Château d'Yquem Visit & Wine Tasting - Discovery Tour

Discover the Wines of Sauternes region of Bordeaux

The Sauternes wine region is famous for the high quality sweet white wines that are produced here. The most famous winery of the region is Chateau d’Yquem that was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines. Sauternes wines are made in great majority with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to which are added in much lesser amounts Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris.

The wines of Sauternes are produced thanks to the action of a fungus, Botrytis Cinerea that causes the grapes to rot. This process is called the noble rot when it comes to take place on healthy grapes and under a favorable climate.

The local climate of Sauternes during the summer time is usually composed of morning mist followed by warm and dry afternoons which has the effect to dry the grapes, reduce the water content and concentrate the sugar. The result is the making of an intensely sweet, gold colored wine with strong aromas of honeysuckle, blossom and stone. 

From Bordeaux, reach Château d'Yquem & the Sauternes wine region

Today, we will come and pick you up at your hotel in Bordeaux. Participate in a unique experience as you visit a 1er Grand Cru Classé of 1855 in the Sauternes wine producing region of Bordeaux. Château d'Yquem is without a doubt the flagship of the appellation and produces one of the most famous sweet white wines in the world. 

On this "Discovery Tour" of Château d'Yquem you will visit the grounds of the Chateau followed by the technical installations. Learn about the Botrytis cinerea fungus that affects the grape causing them to become partially raisined and how this helps to obtain a sweet white wine. Your tour will continue with a tasting of Yquem wine including Château d'Yquem 2016 vintage.

After the visit, we will transfer you back to Bordeaux.