About Decanter Tours:

Experts in Private Wine Tours in Bordeaux and all of France

DECANTER TOURS is one of the only full service wine tour operators who have extensive experience working in the wine and tourism industries. We organize customized wine tours for wine enthusiasts in BORDEAUX, BURGUNDY, THE LOIRE VALLEY, CHAMPAGNE and the RHONE VALLEY. Your tour may include any or all of the following services: accommodation, transportation, lunches and dinners in the wineries for small groups and wine tastings in the most prestigious wine regions of France.

We have no pre-set pre-packaged programs, you are free to choose the dates that suit you and your schedule.

Some of our previous clients have included wine clubs and wine guilds from several countries, cooking school groups, sommeliers, future wine professionals, wine enthusiasts and major collectors from all backgrounds. The groups range from 2 to 200 people.

We are specialists in high-end clients, we cater to all your needs when touring the vineyards. Every detail of your program will be carefully planned with your input. Whether it be cultural, historical or purely epicurean, your visit to the wine regions will reflect your own desires and tastes. We offer the most luxurious accommodation, the safest and most comfortable chauffeur-driven cars, the finest restaurants and the most knowledgeable English or American guides. Our close relationships with the growers and owners mean that we can pass on to you experiences that the average wine tourist will never see. We promise that your next wine tour will be unforgettable.

We are an independent operator and are not attached to any particular properties so you can suggest your own itinerary. We will do our best to make it happen. You choose what you want to taste and who you taste it with.

But we are not stopping at Bordeaux! We have incredible contacts all over the world, mostly epicurean, some wine makers, some winery owners, some organizers, all of them active. Already Burgundy and Champagne figure prominently in our tours and we have ever-increasing connections in these areas.

Connect with us via twitter, facebook or simply check back here often to see what our future tours will include. Of course you decide the dates and the destination. We put you in touch with the most exciting upmarket culinary travel professionals available today. We intend to bring you along with us every step of the way on this incredible journey.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Barry Otto
“Julie and Veronica are both Rockstars! Thank you Decanter Tours for an amazing week”
Mike Nesteruk
“Amazing tours of fantastic wineries. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience that I would highly recommend to any wine enthusiast.”
Jackie Yellen
“My experience with Kelly was amazing. She would walk an extra mile to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome.”
Debora Campbell
“Approachable , refreshing yet powerful, soft.smooth and supple with a long finish. Nothing tight about this tour. Learned so much while tasting top notch wines. A full sensory experience!!!!!”
Greg Carlucci
“Great visits to Chateaus and very well coordinated transfers and excellent guides. Especially would like to thank Veronica for all the chateau tours and Emilene for the Bordeaux tour.”
Kiran Patel
“Janice is an amazing guide. Decanter really took us through multiple chateau's with varied history and style. The whole experience was fun and educational! Overall an amazing experience and I will be back for more!”
Jackie Groves
“Julie-Prune did an amazing job connecting us for professional visits with exactly the people we needed to meet. Our main guide, Veronica stood out for her knowledge, humor and flexibility. It was a truly memorable and incredibly meaningful experience for us.”

see all testimonials Vineyard Estate with Historic Chateau and Scenic Countryside Views

Mary Dardenne, President

We weren’t the first to this party but we are the best!

Mary Dardenne, the driving force behind Decanter Tours, is an American who has lived in Bordeaux for almost thirty years with her two sons, three dogs, assorted cats and her husband. Originally from Texas, she made Bordeaux her home after living in London, Paris and Southern California.

Mary Dardenne was elected to serve on the French Superior Council of Wine tourism, a think tank created by the French Ministry of tourism in cooperation with winery owners to promote and develop the sector. This accolade proves our competence, commitment and dedication to French Wine tourism.

Thanks to her expertise in the Bordeaux area, Mary was chosen to coordinate the tour guides and shore excursions for several river cruise lines. A growing sector this adds to the services supplied by Decanter Tours.

At the same time the US representative for the Conseil des Vins du Medoc, Mary is reponsible for educating sommeliers, merchants and restauranteurs on Medoc wines. Wine educator for the CIVB she also has the responsibility of the Bordeaux Accreditation courses for wine educators in the US.

She has successfully passed the Bordeaux Enology Faculty's DUAD tasting diploma in 2009. She also holds the Certified Travel Agent diploma with a Destination Specialist, France awarded by the Travel Institue of America.

Learn More About Mary

Julie Prune Vedrenne

From the verdant heart of Normandy, where Julie spent her formative years, to Bordeaux—the "Sleeping Beauty" and center of her wine fascination—her journey has been one of discovery. This passion was ignited by her father, a respected Médoc oenologist, who immersed her in the industry's rich history and artistry. Her family's adventurous spirit instilled in her a love of travel, a perfect complement to her growing appreciation for wine.

After a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, which honed her communication skills, she transitioned seamlessly into the business of wine and spirits. This, combined with her industry knowledge as a qualified wine technician and WSET Level 3 wine specialist, provides a unique and comprehensive understanding of the wine world. Fluent in French and English, with a confident command of Spanish, and a working knowledge of Portuguese, she connects with people from all over the globe.

For the past seven years, she has had the distinct privilege of working with Decanter Tours. Her journey began by guiding discerning guests through unforgettable wine experiences, and she quickly progressed to designing bespoke itineraries for wine lovers seeking the extraordinary. Now, as a manager, she also cultivates and nurtures invaluable relationships with prestigious wine estates. At Decanter Tours, it's more than a career; it's a vocation, an embodiment of her passion for wine and a commitment to sharing its magic with the world.

Learn More About Julie

About Decanter Tours: Experts in Private Wine Tours in Bordeaux and all of France

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

About Decanter Tours:

Experts in Private Wine Tours in Bordeaux and all of France