Bordeaux, with its exceptional soils, may have mastered the art of turning grapes into fine wine but it was the Californians who demonstrated the importance of showcasing that viticultural prowess. Indeed, while New World regions flung open their cellar doors in the 20th century, Bordeaux estates remained somewhat aloof. Its movers and shakers gave little thought to the end consumer, preferring to leave the business of marketing to the city’s (still) powerful négociants.
That was until the early noughties, when global demand – particularly from Asia – rocketed. Suddenly, the largest fine-wine district on earth was dealing with a new type of wine lover: younger, tech-savvy and insatiably curious about the how and why of viticulture. ‘We had to open our doors, share the stories of our wines and show a different side to Lafite that was not all about men in suits and white-tablecloth restaurants,’ says CEO Saskia de Rothshchild.
Visitors can help with the harvest, blend their own Grand Vin, cycle through the vineyards or simply imbibe
Thus, the iconic Bordeaux estates of the Médoc, Pessac-Léognan (south of the city) and Saint-Émilion now challenge tradition with glass-fronted tasting rooms, multilingual tours, Michelin-starred dining rooms, and luxurious accommodation in among the vines. The motor of the fine-wine world, hitherto buttoned-up, has embraced the spirit of immersive tourism, blurring the boundaries between visitor and vigneron. Now, visitors can help with the harvest, blend their own Grand Vin, cycle through the vineyards or simply imbibe. Today in Bordeaux, anything is possible.
The best Bordeaux wine estates for tours, tastings and more
Le Dôme
Saint-Émilion
It is hard to imagine a more striking example of modern architecture in Bordeaux than the aptly named Le Dôme, a ring-shape winery conceived by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster under the instruction of Saint-Émilion renegade Jonathan Maltus. Its most affordable tour takes visitors through this state-of-the-art winery, while the next tier up explores the story of the region’s ‘Garagiste’ movement, of which Maltus was at the centre. Alternatively, the winery’s ‘A to Z’ masterclass offers a workshop that gets down to the nitty gritty of wine enjoyment with comparative tastings of freshly opened bottle versus decanted wines, and advice on the selection of glassware, storage and service.
From €30pp
ledome-saintemilion.com
Château de Ferrand
Saint-Émilion
This 18th-century Bordeaux estate was lovingly renovated in 2019, and has since won prizes for its oenotourism offering, which includes a multitude of viticultural and gastronomic experiences, from a tasting and lunch in the orangerie to a macaron-making workshop or sommelier-led masterclass in food-and-wine pairing. The property is littered with artwork that nods the owner’s connection with Bic ballpoint pens, while guest suites, meanwhile, are primed for chic getaways.
From €30pp
chateaudeferrand.com
Château Siran
Margaux
It’s possible that Siran flies somewhat under the radar in the famous Margaux region. This beautiful chartreuse has been run by the same family since 1859, responsible for producing quintessential Margaux: elegant, understated, and perfumed. Not only does it house an extensive collection of objets d’art displayed in the new Chai des Collections, Siran is also the only Médoc Château to own an anti-atomic bunker – 30,000 bottles are stored in this subterranean labyrinth, where tastings can be carried out. Down in ‘Le Bunker’, you can even book an escape room experience and attempt to decipher the secrets of this family estate before the clock runs out.
From €9pp
chateausiran.com
Château Lagrange
Saint Julien
Sip Merlot straight from the barrel at Third Growth Château Lagrange, or even ponder the alchemy of wine via an in-depth blending workshop hosted by a member of the cellar team. This historic Bordeaux estate (founded in the 1700s) became a part of the Suntory Group in 1983, which goes towards explaining its elevated, immersive wine tourism options. There is also an opportunity to take part in the annual harvest, followed by a picnic in the Château’s exquisite grounds.
From €30pp
chateau-lagrange.com
Château Pichon Baron
Pauillac
It takes a stony heart to not be captivated by Pichon Baron’s fairy tale castle, or indeed the luxurious visitor centre and tasting room – more Napa Valley than Gironde. For over 350 years, Pauillac’s leading Second Growth has been producing some of the Médoc’s most powerful and structured Cabernet-Merlot blends. Explore the nuances of terroir, weather and climate by booking a vertical tasting of four vintages – currently, the 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2019.
From €50pp
pichonbaron.com
Château Angludet
Margaux
Château Angludet is a Cru Bourgeois property widely acknowledged for producing classed-growth-quality wines at reasonable prices. Its delicious, structured blends have long been popular in the UK, and you can now enjoy the wines on the property’s spectacular terrace, complete with views of the surrounding countryside. Most visitors rely on Bernadette, the château’s electric buggy, to whizz them around the Bordeaux estate before sampling a trio of exceptional vintages.
From €20pp
sichel.fr
Château Pape Clément
Pessac-Léognan
The wines of Pessac-Leognan have a far longer history than those of the Médoc: Pape Clement was established in the 1300s and bequeathed to the archbishop Bertrand de Goth, subsequently Pope Clement V of Avignon. Today, it is renowned for its seductive red blend and voluptuous, oak-aged Bordeaux Blanc, overseen by the wine tycoon Bernard Magrez. Under his direction, the property has become a beacon of luxury tourism, offering a broad variety of experiences – including a vertical tasting of five vintages – and accommodation in the ornate castle.
