10 Best Bordeaux Vineyards & Wineries

Château d’Yquem is a huge estate with 113 hectares of vines and a rich history dating back over 400 years. Located in Sauternes, around 50 km from Bordeaux, this majestic domaine produces wines of exceptional quality, classed as Premier Cru Supérieur.

You can take a private, guided tour of the estate with different tasting sessions. You’ll learn how the microclimate in this part of the Garonne Valley helps produce exceptional, sweet and semi-sweet white wines and see the blending process of their Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. You’ll also get to discover the estate’s rare ‘Y’ wine here. Only 10,000 bottles are produced every year, making them highly sought after.

Château Jouvente is an award-winning winery in the heart of the Garonne Valley. A father-and-son team heads this family-owned estate with a firm focus on the human factor. You’ll love the interesting mix of wine production with art and culture. The events calendar is packed with photo exhibitions, nature walks, reggae evenings and even quizzes and games for kids.

Grapes are picked by hand to ensure a high-quality harvest, resulting in exceptional wines. The Château Jouvente Graves come in white and red varieties, both classed as a Grand Vin de Bordeaux. You can take tours of this magnificent winery and a 30-minute tasting session is offered free of charge.

Château du Taillan is an elegant winery with vineyards scattered over 30 hectares. It’s owned by 5 sisters and it’s said that the wine produced here is charming, strong and full of history, just like the sisters.

There’s a wide choice of guided tours available and a good option is the visit to the vaulted cellars. They date back to the 16th century and are now designated a Historical Monument of France. The oaky aroma emanating from the barrels of ageing wine is magnificent. Or why not indulge in a picnic tour? After visiting the estate, you can relax in the garden with a glass of wine and feast on delicious cold meats and cheeses, as well as regional specialities.

Château Luchey-Halde will astound you with its proximity to the city centre. As you enter the estate, the city chaos fades away and 23 hectares of tranquil vineyards stretch out before you. This modern winery is owned by Bordeaux Sciences Agro. In addition to being a working vineyard, it’s also a school which uses cutting-edge technology to train agricultural engineers in a high-quality, scientific environment.

There are several tour options, but you’ll need to reserve by phone or via the website. A popular choice is the agroecological visit where you’ll learn the steps being taken to reduce the impact of wine production on the environment. You can also sample other products made on the estate, including delicious honey.

Château Monconseil Gazin is located close to the Gironde estuary, about 50 km north of Bordeaux. The estate has been passed down from father to son since 1894, so there’s a strong sense of tradition and family, and you’ll enjoy learning the history of this beautiful, 14th-century château.

The guided visits are a mix of history, games and tasting sessions for the red, white and rosé wines produced on the estate. Locals come here to stroll or hike in the superb countryside around the château and admire the magnificent views over the estuary. Download the Chemin de Compostelle trail from the château’s website and enjoy a glorious day of wine tasting and hiking.

Château Haut-Goujon is a family-owned winery where everyone is passionate about wine and geobiology. If you want to learn how the surrounding environment and vibrational energy influence the quality of the vines and the wine produced, this is one of the best Bordeaux wineries to visit. It’s a captivating subject and you’ll discover the eco-friendly and gentle growing methods used in the vineyards.

The estate is in a picturesque village just outside the towns of Libourne and Saint-Emilion, approximately 50 km north-east of Bordeaux. Visits are by appointment only, so be sure to book your tour online before arriving.

Château Ambe Tour Pourret lies on the outskirts of Saint-Emilion, east of Bordeaux. Along with 2 other châteaux, it forms part of the Lannoye estate, whose vineyards produce mainly Merlot grape varieties. If you love French wine and gastronomy, this is a lovely choice to visit.

The château is known for its amazing cookery classes combined with wine-tasting sessions. You’ll begin by preparing a traditional recipe using fresh, regional ingredients, then you’ll get to enjoy your dish, paired with some of the estate’s wines. In summer, locals and tourists flock here for the Sunday barbecue which combines sunshine, delicious food and the domaine’s wine. You’ll need to reserve well in advance though, as the food events are hugely popular.

Château du Payre is an award-winning estate which has been passed down from mother to daughter for over a century. You’ll find a wide range of red, white and rosé wines available, including amphora-aged wine. This tradition goes back thousands of years and gives a unique quality to the wine, very different to the woody wine aroma you get from barrel-aged wine.

The highlight of this 16th century château is undoubtedly its accommodation and it’s a lovely choice for a romantic weekend. You can take a tour of the estate, enjoy a tasty meal featuring local produce and wine, then spend a night in the pristine Muscadelle room, which offers a glorious view of the château’s stunning grounds and vineyards.

Château Desmirail is located approximately 30 minutes north of Bordeaux. This domaine prides itself on producing modern wines based on traditional and sensible, viticulture principles. No chemical weeding takes place here and pesticides are never used. The estate is also known for its fun, friendly and informative tours.

The owner of the winery believes that an exceptional wine begins with the quality of the grapes, and you’ll learn how modern methods (analytical data) combine with traditional practices (tasting the grapes on the vines) in deciding when to harvest the grapes. Enjoy an educational stroll through the vineyards, then indulge in a wonderful tasting session with cheese and cold meats.

Château Bellefont-Belcier is part of the prestigious Vignobles K group, consisting of 7 estates in the Bordeaux region. This château lies 50 km east of Bordeaux and extends over 14 hectares. You’ll love the estate’s sleek, elegant design and its luxurious decor. It’s known for its Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé, a floral wine with a deep purple-garnet colour, as well as the unique Les Tours de Belcier wine with its discreet caramel aroma.

Wine connoisseurs will love the boutique which showcases different vintages from all 7 domaines, as well as a range of wine guides and books. You can also participate in a private visit, in either English or French. These take place year-round but are by reservation only.