Visit Margaux Vineyards – Best Wineries, Best Wine Tours

Polina

Polina

A sommelier and a wine tour guide in Bordeaux, France, I travel Europe, collecting the best wineries to visit, best places to stay and eat.

I organize Bordeaux wine tours.

View Tours
These Margaux wineries are open to the public and offer great wine tours.

Where is Margaux, France?

Margaux is a small village located 25 km or 15 miles north of the city of Bordeaux, France, on the left bank of the Garonne river.

Villages surrounding Margaux are Cantenac, Labarde, Arsac and Soussans.

See the map of Bordeaux wine country here and my map of Margaux wineries below.

The iconic Chateau Margaux is located in the village of Margaux behind the church of Saint-Michel. 

See how to get from Bordeaux to Margaux here.

At Chateau Margaux, 1st Grand Cru Classe.

How to Get from Bordeaux to Margaux?

Margaux Wineries by Car

The wineries of Margaux are located within 25-30 minutes drive from the city of Bordeaux.

If you are driving to Margaux from Bordeaux, take road D2 which is also known as the Route of the Chateaux since many Medoc wine estates are located along this road or close by.

Although the distance between Bordeaux and Margaux is quite short, the road is narrow with some steep curves. The speed limit is mostly 50 kph (31 mph).

You may also be interested…

Tip: For Chateau Margaux, make a right turn from D2 onto D105 or Route de l'Eglise if you are driving from Bordeaux. I found that Google maps directions aren't very accurate.

If you are stopping at Chateau Margaux for a photo opp, leave your car inside the fenced parking lot only (yellow fence). Do not leave the car in the plane alley. As this is a working entrance for the estate you will be asked to move by a security guard.

Margaux Village in France

Dwellings in the village of Margaux.

Margaux Wineries by Public Transport

The village of Margaux can be reached by suburban TER train or TransGironde bus from Bordeaux.

A train from Bordeaux Gare St. Jean to Margaux station takes approximately 40 to 45 minutes.  See train schedules and buy tickets here

You can then explore the Margaux area on foot. Another great way to move around the Margaux countryside is by bike.  You can rent a bike or a scooter at Chateau Marquis de Terme.  

How to Visit Margaux Wineries?

Medoc Wine Tours in May

Chateau Ferriere is easy to access, just off D2.  They accept drop-in tastings.

Most winery visits in Bordeaux require an advance appointment.  You can select wineries to visit and build your itinerary using this Bordeaux Wineries List and Map

Keep in mind that not all Margaux wineries are open to the public.  

Top wineries such as Chateau Margaux, Chateau Palmer require an appointment often a few months before your visit.

Organized wine tours are another great way to visit wineries in Margaux.  Your guide will arrange all visits and won’t need to worry about schedules or driving. 

During my private Medoc tours, we visit Margaux wineries or combine them with visiting other vineyards in the Medoc area – Pauillac, Saint Julien and Saint Estephe, which are a bit further away along the D2.

If you prefer traveling as part of a group, check out these excellent Medoc wine tours.

Chateau Lascombes has one of the most beautiful castles in the Medoc.

Tip: Some wineries accept drop ins for tastings. You can find these wineries but by browsing the catalogue of Bordeaux wineries.

However, they will do so only if there's availability. I still suggest to call ahead to make sure you will be accepted.

Why to Visit Margaux Wineries?

Pros: 

  • Margaux reds are some of the finest and well-known in the world for their intense aromatic profile and pure elegance.  
  • Margaux is one of the closest wine-growing regions to the city of Bordeaux.  If you are short on time, visiting 1 or 2 wineries in Margaux can make an excellent half-day tour from Bordeaux.
  • The Margaux chateaux have a rich history of winemaking and many can show beautiful architecture.  

Cons:

  • There aren’t any.  If you are in Bordeaux, you must visit this legendary wine region.  Top Margaux wines can be pricey, however, you will also find a variety of affordable Margaux wines.  
Medoc Wine Tours

What Kind of Wines are Made in Margaux, France?

The area around Margaux is famous for making dry red wines, some of the best in the Medoc, the Bordeaux region, and France.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are dominating the blend.

Wine production is regulated by the rules of Margaux AOC, the appellation of protected origin.

Margaux is home to 20 of the Medoc 1855 Grand Cru Classe wineries and other estates, including two exceptional Cru Bourgeois, Chateau D’Arsac and Chateau Paveil de Luze.

Several Margaux wineries also produce white wines which are marked Bordeaux AOC, as white wines are not permitted by Margaux AOC.

Margaux Wine Tours

Tasting at Chateau Prieure Lichine, Margaux.

Best Wineries to Visit in Margaux

Margaux Wine Tours

Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Margaux.

These Margaux wineries are open to the public and offer great wine tours.  Click on a winery name to learn more about each estate and to arrange your visit.

Wine Tours

By appointment.

From 2 May to 31 October
10 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday

From 2 November to 30 April
9 am to noon and 1.30 to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

Closed on 1 May

Closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day

Wine Tours

Open from Monday to Saturday, holidays included, from 9 am to 12.30 am and from 2 pm to 5 pm.

The chateau offers a very interesting expanded program of visits, tastings, and workshops.

Besides a guided tour of the historic Bordeaux chateau, you can come just for a tasting in one of the best tasting rooms in Bordeaux.

At the chateau, you can taste Margaux and Haut Medoc reds as well as white which is rare for the Medoc region.

Make an appointment to visit the chateau.

Wine Tours

By appointment Monday through Saturday.

Opening times: 9:00am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 6pm. Languages: French, English, Spanish.

*Confirm prices with the winery when booking your tour.

