As a wine tour guide, I have visited hundreds of wineries around Bordeaux.
Many of my clients are looking for wineries with impressive architecture and excellent Bordeaux wines.
Here is my list of the most beautiful chateaux in Bordeaux which accept visitors for wine tours and tastings.
Click on a name or an image to learn more about each estate and the proposed wine tours.
To find more choices of wineries to visit on your Bordeaux wine tour see the Bordeaux Wineries Catalogue here.
The story of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Grand Cru Classe, began in the 14th century, when Verrier du Dubosc signed deeds for this estate. At the time, there were vines planted on the estate. George Smith, a Scottish wine merchant, acquired the property in the mid-18th century.
Later, in 1842, Mayor of Bordeaux, Lodi Martin Duffour-Dubergier, acquired the chateau. It has become an exceptional grand cru.
Florence and Daniel Cathiard, former Olympians, fell in love with the estate in 1990. The winery and the estate underwent a major renovation. A spa and the hotel were added. The chateau produces one of the highest-rated wines in Bordeaux.
Open 7 days a week.
Tours are by appointment, but you can drop in for a tasting.
Besides a program of tours and workshops, it is possible to come for a discovery of 8 hectares of forest filled with art objects.
A vinotherapy spa, a 5-star hotel, and a 2-Michelin stars restaurant are on site.
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is a luxurious spot near Bordeaux to stay in the wine country, enjoy a spa, haut cuisine and wine.
The first records of a vineyard lying between Saint Emilion and Pomerol, relates to the 16th century.
One of the property owners, Dominique Glenne, left his name to the chateau. A subsequent owner, merchant Henri Greloud, added the definite article “La” to the name in the mid-19th century. Apparently, he wanted the chateau name to sound like a Caribbean Island of La Dominique.
The transformation of Chateau La Dominique is linked to the Fayat family acquiring the chateau in 1969. The Fayat family also owns a large construction business as well as Château Clément-Pichon in the Médoc and three properties in Pomerol.
From a small family winery, the chateau has transformed to a state of the art winery with impressive architecture and one of the best restaurants on the Right Bank, La Terrace Rouge, with unforgettable views on vineyards, Pomerol, and the famous Chateau Cheval Blanc.
La Terrasse Rouge was created by Nicolas Lascombes, a well-known local restaurateur. The menu highlights gastronomy of the Southwest France.
Chateau La Dominique will make a great stop on your Bordeaux wine tour, if you would like to admire modern architecture by Jean Nouvel, and enjoy lunch on a sunny terrace with a glass of Chateau La Dominique, or one of the other 250 wines on the wine list.
By appointment.
April to October: Every day from 10 am to 7 pm including weekends and public holidays
November to March: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
Chateau de Pressac has the best views in Saint-Emilion and the most amazing castle.
The site of Chateau de Pressac was the place of surrender of the English in the Hundred Years War, which ended here in 1453.
The chateau was classified as Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe in 2012. The vineyards of the chateau are some of the most diverse – with all black grape varieties present.
By appointment.
Open on weekends and some holidays.
Chateau Pavie, Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A, is one of the iconic wineries on the Right Bank of Bordeaux.
Visiting Chateau Pavie is a luxurious experience, from its vineyard, to exquisite building and cellars, to its elegant wines.
It is believed, that Romans were planting red peaches and then vines on the Pavie hillside in the 4th century.
Since 1998, the chateau is owned by the Perse family who brought the winery to its current fame. The winery was promoted to 1st Grand Cru Classe, a top category in Saint Emilion wine hierarchy, in 2012. Only three other wineries were found worthy of this prestigious ranking.
The Perse family also own a 2 Michelin-star restaurant in the nearby village of Saint Emilion, a bistro, as well as a hotel. The family manages several other wineries in the Bordeaux wine region.
A visit to Chateau Pavie will be an unforgettable experience on your tour of the Right Bank Bordeaux wineries.
By appointment.
Monday through Friday.
Languages: English, French, Portuguese.
1855 Grand Cru Classe – 2nd Growth
The history of Chateau Gruaud Larose started in 1725. The winery was founded by Father Gruaud. He later passed it on to his nephew Chevalier de Larose.
Since 1997, the chateau is owned by the Merlaut family.
The winery is developing 82 hectares of vines, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chateau Gruaud Larose and Sarget de Gruaud Larose are the two labels of the chateau.
The oldest bottle of wine, the winery keeps in its cellars is dated 1815.
By appointment.
April to October: Mon-Sat
November to March: Mon-Fri
From 9-30 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 7 pm (till 6 pm from November to March).
Languages: French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Russian.
Besides standard visits and tastings, Chateau Gruaud Larose offers tasting workshops, wine pairing with cheese and macaroons, cooking classes, and the harvest experience.
From the famous 6-story tower of Chateau Gruaud Larose, you can see the Gironde, and the historic vineyards of Saint-Julien.
Chateau Soutard dates back to the 16th century when the first farm buildings were erased made of limestone. Soutard was first mentioned in 1513 with the mention an a farm and a windmill of Mayne de Soutard.
