Saint-Émilion & Margaux Small Group Wine Tour from Bordeaux
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore UNESCO-listed Saint-Émilion village
- Taste premium Margaux Grand Cru Classé wines
- Learn Bordeaux Right & Left Bank wine styles
- Stroll historic cobbled streets and vineyards
- Drive scenic Médoc wine routes
Full description
Journey through the heart of Bordeaux’s legendary wine country on an intimate small group tour that blends the medieval charm of Saint-Émilion with the world-famous prestige of Margaux. Your adventure begins with a scenic drive to Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO gem known for its elegant Merlots and cobbled lanes.
Savor expertly guided tastings at a local winery, wander the timeless streets, and soak in the vineyard vistas. Enjoy free time for lunch at your choice of bistro or wine bar—your guide is happy to share regional favorites! Then, travel to the celebrated Médoc, experiencing the grandeur of a Grand Cru Classé château in Margaux. Taste world-renowned Cabernet-driven wines and tour stunning château cellars. This is the ultimate Bordeaux experience for lovers of culture, history, and fine wine.
Right & Left Bank in One Day
Discover the essence of Bordeaux’s wine regions on an expertly crafted small‑group tour that combines the Right Bank charm of Saint‑Émilion with the Left Bank prestige of Margaux in the Médoc. Designed for wine lovers, this full‑day experience brings together authentic tastings, iconic vineyard landscapes and high‑quality châteaux in a single seamless itinerary.
Morning: Saint‑Émilion and the Right Bank
Your day begins with a scenic drive from Bordeaux to the world‑renowned Saint‑Émilion wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its Merlot‑dominant wines and medieval village. Enjoy a guided visit at a carefully selected Saint‑Émilion winery, where you learn about vineyard management, terroir and traditional winemaking techniques before a commented tasting that introduces the elegance and approachability of Right Bank Bordeaux wines.
Saint‑Émilion Village & Free Time for Lunch
After the tasting, follow your guide on a short walking tour of Saint‑Émilion’s cobbled streets, historic stone buildings and panoramic viewpoints over the surrounding vineyards. This relaxed stroll adds cultural context to one of France’s most iconic wine villages, leaving you time afterward for lunch at your own expense. Choose from local bistros, wine bars or gourmet restaurants, and let your guide recommend the best options based on your tastes and budget.
Afternoon: Margaux and the Médoc
In the afternoon, continue along the legendary Médoc wine route, traveling through vineyard‑lined roads on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, home to some of the world’s most prestigious Cabernet Sauvignon‑based wines. Arriving in the Margaux appellation, famed for refined and aromatic wines, you visit a Grand Cru Classé château representing the highest level of the 1855 Bordeaux classification.
Grand Cru Classé Visit & Tasting
During this premium Margaux experience, explore the estate from vineyard to cellar and learn how Left Bank terroir and grape blends shape wine style, structure and aging potential. The visit concludes with an upgraded tasting of high‑quality Margaux wines, offering a memorable contrast with the softer, Merlot‑driven wines of the morning.
A Complete Bordeaux Wine Experience
After a full day of discovery, tastings and scenic landscapes, relax on the drive back to Bordeaux with a deeper understanding of both Right Bank and Left Bank wine styles. This small‑group tour is ideal for travelers seeking a comprehensive Bordeaux wine experience that combines Saint‑Émilion charm with Margaux prestige in a comfortable and intimate setting.
Included / Excluded
- Guided visit to a Saint-Émilion winery with tasting
- Guided walking tour of Saint-Émilion village
- Premium wine tasting at a Margaux Grand Cru Classé château
- English-speaking driver/guide (wine expert)
- Transportation in air-conditioned minivan from Bordeaux
- Lunch and drinks during free time
- Hotel pick-up/drop-off
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for the guide
Itinerary
Departure from Bordeaux
Meet your guide at the Bordeaux Tourist Office and leave the city by minivan, heading first towards the rolling vineyards of Saint‑Émilion.
Saint‑Émilion – First château visit & tasting
Arrive at a Saint‑Émilion château for a guided visit of the cellars and vineyards, followed by an introductory tasting of the estate’s Grand Cru wines.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour conducted in small groups for a personalized experience
- Wine tastings are included at both wineries
- Local guide provides insights and recommendations
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking tours
- Pack a light jacket as winery cellars can be cool
- No bottled water provided on board
Cancellation policy
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Reviews
Great experience, guide was super knowledgeable and friendly. Victor brought us around the different sites and showed us so many cool sites
Alex was the most experienced, knowledgeable, and chilled tour guide of all the 5 tour guides we experienced. We learned a lot from him about the culture, history, and geology of the region. He also provided great context to understand the regions' wines. This tour to Cassis and the calanques was beautiful and would get a 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that this expensive tour did not include lunch. The wine tasting was good but I had better in Bordeaux and it included lunch.
Matt was an awesome tour guide. His passion for D-day made the experience that much better. He was very knowledgeable. Even my children were glued to his every word. Great experience!
Additional information
This Saint-Émilion and Margaux small group wine tour is perfect for travelers seeking a comprehensive Bordeaux wine education, comparing Right Bank and Left Bank styles in one efficient day. It appeals to wine enthusiasts wanting to understand the differences between Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion and Cabernet Sauvignon-based Margaux wines, solo travelers and couples preferring small-group dynamics over private tour costs, and visitors with limited time wanting maximum wine region coverage.
Ideal for culture lovers combining UNESCO village exploration with premium Grand Cru Classé tastings, those appreciating expert wine guide commentary throughout the journey, and travelers comfortable with shared experiences in intimate groups of up to 8 guests.
The tour suits both wine beginners seeking approachable introductions and intermediate enthusiasts deepening their Bordeaux knowledge, offering excellent value with premium château access, guided village tours, and scenic Médoc landscapes in a single full-day experience departing from central Bordeaux.
Please note that we do not distribute water bottles anymore to limit our environmental impact. We strongly recommend that you bring a reusable bottle.
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.