Where to make a wine tasting around Bordeaux?

If you are visiting Bordeaux, don't miss visiting the winemakers and tasting some of the best wines in this South-West region!

It is impossible to visit Bordeaux without the experience of a wine tasting! The capital of the beautiful region of Gironde is known to be the queen of the vineyards. Bordeaux wine is thus renowned worldwide for its tasteful qualities. Some wines, produced in the vineyards of Gironde, are among the most famous and most expensive in the world, making Bordeaux a world reference!

Bordeaux is the ideal city to start with wine! So take advantage of your stay in the “Beautiful Endormie” to visit one of the vineyards of the region or take some oenology courses. For the anecdote, the vine is cultivated in the region of Bordeaux since Antiquity!

Between the ocean and the land, the Garonne and the Dordogne, discover the diversity of wines and grape varieties of the Gironde, such as the Merlot, the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Cabernet Franc, the Sémillon or the Sauvignon. In the region, many wine tastings or domain visits are organized throughout the year. Whether you're lovers of reds, soft whites or dry whites, there's plenty for every palate!

We offer you to board for a crossing of the wine route around Bordeaux!

Pessac-Léognan

To start your oenological adventure and enjoy a wine tasting around Bordeaux, the terroir of Pessac-Léognan is an excellent starting point. Located in the south and south-west corners of Bordeaux, at the gates of the city, this appellation — certainly recent on paper — corresponds to an ancient terroir dating from the medieval era.

To discover it, for example, you can visit Château Luchey-Halde — located in the heart of the Bordeaux city — which offers tours and tastings. You will thus have a great opportunity to visit this vineyard and enjoy the special style of Pessac-Léognan wines!

Saint-Emilion

If you come to Bordeaux, do not miss visiting the village Saint-Emilion , the king of the Grand Cru who offers many tasting workshops for wine lovers. Located in the Libournais, on the right bank of the Dordogne, this vineyard is even classified as a world heritage of humanity by Unesco!

To discover the two appellations: Saint-Emilion and Saint-Emilion Grand Cru , you can give yourself a tasting to the beautiful Château de Candale , located in Saint-Laurent-des-Combes, or in Château Jean Faure in Saint Emilion. Not far, near Libourne, you can discover the wines of Pomerol — another exceptional terroir — in the superb Castle of Tailhas !

Entre-deux-Mers

For a wine tasting around Bordeaux, why not sink into a unique terroir of the region? The Entre-deux-Mers means this land stuck between the Dordogne and the Garonne. Several exceptional appellations are there, like the AOC Entre-deux-Mers or the AOC First-Côtes-de-Bordeaux .

To discover the exceptional wines of Entre-deux-Mers, stop at Castle of Seguin , located in Lignan-de-Bordeaux. The history of the Château De Seguin dates back to its first count in 780, a director of Emperor Charlemagne. It is at that time that the first castle of the estate is built. Open to the public, the property offers guest rooms, visits and wine tastings.

In the same area you can also discover Château de Camarsac , says the "Black Prince" Castle! The old building is worth a visit, as well as the work of the operators, which you can discover during a charming wine tasting.

Margaux

Known for his famous Château Margaux , terroir and exceptional exploitation, Margaux is an almost compulsory stop when discovering the Bordeaux vineyards. If it is possible to visit the 19th century Neo-Piladian style villa and its famous vineyard, tastings are unfortunately reserved for professionals. Fortunately, the territory of the commune houses many other exceptional farms, such as the Château Ferrière , which offers wine tastings and wine tours.

The Médoc

Located on the left bank of the Gironde, the Médoc covers 60 kilometres from north to south and 10 kilometres wide. The production of the Médoc vineyard is composed exclusively of red wines. Thanks to mild winters and warm summers, the Médoc enjoys a climate favorable to the vineyard.

After discovering Margaux and his castles, do not miss visiting the hidden wonders of the Haut-Médoc, near Bordeaux, and the Médoc near the estuary of the Gironde. For a wine tasting around Bordeaux, you can stop for example at Castle Castera whose vineyards date back to the 14th century.

In the spring, don't miss the "Spring of Castles", two open-door days during which a large majority of the castles of the Médoc open their doors to make you discover their property!

Sauternes

Located 50 kilometers southwest of Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Garonne, the vineyards of Barsac and Sauternes together constitute the exceptional vineyard of the Sauternais. It enjoys exceptional conditions, including a mushroom, which creates the “noble rot”, which is conducive to smiling grapes.

Added to ancestral techniques, you will quickly understand why the wines of Sauternes and Barsac are considered exceptional white wines! To discover them and enjoy a wine tasting around Bordeaux, we recommend you to visit the Maison du Vigneron de Sauternes or some of the best vineyards in the Sauternes, like the charming Château Guiraud .

The City of Wine

If the vineyards do not grow in the city center of Bordeaux, a stage to discover the vineyard is obviously its Cité du Vin , inaugurated in 2016 and became an emblematic place of the Belle Endormie. La Cité deploys a course on more than 3000m2 offering an immersive journey to the heart of wine culture and traditions.

On the ground floor, amateurs and enthusiasts will be able to participate in tasting workshops. In Belvedere you can enjoy a delicious glass of wine with a sublime view of the city. Obviously, this discovery does not replace a wine tasting in one of the most beautiful castles in the Bordeaux region!