Experience the wine harvest in Bordeaux

  • Food & drink
  • France
  • 7 min read
Experience the wine harvest in Bordeaux

For wine lovers, Bordeaux is the ultimate destination. Plan a visit to witness the remarkable harvest season. Explore the rolling hills of Bordeaux’s world famous vineyards and take a Bordeaux wine tour.

If you consider yourself a lover of wine, you’ll no doubt hold the Bordeaux region in Southwest France in high regard. With regimented rows of grapevines lining the rolling hills of vineyards as far as the eye can see, it’s a wine connoisseur’s paradise. One of the most interesting times of year for wine lovers is undoubtedly the harvest season, but the city of Bordeaux itself has plenty to offer all year round.

Find out more about the kinds of wine tasting tours you can do in and around the Bordeaux region, and the things to see in the city itself.

Bordeaux

Where in France: Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Drive from Calais: 867km / 7h 50m

When somewhere gets the seal of approval from Her Majesty, you know it’s special. After a visit to Bordeaux, the late Queen Elizabeth II remarked that the city was “the very essence of elegance”, and of course, she wasn’t wrong.

The Miroir d'Eau in front of the Place de la Bourse is most spectacular at night.

Around half of the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest urban area of anywhere in the world. It exudes charm with its majestic 18th century architecture. Nowhere is the grandeur of Bordeaux epitomised as perfectly as the Place de la Bourse. With regal airs reminiscent of Versailles, the elegant symmetry of the Palais de la Bourse is really brought to life by the Miroir d'Eau in front of the building, particularly at night when the reflection in the shallow water is illuminated.

Bordeaux is home to many beautiful churches, but none quite match the splendour of the Cathédrale St-André. The oldest section of the cathedral dates back to 1096, but most of what you see dominating the skyline is from later additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. The main attraction for visitors is climbing the 231 steps up the 50m-high Gothic tower to be rewarded with panoramic views of the city below. There are also often concerts held in the church where you can go and see live music.

Admire the views from the Gothic tower of the Cathédrale St-André.

Before you head out of the city to explore the vineyards, pay a visit to the Cité du Vin museum dedicated to wine. The building itself, beautifully situated on the banks of the River Garonne, has been thoughtfully designed to resemble a decanter, clad in silver and gold metal that catches the light just right. Inside you’ll find sensory exhibitions covering everything from grape varieties and cultivation methods, to new trends and famous personalities. The tour ends with a glass of wine or grape juice to whet your appetite before exploring the region further.

How to make the most of the Bordeaux harvest season

The Bordeaux wine harvest begins in early September and is one of the best times to visit the châteaux of the region. The sun is still beaming its warmth down upon the countryside, and the vineyards are alive with activity. As you can imagine, there are numerous beautiful vineyards in the Bordeaux region to choose from, each with its own unique qualities and reasons to visit. At some, you can join in with the harvest – be warned, though, it’s hard work – whilst others simply offer expert-led tastings.

The wine harvest season begins in early September.

Bordeaux wine tours

There are lots of different options for Bordeaux wine tasting tours. You could book a tour directly with a vineyard – most of the larger wineries run tastings and tours, and some of the smaller vineyards too are delighted to welcome visitors. Especially if it means you might buy some bottles of their wine before you leave! You’ll be spoilt for choice: there are 800 vineyards in the Saint Émilion region alone.

You could book a tour of multiple wineries through a dedicated Bordeaux wine tasting tour company. They will tailor your tour to the kinds of wine you like, and will arrange transport between the wineries – a van with a designated driver or you might be riding e-bikes. A day’s wine tour in Bordeaux will take in 2-3 vineyards, and will usually include a lunch somewhere among the vines or in a nearby town or village. During each tasting there will be food pairings too, just to make sure you don’t go hungry! 

Maison du Vin de Saint-Émilion

This is the wine school of the Saint-Émilion region and the perfect place to start your visit, whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast, or new to the game. The experts at the Maison du Vin de Saint-Émilion will talk you through all the basics, as well as some of the finer points for more advanced tasters.

There are a number of short courses for you to choose from on which you’ll learn what to expect and look out for when tasting specific wines, which will steer you in the right direction for the rest of your trip. Head to their website for more information.

Château Pape Clément

One of the oldest wine estates in the region, you can feel the history of Château Pape Clément emanating from every grape at this stunning vineyard. The first harvest dates all the way back to 1252, which means that fine wines have been produced on the estate for over 750 years. However, back then it was known as the Domaine de la Mothe.

Your visit to Château Pape Clément will really be brought to life with one of the tours or workshops they offer their guests. From simple wine tastings, ranging from three to eight wines, to more elaborate pairings with cheese, to winemaker workshops where you’ll learn to make your own souvenir bottle, you won’t soon forget your visit to this estate.

The iconic Château Lafite Rothschild as seen on the labels of some of the world’s finest wines.

Château Lafite Rothschild

For one of the most exclusive tours in the region, visit the spectacular Château Lafite Rothschild vineyard. The wines from this estate were the first of only four to be classified in Bordeaux’s coveted Premier Cru, or First Growth, grouping in 1855, the highest ranking bestowed on wine.

Places on vineyard tours are limited to just 15 people, so make sure to book early. You will explore the estate in all its grandeur before being invited to taste some of the finest wines in the world in an unparalleled experience. If you fancy buying a souvenir bottle to take home, however, be prepared to pay for quality.

Getting to Bordeaux 

Driving to Bordeaux for your wine tasting tour will usually take around 9 hours. The most direct routes of getting to Bordeaux are via Rouen, Tours and Le Mans, on the A28 and A10. Alternatively, you could take the A16 and A10 via Amiens, Paris and Orléans. There are tolls on both these routes, as there are on most long distance routes on French motorways. Please note that if you are driving into the city of Bordeaux itself you will need a Crit’ Air sticker, as the city has a low emission zone. Check what category of sticker you need for your vehicle. 

FAQs

What do you wear on a wine tour in France?

It will depend on what time of year it is, but if you are visiting Bordeaux during the wine harvest season (September and early October) the weather is still likely to be warm. Wear comfortable clothes that will keep you cool, but try to be smart as well. The more exclusive wineries may expect a certain standard of dress from their visitors. Take some thin layers too, as it is colder in the underground cellars.

How many wineries are there in Bordeaux? 

There are around 6,000 different wineries in the Bordeaux region, making it one of the most active wine making areas in France. There are 60 appellations, including Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Haut-Médoc. 

How many days in Bordeaux is enough? 

How much wine do you want to taste?! Some people feel a weekend in Bordeaux is enough, but if you want to explore the surrounding area too, including taking a Bordeaux wine tour, a minimum of 4-5 days is probably needed. 

Can you do your own wine tour in Bordeaux? 

Yes, you can organise your own self-guided wine tour of the Bordeaux region, by contacting the wineries in advance. However, there are companies that will arrange tours and organise the transport. 

Which is better, Medoc or St. Emilion?

Many people think that these two regions of Bordeaux produce some of the world’s best wines. If you love full-bodied red wines then both are unmissable stops on any Bordeaux wine tour. Médoc specialises in Cabernet Sauvignon and Saint Émilion is best known for Merlot. 



If all this talk of wine has whet your appetite and inspired you to drive down to Bordeaux, remember to book your tickets in advance to take advantage of the best fares available.