General Points:
What is recommended as appropriate attire?
Wear closed shoes for the cobblestone streets in Saint-Emilion, and warm clothing for the wine cellars where the temperature is around 59°F (15°C).
Can we bring our luggage on the tour?
You can carry your luggage with you on request. It will depend on the size of the luggage and the space available in the van. But your chauffeur-guide will accompany you during your visits, so, any luggage or personal effects inside the vehicle will be left unattended. Bordeaux Wine Trails cannot be held liable in the event of theft or damage to your property.
Can I buy wine at the winery?
With the exception of a few very rare estates, it is possible to buy wine after a wine tour. Some estates even take care of shipping depending on the country of destination.
What kind of vehicle is used for these tours?
The vehicles used are 9-seater minivans (1 driver + 8 passengers including two on the front seat). They are newer model cars with air-conditioning in the front and back, equipped with 2 sliding doors which make it easier for the group to get in and out of the vehicle. They’re also equipped with a sound system to hear the guide’s comments (or music). On request we can offer different types and style of véhicle (vintage, electric, sports car, 15 to 45 seaters VIP Bus).
What happens if the weather is bad?
Our minivan tours always go through unless there is imminent danger due to the weather conditions. In case of rain, we provide umbrellas to all our guests. Also, we try to keep track of the weather conditions a few days before the tour in case we need to reschedule it. But if due to unforeseen weather trouble the tour is cancelled you will receive a full refund.
How many wines will we taste at each estate?
Between 2 and 3 at each estate
Can I buy wine at the winery?
With the exception of a few very rare estates, it is possible to buy wine after a wine tour. Some estates even take care of shipping depending on the country of destination.
How can I book a tour with you?
We’re located right in the city centre of Bordeaux. So, if you’re in town you can always drop by to book your tour. If not you can reserve your tour online on our website. In case you have any questions you can always get in touch with us here.
What’s your Cancellation Policy?
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Less than 24 hours prior or no-show: No refund. We reserve the right to cancel any tour 48 hours prior to the departure time of the tour if the minimum number of people is not met. You will receive a full refund in the case of such unforeseen events. For more details you can read our Cancellation Policy here.
Private Tours:
What is a ‘Private Tour’?
A private tour is a completely customized wine tour for you and your guests based on your interests, wine preferences, knowledge and even the type of event.
How many persons are there per tour?
Our Private Wine Tours can have 50 people maximum.
Where is the meeting point?
For Private Tours we can arrange for a customized pick-up and drop-off at your Hotel or Airbnb in Bordeaux. If your requested location is outside Bordeaux please inform us in advance and we will send you a quote.
What languages are the tours offered in?
Our tours are in English, French or Spanish. We can also arrange for tours in other languages on request.
How old do you have to be to participate in a wine tour?
Babies and children of all age are welcome on private wine tours and car seats could be provided on request. However, wine tasting (or any other alcoholic beverage) is strictly reserved for individuals more than 16 years of age with the consent of their legal guardian.
Can we bring our pets along on the tour?
In general, pets are not welcome on our private wine tours with the exception of small dogs which could be carried in bags.
Is a meal included in the tour?
Yes, we offer you various options to choose from. You can dine at a variety of wineries or restaurants depending on your meal preferences and budget. We will also arrange for snacks to go with your wine tastings.
Do you visit the 1st growth Bordeaux wineries?
Many of the 1st growth wineries of Bordeaux reserve their visits only for professionals from the industry. But if you book well in advance we could try and arrange an exclusive wine tour for you at one of these highly reputed wineries.
Do you visit the underground monument in Saint-Emilion?
No, we don’t normally visit the underground monument in Saint-Emilion but we could arrange for it on request.
Do you organize private events?
Yes, with a limit of 50 people maximum, we can organize various private events like bachelor parties, hen-dos, wedding parties, birthdays and even corporate team-building activites.
Shared Group Tours:
What is a ‘Shared Group Tour’?
We offer various minivan shared group tours. Leaving from the center of Bordeaux, you will travel in a minivan with a maximum of 8 people and get a chance to share your enthusiasm and curiosity for wine with them.
What is the meeting point?
The wine tour pick-up and drop-off point is in front of the Bordeaux Office du Tourisme located at 12 cours du XXX Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux.
What happens if I’m late for the tour?
In the tour descriptions, you’ll find an interactive map that shows you the address and rendez-vous point at the Bordeaux Office du Tourisme (Tourist Office). The directions are very clear, so it is very rare for clients to miss the departure time. We will wait for you in case of a minor delay but if you arrive 15 minutes after the designated meeting time, our guides must leave for the tour without you in order to be punctual and ensure the tour schedule. Clients will not receive a refund if they arrive after a tour has already departed.
How many participants are there in each group?
The tours are sold on a first-come first-served basis with a maximum of 8 people per group and minumum of 2. Having groups of 8 or less allows our knowledgeable guides to have an up-close-and-personal rapport with our clients.
What languages can we have the tour in?
Based on the participants’ preference, the tour is given in French and/or English.
How old do you have to be to participate in a wine tour?
The minimum age to be part of our group wine tours is 12. However, wine tasting (or any other alcoholic beverage) is strictly reserved for individuals more than 16 years of age with the consent of their legal guardian.
Can we bring our pets along on the tour?
We regret to inform you that pets are not welcome on our group wine tours.
Is a meal included in the tour?
A meal is included only for the full-day wine tours. At some wine estates, the tastings will include local gourmet products such as cheeses, cold cuts, macaroons, etc. We will also arrange for some afternoon snacks to go with your tastings. In case of any dietary preferences or restrictions please inform us at least 48 hours before the tour.
Are the winery tours private?
The scheduled tours are generally reserved exclusively for Bordeaux Wine Trails visitors and are mostly private. Some wine estates won’t guarantee that the tour will be private and it is possible that other people may join us on that particular tour, but in any case the total number of guests on tour would never exceed 12.
Are the winery fees included in the Group Tours?
Yes, our group tours are inclusive of the winery fees.
Do you visit the underground monument in Saint-Emilion?
No, we don’t visit the underground monument for group tours.
Do we have free time in Saint-Emilion?
Yes, you will be given around 15 minutes to visit the centre of Saint-Emilion. But the amount of time is subject to change depending on the traffic conditions and punctuality.
E-Bike Tours:
What are the height and weight restrictions to join an E-bike tour?
The minimum height is 1.55m and weight limit of 100 kg.
Do you need a lot of physical effort to complete the tour?
No, the E-bike tour is designed for an effortless adventure for any ability level and age thanks to the electrical power of our brand new bikes.
Can we buy wine on this tour?
Yes, with the exception of a few very rare estates, it is possible to buy wine after this tour. We can transport the wine back to Bordeaux in the van. Some estates even take care of shipping depending on the country of destination.
Wine Club:
Can I select the wine for my package?
We put together an exclsuive selection of wines for you every 3 months adapting them to your preferences and the package you have chosen. In case you choose the ‘No-Strings-Attached Package’, you will be able to pick your own wines.
How does the payment work?
Once you choose your package and fill out our form on the website, we will send you a confirmation e-mail with a secure payment link. We ship your wine within one week of you having completed this transaction.
Do I get a description of the wines?
We regularly keep our Wine Club members informed about the wine they receive via newsletters. And you could also find some of the descriptions on our Instagram page. If you wish to know more about your wines or have any other questions you can always e-mail us and we’ll be glad to get back to you.