THE DISCOVERY TOUR
Journey at the heart of a classified growth
A guided tour into the vat room and the cellar
Tasting of our two wines: Château Lascombes and Chevalier de Lascombes Duration: around 1h / Price: 12 € per person (Public tour)
***
THE PRIVILEGED TOUR
Exclusive discovery of a historical winery
A guided tour into the vat-room, the cellar, and the wine library
Tasting of our two wines: Château Lascombes and Chevalier de Lascombes (with crackers) Duration: around 1h15 / Price: 25 € per person (Private tour)
All visits with translation must be private
***
THE GOURMET TOUR
Fine pairings between wines and chocolates
Guided tour and discovery of the common aromas between our two wines and chocolate
Duration: around 1h30 / Price: 35 € per person (Private tour)
***
THE EPICURIAN TOUR
Multisensorial experience
Guided tour and vertical tasting of 4 vintages of Château Lascombes into the castle
Duration: around 1h30 / Price: 65 € per person (Private tour)
***
PICNIC IN THE GARDEN*
Full picnic basket with wine
Price: 50€ per person (possible from 2 people – including a public tour). Reservation a week before
Possible indoors in case of bad weather
***
LUNCH OR DINNER IN THE CASTLE* Possible from 6 people and subject to availability
Price: 100€ per person *deposit or prepayment required

Wine Tours

Monday to Friday: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Weekends by reservation only.

All events are private and by prior reservation.

Languages: French, English, German, Spanish and Russian.

The chateau offers the widest menu of visits and tastings in the Medoc, including wine and food pairings, and masterclasses including culinary workshops such as chocolate-making and macaroons workshop.

You can also explore the chateau using an interactive program on an iPad.

From May to October, the chateau offers picnics, brunches, and gourmet aperitifs by prior reservation. Picnics and brunches are for groups of 6 or more people

Wine Tours

From December to March:
Monday to Friday
9 am to 5.30 pm

From April to November:
Monday to Sunday
9 am to 7 pm

The chateau has an exciting menu of wine tours and workshops as well as a new restaurant Au Marquis de Terme right at the winery.

You can enjoy a simple tasting, a guided tour, a tasting of 7 Medoc grand cru classes wine, a snack or a brunch in the garden, or a stroll on a scooter or a bike through the vineyards of Margaux.

By appointment.

Wine Tours

By appointment.

From November 1st to March 31st: open Monday through Friday

From April 1st to October 31st: Every day

9:30 am ‐ 5:30 pm

How about a picnic with a bottle of Chateau Giscours at the park? Glasses and wine are available from the chateau boutique.

The chateau also offers three guestrooms in the old barns.

Wine Tours

May to September:
Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 12 30 pm, and from 2 pm to 6 pm.

October to March:
Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 12 30pm and from 2 pm to 5 30 pm.

Besides the wine tours and tastings, Chateau Siran’s highlight is a museum of about 300 wine-related objects, some dating back to the 3rd century B.C.

The Château Siran Escape Game invites you to decipher the secrets of this family estate in an exceptional setting: an authentic nuclear radiation-proof bunker full of wine.

There is no restaurant onsite, but you can order a lunch on the Terrace 360 (by reservation from 12pm to 2pm) and accompany it by a bottle of wine from the boutique.

Languages: French, English & Spanish.

Map of Margaux Vineyards

Find more choices of wineries to visit on your Bordeaux wine tour.  Click on a pin to find out more about each easte.

Margaux Wine Tours from Bordeaux

Margaux wine tours usually run from Bordeaux. 

A private tour will pick you up from the center of Bordeaux or from your accommodation in the area.  For your private tour, you can request to visit your favorite Medoc chateaux.  

For small-group wine tours, take a look at some of these wine tour options at GetYourGuide.

Margaux Wine Tours

A tasting at Chateau Prieure-Lichine.

Top Wines of Margaux

The Médoc Classification of 1855 ranked 60 best wineries of Medoc into five classes.  Of these, 19 wineries are in the Margaux appellation.

1855 Classification is still in use. The rankings made in the 19th century tend to impact wine prices to this day.

Rank


1st Grand Cru Classe

Chateau Margaux

2nd Grand Cru Classe

Chateau Lascombes


Chateau Rauzan-Segla


Chateau Rauzan-Gassies


Chateau Durfort-Vivens 

Chateau Brane-Cantenac

3rd Grand Cru Classe

Chateau Kirwan

Chateau d'Issan

Chateau Giscours

Chateau Malescot-St.-Exupéry 

Chateau Cantenac-Brown

Chateau Boyd-Cantenac 

Chateau Palmer

Chateau Marquis-d'Alesme-Becker

4th Grand Cru Classe

Chateau Pouget

Chateau Prieure-Lichine

Chateau Marquis de Terme

5th Grand Cru Classe

Chateau Dauzac

Chateau du Tertre

Best Years for Margaux Wines

Critics marked these vintages of Margaux wine as the most successful in the recent decades:

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 94+ points:

2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000

The one-stop shop for train travel
Before You Go

Personalized travel insurance is always good to have.

Get up to 30% off your car rental in Europe with Rentalcars.com.

If you are looking for a driver or a private transfer in Bordeaux see some options here.

Where to Stay in Bordeaux?

Bordeaux city stays

Booking.com

Saint-Emilion/Right Bank stays

Booking.com

Medoc/Left Bank stays

Booking.com

See more tips on visiting Bordeaux wine country in my Blog.  

If you are interested in a private wine tour of Saint-Emilion or Medoc wineries, see our tours at Atlas Bordeaux.

Enjoy your time in Bordeaux!

Bordeaux
Related Posts

Book Your Bordeaux Wine Tour

Scroll to Top

Self-guided Medoc Wine tour?

DIY Medoc tour guide with sample itineraries, the best chateaux and restaurants of the Medoc