The origin of Burgundy wines can be traced back to the Roman colonization of France, with the introduction of grapevines to the region dating back to the 1st century AD. It was during the Middle ages that the Cistercian monks established vineyards throughout the area.
In Burgundy, “terroir” is shaped by the unique and authentic chemistry between the grape varieties, the natural conditions and the passionate workmanship of the men and women who make the wines. Burgundy is made up of hundreds of terroirs, reflecting the one of a kind specificities of each plot and forming a unique unmatched mosaic. The notion of the “Climat” is the ultimate expression of Burgundian terroir. The climates are well delimited plots of land. Benefiting from a specific blend of specific geological and climatic conditions give Burgundian wines their exceptional qualities. The climat is unique to this area. There are 600 Climats referenced in Burgundy.
Four main grape varieties prevail in this area: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Aligoté.
Join us on this intensive Burgundy wine tour
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Visit several famous houses as well as some smaller growers, to get a real feel for the area. Visits to Hautvillers, Epernay and Reims are among the highlights. Of course all of our tours are customized so let us know your preference.
Price available upon request. We can tailor the tours to suit your budget and your dates.
Day 1 Pessac-Leognan, Graves & Sauternes
10 am Pick up at your hotel.
11 am A morning of cellar visits and tastings in a Classified Growth of Pessac-Leognan. (sample properties: Chateau Haut Brion, Chateau Pape Clement, Smith Haut Lafitte, Carbonnieux, Haut Bailly, Domaine du Chevalier)
12:30 pm Lunch in a winery restaurant in the Graves appellation. (not included)
2 pm Two Chateau visits with tastings in Sauternes Classified Growth properties. (Chateau Yquem, Chateau Suduiraut, Chateau de Fargues, Chateau Sigalas Rabaud, Chateau d'Arche, Chateau Guiraud, Rayne Vigneeau)
5 pm Return to your hotel.
10 am Pick up at your hotel
11 am Cellar visit and tasting at two St Emilion Classified Growth chateaux. (Chateau Angelus, Figeac, Pavie, Soutard, Beausejour-Becot, Canon, Clos Fourtet)
12:30 pm Lunch and time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage town of St Emilion. (not included)
2 pm Chateau visit and tasting in two Pomerol properties. (Chateau Beauregard, Client, La Conseillante, Gazin, Petit Village, La Fleur Petrus)
5 pm Return to your hotel.
9 am Pick up at your hotel. Departure for the Medoc region.
10 am Visit and tasting at one of the famous classified growths in the Margaux appellation. (Chateau Margaux, Kirwan, Prieuré Lichine, La Tour de Bessan, Desmirail, Giscours, Rauzan-Segla, Rauzan-Gassies, or Siran)
11:30 am Visit and tasting at a Cru Bourgeois in the Medoc.
12:30 pm A very special tasting lunch in a Michelin starred restaurant in Pauillac or a more casual quick bite in a local restaurant. The choice is yours. (not included)
2:30 pm Visit and tasting at the Classified Growth in the St Julien-Beychevelle appellation. (Chateau Beychevelle, Gruaud Larose, Leoville Barton, Leoville Poyferre, Talbot)
4:30 pm Return to your hotel.
9 am Depart from your hotel
10 am Visit and tasting at the Chateau Mouton Rothschild, First Classified Growth of Pauillac.
12 pm Lunch in a local bistrot. (not included)
2:30 pm Visit and tasting in a Chateau in the St Estephe appellation.
4:00 pm Return to your hotel
This best Bordeaux wine tour can be adapted to your specific dates and the properties and you would like to visit. Visits are dependant on the availability of the properties at the time of booking. Just ask us and we will make it happen.
Bordeaux would not be the same without great chefs and there are many to choose from! We will sample some of the best restaurants and wineries on this food and wine tour Bordeaux. Try your hand at several different cooking classes, hands-on practical. A wine and food pairing workshop compliments your tour and you will return home with a fresh look about Bordeaux’s culinary culture.
Day 1: Hands on cooking course in Margaux
This tour can be customised to your specifications. It can run at anytime of the year for as many people as needed. Please contact us your personalized quote.
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Your Wine and Design voyage to Bordeaux, will show how the success of France’s largest 17th century port was used to showcase the wealth and the wine of the region through the beautiful architecture of the city and the chateaux. We will explore how these chateaux today marry design and functionality to create some of the greatest wines of the world.
Accompanied by award winning Interior designer Abigail Hall, leading Bordeaux wine educator Wendy Narby and architectural expert Barbara Teetsov we will visit properties throughout the wine region and the beautiful city of Bordeaux.
At the end of your 3 days you will be able to form your very own opinion as to whether these vineyards manage to implement the latest technology without losing their historical soul.
We have chosen this weekend in May to coincide with the Bordeaux Brocante, one of the biggest open-air antique fairs in France.
As well as admiring the architecture and design of the region both old and new, we will learn about and taste some of the best wines the region has to offer.
Your hotel will be the Mama Shelter, a funky, design-led small chain by Philippe Starck right in the heart of the city.
