Visit a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru winery, taste Right Bank Merlot wines, and explore the UNESCO medieval village on a private half-day tour from Bordeaux. Expert WSET-certified guide and hotel pick-up included.
Show 93 medias
Why you’ll love this tour
Enjoy a flexible pace tailored to your preferences
Fully private tour, exclusive vehicle for your group
Guided walk through UNESCO World Heritage site
Expert driver-guide for insights
Pre-booked tasting at a Grand Cru Classé winery
Your day at a glance
Saint-Émilion: Private Wine & History Half-Day Tour from Bordeaux This private half-day tour combines a Grand Cru winery visit with a guided walk through the UNESCO World Heritage village of Saint-Émilion — one of Bordeaux's most iconic Right Bank appellations, celebrated for its Merlot and Cabernet Franc blends. Surrounded by rolling limestone hills and medieval architecture, Saint-Émilion offers ...
Saint-Émilion: Private Wine & History Half-Day Tour from Bordeaux
This private half-day tour combines a Grand Cru winery visit with a guided walk through the UNESCO World Heritage village of Saint-Émilion — one of Bordeaux's most iconic Right Bank appellations, celebrated for its Merlot and Cabernet Franc blends. Surrounded by rolling limestone hills and medieval architecture, Saint-Émilion offers a rare combination of world-class wine and living history.
Your expert English-speaking driver-guide leads an exclusive visit to a classified growth château, where you'll tour the cellars and enjoy a commented tasting of Grand Cru Bordeaux wines. All winery visit and tasting fees are included, ensuring a seamless, all-inclusive experience.
Along the way, your guide introduces you to the Bordeaux appellation system, the characteristics of Right Bank terroir, and the winemaking techniques that give Saint-Émilion wines their signature elegance and structure.
Explore the Medieval Village of Saint-Émilion
Step into centuries of history as you walk the cobbled streets of Saint-Émilion. Your guide brings the village to life with the story of the 8th-century hermit Émilion, whose legend gave the village its name, and traces its remarkable evolution from a monastic settlement to one of the world's most celebrated wine appellations.
Admire the elegant arches of the Romanesque cloister and discover the breathtaking Monolithic Church — an extraordinary underground monument entirely carved into the limestone cliffs (optional visit, inquire for details). These landmarks are recognised as part of the Saint-Émilion UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for both its cultural landscape and its living winemaking tradition.
Free Time to Explore at Your Own Pace
After the guided tour, enjoy free time in the village to browse the charming wine shops, discover artisan producers, or simply soak in the panoramic views over the vineyards. Your guide can recommend local specialties and the best spots for a glass or a light lunch.
Comfort, Privacy & Expert Guidance
Travel in a premium air-conditioned minivan accommodating up to 8 guests, with pickup directly from your hotel, train station, or Airbnb in Bordeaux at no extra cost. This intimate private setting ensures personalised attention throughout, with your knowledgeable driver-guide on hand to answer any questions about Bordeaux wines, terroir, and the region's rich history.
Show more
Show less
Bordeaux
Pick up at your accommodation in Bordeaux or surrounding area
Pick up at your accommodation in Bordeaux or surrounding area
Read more
Read less
Winery
Visit and wine tasting in a Grand Cru Classé winery of Saint-Emilion
Visit and wine tasting in a Grand Cru Classé winery of Saint-Emilion
Read more
Read less
Saint-Émilion village
Visit the village of Saint Emilion with your guide followed by free time for personal discovery
Visit the village of Saint Emilion with your guide followed by free time for personal discovery
Read more
Read less
Return to Bordeaux
Tour returns to original departure point
Tour returns to original departure point
Read more
Read less
Informations
Language spoken
EnglishEspañolFrançaisItaliano
Know before you book
Tour requires minimum 2 passengers (adults) to operate.
Tour is operated in English, other languages on request.
Two departure times available — 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM, duration approximately 4 hours
Minimum drinking age 18 years old.
