Bordeaux in April – Winery Visits and Other Things to Do
April in Bordeaux is comfortable for city walks and wine tastings.
Most wineries actively start receiving guests from early April. The wine touring season kicks off. In April, many wineries will extend their opening hours and open doors on the weekends.
A couple of other interesting wine events usually take place in April – En Primeur, the tasting event or young Bordeaux wine, and the Medoc Open Doors weekend.
The weather in April may be unstable. It can be warm and sunny with temperatures ranging between 7C and 18C (45F to 64F) and an average of 12.5C or 55F.
However, Bordeaux gets on average 10 to 18 rainy days in April, with a monthly rainfall of 80 mm.
Chateau Haut Brion, 1855 Grand Cru Classe – 1st Growth winery
An overcast or a bright sunny day are equally possible in April.
Bordeaux Quays in April.
On a sunny day, head to a winery, the Dune du Pilat, Arcachon or Cap Ferret, or explore the city.
On a rainy day, visit La Cite du Vin, or one of the art or history museums of Bordeaux, or attend a wine tasting in the city of Bordeaux.
Chateau Lafon Rochet in Saint Estephe.
April is a great time to visit Bordeaux wineries.
Medoc vineyards in April.
Wineries will open up for regular tours and tastings.
At this time of the year, wine tourism programs include all kinds of activities: blending workshops, picnics, walk in the vineyards, and even barrel tastings of new wine.
Chateau Canon in Saint Emilion near Bordeaux.
Buds usually appear on vines in the first week of April.
Spring frost is a big risk factor for Bordeaux winemakers. When visiting wineries in April, you can see helicopters, fires, and candles in the vineyards – all in an effort to protect buds and young leaves from dangerous night frosts.
Chateau Beauregard stocks up on candles which will warm up air in vineyards.
If you are interested in a winery visit or a full-day Bordeaux wine tour, view my private tours or choose one of the many small-group tours.
If you are planning a safe-guided Bordeaux tour, you may find this practical information helpful.
The second weekend of April is when wineries in Medoc open doors to the public. This is a great opportunity to see many wineries and taste wine at several different estates.
Please note that guided visits at the wineries are typically in French.
Open doors event at Chateau Chasse Spleen, Haut-Medoc.
Wine tasting at Chateau Kirwan, Margaux, during Medoc Open Doors.
En Primeur tasting of the Margaux appellation @Chateau Siran.
En Primeur tasting in the Pauillac appellation @Chateau Batailley.
The Bordeaux En Primeur tastings take place at the end of March or the first week of April. It is a professional event. In 2022, the even was moved to the third week of April.
The most acclaimed wine critics, buyers and journalists arrive to taste young wines.
If you are in Bordeaux during En Primeurs, many wineries will let you taste their barrel samples. They would have pre-blended their wine from the latest harvest to showcase them to the public.
This is a unique experience and an opportunity to try to the most recent vintage of Bordeaux before the rest of the world. Check out my wine tours if you want to arrange a tasting like this in April.
The iconic Bordeaux Chateau Margaux in April.
Day trips to local historic villages and towns
French villages tend to be sleepy during the winter. In April, with the first visitors, they are becoming lively.
Saint Emilion is a wine capital of the region and one of the oldest towns in the area dating back to the 9th century. Other interesting towns to visit are Rions, Saint-Macaire, Bourg, Blaye.
The Blaye Spring Wine Festival takes place around mid-April, usually between the 10th and the 14th of April. The wine festival brings together more than 80 winemakers at the Blaye Citadel. Here, taste wines, attend workshops and meet local crowd. The dates and the program can be found here.
It is fun to travel to Blaye from Bordeaux by boat. Departure from 33 quai des Queyries in Bordeaux. See the itinerary here.
Visit La Cite du Vin
Visit La Cite du Vin, the Museum of Wine in Bordeaux. Book your tickets here.
Here is the video I took at La Cite du Vin.
Taste wines in Bordeaux
You may check out local wine events in Bordeaux, taste at a wine bar or a shop, or attend a guided wine tasting.
Visit Arcachon, Cap Ferret and climb the Dune du Pilat
Enjoy tasting oysters on a sunny April day. Oysters are in season, they are very fresh and very affordable.
Embrace the ocean – surf or just walk endless sandy beaches at Lacanau or Cap Ferret, or Hourtin beach.
You can drive or take a train to the Arcachon station. For tickets check here. Alternatively, hire a private driver.
If you are in the Arcachon area, do not miss the Dune of Pilat.
Flea Markets and Antique Fairs
Around April 7, the city fills up with local free markets, vide-greniers. It is fun to see what people in your neighbourhoods bring out from their clothes.
The largest antique market Brocante de Printemps takes place from April 23 to May 9 at Place de Quinconces in the center of Bordeaux.
You may also find interesting
8 Cool Things to Do in Bordeaux
Bordeaux in March – Winery Visits and Other Things to Do
Bordeaux in May – Winery Visits and Other Things to Do
Bordeaux is a great destination during all times of the year. Enjoy your visit to Bordeaux!
For more Bordeaux travel tips see my Blog and the Bordeaux Destination Guide.
Where to Stay in Bordeaux in April?
In April, you can stay either in Bordeaux or in the wine country.
Perhaps, Bordeaux city center could be a safer option in case of rainy weather.
