ONE DAY GUIDED TOUR
TO CHATEAUX IN THE BORDEAUX AREA
We offer the following: One Day Guided trip to Chateaux in the Bordeaux area. An insider’s knowledge for the best Chateaux to visit. Discovering quaint and great quality restaurants.
Option 1
Pauillac and Saint Estephe… a discovery of some of the finest wines… Mouton Rothschild, Pontet Canet, Pichon Baron, Cos d’Estournel, Lafite Rothschild, Lynch Bages etc etc. A guided tour and tasting with lunch at an excellent brasserie with a great wine list. Guide = from 500 euros per day.
Option 2
Margaux and Saint Julien… a fun and interesting day visiting Chateau Margaux and Palmer, Leoville Barton and Langoa Barton, Ducru Beaucaillou. Lunch at a classic old style family restaurant. Guide = from 500 euros per day.
Option 3
Graves, Pessac Leognan and Sauternes… an amazing day of discovery. The options are to visit Chateau Haut Brion, La Mission Haut brion, La Louviere, Haut Bailly, Smith Haut Lafitte, Coutet, Suduiraut, Guiraud and Yquem. Lunch at a 5 star hotel in the vineyards. Guide = from 500 euros per day.
Option 4
Saint Emilion, Pomerol and Fronsac… a real voyage of discovery starting at the Premier Grand Cru Classe Chateau La Gaffliere in Saint Emilion. A chance to explore the UNESCO world heritage village and also to visit some great Chateaux in Pomerol and a real discovery and great value fairy tale Chateau in Fronsac, Chateau de la Riviere. Guide = from 500 euros per day.
THREE DAY GUIDED TOUR
A SENSATIONAL 3 DAY/2 NIGHT WINE TOUR TO BORDEAUX
Staying at an amazing Chateau. A great opportunity to visit and taste some of the finest wines of the World. Guided personally by a professional wine expert with over 20 years experience.
WEDNESDAY
Set off from Bordeaux City Centre. Drive up through the Left Bank wine region, the famous ‘Route de Chateaux’.
We will stop at Chateau Palmer and Chateau Margaux in the village of Margaux to see the beautiful Chateaux. We will travel through the famous village of Saint Julien where we will see Chateau Beychevelle, Chateau Leoville Barton, Chateau Langoa Barton and Chateau Leoville Lascases.
We will arrive in the village of Pauillac where we will visit and taste the wines of: Chateau Pontet Canet, 5th Growth Pauillac. This is an innovative and interesting wine estate as they are one of the pioneers for biodynamic viticulture. The wines currently being produced are exceptional and are highly sought after. We will visit the Chateau and taste the wine.
Lunch at Cafe Lavinal, Bages, Pauillac… a classic and great quality lunch in a French brasserie/cafe.
PM Visit and tasting at Chateau Lynch Bages, 5th Growth Pauillac. One of the best quality and value Chateaux of the area. Frequently this Chateau is rated alongside second growth wines.
PM Visit and tasting at Chateau Mouton Rothschild, 1st Growth, Pauillac This is one of the finest wines produced in the World. We will visit the museum area and see the innovative label designs as well as looking around the gardens and tasting the excellent wine.
Transfer to Chateau de la Riviere. Tasting and relax at the Chateau. We will enjoy a fantastic fresh fish restaurant on the banks of the Dordogne river. The secret restaurant is a fisherman’s hut looking out over the river. The fish is very fresh!
Thursday
AM Buffet French breakfast at Chateau de la Riviere followed by full guided tour of the Chateau and the incredible cellars and winemaking area. This Chateau currently produces some of the best quality and value wines of the right bank. Parts of the Chateau date from the 8th Century.
Visit Chateau La Gaffeliere 1st Growth, St.Emilion. Followed by tasting. One of the top wines of the Saint Emilion area.
Lunch at L’Envers du Decor, St.Emilion… an excellent wine bar and restaurant in the heart of the old village. A couple of hours after lunch will be free to explore the old historical village and the many small shops.
PM Visit to Chateau La Conseillante, Pomerol. One of the best quality wines of the region. During the afternoon we will also explore the vineyards of Pomerol to explain the Chateaux and specific soil types. We will see Chateau Petrus and Chateau Cheval Blanc.
Evening to explore Bordeaux city centre. There are many fabulous wine bars, restaurants and architecture to enjoy in this Unesco World Heritage City.
FRIDAY
AM Buffet French breakfast at Chateau de la Riviere.