From €25pp
chateau-pape-clement.fr
Château Haut-Bages Libéral
Pauillac
Steered by the incredibly talented Claire Villars-Lurton, Haut-Bages Libéral is the jewel in the Lurton family crown – 30 hectares of prime vineyards situated at the heart of the Médoc. But it’s not all work and no play here: visitors are invited to explore the Château’s vineyards and premises before enjoying a vertical and/or horizontal tasting as a precursor to a gourmet lunch. People rave about the ‘Discovering Grand Crus’ masterclass where guests compare and contrast the best of Bordeaux with a Sonoma Cabernet from an estate also owned by G&C Lurton Estates.
From €25pp
gc-lurton-estates.com
Château Ferrière
Margaux
Ferrière has long been one of Margaux’s most powerful and dense red wines. This beautiful property takes its name from Gabriel Ferrière, a parliamentarian and merchant who owned the estate in the 1700s. Today it is run (like Haut-Bages Libéral) with flair and energy by Claire Villars-Lurton (pictured above). Visitors are encouraged to stroll through its vines and learn the secrets of biodynamic viticulture, before raising a glass to the magic of the Médoc and its gravel terroir.
From €25pp
gc-lurton-estates.com
Château La Dominique
Saint-Émilion
The voluptuous, Merlot-dominant wines of Château La Dominique are as famous in Bordeaux as the property’s handsome restaurant La Terrasse Rouge. The estate is highly popular with those touring Saint-Émilion, particularly as it serves mature vintages alongside chocolate made by local artisan Chocolaterie Maëlig. Afterwards, take an aperitif at the restaurant and peruse a menu that champions the best of the south west.
From €35pp
chateau-ladominique.com
Château La Fleur de Boüard
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Purchased by Hubert de Boüard in 1998, Château La Fleur de Boüard is leading the way in immersive wine tourism in Bordeaux. In the barrel cellar, experience the ‘Chai de Lumière’, where an audiovisual presentation with historical and modern imagery of the estate, special effects and strobe lighting paints a powerful picture of the story of wine. Visitors can also choose to make their own blend in a workshop with the cellar master. A well-stocked boutique, chic tasting room, sumptuous accommodation and wine bar completes the line-up.
From €25pp
lafleurdebouard.com
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Pessac-Léognan
For over two decades, owners Daniel and Florence Cathiard have run a luxurious hotel, two restaurants, and a thermal spa at this Grand Cru Classé estate to international acclaim. To immerse yourself, literally, you can try a red-wine bath or Cabernet body scrub, said to promote anti-ageing, at Les Sources de Caudalie. But for those more interested in drinking the stuff, the estate also offers a number of masterclasses and workshops, including the popular ‘Caviar from sea and soil’ – an extensive tour that’s finished with the house’s Grand Vin paired with Sturia caviar.
From €48pp
smith-haut-lafitte.com
Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan
La Mission Haut-Brion has been producing red wine since the late Middle Ages. Today, it is one of the few Grand Cru Classé properties to offer an extensive tour free of charge: you’ll visit the magnificent Salle des Vignes, entirely decorated by owner Prince Robert of Luxembourg, before strolling through its formal gardens. Thereafter, visit the 1000 sq m cellar before enjoying a glass of La Mission Haut-Brion in the beautiful tasting room decorated with a collection of engravings by Albrecht Dürer. If your own collecting is limited to wine, the estate boutique sells an extensive back catalogue of venerable vintages.
Tours are offered free of charge
mission-haut-brion.com
Château Guiraud
Sauternes
In the centre of this Sauternes property stands the imposing Château with its panelled salons. It is surrounded by extensive gardens that support a huge variety of flora and fauna; biodiversity is of supreme importance to this First Growth estate, the first among the top tier to be certified organic back in 2011. Several imaginative tours are available, including a cycle tour through the vines before a tutored tasting of three distinct vintages of Guiraud. There is also an excellent on-site restaurant and wine bar, La Chapelle, which serves a daily lunch menu for under 30 euros per person.
From €23pp
chateauguiraud.com
Château Lynch-Bages
Pauillac
Restored to its current glory by the indefatigable Jean-Michel Cazes, Lynch-Bages continues to produce benchmark Pauillac: virile, structured, and long-lived claret. The château offers a guided tour of its extensive facilities. However, the bespoke options are of far greater interest to experienced oenophiles. These may include a comparative tasting of Lynch-Bages and other significant Pauillacs, a blending masterclass, food and wine pairings, or a picnic in the vines. The family also run Relais & Chateaux hotel Cordeillan-Bages and Café Lavinal, both in the vicinity.
From €25pp
lynchbages.com
Château Suduiraut
Sauternes
It is hard to imagine a more beautiful château than the imposing castle at Suduiraut. Built in the 17th century, the property is surrounded by expansive gardens designed by King Louis XIV’s landscape architect, André Le Nôtre. Yet the hospitality is thoroughly warm and unpretentious at this Premier Cru Sauternes estate. Guided tours can end with either a standard tasting or, even better, a cheese-and-wine pairing in the modern visitor room. Suduiraut also produces an increasing volume of dry white wines, including a delectable 100% Semillion Blanc.
From €20pp
suduiraut.com
