Graves & Sauternes Wines from Saint Emilion (private)

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Highlights

  • Discover The Sauternes wine region & its sweet white wines

  • Explore the heart of Bordeaux’s famous wine region

  • Lunch (at own expense) in a local restaurant

  • Local Tour Guide, Expert in Bordeaux Wines

Summary

Experience the essence of Bordeaux finest wines from the village of Saint-Emilion to the renowned vineyards of Graves & Sauternes. Explore iconic wineries, indulging in the exquisite flavors of Bordeaux's red, white, & sweet wines 

Tour info

Duration
7 hours
Group Size
8
Pricing (From)
Adult: (0-99 years)
€720.00
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

Meet your English speaking driver/guide who is a local expert on Bordeaux Wines 

In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your Hotel or Accommodation in Saint Emilion. Meet your English speaking driver / guide who is an expert on Bordeaux Wines. Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned vehicle and begin to make your way to the Graves & Sauternes wine producing regions. 

Program & Itinerary 

Meet your Guide at your Accommodation in Saint Emilion

Morning Visit of Pessac Leognan Winery
Free Time for Lunch
Afternoon Visit of Sauternes Grand Cru Classe 1855 Winery

Drop off at your accommodation in Saint Emilion

 Depart from Saint Emilion and reach the Graves wine region

Starting in Saint Emilion, 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 left bank wine producing area. This is the heart of Bordeaux’s famous wine region, where many vineyards carry the Graves and Pessac Léognan AOC designation. Each of these local wineries produce vintages with distinct soil features backed by a long winemaking heritage.

Located South of Bordeaux, this wine region is known to be the original wine producing region of Bordeaux. This is the area where the Romans first planted grapes just about 2,000 years ago. The name of the region originates from the soil that can be found here, deep layers of grave and stonel!

Discover the Pessac Leognan wine producing region of Bordeaux

This quite recent appellation used to be part of the Graves. Due to its recognition of producing high quality red and white wines, the area was rewarded with a communal appellation in 1987. The red wines of Pessac Léognan are based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grape varieties. The white wines produced here are generally made of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes.

The soil is quite similar to the one that can be found in the Graves region which is mainly gravel, stone and sand. One of the most prestigious wineries of the appellation is Chateau Haut-Brion that was granted the 1er Grand Cru Classé level of 1855, sole chateau to be located outside the Medoc & Sauternes wine producing regions.

Upon arrival in the wine region, we stop at a carefully selected winery. Some of our favorites that we highly recommend include Chateau Haut Bailly, Château La Louvière, Chateau Olivier, Chateau Carbonnieux but there are many more. Visit the winery on a private tour with the local tour guide. Then, you will have the opportunity to taste the different wines of the estate including white and red wines.

After lunch, visit the Sauternes wine region of Bordeaux

The Sauternes wine region is famous for the high quality sweet white wines that are produced here. The most famous winery of the region is Chateau d’Yquem that was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines. Sauternes wines are made in great majority with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to which are added in much lesser amounts Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris.

The wines of Sauternes are produced thanks to the action of a fungus, Botrytis Cinerea that causes the grapes to rot. This process is called the noble rot when it comes to take place on healthy grapes and under a favorable climate.

The local climate of Sauternes during the summer time is usually composed of morning mist followed by warm and dry afternoons which has the effect to dry the grapes, reduce the water content and concentrate the sugar. The result is the making of an intensely sweet, gold colored wine with strong aromas of honeysuckle, blossom and stone.

This afternoon, your wine tour will take you to one of the most prestigious wineries of the Sauternes area. Upon arrival, you will visit the installations but the most important will be to understand the wine making process as it differs completely with that of other wines.

Follow the Chateau guide as you are explained the making of Sauternes wines from the vineyard to the bottle. Once the visit is over, it will be time to taste this unique nectar. During a commented wine tasting, you will be explained which food pairs the best with this category of wine. After the visit and tasting, it will be time to head back to Saint Emilion. 

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What’s included?

  • Hotel pick up from Saint Emilion

  • Enjoy live commentaries from your wine expert guide.

  • Travel in recent, comfortable and fully equipped minivans.

  • Pre-booked visits to a selection of wineries

  • Bordeaux Wine Tour can be customized to suit your interests

  • Tasting fees in the wineries.

  • Meals and drinks.

  • Personal insurance, expenses.

  • Entrance fees unless mentioned.

  • Gratuities

Things to know

Before you book

  • Tour requires minimum 2 passengers (adults) to operate.

  • Tour is operated in English, other languages on request.

  • Not wheelchair accessible.

  • Price is per group, not per person.

  • This tour is in request

Before you go

  • Please be ready 10 minutes before departure time

  • Currency is in Euro.

  • This tour is not recommended for persons with reduced mobility.

  • Minimum drinking age 18 years old.

Cancellation Policy

    Operator strictly adheres to its cancellation policy and will make no exceptions to the policy. If Guest chooses to cancel his or her reservation, Operator must receive written notice of said cancellation in writing via certified mail, fax or e-mail sent to [email protected] (with confirmation of receipt from Operator), and Guest shall be subject to the following cancellation fee schedule: Ophorus requires full payment by credit card, internet payment (through our website) or wire transfer (Wire transfer fees at the charge of the Guest) to make a reservation. We accept payment by AMEX, Visa and Master Card. There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%. 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.

Redemption information

    If any hotel or predetermined meeting place changes, notify Orphorus immediately.  Otherwise be at location 10 minutes prior to pick up time.
    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption
Operator Website

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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...

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