Visit Chateau Haut Brion 1st Growth, Pessac This fantastic Chateau is the only 1st Growth outside the Medoc. The wines are highly prized. We will taste the white and red wines from the Clarence Dillon Estates at Chateau La Mission Haut Brion.
Lunch at the excellent Table du Lavoir restaurant at the 5 star Sources de Caudalie Hotel and Spa. The restaurant sits in the vineyards of Chateau Smith Haut Lafite.
We will then transfer directly to the airport in order to check in sufficient time for your flight home.
NB. The tour is limited to a maximum of 8 people as we prefer smaller groups. Specific Chateau visits may alter, but the intention will remain to keep the priority as top quality.
The 3 Day tour includes: All accommodation costs (2 nights at a Chateau) 2 breakfasts, Dinner and wine on Wednesday evening. Lunch on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. All transport costs and drivers.
The tour does not include: Flights to and from Bordeaux NB The tour can be tailor made to start at either Bordeaux Merignac or Bergerac airport. You are welcome to join the tour at the airport or extend your stay in the Bordeaux area afterwards. However the tour starts and stops at the airport. Dinner on Thursday evening is not included. However we can recommend and guide you to many fascinating wine bars, bistros and restaurants in Bordeaux. There will be opportunities to buy wine.
Please contact Hamish Wakes-Miller for prices and availability.
Telephone: +44 (0)7778 006691
Email: hamish@bellawines.co.uk
FIVE DAY GUIDED TOUR
A SENSATIONAL 5 DAY/4 NIGHT WINE TOUR TO BORDEAUX
What really happens behind the cellar door? Which Chateaux are up and coming? Which areas offer the best value? Taste some of the most expensive wines in the World.
The Tour is Sunday – Thursday.
A sensational Wine Trip to Bordeaux. Staying at an amazing Chateau. A great opportunity to visit and taste some of the finest wines of the World. Guided by a professional wine expert with over 20 years’ experience.
SUNDAY
Arrive at Bordeaux airport PM. There are regular flights to Bordeaux from all major cities. Transfer to Bordeaux City Centre 3star hotel right in the heart of the city.
There will be an evening to explore the beautiful city of Bordeaux.
MONDAY (Pauillac)
We will start the trip by learning about the appellations and diversity of wines in Bordeaux. We will then travel up to the village of Pauillac, whilst seeing various wine villages such as Margaux, Saint Julien and the Medoc.
Our first tasting will be at one of the most beautiful Chateaux, Chateau Pichon Baron.
Lunch at a local family run restaurant in the village of St. Julien… a classic and great quality lunch.
PM Visit and tasting at Chateau Lynch Bages, 5th Growth Pauillac. One of the best quality and value Chateaux of the area. Frequently this Chateau is rated alongside higher rated wines. Visit and tasting at Chateau Mouton Rothschild, 1st Growth, Pauillac. This First Growth Chateau owned by the Rothschild family has consistently been awarded top scores by wine critics.
Visit and Tasting at Chateau Pontet Canet, 5th Growth Pauillac. A biodynamic producer next door to Mouton Rothschild. Great wines.
Transfer to Chateau de la Riviere. This magnificent Chateau is probably one of the most striking architectural buildings in the Bordeaux area. A stunning Chateau dating from Roman times with special private magnificent bedrooms. Tasting and then Dinner at a nearby restaurant.
TUESDAY (Pomerol, Saint Emilion and Graves)
AM We will visit the fascinating vineyards of Pomerol and Saint Emilion before tasting Chateau La Gaffeliere 1st Growth, St.Emilion. This top St.Emilion wine is owned by Comte Leo de Malet Roquefort. We will visit the vineyards, the winery and then taste a range of wines owned by the Malet Roquefort family.
Lunch at L’Envers du Decor, St.Emilion… an excellent wine bar and restaurant in the heart of the old village of Saint Emilion.
Visit Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, Pessac Leognan consistently one of the best wines of Bordeaux. Prince Robert of Luxembourg runs this fantastic wine estate which is located literally in the suburbs of Bordeaux.
Return to Chateau de la Riviere. Dinner at the Chateau.
WEDNESDAY (Fronsac and Margaux)
AM Buffet French breakfast at Chateau de la Riviere followed by full guided tour of the Chateau and the incredible cellars and winemaking area.
Lunch in Margaux at Lion d?Or restaurant.
