Saint-Émilion Wine Tour & Medieval Village from Bordeaux

Taste two sides of Saint-Émilion in one half-day, from grand château to family vineyard

You visit two contrasting wineries (one prestigious, one family-owned) with tastings at each and a guided walk through a UNESCO-listed medieval village. The five-hour tour includes six wines minimum, a French aperitif, and transport by minibus with an English-speaking guide. You choose between morning (8:30 am–1:30 pm) or afternoon (1:30 pm–6:30 pm) departure, and you can either follow the guide through Saint-Émilion or explore it alone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saint-Emilion wine tour and village visit

• Drive from Bordeaux to Saint-Emilion
• Guide explains Bordeaux vineyard history
• Visit Grand Cru Classé winery
• Enjoy French aperitif with cheese and cured meat
• Visit family-run estate winery
• Taste minimum six wines total
• Explore medieval village of Saint-Emilion
• Drive back to Bordeaux

The experience

The drive from Bordeaux takes about forty-five minutes, and your guide starts talking about the region's history before you even leave the city. You're heading to Saint-Émilion, a medieval village that UNESCO listed as a World Heritage Site, and the minibus holds a maximum of eight people: small enough that you're not shuffled through like a tour group, but large enough that the cost stays reasonable. The morning tour departs at 8:30 am and wraps by 1:30 pm. The afternoon slot runs 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm, so you can choose based on what fits your schedule in Bordeaux.

The two wineries you visit are deliberately different. One is a Grand Cru Classé estate: the kind of place with history in the stone and serious wine-making credentials. The other is a family-run operation, smaller and less formal. At each stop, your guide walks you through the estate's story, shows you the technical side of production, and explains how the oak barrels work and why aging matters. Then you taste. Six wines minimum across both visits, which means you're not rushing through a single sip at each place. Between the wineries, there's a French aperitif: cheese, cured meats, bread, or depending on the day, Bordeaux macaroons and cannelés, the local pastry that tastes like caramelized sugar and cinnamon. It's not a full lunch, but it's enough to keep you grounded while you're tasting.

The medieval village itself is part of the tour, though you get a choice: your guide can lead you through it, or you can wander on your own if you'd rather explore at your own pace. The stone streets are narrow, the light changes as you move between them, and there's a reason this place has been drawing people for centuries. You'll want comfortable shoes. The cobblestones are unforgiving, and the village sits on a slope. Bring your passport or national ID card. You'll need it. If you're traveling with children under ten, you must bring your own car seat. The minibus doesn't provide one, and it's mandatory by French law.

What’s included

Your tour includes minibus transport from Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion and back, entry fees to two wineries, a guided or self-guided visit to the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, six wine tastings minimum across both estates, a French aperitif with cheese, cured meats, bread, or sweet specialities, and an English-speaking guide throughout the five-hour experience.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Mar 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

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

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Bordeaux So You

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to taste two different sides of Saint-Émilion wine (grand and family-run) without arranging transport or navigating the region yourself. The minibus holds eight people maximum, so you're not in a large group, and the five-hour window is tight enough to fit into a half-day in Bordeaux without eating your whole schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

How long is the drive from Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion?

About forty-five minutes to one hour each way.

What's included in the wine tastings?

A minimum of six wines across two wineries, plus a French aperitif (cheese, cured meats, bread, or sweet specialities like macaroons and cannelés depending on the day).

Can I choose between morning and afternoon tours?

Yes. Morning runs 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Afternoon runs 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Is the village tour guided or can I explore on my own?

Both options are available. Your guide can lead you through Saint-Émilion, or you can have free time to explore it yourself.

What's the maximum group size?

Eight people per minibus.

Do I need to bring anything?

Comfortable shoes (the village has cobblestones), and your passport or national ID card. If traveling with children under ten, you must bring your own car seat.

Are children allowed?

Yes, but children under eighteen must be accompanied by an adult. Children under ten require a mandatory car seat, which you must provide yourself. Children need a ticket, the same price as adults.