Saint-Emilion: Electric Bike Wine Tour & Picnic Lunch

Summary

Electric cycling through Bordeaux vineyards tasting wines and sharing lunch

You’ll pedal gently through Saint-Emilion’s vineyards on an electric bike (no Lycra required), taste wines at two historic estates, share a French picnic lunch under the trees, and wander medieval lanes with your local guide. Expect laughter, new friends, and those little sensory moments that stick long after you’ve left Bordeaux behind.

What’s the experience like?

Someone handed me an electric bike outside Bordeaux, and I’ll admit — I was nervous at first. The seat felt higher than my usual city ride, but our guide, Camille, adjusted it with a practiced twist and grinned, “You’ll thank me on the hills.” She was right. The morning air in Saint-Emilion smelled like wet grass and something faintly sweet, maybe wildflowers or just the promise of wine later. We set off past rows of vines that looked almost too neat to be real, sunlight flickering through leaves as we zipped along tiny roads I’d never have found alone.

The first stop was this family-run château where Madame Laurent waved us inside with hands dusted in flour — she’d been baking bread for our picnic. Her dog followed us around the cellar (I think he liked the cool stone floor more than us). Tasting their red was different from any supermarket bottle back home; there’s a kind of dusty velvet feel to it, if that makes sense. Lunch came out on wooden boards: cheeses that smelled like old caves, tomatoes still warm from the sun, and bread that crackled when you tore it. We sat under a tree and swapped stories about bad bike crashes — Camille’s English is full of little jokes, so even my wobbly French didn’t matter.

The second winery had shutters painted blue and a cat sleeping in the window. I don’t remember all the grape names (Merlot? Cabernet Franc?) but I do remember how quiet it felt there — just glasses clinking softly while someone tried to guess flavors (“Plum?” “No… maybe tobacco?”). After that, we coasted into Saint-Emilion itself. The village is all steep lanes and old stone walls; you can smell baking bread mixed with something earthy from underground cellars. We wandered for a bit before one last tasting in a tiny shop where the owner poured with two hands and told us about his grandfather’s harvests.

I keep thinking about how easy it was to laugh with strangers over cheese or to just stand quietly looking at vines stretching out forever. If you’re even slightly curious about wine or want to see Saint-Emilion without feeling rushed — honestly, this day trip is worth it. I still hear Camille’s laugh when I mispronounced “terroir.”

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Saint-Emilion wine tour with tastings

• Meet guide in Bordeaux
• Drive to Saint-Emilion region
• Take ebikes and cycle vineyards
• Visit first family-run estate
• Wine tasting at first estate
• Picnic lunch at winery
• Cycle to second winery
• Visit second wine estate
• Wine tasting at second estate
• Free time in Saint-Emilion village
• Wine tasting in village
• Return to Bordeaux
• Say goodbye to guide

Top questions

How long is the Saint-Emilion electric bike tour?

The tour lasts about 8–9 hours including travel from Bordeaux.

Are wine tastings included in this day trip?

Yes, tastings at two châteaux plus one in Saint-Emilion village are included.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, there’s a picnic lunch with French products at one of the wineries.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?

You should be confident on a bike and have moderate fitness; e-bikes make hills easier.

What happens if it rains during the tour?

Ponchos are provided for rain; if weather is very bad, transport by van replaces cycling.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup; you meet your guide in Bordeaux for departure.

Are helmets provided for the bike ride?

Yes, helmets are included for all participants.

Can pregnant travelers join this wine tour?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to cycling requirements.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your English-speaking guide in Bordeaux before heading out by minivan to Saint-Emilion. You’ll get an electric bike (with helmet), bottled water for the ride, guided visits and tastings at two wine estates plus another tasting in town, as well as a picnic lunch featuring local cheeses and breads — all fees covered before returning to Bordeaux in the evening.