
Filters
-
Best rates
-
Most Recent
Message sent successfully
Thank you ! We have received your message, and will get back to you as soon as possible.Contact Us
Use this form to send us all information concerning your travel to France, our team will get back to you rapidly and send you a personalized quote
Saint-Émilion
A Private Bordeaux Wine Tour to Graves & Sauternes Day Trip from Saint Emilion
-
private tours
-
Food & Wine
-
07 hours
-
Small Groups ( 2~8 )
-
Relaxed
-
Multi-languages
English Español Français Italiano
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Reviews
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
Select options and Book
Check availability
Highlights
- Small group Private Wine Tour from Bordeaux
- Taste fabulous wines, guided by a knowledgeable hand
- Discover the Pessac-Léognan appellation
- Visit & Wine tasting in the Graves wine region
- Discover Sauternes Wine Region, home of Château d'Yquem
- Tour can be customized to suit your interests
- Local Tour Guide, Expert in Bordeaux Wines
Program & Itinerary
Meet your English speaking driver/guide who is a local expert on Bordeaux Wines
In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your Hotel or Accommodation in Saint Emilion. Meet your English speaking driver / guide who is an expert on Bordeaux Wines. Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned vehicle and begin to make your way to the Graves & Sauternes wine producing regions.
Travel in a spacious Premium Vehicle
Your private Bordeaux Day Trip in the Graves & Sauternes will take place in one of our very spacious Mercedes Minivans. This vehicle can take up to 8 persons. All our vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system that allows you to hear the commentary of your driver/guide no matter where you are seated. Also, there is free Wi-Fi access in all vehicles. Bottled water is also available in all our vehicles.
Depart from Saint Emilion and reach the Graves wine region
Starting in Saint Emilion, a short drive in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan brings you out of the city to the picturesque countryside plains and rolling hills of the left bank wine producing area. This is the heart of Bordeaux’s famous wine region, where many vineyards carry the Graves and Pessac Léognan AOC designation. Each of these local wineries produce vintages with distinct soil features backed by a long winemaking heritage.
Located South of Bordeaux, this wine region is known to be the original wine producing region of Bordeaux. This is the area where the Romans first planted grapes just about 2,000 years ago. The name of the region originates from the soil that can be found here, deep layers of grave and stonel!
Discover the Pessac Leognan wine producing region of Bordeaux
This quite recent appellation used to be part of the Graves. Due to its recognition of producing high quality red and white wines, the area was rewarded with a communal appellation in 1987. The red wines of Pessac Léognan are based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grape varieties. The white wines produced here are generally made of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes.
The soil is quite similar to the one that can be found in the Graves region which is mainly gravel, stone and sand. One of the most prestigious wineries of the appellation is Chateau Haut-Brion that was granted the 1er Grand Cru Classé level of 1855, sole chateau to be located outside the Medoc & Sauternes wine producing regions.
Upon arrival in the wine region, we stop at a carefully selected winery. Some of our favorites that we highly recommend include Chateau Haut Bailly, Château La Louvière, Chateau Olivier, Chateau Carbonnieux but there are many more. Visit the winery on a private tour with the local tour guide. Then, you will have the opportunity to taste the different wines of the estate including white and red wines.
After lunch, visit the Sauternes wine region of Bordeaux
The Sauternes wine region is famous for the high quality sweet white wines that are produced here. The most famous winery of the region is Chateau d’Yquem that was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines. Sauternes wines are made in great majority with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to which are added in much lesser amounts Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris.
The wines of Sauternes are produced thanks to the action of a fungus, Botrytis Cinerea that causes the grapes to rot. This process is called the noble rot when it comes to take place on healthy grapes and under a favorable climate.
The local climate of Sauternes during the summer time is usually composed of morning mist followed by warm and dry afternoons which has the effect to dry the grapes, reduce the water content and concentrate the sugar. The result is the making of an intensely sweet, gold colored wine with strong aromas of honeysuckle, blossom and stone.
This afternoon, your wine tour will take you to one of the most prestigious wineries of the Sauternes area. Upon arrival, you will visit the installations but the most important will be to understand the wine making process as it differs completely with that of other wines.
Follow the Chateau guide as you are explained the making of Sauternes wines from the vineyard to the bottle. Once the visit is over, it will be time to taste this unique nectar. During a commented wine tasting, you will be explained which food pairs the best with this category of wine. After the visit and tasting, it will be time to head back to Saint Emilion.
