Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world, is open again for visitors after two months of shutdown. It is possible again to visit some of the most famous and smaller châteaux in the Bordeaux wine region on the Right and Left bank – in private tours (even some at the weekends).
The first to communicate their running of wine tours are (with hygiene precautions in place of course);
ST EMILION & SURROUNDS
Château Franc Mayne Grand Cru Classé St Emilion with its stunning underground cellars carved into the limestone and light display.
Château le Croizille, Grand Cru St Emilion with its modern cellar and magnificent view.
Château de Ferrand, Grand Cru Classé St Emilion with its old vintages and modern ‘revolving’ tasting area
Château de la Renommé, St Emilion with its segways and picnics.
Château de la Rivière in Fronsac – an ancient beautiful château with limestone caves overlooking the Dordogne in one of the most stunning, overlooked wine regions of Bordeaux, off the beaten track!
Château de la Dauphine in Fronsac – beautiful grounds, meodern winery, range of wines including rosé. Biodynamic property with a stunning view onto the Dordogne – can even to a tour in 2CV!
GRAVES & PESSAC LEOGNAN
Château de Cérons in the Graves region who also do picnics and where you can taste their rare sweet wine as well as their dry white and red.
Château Malarctic-Lagravière, Grand Cru Classé, Pessac Leognan – super spot not far from Bordeaux and silky rich wines.
Château Latour Martillac, Grand Cru Classé, Pessac Leognan – after two years of renovations we cant wait to see the new tasting room! Lovely white and red made by a talented lady winemaker. (from June 2nd)
Château de Portets, Graves with its beautiful setting
SAUTERNES
Château Rayne Vignaud, Grand Cru Classé Sauternes – the magic that is this sweet wine that can live 100 years (if you resist the temptation!)
Château Lafaurie-Peyreguey, Grand cru classé Sauternes – great shop with Lalique crystal and lots of great vintages to taste
MEDOC
Château Lafon Rochet Grand Cru Classé in St Estephe (Haut Medoc) with its silky smooth red made from the full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.
Château du Tertre, Grand Cru Classé Margaux beautiful château and grounds. get to taste older vintages of this super wine (quite a lot of Cabernet Franc here).
Château Talbot, Grand cru Classé St Julien, beautiful château and beautiful wine. Still family owned.
Château Gruaud Larose, Grand Cru classé St Julien – beautiful wine, cellars, gardens – the whole site. And you can see it from the top of their renowned ‘cheese grater’ tower. Get to taste older vintages here.
Château du Siran, Margaux – the pink château with its nuclear bunker full of wine and roof terrace where you can enjoy a glass, a platter of cheese and overlook the vineyards.
Château Leoville Poyferré, Grand Cru Classé, St Julien – beautiful classy wine, impressive domain still family owned
Château Pichon Baron, Grand Cru Classé Pauillac – impressive fairytale château and wine (from June 2nd)
If you are looking for a premier grand cru clasé real wine château just for you for a group of 10 friends (5 double rooms) or so Château Sigalas Rabaud, Grand Cru Classé Sauternes is available.
We can organise three visits a day in the different wine regions (St Emilion, Medoc or Graves) and a fun picnic lunch with local produce and wine of course for lunch!
Where to stay?
There are two super boutique hotels near to St Emilion which I highly recommend. They both have spas too and are atmsopheric wine château that have been renovated with taste and all the modern luxuries. Corinne will welcome you to Château Latour Segur, at Lussac St Emilion with its fabulous spa built into an ancient limestone cave. The grounds are stunning and at the same time familial with their chickens and donkeys.
Melanie and Laurent will welcome you at the beautiful Château Palanquey near to St Emilion – a real Girondine château set in the vineyards in a beautiful valley . There is an indoor and outdoor pool and spa. They offer ‘table d’hôte’ home-cooked meals.
With 30 years of experience in the region we can help you organise a quick get-away trip! Tours in English or French or Spanish. We will take good care of you! There is a fast train from Paris in 2 hours and we can pick you up from the Station no problem.
Look forward to hearing from you, nicolle@sip-wines.com
PS ‘Bordeaux sur l’eau’ has restarted private trips on the river Garonne in the city of Bordeaux on their authentic oyster boat. Groups of around 12 max. Seafood and white wine and this beautiful city from the river.
SIP WINE BLOG - Bordeaux plus 