Private Wine Tour in Bordeaux: How It Really Works
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Which region to pick, how château visits get booked, what a day costs, and the mistakes I see visitors make every season. Written by the driver who does it every day.
THE SHORT VERSION
- Your own English-speaking private driver in Bordeaux for a half or full day, door to door from your hotel, Airbnb, the airport or Saint-Jean station.
- One wine region per day: Médoc, Saint-Émilion, or Pessac-Léognan & Sauternes.
- Plan 2 to 3 château visits plus lunch. Each visit with tasting takes about 1h15 to 1h30.
- Book early: châteaux run English tours at fixed times, and many open bookings about 3 months ahead.
- Half day from €280, full day from €560, for 1 to 4 guests. Tastings and lunch are extra.
What is a private wine tour, exactly?
It’s simple. I pick you up, drive you from château to château, wait while you taste, and bring you back. No bus, no group of twenty strangers, no schedule you have to keep up with. The day is built around you: the wines you like, the pace you want, the time you need to be back for dinner.
You ride in a Lexus RX 450h hybrid, with room for up to four guests. Child seats and boosters are available if you travel with kids. For bigger groups I work with partner drivers and vans.
And since nobody in your group has to drive, everybody gets to taste. Nobody draws the short straw.
A typical day, hour by hour
| 9:30 | Pickup at your hotel, Airbnb, Bordeaux-Mérignac airport or Gare Saint-Jean. |
| 10:15 | First château. A walk through the vines and cellars, then the tasting. |
| 12:30 | Lunch in a village restaurant or at a château table. I book it for you. |
| 14:30 | Second château, often a smaller family estate for contrast. |
| 16:00 | A third tasting or free time in a village. Saint-Émilion is perfect for this. |
| 18:00 | Back in Bordeaux, in time for dinner. |
Times move with the château slots. English tours run at fixed hours, so I build the day around them, not the other way round.
Which wine region should you choose?
Bordeaux is big. Driving from the Médoc to Saint-Émilion takes well over an hour, so I always plan one region per day. Here is how I explain the choice to my guests.
Left bank · 40 min–1h
Médoc
Cabernet Sauvignon, the 1855 classified growths and the Route des Châteaux through Margaux, Saint-Julien and Pauillac.
For: big names, grand estates
Right bank · about 45 min
Saint-Émilion
Merlot country, a UNESCO-listed medieval village and limestone cellars cut into the hillside.
For: first visits, couples
Graves · from 20 min
Pessac-Léognan & Sauternes
Reds and dry whites right outside the city, and the sweet wines of Sauternes further south.
For: half days, white wine fans
Driver’s note. Want to see both banks? Book two days rather than rushing both into one. The second day is 10% off. And if Château Lafite Rothschild is on your list: it is closed to visitors until 2028, so I’ll suggest a photo stop on the way and a visit next door instead.
“Regis was exceptional. Extremely informative of the Bordeaux region as well as the local history.”
James Lang · Google review
How booking works
- You send me your dates, number of guests and where you’re staying, through the form or on WhatsApp.
- I come back with a proposal: the region, estates that match your taste, the timing and the price.
- You confirm with a 50% deposit. Cancellation is free up to two weeks before.
- I call each château myself to secure your English-tour slots, book lunch, and email you the full itinerary.
- On the day, you just enjoy it. The balance is paid in the car, by card or cash.
How much does it cost?
| Formula | Price |
|---|---|
| Half day about 4 h | from €280 |
| Full day about 8 h | from €560 |
| Two days both banks | 2nd day −10% |
Prices cover the car and your driver, for 1 to 4 guests. The final price depends on the length of your day. Not included: château tastings (roughly €15 to €120 per person, depending on the estate) and lunch.
Planning your Bordeaux wine day?
Tell me your dates and what you like to drink. I’ll send you an itinerary made for you.
5 tips from the driver’s seat
- Book two to three months ahead for spring and for the September harvest.
- Watch out for Sundays. Many châteaux close, and some barely open in winter.
- Three visits is the maximum. The fourth one always ends up rushed.
- Have a proper lunch. Tastings on an empty stomach end the day early.
- Leave room in your luggage. Some wines are only sold at the estate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book the châteaux myself?
No. Once your date is confirmed, I call each estate and book the English-tour slots for you. If you already have reservations, I build the day around them.
Can you pick us up at the airport or the train station?
Yes. Many guests start their tour straight from Bordeaux-Mérignac airport or Gare Saint-Jean, luggage included.
Is the tour in English?
Yes. I’m bilingual, I’ve lived in English-speaking countries, and I only book château tours given in English.
Can we bring our children?
Of course. Tell me their ages and I’ll have the right child seat or booster in the car.
We are more than four. Is that possible?
Yes, on request: I work with partner drivers and a Mercedes V-Class van for larger groups.
Régis Chauffepied · Founder and driver, REGIS DRIVE · Talence, Bordeaux
I spend most of my days taking visitors from all over the world through the Bordeaux vineyards. I know which estates welcome you like family, and which roads to avoid at 5pm. See my wine tours or call me on +33 6 73 58 15 12.