Know before you go
Wear comfortable walking shoes — cobblestone streets in Saint-Émilion village require sturdy footwear
Monolithic Church entrance requires separate fee — optional monument visit payable on site
Number of wines tasted varies by estate — set by the winery, typically 3-5 wines
No obligation to purchase wine — buying bottles is optional, even after tastings
Included
Hotel pick up from Bordeaux or surrounding area.
Enjoy live commentaries from your wine expert guide.
Reservations for a selected winery of Saint Emilion.
Travel in recent, comfortable and fully equipped minivans.
We will come and pick you up at Train Station, Hotel or Airbnb in Bordeaux or surrounding area, circle of 30 kms (20 miles) around Bordeaux at no extra cost.
Return
Tour returns to original departure point.
Group information
We can handle any group size (from 8 people) ranging from small groups to large groups of hundreds of people. Transportation options include private vehicles, mini-vans, mini-buses and large buses.
Just get in touch to find out more! Contact us by email: groups@ophorus.com (groups from 8 people)
For groups of 2-8 people please fill out this form: ophorus.com/contact-us/
Reviews
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
All
Viator
Ophorus
Google
TripAdvisor
S
Sonny V
02, Feb 2025via Viator
Great experience to St.Emillion. Detailed guide on the history of Bordeaux and wine country. The guide Rodolphe was exceptional and very amicable. I went with my wife, and my mother in law who’s physically challenged but Rodolphe was extremely caring and considerate to choose the best course for all of us to enjoy. Definitely recommend!
M
Michelle N.
28, Jul 2024via Ophorus
Our guide for the day Helen was wonderful. Very passionate about wine and wanted us to learn her knowledge. She was brilliant !! She was informative , helpful and lovely.
The tour was good and the first chateau was excellent. The guide there was informative and it was well presented adding to the information Helen had shared.
The tour of St Emilion was really interesting thanks to Helen.
The second chateau we visited was interesting though the guide there not as forthcoming as the guide at the first chateau.
Helen was great , the pick up up and drop offs good, kept updated and I would happily use the company again.
Thank you
D
Diane Hall
24, Feb 2024via Ophorus
Having just got back from a lovely trip to Bordeaux we would just like to thank you for organizing a wonderful wine tasting trip lead by Rudolph. His knowledge and company were excellent during the trip to the vineyards and he even managed to arrange some sunshine on a rather wet and windy weekend to our lovely trip to St Emilion. Memories of a coffee in the sun in the square of the quaint old town will remain with us.
Thank you once again and should you every want any references in the future, I would be only too happy to oblige
P
Peter and Jane Wollenberg
07, Feb 2024via Ophorus
I would like to pass on our big thank you to Emily who guided our wine tasting tour to St Emilion on Feb.6th
My wife and I feel thatbthis was the best guided tour we probably ever had
Emily was enthusiastic telling us all about Bordeaux wines was very friendly and super organised. Her matter knowledge is most impressive and was delivered in a most professional manner. Her humour is infectious and welcome.
This was certainly the highlite of our stay in Bordeaux,what a pleasant and interesting city.
Thank you again Emily next time back we will make sure taking another tour with you.
Best regards
Dr.Peter and Jane Wollenberg
R
Roisin Timmins
16, Aug 2023via Google
Had a wonderful tour with Rudolphe today. Really enjoyed our almost private tour. Lots of great information and loved the smell game on way back to the city. Thanks
M
Martin O
15, Aug 2023via Viator
The St. Emilion Wine Tour was well done.
The tour guide was perfect. Rodolphe spoke clearly and was thorough. My wife and I were very happy we had taken this tour.
M
Marianne T
01, Aug 2023via Viator
Marianne T
Emily was phenomenal! She is an amazing human being and we had the BEST time. I am so grateful for our experience with her today - she was so wonderful with our kids and gave us just the right amount of info, took us to beautiful places - we loved every second of our time with her!
S
Stephannie Davies
27, Jun 2023via Google
Jerome was absolutely amazing! Informative and beautiful tour! You must go!!! Do not walk- run to book this tour! Incredible!
A
Anton C.
31, Oct 2022via Ophorus
Enjoyable 5 days in Bordeaux with beautiful weather.
All went very well with our ½ day Tour to Saint-Emilion – our driver & guide – Rodolphe was very polite & courteous, very well versed and very punctual.
