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Bordeaux
Experience Sauternes Prestige: Château d'Yquem & Château Guiraud Wine Tour
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private tours
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Food & Wine
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08 hours
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Small Groups ( 2~7 )
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Relaxed
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English
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
Contact-us
Highlights
- Discover the art of wine and food pairing
- Enjoy exclusive access to the vineyard grounds
- Savor caviar paired with exquisite Sauternes
- Experience premier Grand Cru Classé Sauternes
- Indulge in a private tasting at Château d'Yquem
Program & Itinerary
This private full-day tour from Bordeaux explores the Sauternes appellation at the highest level — two of its most prestigious estates in a single day, with an extraordinary finale: a tasting of Château Guiraud's wines paired with Aquitaine caviar. Between the world's most celebrated sweet wine and one of France's finest caviars, this is a combination found nowhere else in Bordeaux.
Sauternes: The World's Greatest Sweet Wine Region
The Sauternes appellation, south of Bordeaux along the banks of the Ciron river, produces some of the most extraordinary wines in the world — rich, golden, and intensely complex sweet whites made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle, concentrated by the action of Botrytis cinerea — noble rot — a fungus that desiccates the berries and concentrates their sugars, acids, and aromas to an exceptional degree. The appellation was classified in 1855 alongside the great Médoc châteaux, and its two top tiers — 1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur and 1er Grand Cru Classé — represent the summit of sweet wine production in France.
First Visit: Château d'Yquem
Château d'Yquem occupies a category entirely its own — the only estate ever classified as a 1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur, a distinction awarded to no other property in 1855. Your visit begins with a guided walk through the estate's vineyards and technical installations, where you will learn about the painstaking process of cultivating and harvesting botrytised grapes — in the most demanding vintages, a single vine yields no more than one glass of wine. The visit concludes with a tasting of Château d'Yquem 2016, guided by the estate's team, exploring its aromatic profile, texture, and extraordinary ageing potential.
Second Visit: Château Guiraud & Aquitaine Caviar
Château Guiraud is one of the Sauternes appellation's most dynamic estates — a 1er Grand Cru Classé since 1855, and one of the first in Bordeaux to convert fully to organic and biodynamic viticulture, certified since 1996. The estate combines a deep respect for tradition with a genuinely innovative approach to winemaking, and its wines are among the most expressive and food-friendly in the appellation.
The visit at Château Guiraud culminates in a prestige tasting pairing the estate's wines with Aquitaine caviar — the prized sturgeon caviar produced in the rivers of southwest France, widely regarded as among the finest in Europe. The pairing of a 1er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes with local caviar is both unexpected and revelatory: the richness of the wine, the salinity and texture of the caviar, and the way each amplifies the other create one of the most remarkable tasting experiences available in the Bordeaux region. The tour returns to Bordeaux at the end of the afternoon.
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Bordeaux departure
Meet your guide and depart for the Sauternes wine regionMeet your guide and depart for the Sauternes wine regionRead moreRead less -
Château d'Yquem visit
Arrive at Château d'Yquem, visit & initiation tasting session.Arrive at Château d'Yquem, visit & initiation tasting session.Read moreRead less -
Time for lunch
Free time for lunch in a local restaurant in or around Sauternes.Free time for lunch in a local restaurant in or around Sauternes.Read moreRead less -
Sauternes pairing with Caviar
Visit an 1855 Premier Grand Cru Sauternes winery followed by a wine & caviar pairing session.Visit an 1855 Premier Grand Cru Sauternes winery followed by a wine & caviar pairing session.Read moreRead less -
Return to Bordeaux
Tour returns to original departure point.Tour returns to original departure point.Read moreRead less
Gallery
Practical Information
2 participants minimumTotal price | 3 participantsPrice per person | 4 participantsPrice per person | 5 participantsPrice per person | 6 participantsPrice per person | 7 participantsPrice per person | 8 participantsPrice per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1170€ | 465€ | 405€ | 370€ | 345€ | 325€ | 310€ |
Know before you book
- Minimum 2 adult passengers required for tour to operate
- Full-day tour duration approximately 8 hours including transportation
- Hotel pickup included from Bordeaux and within 30 km (18 miles) radius
- Premium spacious vehicle with English-speaking wine expert driver-guide
- Advance booking essential — Château d'Yquem requires confirmed reservations
Know before you go
- Tours typically depart 9:00-9:30 AM; return around 5:00-5:30 PM
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for vineyard and cellar visits
- Casual elegant attire recommended for prestigious château visits
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years old in France
Additional information
This private Château d'Yquem and Sauternes tour is perfect for serious wine enthusiasts seeking rare access to the world's most prestigious sweet wine estate and luxury travelers appreciating exclusive experiences unavailable on group tours.
It appeals to collectors wanting to taste legendary Château d'Yquem in its historic setting, foodies exploring innovative wine and food pairings beyond traditional combinations, and couples celebrating special occasions with sophisticated, memorable wine country experiences. Ideal for travelers interested in organic and biodynamic viticulture, the science of noble rot, and Sauternes winemaking traditions spanning centuries.
The unique Sauternes and caviar pairing offers a one-of-a-kind tasting experience found nowhere else in Bordeaux, making this tour essential for adventurous palates and those seeking authentic luxury beyond standard wine tourism.
In regards to the protection of the environment, we will no longer provide plastic bottles of water during our tours. You are kindly advised to bring your own. Water and refills are available at the wineries, museums and attractions visited.
Please note: In France, snacks are usually not provided during wine tastings to preserve the purity of the wine's flavor. We recommend having a good breakfast or lunch beforehand.
Voucher info
Group information
Just get in touch to find out more! Contact us by email: groups@ophorus.com (groups from 8 people)
For groups of 2-8 people please fill out this form: ophorus.com/contact-us/
Meeting point /
Departure
Return
Included / excluded
Included
- Pick up and drop off in Bordeaux
- Discovery visit at Château d'Yquem
- Wine & Caviar pairing at Château Guiraud
- English-speaking driver/guide, expert in wines
Excluded
- Personal insurance & expenses
- Meals & drinks (lunch)
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
FAQ
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Can non‑drinkers join the tour?
Non‑drinkers are welcome; they can enjoy the estate visits, scenery and gourmet pairings without tasting wine, but the focus of the tour remains wine‑centred. -
Is the tour suitable for people who are new to wine tasting?
Yes, your wine expert adapts explanations for all levels and guides you through how to taste and appreciate Sauternes, from aromas to food pairings. -
How long does the tour last and where does it depart from?
This is a full‑day experience of around 8 hours, departing from Bordeaux with pick‑up and drop‑off at your hotel, Airbnb or train station within about 30 km (18 miles) of the city. -
Is lunch included in the tour price?
Lunch is not included; you have free time to choose and pay for your own meal in or near the village of Sauternes, with restaurant suggestions from your guide. Château Guiraud has 2 restaurants on-site including a 1-star Michelin rated restaurant. -
Do we definitely taste Château d’Yquem during the visit?
Yes, the Initiation Tour at Château d’Yquem includes a tasting that features a Château d’Yquem vintage (normally 2016 or similar, depending on availability). -
What is included in this Sauternes prestige wine tour?
The tour includes private transport from Bordeaux, services of an English‑speaking wine guide, pre‑booked visits at Château d’Yquem and Château Guiraud, guided tastings at both estates and a caviar pairing at Château Guiraud.
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