Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: Two Châteaux, Tasting & Vineyard Picnic

Two cellars, three wines, a picnic in the vineyards

A two-hour activity in Saint-Emilion where you visit two Grand Cru Classé properties owned by the De Schepper family, taste three wines, and finish with a winemaker's picnic of local cheeses, cured meats and seasonal fruit served in the vineyard. The tour contrasts traditional winemaking at Château Tower Baladoz with the modern techniques at Château La Croizille, and a French-speaking guide leads both the cellar visits and the tasting. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit wineries and enjoy picnic

• Visit Château Baladoz cellar
• Learn traditional winemaking process
• Visit Château La Croizille modern cellar
• Learn modern winemaking techniques
• Guided tasting of three wines
• Enjoy winemaker’s picnic with local produce

The experience

Château Tower Baladoz opens with the traditional side of Saint-Emilion winemaking. You walk through an authentic cellar built in the appellation's time-honored style while the guide explains how the wines are made, what separates one vintage from another, and why the terroir here matters. Then you cross to Château La Croizille, where the same family runs a modern operation with the latest technology for blending, vinification and aging, and from the cellar you get one of the best views of Saint-Emilion itself.

The tasting follows: three wines from the properties, poured and explained. After that comes the picnic, set in the vineyards where you can see the landscape that made the wine. You get a gourmet plank of local cheeses and cured meats, vegetables and seasonal fruit, all paired with a glass of wine of your choice and coffee. The whole experience runs two hours, and the guide speaks French throughout.

What’s included

• Visit to both Château Tower Baladoz and Château La Croizille with explanations of traditional and modern winemaking.
• tasting of three wines from the properties.
• gourmet picnic plank with local cheeses, cured meats, vegetables and seasonal fruit.
• one glass of wine of your choice.
• coffee.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 11:30

Book up to23h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (4 to 17 years) · Child (under 4): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideFrench

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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Château La Croizille

Is this one for you?This works best for small groups or couples who want to understand how wine is actually made rather than just taste it, and who don't mind a leisurely two hours that ends sitting in the vineyard instead of rushing through a tasting room.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 17 years); Child (under 4): free.

What's the difference between the two châteaux I'll visit?

Château Tower Baladoz keeps the traditional cellar and winemaking methods of the Saint-Emilion appellation, while Château La Croizille uses modern technology for blending, vinification and aging, so you see how the same family works both the old way and the new way in the same region.

How many wines do I taste, and what's included with the picnic?

You taste three wines from the properties during the tasting portion, then choose one glass to accompany the picnic. The picnic includes a gourmet plank of local cheeses and cured meats, vegetables, seasonal fruit, and coffee.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Yes, let the operator know in advance if you have allergies or specific dietary needs, and they'll adapt the picnic basket for you.

What language is the guide, and how long does the whole thing take?

The guide speaks French and leads both the cellar visits and the tasting. The activity runs two hours total.