Bordeaux SIP Wine Tours
The days are normally 9 to 6.30pm with pickup and drop-off at your hotel or boat within the city of Bordeaux. I like to visit three properties per day of a range of styles to show you some of the different aspects involved in Bordeaux vine growing and wine making. Most of my favourite properties are still family-owned, most are classified and all produce great wine. I like to include if possible a smaller independent producer (SIP) where we can meet the winemaker to see the 'other side' (there are 7000 properties in Bordeaux and only around 200 of them belong to the elite group called the Grand Cru Classé). St Emilion (Right Bank) is a beautiful wine region with its vineyards planted on rolling hills around its medieval village. The properties are smaller here and many are still family-owned. It is known as 'the hill of a thousand châteaux' and it is important to visit some contrasting styles from the classified property where we go under the vines in limestone caves and another, which has been ‘organic forever’ and is run by the 14th generation of the same family today who we would meet. We will have time to visit the fascinating medieval town and its cobbled streets and pass through Pomerol where Bordeaux’s most expensive wines are found including Petrus. I will be organising your individual itinerary. Twenty-five years as a wine professional in the region enables me to open doors and offer you a unique insider’s authentic view of Bordeaux. It will be a fun, informative experience you will never forget and quite different to the other wine tours of Bordeaux available. Also note that what I charge is all inclusive (tailor-made organising and advice, third party insurance, accompanying on the day by expert wine guide, pick-up and drop-off from Bordeaux centre, transport, chateaux visit and tasting fees) except meals. Please advise if you have any particular Bordeaux favourites yourself or areas of special interest.