R
richardcdr1
05, Oct 2022via Viator
Great private tour , Justine was our guide. Can’t say enough good things about her. Started with private tour of chateau balestard la tonnelle. Was probably the best winery tour we have ever done. Then private tour of saint emillion that was tailored to our interests. Pay a little extra and opt for a private tour. It is worth every penny
J
Jessie F.
05, Oct 2022via Ophorus
Just want to let you know that Colas was a fantastic guide. We really made our tour special, thank you for all your help. We’re looking forward to our Colmar tour.
P
pvanderhyden
12, Sep 2022via Viator
Great Tour! We really enjoyed our tour with Angie of St Emilion and our wine tasting. Angie was an excellent tour guide. We also had Angie as our guide in Medoc. Thank you for a wonderful tour!
R
Rousiasp
13, Jan 2022via Ophorus
Dear Ophorus team,
Thank you for your email.
I'd like to mention that we had a great time and Jerome was great. He was excellent and spoke very highly of your company
You are lucky to have such a professional on board.
L
Linda_M
30, Dec 2021via Viator
Tour was good but not as advertised. We were picked up in Bordeaux and drove to the St Emilion region. Our first stop was a chateau and we learned about how the wine is made and some fun facts about the region. This lasted maybe 15 minutes and we got back in the car to go into town for the tasting. We did our tasting of five wines and then learned that was the whole wine portion of the tour. We wrapped up with a tour of the town and drove back. It was a little disappointing given the price of the tour that we only went to one chateau and got to try five wines at one winery when the tour advertises multiple stops. Half of the time we were away from Bordeaux was just the drive back and forth. Again, good tour and we were there at a weird time (right around New Years) but they should adjust the listing to make sure people know what to expect.
R
Robert_G
05, Aug 2020via Viator
Half day wine tasting tour to St Emillion
We had a great tour yesterday. Our guide was really informative, provided lots of useful information about the area and wine making process. He was friendly and happy to answer all our questions. The choice of vineyard was great (Chateaux Dominique) - really interesting tour and lovely building. A great way to spend half a day!
E
Eyck L
05, Jun 2019via TripAdvisor
Did both the St. Emilion and Medoc half-day tours.
We did both half day tours. We found them both informative and well-organized. Would recommend for beginners looking to learn about the the wine making process and the region of Bordeaux. Both
Rodolfe and Angie were wonderful guides!
K
Keith
24, May 2019via Viator
We were very pleased with our guide...
She was excellent
Quick answers
Is the tour suitable for non-wine drinkers?
Yes. The UNESCO village walk, the medieval architecture, and the history of Saint-Émilion make this tour equally engaging for travelers with a broader interest in French heritage and culture. The winery visit can be enjoyed at a non-drinking level, focusing on the cellar visit and production process.
Is lunch or food included?
Meals and drinks are not included. The itinerary allows time in Saint-Émilion for lunch or a snack between the winery visit and the village walk. Your guide can recommend restaurants and bistros to suit your preferences.
Is the guide qualified in wine?
Yes. Your driver-guide holds a WSET certification, ensuring expert and structured commentary on the wines, the Saint-Émilion appellation, and the Grand Cru classification system throughout the tour.
What wines are tasted?
You taste a selection of wines at the Grand Cru Classé estate, focused on the Right Bank Bordeaux style — Merlot-dominant blends from Saint-Émilion's limestone and clay terroir. The number of wines served is determined by the estate and varies by producer.
What winery is visited?
The tour includes a pre-booked visit and tasting at a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé estate. The specific property may vary depending on seasonal availability, but is always a quality Grand Cru Classé producer with a full guided visit and tasting included in the tour price.
Is this tour private?
Yes, fully private. The vehicle, guide, and itinerary are reserved exclusively for your group for the entire duration. No other travelers join at any point.
What time does the tour depart?
The tour runs on two daily departures — a morning session at 9:00 AM and an afternoon session at 2:00 PM. Both follow the same itinerary and last approximately 4 hours.
Where does the tour depart from?