-
Meet your Guide at your Accommodation in St Emilion
-
Visit and wine tasting at 1st winery
-
Visit and wine tasting at 2nd winery
-
Free time for lunch in Martillac or surroundings
-
Visit and wine tasting at 3rd winery
-
Drop off at your accommodation in St Emilion
Gallery





Know before you book
- Tour available all year round (except May 1st, Dec 25th and Jan 1st)
- Tour is not available on Sundays in December, January & February
- 8 hour Graves & Sauternes wine tour from Saint Emilion
- Tasting fees can be included during the booking process
- Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
- Prices are per group from 2 to 8 persons - Larger groups please contact us
- Chateaux reservations will be made once the booking is confirmed
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
Meeting point
Departure
Return
Reviews
-
Raul Fernandez
02, Oct 2021
Good transportation and knowledgeable guide
-
Sherpa412904
03, Aug 2021
Karim was a great guy and passionate about wine. Learned a lot, had fun, definitely worth it. Got even a nice gift.
Included / excluded
Included
- Reservation for 3 Chateau Visits
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Travel in premium, spacious vehicles
- Bottled water in the minivan
- Free WiFi access on board
Excluded
- Wine tasting fees
- Entrance fees to monuments or attractions
- Personal insurance & expenses
- Meals & drinks
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
FAQ
-
What type of vehicles are used during a day trip from Saint Emilion?
Our company uses only premium cars & minivans that are recent, comfortable and fully equipped including individual A/C, shaded windows and large leg space. -
Who conducts your private wine tours from Saint Emilion?
We only employ accredited and licensed tour guides that are also the drivers for all tours that need visits to be conducted by certified guides. Good examples are: the visit of museums, guided walking tours in cities, visit of historical monuments and so on.
In some regions, where wine tours prevail (Bordeaux, Alsace) the tours are conducted by professional local guides or sommeliers that are experts in Wines. -
Can we choose which wineries we will visit during our private wine tour?
Yes, we will be happy to organize and pre-book your winery tours of the Graves & Sauternes wine regions. During the booking process you will have the possibility to include your wine tasting fees. If you have certain wineries that you would like to visit, send us your list and our team will do the rest. Also, it is important to mention that we only make the required Chateau reservations once you have booked your private wine tour with Ophorus. -
Is lunch included on this private Graves & Sauternes wine tour from Saint Emilion?
No, we never include lunch on our private tours. However, if you would like to include lunch don't hesitate to reach out and we will be happy to make the necessary arrangements for you. It is also possible to ask your guide for suggestions. -
Is it possible to visit Château d'Yquem?
Yes, absolutely. Château d'Yquem is open to visitors however the groups are limited in numbers. If you would like to visit this winery it will be possible for you to add it as an extra during the booking process. There are three different visits offered by Château d'Yquem so you will need to choose the one that suits you best. Please note that we will confirm your booking as soon as we have received confirmation by the winery. Visits are subject to availability at time of booking. -
Is it possible to visit Château Haut Brion?
Yes, absolutely. Château Haut Brion is open to visitors however the groups are limited in number and visits do not take place everyday. The tour of Haut Brion can be combined with a tour to La Mission Haut Brion. If you would like to visit this winery, you can make a request during the booking process and our team of travel advisors will do the rest. Visit of Château Haut Brion depends on availability at time of booking. -
What type of wine is Sauternes?
The Sauternes wine region of France is part of the Graves section of the Bordeaux vineyard. The sweet white wines of Sauternes are made of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle and Sémillon grape varieties. What makes Sauternes wines so unique is that the grapes have been affected by Botrytis Cinerea which is also known as noble rot. This occurs thanks to the specific climate conditions that can be found in the Sauternes area. The Sauternes wines pair perfectly with soft cheeses, blue cheeses, foie gras, ice cream and cheesecake. -
What type of wine is Graves?
Graves is a very interesting Bordeaux wine region to visit as it is the only one where you can wine taste the three main wine types of Bordeaux - reds, whites and sweet wines. The wine production is dominated by the red wines that are typically blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet France to which winemakers sometimes add Petit Verdot and/or Malbec. The typical white wines of the Graves wine region are dry and blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grape varieties. -
What type of wine is Pessac-Léognan?
Pessac-Léognan wines resemble in a way those of Médoc wine region. The main grape varieties used in the blend of the wines are Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot that bring to these wines a subtle mix of power, delicateness and refinement. As for the whites, the blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes bring complexity, freshness, intensity and harmony to these wines. The Pessac-Léognan appellation includes all of the Crus Classés of the Graves wine region that produce reds and/or dry whites.
You may also like ...
-
06 hoursAdd to favoritesSaint-Émilion
-
02 hoursAdd to favoritesSaint-Émilion
Private Saint Emilion Walking Tour with a Licensed Guide
Uncover the Magic of Saint Emilion Village near Bordeaux France on a 2 hour walking... -
07 hoursAdd to favoritesSaint-Émilion
A Private Bordeaux Wine Tour to Médoc from Saint Emilion
Pick up in Saint Emilion on one of our best wine tasting tours in Bordeaux to the...