Saint Emilion: Wine Tasting Tour & Village Walk from Bordeaux

Summary

Saint Emilion wines, medieval streets and châteaux in a day trip

You’ll taste Saint Emilion wines at both a grand château and a family estate, wander medieval lanes with your guide or solo, snack on local cheeses or sweet specialties, and travel from Bordeaux by minibus. Expect laughter over tastings, honest stories from locals—and maybe a new favorite wine.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s passing around a plate of cannelés and I’m still thinking about the last glass we tasted—velvety, almost smoky. The minibus had picked us up in Bordeaux just after breakfast (I barely made it, I’ll admit), and by the time we rolled into Saint Emilion, the vines were catching that kind of golden light you only see in French postcards. Our guide, Camille, started telling us stories about the region—her accent was soft but she didn’t sugarcoat anything. She even joked about how locals can spot tourists by their shoes. I looked down at mine and laughed.

The first stop was this Grand Cru Classé château—imposing stone walls, but inside it smelled like old oak barrels and something earthy I couldn’t quite place. We got to peek behind the scenes: vats humming quietly, a cellar that felt cool even though it was warm outside. Camille explained how each barrel ages differently (she let us tap one—my hands still smelled faintly woody afterward). The winemaker poured our first tasting; I tried to swirl my glass like I knew what I was doing. “Don’t worry,” he grinned, “nobody gets it right on their first try.”

Afterwards we hit a smaller family-run winery—totally different vibe. The owner’s dog greeted us before anyone else did. We sampled another round of Saint Emilion wine here (I liked this one best; maybe because everyone seemed so relaxed). There was cheese and bread on the table, plus some kind of cured meat that disappeared fast. Someone asked about Bordeaux macaroons—the owner just shrugged and brought out a tray like it happened every day.

The village itself is all uneven stones and quiet corners—I wandered off for ten minutes just to listen to church bells echoing between old walls. It’s easy to get lost here in the best way. By the time we headed back toward Bordeaux, everyone was quieter than before. Maybe it was the wine or maybe just that feeling you get when you’ve seen something real—hard to say.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Saint-Emilion wine tour and village visit

• Drive from Bordeaux to Saint-Emilion
• Visit top winery Grand Cru Classé
• Taste wines and enjoy French aperitif
• Visit family-run winery estate
• Explore medieval village of Saint-Emilion
• Drive back to Bordeaux

Top questions

How long is the Saint Emilion wine tour from Bordeaux?

The tour lasts about 5 hours including transport between Bordeaux and Saint Emilion.

Is transport included for this day trip to Saint Emilion?

Yes, round-trip transport by minibus from Bordeaux is included in your booking.

How many wineries do you visit on this tour?

You’ll visit two wineries: one Grand Cru Classé château and one family-run estate.

Are wine tastings included in the price?

Yes, at least six wine tastings are included during visits to both wineries.

Is there food served during the tour?

You’ll enjoy either French aperitif snacks (cheese, cured meat) or sweet specialties like cannelés or macaroons depending on the day.

Do you get free time in Saint Emilion village?

You can explore Saint Emilion village freely or join a guided walk as part of your tour.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English and French during the tour.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult to join this tour.

Should I bring anything special for this trip?

Bring comfortable shoes for walking on cobbled streets; also carry your passport or national ID card.

What’s included

Your half-day includes round-trip minibus transport from Bordeaux city center, all winery entry fees, guided visits at two estates with at least six tastings of Saint Emilion wines, snacks like cheese or local sweets depending on availability, plus time to explore the UNESCO-listed village—with everything led by an English- and French-speaking local guide before returning you back to Bordeaux.