Bordeaux: Medoc & Saint Emilion Wine Tour with Chateau Tastings

Summary

Afternoon wine tastings in Medoc or St-Emilion with chateau visit

You’ll join a small group in Bordeaux for an afternoon tasting Grand Cru wines at a local château in either Medoc or St-Emilion. Savor French bread, cheese, and charcuterie as your guide shares stories behind every pour. Walk through sunlit vineyards and learn real wine-tasting skills—then end your day with memories (and flavors) that linger.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed stepping out of the minivan was the way the air smelled — kind of earthy, but with this faint sweetness that I swear comes only from Bordeaux vineyards. Our guide, Camille, waved us over like we were old friends, and honestly, it set the tone for the whole afternoon. She asked if anyone had tried a Grand Cru before (I hadn’t), and then we wandered into this château that looked like something out of a storybook — not too grand, just quietly proud. The owner’s dog followed us around for a bit, sniffing my shoes (I guess Paris dust is interesting to dogs too).

Inside, it was all cool stone and wooden beams, and Camille started pouring these deep red wines while explaining how St-Emilion is different from Medoc — apparently it’s all about the soil and grape variety. She handed me a glass and said to look for “notes of blackcurrant,” which I thought sounded fancy until I actually tasted it and sort of got what she meant. We had a little workshop right there at this long wooden table — swirling, sniffing, pretending we knew what we were doing (well, some did). The French platter came out: crusty bread still warm at the center, cheese that smelled stronger than I expected (in a good way), and thin slices of cured meat. Simple but perfect with the wine.

Afterwards we strolled through rows of vines under this soft afternoon sun — not hot, just gentle enough that you could smell grass and something almost floral in the air. Camille pointed out how each row belonged to a different grape variety; she even let us taste one tiny grape straight off the vine. It was sweeter than any supermarket grape back home. Someone asked about Margaux versus Haut-Medoc and she explained in this patient way that didn’t make you feel dumb for asking. I liked that.

I still think about that last moment when we stood looking over the vineyard with our glasses—quiet except for someone laughing softly behind me. There’s something about seeing where your wine comes from that sticks with you longer than you expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine tasting in Medoc or St-Emilion

• Travel from Bordeaux to wine region
• Visit a Grand Cru Classé chateau
• Taste wines with local platter
• Attend wine tasting workshop
• Enjoy sightseeing in wine region

Top questions

How long is the Bordeaux wine tour?

The tour lasts an afternoon, starting from Bordeaux with return transport included.

Is lunch included on this Medoc or Saint Emilion tour?

No full lunch is included but you get a French appetizer platter with bread, cheese, and cured meats during your tasting.

Do I need to book for two people minimum?

Yes, there must be at least two participants for the tour to run; solo bookings may be refunded if minimum isn’t met.

Are children allowed on this Bordeaux wine tasting tour?

Children aged 4 and up can join but only guests 18+ can drink alcohol.

Is transportation included from Bordeaux city?

Yes, round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan is included from Bordeaux.

Which chateaux do we visit in Medoc or St-Emilion?

You’ll visit one selected château in either region—often Grand Cru Classé in St-Emilion or well-known names in Medoc like Margaux or Haut-Medoc.

How many wines will I taste during the tour?

You’ll taste 3–4 wines at St-Emilion or 5 wines in Medoc depending on itinerary.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes pickup from central Bordeaux by air-conditioned minivan, guided visits to either a Medoc or Saint Emilion château (sometimes Grand Cru Classé), 3–5 local wines to taste depending on location, an informal wine workshop led by your guide, plus a French platter with fresh bread, cheese, and cured meats before heading back to town together.