Private Graves & Sauternes Wine Tour from Saint-Émilion
About this activity
Highlights
- Discover the renowned Graves & Sauternes wine regions
- Visit prestigious vineyards and châteaux
- Learn about the winemaking process
- Taste exquisite red, whites & sweet white wines
- Enjoy a guided tour with a local expert
Full description
Discover the vineyards and sweet white wines of Sauternes on a private Sauternes wine tour from Saint-Émilion. Begin with hotel pickup and explore this Bordeaux wine region with a knowledgeable local guide. Personalized visits to select wineries introduce you to Sauternes’ distinctive winemaking traditions, with tastings that connect the wines to their vineyard setting.
Enjoy the picturesque surroundings and pause for lunch at a local restaurant, at your own expense. This private experience brings together wine discovery, local expertise, and the pleasure of exploring a celebrated wine destination.
From Saint-Émilion to the Graves Wine Region
Depart from Saint-Émilion in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan for a private Bordeaux wine tour through Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Sauternes. South of Bordeaux, countryside plains and rolling hills reveal a wine-growing landscape with a long heritage. Your local guide, an expert in Bordeaux wines, introduces the Graves region and the gravel-rich soils that give it its name.
Pessac-Léognan Winery Visit and Red and White Wine Tastings
Discover Pessac-Léognan, an appellation within the historic Graves wine-growing area known for both red and white wines. At a carefully selected estate, enjoy a private guided winery visit before tasting wines from its production. Learn how the local soils and winemaking traditions influence the wines, with an opportunity to explore both styles in their vineyard setting.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant
Pause for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Sauternes. This break separates the morning’s exploration of Pessac-Léognan from the afternoon’s introduction to sweet white wines. Lunch is at your own expense.
Sauternes Winery Visit and the Secrets of Noble Rot
In Sauternes, visit a prestigious winery and follow the château guide through its winemaking facilities. Discover how Botrytis cinerea, known as noble rot under favorable conditions, helps concentrate sugars in the grapes. The visit explains the distinctive process behind Sauternes wines, connecting the work in the vineyard with the finished wine in the bottle.
Commented Sauternes Tasting and Return to Saint-Émilion
Complete your winery visit with a commented tasting of Sauternes sweet white wines. Explore their aromatic character and learn about foods that complement this distinctive wine style. After the visit and tasting, return to Saint-Émilion in your comfortable minivan, bringing together the day’s discoveries of Bordeaux’s red, dry white, and sweet white wines.
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pick up from Saint Emilion
- Enjoy live commentaries from your wine expert guide.
- Travel in recent, comfortable and fully equipped minivans.
- Pre-booked visits to a selection of wineries
- Wine tasting fees in the pre-booked wineries
- Meals and drinks (lunch).
- Personal travel insurance, expenses.
- Gratuities fro teh driver-guide
Itinerary
Saint-Émilion – Depart for the Graves Wine Region
Leave Saint-Émilion in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan and travel toward the Graves wine region, south of Bordeaux. As countryside plains and rolling hills unfold, discover a historic wine-producing area whose gravelly soils give the region its name.
Pessac-Léognan – A Private Winery Visit and Tasting
Arrive at a carefully selected winery in Pessac-Léognan, an appellation celebrated for both red and white wines. Explore the estate on a private guided visit, then taste its wines while learning how local soils and winemaking traditions influence their character.
Meeting point
Start Location
Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion, France
Operating hours
- Monday09:00 AM
- Tuesday09:00 AM
- Wednesday09:00 AM
- Thursday09:00 AM
- Friday09:00 AM
- Saturday09:00 AM
Important information
Know before you book
- Enjoy a private wine tour departing from Saint-Émilion.
- Explore Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Sauternes on one itinerary.
- Your local guide brings specialist knowledge of Bordeaux wines.
- Discover both red and white wines at a selected Pessac-Léognan estate.
- Visit a Sauternes winery to explore its distinctive sweet white wines.
Know before you go
- Begin your winery discoveries with a visit in the Graves region..
- Taste the estate’s wines after exploring the winery.
- Pause for a restaurant lunch before heading to Sauternes.
- Follow the château guide through the Sauternes winemaking facilities.
- Learn how noble rot transforms grapes for sweet wine production.
Food & drinks
- Drinks: Wine tasting fees in the pre-booked wineries
Cancellation policy
Ophorus requires full payment by credit card, internet payment (through our website) or wire transfer (Wire transfer fees at the charge of the Guest) to make a reservation. We accept payment by AMEX, Visa and Master Card. There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%. For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund: Up to 48 hours prior to departure: no cancellation fees except the booking fees. 48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund. No show - no refund.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
Reviews
Everything was wonderful. A professional guide and clean, comfortable transportation. We had a great time!
Highly recommend this half day tour of Dordogne villages - Lena is an excellent your guide, knowledgeable and good communicator. River cruise was a lovely bonus.
Our guide Valentin was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and the wine appelations. The wine tastings were informative and fun.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
This tour suits travelers interested in sweet white wines, Bordeaux winemaking, and vineyard landscapes. It offers a focused introduction to Sauternes for guests who value private touring and learning from a knowledgeable local guide. Personalized winery visits, wine tastings, and a restaurant lunch stop bring together wine discovery and time to appreciate the region’s picturesque setting.
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.