Spring and its long weekends in May are the perfect time to discover the vineyards of Bordeaux. Embark on a three-day, 160 km journey along the Graves and Sauternes wine route, which winds along the left bank of the Garonne River. The itinerary includes a gastronomic and romantic tour with stops at the most beautiful vineyards and châteaux in the region, making it one of the best Bordeaux wine tours… When embarking on a wine tour by car, safety should always be your top priority. Remember to never drink and drive. Bordeaux offers a variety of accommodations where you can relax after a day of exploring the region’s exquisite vineyards.
DAY 1: BORDEAUX – LÉOGNAN – MARTILLAC – BARSAC
Upon arriving in Bordeaux, you can choose from our SIXT car rental agencies in Bordeaux at: Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station, Mérignac airport or in the city center. For this scenic drive along the verdant and sunny roads of the Garonne, we recommend a small convertible sedan! Once behind the wheel, head towards Léognan, where you’ll find the first château of your journey: a beautiful estate built between the 17th and 19th centuries, fully restored by its owners. The Domaine de Léognan also houses one of the best restaurants in the region: the Manège du Château. If you prefer a nature break, opt for a picnic by the turquoise waters of Lac Bleu.
Then, drive about ten kilometers to Martillac, home to the renowned Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Here, you can participate in workshops to learn the secrets of winemaking.
To end this first day on the Bordeaux wine tours, you have many accommodation options. For a romantic touch, several châteaux offer sublime rooms, such as Château de Camperos in Barsac or Château de Beau-site in Portet. For simpler lodgings, there are plenty of guesthouses offering charming rooms along the Garonne or amidst the vineyards.
PRACTICAL INFO DAY 1: *
- Château de Léognan: 88 Chemin du Barp 33850 / Guided tours: between 5 and 20 euros per person
- Le Manège du Château: 88 Chemin du Barp 33850 Léognan / Average price 50 euros per person
- Lac Bleu Picnic Area: Chemin des Terres Rousses – 33850 Léognan
- Château Smith Haut Lafitte: Chemin du Carosse 33650 Martillac / Tours and workshops: between 20 and 110 euros per person
- Château de Camperos: 1 lieu-dit Camperos, 33720 Barsac / Average price: 109 to 119 euros per room
- Château de Beau-site: 35 route de Mathas – 33640 Portets / Average price: 100 to 120 euros per room
DAY 2: Barsac (or Portet) – Cérons – Sauternes – Mazères – Le Nizan
Distance: 35 KM
Hop back into your convertible and drive a few kilometers towards Cérons. Follow the majestic Garonne and admire its emerald reflections. You’ll reach one of our favorite stops on this Bordeaux wine tour: Château de Cérons. After a tour of this magnificent 17th-century Chartreuse, you can shop wine for home. For lunch, we recommend a picnic in the château’s park. You can assemble your basket with local products from the estate’s shop: foie gras, duck rillettes, tapenades, sardines—delicious! Relax in the grass under the magnolias.
Head to Sauternes for a digestive stroll through the organic vineyards of Château Guiraud. This is the oldest estate in Sauternes and a pioneer of the Grand Crus Classés in 1855. Various activities are offered: a botanical hike through the vineyards for the more active, or a workshop on pairing Sauternes wines with local cheeses for the gourmets.
For your second night on the Bordeaux wine tours, consider staying at the unique and original Ecotelia estate in Le Nizan, offering treehouses, yurts, or caravans at the forest’s edge. Cozy and carefully decorated, these accommodations provide an unusual and romantic setting. En route to Le Nizan, you can stop in Mazères for dinner at La Table de Caillivet, which has a beautiful wooden terrace under the trees. The menu features local tapas and dishes for all budgets.
PRACTICAL INFO DAY 2: *
- Château de Cérons: 1, Latour, 33720 Cérons / Tour, tasting, and picnic (+ additional purchases at the shop): 18 euros per person
- Château Guiraud: 33210 Sauternes / Botanical hike: 20 euros per person / Sauternes and cheese workshop: 35 euros per person
- La Table du Caillivet: SCEA Château Caillivet 33210 Mazères / Menu: 8 to 37 euros per person
- Domaine Ecotelia: 5 lieu-dit Tauzin – 33430 Le Nizan / 54 to 169 euros per night for 2 people (breakfast included)
DAY 3: Le Nizan – Préchac – Sauternes – Bommes – Bordeaux
Distance: 80 KM
For the last day of this journey on the Bordeaux wine tours, drive through the lush countryside of Bordeaux towards Préchac to visit the must-see Château Royal de Cazeneuve. A historical monument, it was the residence of King Henri IV of France and Queen Margot. Wander through the royal apartments, dream of canopy beds, explore the prison, or venture into the underground medieval cellars where prestigious Bordeaux wines age. The estate is so vast that you could easily spend half a day here.
From Préchac, start your return journey without rushing. You might stop in Sauternes at La Petite Guinguette, a charming spot in the village with vineyard views. Relax on cozy sofas and chairs while enjoying a tapas platter on the grass. For a final gastronomic experience, head back to Château Guiraud, where the chapel has been converted into a restaurant. On the road to Bordeaux, make a last stop in Bommes. For a grand finale, we recommend taking to the skies at Château de Rayne Vigneau, which offers a “perched” tasting experience. Climb to the top of a centuries-old cedar tree, where a small table awaits you. The people not driving can taste the château’s Sauternes wines and all enjoy a breathtaking view of the vineyard labyrinths. After this unique experience, it will be time to return to the city to visit Bordeaux and its highlights.
For a longer stay with family or friends, we suggest the perfect itinerary for a road trip along the Bordeaux coast…
PRACTICAL INFO DAY 3: *
- Château Royal de Cazeneuve: 33 370 Préchac / Admission: 11.50 euros per person
- La Petite Guinguette: 2 Chemin de Pasquette, 33210 Sauternes / Platters: 3.50 to 18 euros
- La Chapelle du Château Guiraud: 5 Château Guiraud 33210 Sauternes / Daily special: 16 euros, daily menu: 25 euros
- Château de Rayne Vigneau: 4, Le Vigneau, 33210 Bommes / Perched tasting: 33 euros per person
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* This article is based on information available as of September 2024. Please be aware that some information may change, and the details provided may no longer be accurate or applicable in the future.
