhythm and zero boredom. Thanks again for the beautiful day!
Our driver Matt was funny and engaging the whole trip! It was just a drive/drop off but he shared all kinds of info with us. A total delight.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
This private Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Sauternes wine tour is ideal for wine enthusiasts seeking to explore Bordeaux beyond the famous Médoc and Saint-Émilion regions. It suits white wine lovers wanting to taste both world-class dry whites and legendary sweet Sauternes, couples and small groups interested in the historical birthplace of Bordeaux viticulture, and travelers curious about the unique noble rot winemaking process.