The first castle was built on the property in 1741. Soutard became one of the first chateaux to plant their vines “in rows”. Michel des Ligneris acquired the property in 1919, and his family ran the property until 2006, when Chateau Soutard was acquired by La MONDIALE, a social protection group in France and the owner of Chateau Larmande and Chateau Grand Faurie La Rose nearby.
Today, the chateau is a beautifully renovated winery, with guest rooms and opportunity to drop in for a glass of Soutard. The chateau is classified as Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé.
Chateau Soutard is in the walking distance from the town of Saint-Emilion. Follow a beautiful alley of linden trees to enter this beautiful property.
By appointment.
Chateau Soutard offers a variety of experience from wine tours and tastings paired with fine French cheese to nature trail walks. You can also rent a bike and ride along Saint-Emilion vineyards.
This Medoc chateau is the 2nd Grand Cru Classe winery.
It has the most impressive castle, in addition to the historic plot that has been producing wines since 1694(!).
Do not miss visiting or just passing by Chateau Pichon Baron.
The estate has a long history of family ownership. Pichon Longueville family owned the estate until 1933.
Since 1987, the winery is owned by the insurance company AXA.
By appointment
1855 Grand Cru Classe – 4th Growth, Saint-Estephe
The history of Chateau Lafon-Rochet goes back to the 16th century.
Domain Rochet, as it was known in the 17th century, got renamed to Lafon-Rochet following a marriage.
The chateau belonged to the Lafon family for more than 200 years.
In the 1960, the Tesseron Family acquired the chateau. Today, the third generation of the family manages the winery.
The renovations of the winery brought state-of-the-art technology.
The chateau grounds are very beautiful and the hospitality is welcoming. Do not miss visiting Chateau Lafon-Rochet on your Bordeaux wine tour.
By appointment only.
Low season (from January to late April) : Monday – Friday, 9 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 5 pm.
High season (from May 1st to October 16th) : Monday – Saturday, 9:30 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 5:30 pm.
1855 PREMIER CRU SUPÉRIEUR
During the Middle Ages, Château d’Yquem belonged to the King of England, who was also Duke of Aquitaine at the time. In 1453, southwest France was once again brought under the French crown.
In 1593, a descendent of a local noble family, Jacques Sauvage, took over Yquem. In 1785, Françoise Joséphine de Sauvage d’Yquem, young widow became the estate manager and made Yquem prosper. Thomas Jefferson was fond of Yquem wines. In 1855, in the famous classification made at the request of Emperor Napoléon III, Yquem was designated the one and only premier cru supérieur.
Today, the winery remains the top estate of Sauternes. At the end of the 20th century, Château d’Yquem was acquired by LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton.
By appointment only.
Monday through Sunday
Language: English and French.
Maximum number of people: 6.
The guided tour lasts 90 minutes.
1855 Grand Cru Classe – 2nd Growth
The chateau was founded in 1811 by Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, whose statue is found on the bench in front of the former vat house, now the most impressive tasting room. The estate changed hands several times. Since 2000, the chateau is owned by Michel Reybier, a food industry mogul.
Cos d’Estournel is also known for its remarkable architecture in the Indian style.
The property is adjacent to Chateau Lafite Rothschild, but belongs to the St Estephe appellation. “Cos” stands for “hill of pebbles” in old Gascon dialect.
The Second Growth Cos d’Estournel is known for its powerful and extravagant wines. The wines are often at the top of the world’s best wines list. Several recent vintages of Cos D’Estournel have been given 100 Parker points and highly rated by other wine critics.
The chateau houses a gastronomic restaurant and a hotel Maison D’Estournel.
By appointment.
Cos d’Estournel offers verticall tastings:
After a thorough course in the vineyard, you will discover the mysteries of the surprising gravity-flow cellar and end your visit with a tasting:
· “In the steps of the Maharajah” (2h-3h): the tasting includes one vintage of Pagodes de Cos, four of Cos d’Estournel (2011, 2008, 2003 and 2002) and one of Cos d’Estournel Blanc
· “The Maharajah treasures” (2h-3h): includes the tasting of 4 legendary vintages of Cos d’Estournel such as 2016, 2009, 2005 and 1982, Pagodes de Cos 2016, and a vintage of Cos d’Estournel Blanc
Only 15 minutes from Bordeaux, Chateau d’Agassac is one of the oldest in the Médoc.
The estate was first mentioned in the 13th century. The Chateau has a remarkable castle dating back to the 16th and the 17th century.
Located in the Haut-Médoc appellation, Agassac is classified as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur.
In April of 2021, Gérard Jicquel, an entrepreneur from Brittany, acquired the property.
Chateau D’Agassac is committed to sustainable management of its 42 hectares vineyard.
Open every day by appointment.
Besides the guided wine tours, the chateau offers themed tours focusing on architecture and history.
In addition, there are vertical and horizontal tastings. Besides, you can combine a tasting with local foods and chocolates.
Kids will like the exploration tour of Agassac.
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