Saint-Émilion Small Group Full-Day Wine Tour from Bordeaux
About this activity
Highlights
- Full-day small group wine tour from Bordeaux (max 8 guests)
- Explore the UNESCO-listed village of Saint-Émilion
- Guided walking discovery of medieval streets and viewpoints
- Visits to carefully selected château wineries
- Learn about Merlot-dominant blends and terroir
Full description
Spend a full day discovering Saint-Émilion, one of Bordeaux’s most iconic wine destinations, where medieval heritage and centuries-old winemaking traditions meet. This small-group experience from Bordeaux combines village exploration with in-depth winery visits and guided tastings in the surrounding vineyards.
Walk through historic streets, admire panoramic viewpoints, and learn how limestone soils and local expertise shape the region’s renowned Merlot-dominant wines. With several château visits and time to fully appreciate the landscape, this tour offers a deeper understanding of Saint-Émilion’s culture, history, and wine identity in a relaxed and intimate setting.
A UNESCO Wine Landscape
Saint-Émilion is one of the world’s most remarkable wine regions, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional cultural landscape shaped entirely by viticulture since Roman times. Vineyards were expanded throughout the Middle Ages, leaving a legacy of churches, underground monuments, and stone architecture that still define the village today .
Located on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, the region differs significantly from the Médoc. Clay and limestone soils favor Merlot and Cabernet Franc, producing wines known for elegance, balance, and approachability.
A Full-Day Immersion into Saint-Émilion Wines
This full-day small-group tour allows time to explore Saint-Émilion beyond a simple tasting stop. Visit carefully selected château wineries where guides explain vineyard work, vinification techniques, and barrel ageing. Multiple guided tastings introduce the diversity of Right Bank Bordeaux wines while helping guests understand blending and terroir influence.
Discover the Medieval Village
Enjoy time in the historic village itself, where cobblestone streets, panoramic viewpoints, and centuries-old monuments reflect the region’s long connection to wine culture. Saint-Émilion’s compact layout and preserved architecture create a uniquely immersive atmosphere compared with larger Bordeaux appellations.
Travel in Comfort with a Small Group
Limited to a maximum of eight guests, the experience ensures personal interaction with your expert driver-guide. Travel takes place in a premium air-conditioned Mercedes minivan operated by Ophorus, specialists in small-group tours across France since 2005.
Included / Excluded
- Transportation in premium air-conditioned Mercedes minivan
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Chateau visits and wine tastings
- All Wine tasting fees included
- Small-group experience (maximum 8 guests)
- Personal expenses
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Meals and drinks (lunch)
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
Itinerary
Departure from Bordeaux
Meet your guide at the Bordeaux Tourist Office and leave the city by minivan, driving through rolling vineyards towards the Saint‑Émilion wine region.
First winery – Visit & tastings
Arrive at your first château for a guided tour of the vineyard and cellars, followed by an introductory tasting of several Saint‑Émilion wines.
Meeting point
Start Location
Office de Tourisme et des Congrès de Bordeaux Métropole, Cours du 30 Juillet, Bordeaux, France
Operating hours
January 2, 2026 - December 31, 2026
- Sunday09:30 AM
- Monday09:30 AM
- Tuesday09:30 AM
- Wednesday09:30 AM
- Thursday09:30 AM
- Friday09:30 AM
- Saturday09:30 AM
Important information
Know before you book
- Instant booking confirmation
- Adult only tour, no children allowed under 18 years
- Minimum 2 participants required
- Small group limited to 8 guests
Know before you go
- Please arrive 10 minutes before departure
- Walking involved on cobblestone streets
- Comfortable shoes recommended
- Not wheelchair accessible
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Less than 24 hours: non-refundable.
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!
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
This full-day experience provides a deeper exploration of Saint-Émilion than shorter excursions, allowing time for multiple winery visits and meaningful discovery of the village and surrounding vineyards.
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.