Pick-up is available from your hotel, train station, or accommodation in Bordeaux and within a 30 km radius at no extra charge. Your guide meets you at the agreed location at your confirmed departure time.
Book your experience with complete peace of mind. All payments made on Ophorus are securely processed through Stripe, a trusted international payment platform.
Your payment information is encrypted and handled directly by Stripe. Ophorus does not store your credit card details.
You can pay safely using the available payment methods displayed at checkout. Once your payment has been confirmed, you will receive your booking confirmation by email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to pay on Ophorus?
Yes. Payments made on Ophorus are securely processed by Stripe. Your payment information is encrypted and transmitted directly through Stripe’s secure payment infrastructure.
What is Stripe?
Stripe is an international payment provider that processes online transactions for businesses around the world. It holds PCI DSS Level 1 certification, the highest certification level in the payment industry.
Which payment methods are accepted?
The payment methods available are displayed during checkout. Their availability may vary depending on your country, currency and device.
Why was my payment declined?
A payment may be declined by your bank for several reasons, including insufficient funds, an incorrect card detail, an expired card or a security restriction. We recommend checking your information or contacting your bank before trying again.
What is 3D Secure authentication?
3D Secure is an additional verification step provided by your bank. You may be asked to confirm your payment through your banking application, a security code or another authentication method.
Will I receive confirmation after payment?
Yes. Once your payment and booking have been successfully confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email containing your booking details.
What should I do if I am charged but receive no confirmation?
Please check your spam folder first. If you still cannot find your booking confirmation, contact the Ophorus team with the name and email address used for the booking. Avoid sending your full card number by email.
Easy cancellation
We understand that travel plans can change. That is why many Ophorus experiences include flexible cancellation conditions, allowing you to cancel your booking free of charge when the request is made before the applicable cancellation deadline.
The exact conditions depend on the type of experience booked, the departure date and any services included. Your cancellation policy is clearly displayed on the experience page and during the booking process, so you can review it before confirming your reservation.
Some tickets, tastings, meals, accommodation or third-party services may be non-refundable. When a cancellation qualifies for a refund, the amount is returned using the original payment method.
For full details, always refer to the cancellation conditions associated with your booking and to the Ophorus Terms of Sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my Ophorus booking?
Yes. You can request the cancellation of your booking, subject to the conditions and deadline associated with your selected experience.
Is cancellation free?
Many tours can be cancelled free of charge when the request is submitted before the stated cancellation deadline. The applicable conditions are displayed before payment and included with your booking information.
How can I check my cancellation deadline?
The cancellation conditions are shown on the experience page and during checkout. They may also appear in your booking confirmation. Conditions can vary between shared tours, private tours, packages and special activities.
Will I receive a full refund?
You will receive a full refund when your cancellation meets the conditions of the applicable cancellation policy. Late cancellations, no-shows and certain non-refundable services may not qualify for a full refund.
Trusted reviews
At Ophorus, reviews help future travellers choose their experience with confidence. The feedback displayed on our website comes from customers who have booked or participated in our tours.
Reviews are collected after the experience, allowing travellers to share their honest opinion about the guide, itinerary, organisation, transportation and overall quality of the tour.
We value transparency and do not edit reviews to change their meaning. Positive and critical feedback both help us maintain high standards, improve our services and provide clear, useful information to future guests.
Our reviews may also be collected and displayed through trusted independent platforms such as Tripadvisor or other recognised travel review services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ophorus reviews genuine?
Yes. Reviews are submitted by travellers who have booked or participated in an Ophorus experience, or collected through recognised independent review platforms.
What is a verified traveller review?
A verified traveller review is feedback linked to a genuine booking or participation in an experience. This helps ensure that the review is based on a real customer experience.
Are negative reviews published?
Yes. Constructive negative feedback may be published alongside positive reviews, provided it follows the applicable moderation rules and relates to a genuine experience.
How does Ophorus use customer feedback?
Feedback is reviewed by the Ophorus team to improve tour content, guide performance, logistics, customer service and the overall booking experience.
Can Ophorus remove a review?
A review may be removed when it contains spam, offensive content, false information, personal data or comments unrelated to the booked experience. Genuine criticism is not removed simply because it is negative.