Sauternes & Pessac-Léognan Wine Tour

Just south of Bordeaux, the vineyards of Pessac-Léognan begin at the very edge of the city. Named after its gravel soils, this is the northern part of the Graves and home to Château Haut-Brion, the only estate outside the Médoc ranked among the First Growths of 1855. All of the Graves Classified Growths lie within the appellation, known for elegant reds and some of the finest dry white wines in Bordeaux. Further south, where the cool waters of the Ciron meet the warmer Garonne, autumn mists encourage noble rot, a rare fungus that concentrates the sugar in Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The result is Sauternes: a golden, lusciously sweet wine, crowned in 1855 by Château d’Yquem, the only estate ever ranked Premier Cru Supérieur.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Duration: a full 8-hour day
Experience: entirely private, transportation included, with your local, English-speaking wine expert, who is also your driver
Wineries: 2 to 3 châteaux, from the « Crus Classés de Graves » of Pessac-Léognan to a renowned Sauternes estate
Route du Sauternes: a scenic drive past some of the appellation’s most beautiful châteaux
Departure: from your hotel in Bordeaux (or another location in Bordeaux)

Download the itinerary here

YOUR DAY

Bordeaux / Graves / Bordeaux (65 miles/ 2h total transfer)

9:15 AM
Bordeaux
Your guide meets you at your hotel, or at any address in Bordeaux.
10 AM
Visit a « Cru Classé de Graves »
Visit a top estate in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, renowned for its exceptional dry white wines, and taste the estate’s wines.
11:30 AM
Tasting at Another « Cru Classé de Graves »
Taste the wines of another premium Pessac-Léognan estate.
1 PM
Lunch
Lunch at a charming local restaurant, or a picnic at a winery (optional).
3:30 PM
Visit a Top Sauternes Estate
Discover the secret of this lusciously sweet wine and taste the estate’s wines. Then drive along the Route du Sauternes and admire its many beautiful châteaux.
5:30 PM
Bordeaux
Your guide drives you back to your hotel.

Wineries visited / Organization / Price

Examples of wineries visited during the day:

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Château Carbonnieux, Château Haut Brion, Château Mission Haut Brion, Château Haut Bailly, Château Carmes Haut Brion, Château La Tour Martillac, Château D’Yquem, Château Rayne Vignaud, Château Guiraud, Château Suduiraut, Château Doisy Daene, Château de Cérons…

Each visit usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours and includes a presentation of the vineyard, the history of the chateau, and a guided tour of the vat room and cellars. Your tour finishes with a tasting of the wine(s) of the estate.