Meet your guide Wendy Narby and Abigail Hall in the confidentiel restaurant on the quays of Bordeaux for an introduction of your week-end. The explanation will be followed by a 3 courses dinner in this charming restaurant.
Meet Abigail and Wendy for breakfast and an introduction to your itinerary for the weekend.
Departure for the Medoc.
Visit and tasting at Chateau Marquis d’Alesme- a classified growth of the prestigious Margaux appellation. We will visit the new cellars designed to reflect the Franco-Chinese ownership of this historic chateau and join the functionality of fine wine with high design. We will have lunch and taste the wines amongst the newly created aromatic gardens of the property.
Visit and tasting at Chateau Beychevelle, classified growth of the Saint Julien Appellation. A classic example of Eighteenth century Bordeaux wine architecture, built on the banks of the Gironde estuary in Saint Julien. Called the Versailles of the Medoc it remains one of the best-preserved examples of architecture from this period.
Visit and tasting at Chateau Pedesclaux, fifth classified growth of the Pauillac appellation winner of “the Best of Wine Tourism 2018”, category “Architecture and Landscapes“. This chateau perfectly marries the old and the new the existing 18th century chateau is enclosed within in a class case, including the pigeon tower, creating a panoramic new tasting room and the new cellars is the work of the architect Jean Michel Wilmotte.
Evening and dinner at your leisure
Night in your hotel
Meet your guides and driver at your hotel.
Visit and tasting at Chateau de Cerons in the Graves Appellation, followed by a lunch at the Chateau.
Chateau de Cerons is another 17th jewel. The Perromat family has owned this listed building in the Southern Graves since the 50s and are slowly bringing it back to life. It takes the name of the smallest appellation in Bordeaux, specialised in sweet white wine. We will have lunch here.
Visit and tasting at Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion in the Pessac Leognan Appellation.
We will head back to Bordeaux stopping in Pessac Léognan at Château Carmes Haut Brion where Philippe Starck has been busy again with architect Luc Arsene Henry to create a unique cellar for their prestigious wines.
Return to Bordeaux
We will get you back to Bordeaux in time to scour the Brocante in the centre of the city, shop at your leisure in Bordeaux's glamorous shops or we can guide you to the 'Notre dame' quartier of Bordeaux known for it's antique shops.
Dinner is at the Quatrième Mur restaurant inside the spectacular decor of the 18th century Bordeaux Opera house. Run by Chef Philippe Etchebest, French TV chef and Michelin star holder, you will dine surrounded by some of the most ornate interiors that Bordeaux has to offer.
Night in your Hotel
Check out of your hotel.
Before leaving explore Bordeaux's architectural heritage on a walking tour with your architectural specialist, Barbaran Teetsov., followed by lunch and private visit of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Art & Design) of Bordeaux. The May exhibition will be of the designer Martin Szekel
The rest of the day is yours to explore downtown Bordeaux.
End of our services.
Our tour leaders
Wendy Narby
British born Wendy's wine experience is based upon study and over 20 years working as a marketing consultant, journalist, wine coach and guide. Her wine travels take her around the globe teaching the world wine trade about Bordeaux.
Opening the doors of the world’s most famous vineyards, explaining the wonderful world of Bordeaux wines; Wendy loves to share her passion of the region with you.
Author of “Bordeaux Bootcamp - The Insider Tasting Guide to Bordeaux Basics” her new liver-friendly, lifestyle guide, 'The Drinking Woman's Diet’, will be published in 2018.
Abigail Hall
Expert Interior designer, speaker and author, Abigail’s success has been hard earned, taking a small design practice to an International Design Consultancy, working on prestigious residential projects across the globe.
As consultant to top London developers and brands, she provides technical and design guidance. Winner of the 2017 Evening Standard’s London House of the Year for her design of a penthouse.
Her real passion: ‘Designing Happiness’. She shares her enthusiasm for design with private tours of properties, which showcase the happiness that good design can bring.
Barbara Teetsov
Barbara Teetsov was brought up all over the world, which influenced her decision to become an architect. She has lived and worked in Bordeaux for more than 20 years.
Since 2014, she has also been active as an English speaking guide, presenting Bordeaux and the region to architecture and wine lovers.
Price with hotel : From 1250 € per person based on 8 participants and with double occupancy.
Price without the hotel : From 915 € per person based on 8 participants
Contact us for your personalised quotation.
The Program includes
Accommodation for 3 nights (double occupancy), 3 breakfasts, tourist tax, transportation for the entire program in a luxury air-conditioned 15 seat mid-sized coach, tour organisation, a professional wine guide Wendy Narby and interior designer Abigail Hall for all days, all Chateau entries and tasting fees, lunches in 2 Chateaus, dinners at Le Confidentiel and Le Quatrieme Mur, the visit and lunch at the MADD with a local architect, guides and drivers lunches.
Not included
Transfers from airport or train station. (available on request). Travel insurance, gratuities, any other extras not stated in the itinerary.
Consult us for a single room supplement .
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