Shore Excursion from La Rochelle to Bordeaux FD (private)

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.

• 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

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. 

• Port de La Rochelle, Quai Duperré, La Rochelle, France
• Citadelle de Blaye, La Citadelle, Blaye, France

Ophorus requires full payment to guarantee your booking. In case of registration one month or less before shore excursion date, payment is expected immediately. We accept payment by credit cards (Visa, Master card, American Express), There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments but booking process does incur a booking fee. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: 

Up to 48 hours prior to departure (Paris Time Zone) > no cancellation fees except the booking fees 

48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund 

No refund will be made in case the boat is unable to dock in the port of Call.

All private shore excursions must clearly specify the name of the ship and the local port of call. Ophorus will not be held responsible if the wrong port of call has been notified during reservation process. All private shore excursions departing from Bordeaux must specify local port of call: “Bordeaux city port of call” or “Bassens port of call“ or “Le Verdon port of call”. No insurance for cancellation or assistance is included in the prices mentioned for private shore excursions. Each customer has to check that he or she has the appropriate documents for their journey; a passport (with visa if necessary) or a valid ID card. No refund will be granted in case of lack or loss of ID documents. Eating, drinking and smoking on board the minivans are strictly forbidden (law of September, 17th, 1977). All passengers are insured during the excursions while in the vans. The responsibility of Ophorus is limited to our insurance contract clauses. 

If you want to share your tour with others, you can put it on Cruise Critic. Most of the time this gives good results. You must do this yourself as we are not accepted on their site as a professional business. We accept split payment transactions by credit card.