Visit to Chateau Margaux. Tasting at the Chateau followed by tour. This is one of the best known of the 5 First Growths. Owned by Corinne Mentzelopoulous and ably managed by Paul Pontallier, this is a stunning wine.
We will then visit the next door neighbour from Chateau Margaux, the stunning Chateau Palmer. We will transfer to a smart 3 star hotel in the centre of Bordeaux. The evening will be free to explore Bordeaux and the many restaurants, and shops.
THURSDAY (Sauternes)
We will finish our tasting and visits at the world famous Chateau d’Yquem These wines are some of the longest lived and most concentrated and elegant wines made by anyone in the World. We will taste at the Chateau.
Transfer to Bordeaux airport.
NB.The tour is limited to a maximum of 12 people as we prefer smaller groups. Specific Chateau visits may alter, but the intention will remain to keep the priority as top quality.
The tour includes: All accommodation costs (2 nights at a Chateau and 2 nights in a hotel in Bordeaux) 4breakfasts Dinner and wine on Monday and Tuesday evenings at Chateau de la Riviere. Lunch on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. All transport costs and drivers.
The tour does not include: Flights to and from Bordeaux NB The tour can be tailor made to start at either Bordeaux Merignac or Bergerac airport. You are welcome to join the tour at the airport or extend your stay in the Bordeaux area afterwards. However the tour starts and stops at the airport. Dinner on Sunday and Wednesday evening is not included. However we can recommend and guide you to many fascinating wine bars, bistros and restaurants in Bordeaux. There will be opportunities to buy wine.
Please contact Hamish Wakes-Miller for prices and availability.
Telephone: +44 (0)7778 006691
Email: hamish@bellawines.co.uk
TESTIMONIALS
What an excellent experience… and lots of fun, too.Hamish Wakes-Miller is one of a kind – in a fantastic way. Unbelievably knowledgeable in wine and local history. Great conversation across all subjects!!
Spent 2 days together “being introduced to Bordeaux”. He structured and paced out visit perfectly – tremendous variety of Chateaux visits, without being overwhelming, balanced with some other tastings and visits to perfectly round out our trip. Highly recommend Hamish / Bella Wine Tours for any French Region wine visits – his knowledge and network will open doors and appeal to anyone from us (novices), to true connoisseurs.
Thank you for a memorable visit to Bordeaux, Hamish!! .. and great to get to know you a killer. Hope we have the opportunity to do it again.
If you want a personal, knowledge-filled, wine-induced rockin good time in Bordeaux then go no further than to book a spot with Hamish. He’s hilarious, knows more about wine and Bordeaux than most Master Somm’s … he’s got connection s and access to the best chateaus in the world … but most of all he’s a great guy (and so much fun to be around!) Btw this is a solo tour so don’t expect big groups which is the best way to take a tour!
This is the second time we have taken tours with Hamish since the last time it was only two days long. If you are the kind of person who enjoys wine, beautiful architecture, gastronomy, history, and great company with a négociant (wine merchant) you should look no further. We were very impressed by how EVERYBODY knows Hamish and the kind of access he gets for his customers, not to mention the kind of excellent personal relations he has with all of the chateaux owners.
I cannot say enough amazing things about Hamish! His knowledge of wine, his personality, love of culture and food is NEXT LEVEL! If you’re looking for an expert in Bordeaux that’s a joy to explore with and have some laughs along the way… look no further! He’s top notch! Thanks Hamish!!
A huge thanks to Khamen, Hamish, and Alex for all their efforts. This was clearly not an easy task to piece together, and I want to make sure they know all their efforts are truly appreciated.
As well it was a real pleasure to spend 5 days with all of you, and for helping to make this trip a truly memorable experience. Despite most of us being strangers, within minutes I felt like as if we were all good friends. Thanks to everyone, and I hope to see you all again sometime soon.
This has been a marvelous trip, with new friends, new wines, and great memories.
Thanks again to Khamen, Hamish, Alex … and to CT for creating the nidus for this whole adventure.
Just got back from an extended stay in France and would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Hamish and K for organizing an absolutely outstanding trip. You were able to open doors which would have otherwise remained closed, facilitate lunches, dinners, and guests we could have never imagined having an opportunity to experience or meet. THANK YOU! This was truly beyond our expectations.
We really cherished these days in Bordeaux. Hamish is a very experienced, knowledgeable and amiable host. We got to see, touch and taste everything about wine on this bespoke tour! We would have no hesitation recommending BellaWineTours to anybody.