Visit Bordeaux First Growths with us!

At a glance

**IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR 2023 / 2024**

Our small group Premium tours have been temporarily suspended, however we are delighted to continue to arrange these itineraries on a private, bespoke basis for a minimum of two guests. If you would like us to put together a tailor-made proposal based on our First Growths itinerary and your own preferred wineries, please contact us at info@grapeescapes.net or give us a call on +44 (0) 1920 46 86 66.

Trip Summary

We recommend arriving in Bordeaux on a Tuesday, and Wednesday will start in true style with a tour of the Premier Cru Classé Château Mouton Rothschild. Not only will you be taken on a VIP tour of the opulent estate and cellars, you will also taste the 2014 vintages of Châteaux d’Armailhac, Clerc Milon and Mouton Rothschild. A three course lunch with drinks will then be served in a one of the best restaurants in the region, a Michelin recommended establishment in the heart of the Saint-Estèphe vineyards, part of the Cos d’Estournel estate. In the afternoon, you will be taken for full tours and tastings at two Grand Cru Classé Châteaux, Gruaud-Larose in the Saint-Julien appellation and Kirwan in Margaux. By visiting three estates in different sub-regions on the Médoc, you will have the opportunity to taste Cabernet Sauvignons made from a variety of different terroirs.

On Thursday, we will be focusing primarily of Bordeaux’s white wines made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Starting in the highly-regarded village of Pessac-Léognan in the Graves appellation, you will firstly be welcomed as the VIP of guests of the second First Growth Château of the trip, the revered Haut-Brion estate. A representative of the estate will firstly accompany you on a tour of the Château and its cellars, and a tasting will conclude your unforgettable experience (please note that the specific wine served is at the Château’s complete discretion and we therefore cannot guarantee that their First wine will be served).

You will then enjoy lunch with local wines on the terrace overlooking the vines at Château Lafaurie Peyraguey. After lunch, we will be truly spoiling you with the final visit of the day, an exclusive tour of yet another Premier Grand Cru Classé, Château d’Yquem. Here, you will taste the world’s most prestigious sweet wine and discover the secrets of how these highly sought-after botrytised wines are made.

And if you thought that the trip couldn’t possibly get any more magical, Friday will be spent in the true home of the Merlot grape, Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. The wines here are smooth and velvety and this will be illustrated perfectly at Château Pavie, a Premier Grand Cru Classé Château. A delightful three course lunch with wines, water and coffee will then be served in a Michelin starred restaurant in the historic centre of Saint-Emilion. After lunch, our Bordeaux wine odyssey will continue at the majestic Château Canon-la-Gaffeliere, the fifth First Growth of the trip. After a tour of the beautiful estate and cellars, you will of course taste these celebrated wines.

Having tasted some of Saint-Emilion’s very best wines, we will then move on to the neighbouring Pomerol appellation and more specifically to the estate of the esteemed Château Petit Village, where you will enjoy a tour and tastings at the estate. Before heading back to Bordeaux, your guide will accompany you on a short tour of the village of Saint-Emilion, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Region Map

Outline Itinerary

Bordeaux First Growths- Thursday

• In the morning, your chauffeur and guide will return and accompany you on a second day of tours. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A VIP tour and tasting at Premier Cru Classé Château Haut-Brion in Pessac-Léognan.
• A three course lunch with drinks at Château Lafaurie Peyraguey.
• An exclusive tour and tastings as the guests of Premier Cru Classé Château d’Yquem.

Bordeaux First Growths- Friday

• After breakfast, your chauffeur and guide will return and accompany you on the final day of tours. Your tour day will comprise of:
• A VIP tour and tastings at Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Pavie in Saint-Emilion.
• A three-course lunch with drinks at a Michelin starred restaurant within the historic centre.
• An exclusive tour and tastings as the guests of Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Canon-la-Gaffeliere,in Saint-Emilion.
• A tour and tastings at the prestigious Château Petit Village in Pomerol.
• A short guided tour on foot of the UNESCO Classified village of Saint-Emilion.

 Bordeaux First Growths- Saturday

• After breakfast, check out of the hotel.

(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a confirmed booking, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.

Package Prices

• These are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
• These are realistic guide prices. Please let us know your preferred tour dates for a definitive price.
• Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
• Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
• Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.

Enhance your Experience/Tour Upgrades

Further Information