Saint-Émilion wine tour from Bordeaux: 3 châteaux, 8 tastings

Medieval village, three working châteaux, eight wines and a picnic lunch in seven hours

A day trip from Bordeaux to the UNESCO-listed village of Saint-Émilion, this tour includes a guided walk through the medieval town, visits to three châteaux with tastings of eight wines total, and a picnic lunch paired with wine at the first estate. Your English-speaking guide handles all transport in an air-conditioned van, and you depart and return to central Bordeaux. The châteaux visited may vary, but the structure (three stops, three tastings of three, two, and three wines respectively) stays the same.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saint-Émilion village and wine tour

• Meet guide at OLALA Bordeaux
• Van ride to Saint-Emilion village
• Guided walking tour of Saint-Emilion
• Visit first Château and taste 3 wines
• Picnic lunch with wine at Château
• Visit second Château and taste 3 wines
• Visit third Château and taste 3 wines
• Return to OLALA Bordeaux

The experience

You meet your guide at OLALA Bordeaux in the city center and travel by van through the Bordeaux vineyard to Saint-Émilion, about an hour away. Along the route, your guide explains how the region's wines developed and what you're seeing in the vines. Once in the village, you walk the medieval streets and learn the history of this UNESCO World Heritage site, the birthplace of Bordeaux viticulture, and its historical monuments.

At noon you arrive at the first château for a guided tour of the winery and cellar, then taste three wines from that estate. Lunch is a picnic prepared by an artisanal local caterer: starter, main course and dessert each in a jar, accompanied by a glass of wine from the château. After lunch, you move to a second château to taste two more wines while learning about the appellation's grape varieties and winemaking techniques. The day ends at a third château for a final tasting of three wines. You can ask your guide questions about what you're tasting throughout.

The tour runs seven hours total and returns you to central Bordeaux by late afternoon. The specific châteaux rotate among a list of partner estates (Château Grangey, Château Palais Cardinal, Château Bernateau and others), so the exact venues may change, but the number of stops and tastings does not. You'll receive an informative brochure to take home.

What’s included

• Guided walking tour of Saint-Émilion village (UNESCO World Heritage site).
• round-trip van transport from central Bordeaux with air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking guide.
• visits and tastings at three châteaux (eight wines total).
• picnic lunch at the first château with starter, main course, dessert and wine.
• informative brochures.

Options for this experience

2 options

Van 1Guide in English · 09:30

Van 2Guide in English · 09:30

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Olala Bordeaux

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Bordeaux with a free afternoon or a day to spare and want to taste wines at working estates without renting a car or arranging your own itinerary. The fixed schedule and included transport mean the day holds together without you planning the route, the timing or the logistics between stops.

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Top questions

What is the village of Saint-Émilion actually like to walk through?

Saint-Émilion is a medieval town built on a hillside, with narrow streets and historical monuments. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of Bordeaux wine production, so your guide walks you through both the architecture and the wine history embedded in the place itself.

How many wines will I taste, and do I have to drink all of them?

You'll taste eight wines across the three châteaux: three at the first stop, two at the second, and three at the third. You can taste without finishing each glass, and your guide can answer questions about what you're tasting.

What time do I need to arrive in Bordeaux, and where does the van pick me up?

You meet your guide at OLALA Bordeaux, located at 2ter rue Mably in downtown Bordeaux. You must arrive 15 minutes before the departure time. The tour cannot wait for late arrivals to keep the group on schedule.

Is the picnic lunch included, and what does it consist of?

Yes, lunch is included at the first château. It's a picnic prepared by an artisanal local caterer with a starter, main course and dessert each served in a jar, paired with a glass of wine produced at that château.

Can children or pets come on this tour?

Children under 16 and pets are not allowed on the group tour for the comfort of all participants. If you're traveling with children or pets, a private tour would be more suitable.

What language does the guide speak?

Your guide conducts the entire tour in English, from the van ride through the vineyards to the explanations at each château.