Bordeaux produces by far some of the most sought-after wines in the world. On the Left Bank, there is abundance of round pebbles, gravels and cobbles from the Pyrenees, beginning several million years ago. The Right Bank is sedimentary, with clays and sandstones from the Massif Central layered on top of a Jurassic limestone base.
Wineries of interest are Premier Grand Cru Mouton-Rothschild, Grand Cru’s in Margaux, Pauillac, St. Estephe, Sauternes & St. Emilion, Ch. Haut-Brion. You will understand why the wines from Mêdoc & St. Emilion are so different, and meet the winemakers at Ch. Mouton-Rothschild, Margaux’s Ch. du Tertre, plus the new generation and more. Along with its great wines, Bordeaux is also known for outstanding food.
During your free time, the trendy city of Bordeaux and lovely St. Emilion and its neighbors beckon.
A professional driver and comfortable bus will transport us from start to finish so there is no need to worry about driving once you get there.
You will have the opportunity to purchase and ship wine home if you wish.
What’s Included:
- Expertise of tour leaders
- Hotel accommodations for 6 nights along the tour route
- Meals as noted in the itinerary (B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)
- Daily wine tastings
- All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
- Transportation between hotels and for all daily itineraries
- Assistance with transport at tour’s end
- All gratuities
- Pre-tour and in-tour information
- Suggested reading list
Bordeaux Left & Right
Tour Dates: October 8-12, 2023
Adventures in the Wines and Geology of Bordeaux
What’s Included:
- Expertise of tour leaders
- Hotel accommodations for 4 nights along the tour route
- Meals as noted in the itinerary (B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)
- Daily wine tastings
- All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
- Transportation between hotels and for all daily itineraries
- Assistance with transport at tour’s end
- All gratuities
- Pre-tour and in-tour information
- Suggested reading list
What’s Not Included:
- Passport and all visa fees, photos, immunizations, or other travel documentation fees
- Airfare for flights to and from France
- Train fare or other travel before and after the tour
- Airline or train transfers and baggage handling
- Personal items such as souvenirs or wines that might be purchased for personal use
-Other items noted as optional or not specifically mentioned as included
- Optional travel insurance including cancellation/delay/lost baggage insurance
Rates:     Double Occupancy: $4,900/person Single Occupancy: Add $875
• 4 pm: Rendezvous at hotel TBD in Bordeaux city (note: TGV from Paris Gare Montparnasse and/or CDG to Bordeaux Gare Saint Jean virtually every hour) • Food and wine tasting with introduction to geology of Bordeaux • Understanding Bordeaux’s Grand Cru classifications • Plans for the week ahead • Arrive early and visit Cité du Vin museum on your own
• Breakfast at hotel • Presentation, Q&A on bus regarding geology, AOCs of the Médoc • Tour and tasting at Ch. du Tertre (AOC Margaux) • Tour Haut-Médoc AOCs: Margaux, Listrac-en-Médoc, Moulis-en-Médoc, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe • Lunch at Maison d'Estournel in Sanit Estèphe • Tour and tasting at 1er Grand Cru Ch. Mouton-Rotschild (AOC Pauillac) • Dinner together in Bordeaux
• Breakfast at hotel • Tour and tasting at 1er Grand Cru Ch. Haut-Brion •Vineyard tour, taste and lunch at Ch. Guiraud in Sauternes • Travel to St. Emilion • Geology and wines of Bordeaux’s Right Bank • Check in at St. Emilion hotel • Wine tasting of St. Emilion and Pomerol • Understanding AOC St. Emilion and its Grand Cru classifications • Enjoy dinner on your own in St. Emilion
• Breakfast at hotel • Tour of St. Emilion vineyards • Visit limestone cellars and tasting at Grand Cru Classé Ch. Rochebelle • Picnic lunch in St. Emilion • Free time to explore St. Emilion • Farewell dinner together in St. Emilion
• Breakfast at the hotel • Guidance with travel to Bordeaux TGV Gare Saint-Jean • Au revoir les amis du vin et de la géologie
This itinerary and lodging arrangements are subject to change based on weather conditions and the availability of scheduled wineries/vineyards.