Looking for the best Saint Emilion wine tours? We are sharing our top picks in this post.
If you’re visiting Bordeaux, France, the gorgeous village of Saint Emilion is just a stone’s throw away and a visit to it is a must. The region is most known for its exquisite wines — Merlot and Cabernet Franc being the main varieties.
Even if you’ve never been much of a wine connoisseur, that is totally fine — the wine tours to Saint Emilion will guide you through how to taste each glass. We visited the region for 2 weeks, and we learned so much about the regional wines on our tour to Saint Emilion!
Plus you’ll get to see the gorgeous vineyards and learn more about the hard work that goes into the entire process. Truth be told there is a lot of farming, agriculture, and science involved, it’s not all enology.
On top of the beautiful wines you’ll get to try, the entire region is just picture-postcard-perfect. You’ll pass by rows upon rows of vines connecting small villages and chateaux. There is history and beauty, and more wine, at every turn.
So here are the 11 best Saint Emilion wine tours to get the most out of your time in the region.
Our Top 3 Picks: Best Saint Emilion Wine Tours 2023
Want a quick summary of the best option to visit Saint Emilion wineries? Here are our top three tour picks for Saint Emilion wineries.
Our #1 Pick
Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux
Visit three different Saint Emilion wineries and sample both regional reds and whites. Explore the village of Saint Emilion on a guided walking tour.
Our #2 Pick
Full-Day tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux
Explore beyond Saint Emilion and try neighboring Medoc wines as well. After your tastings, enjoy a three course French picnic lunch.
Our #3 Pick
Saint-Emilion Small-Group Electric Bike Wine Tour Tastings & Lunch from Bordeaux
Explore the vineyards and the countryside at a slow pace on an electric bike. During the tour, you’ll sample four wines while learning about the winemaking process.
11 Best Saint Emilion Wine Tours
There are a lot of options for Saint Emilion wine tours, many of which will bring you to some of the best vineyards near Bordeaux. So we’ve curated the best options to help you decide, here they are, ranked in order starting with what we feel are the best options available.
1. Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 8 hours | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion and Pomerol
- Start time: 9:30 AM
- Duration: 8 hours
- Size of tour: 2 – 8 people
- Included: Three wine tasting sessions, transportation between Bordeaux and wineries on an air-conditioned minibus, walking tour of Saint Emilion
Explore Saint Emilion, its chateaux and its wines, as well as nearby Pomerol region, with three wine tasting sessions on this full day trip through the area. Your wine tastings will include both reds and whites as well as samplings of grand cru varieties.
Meet your guide in Bordeaux for the trip out to Saint Emilion by air-conditioned minivan. You’ll start with the Saint Emilion wine tasting before a guided walking tour of the village followed by free time to explore on your own and get lunch.
The way back to Bordeaux rounds the day out with a final stop in the nearby Pomerol region for one more wine tasting.
“Our tour guide, Emily, was outstanding. From the get-go she set a lovely communal tone amongst the group and she was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the region and of course the wines.” – Garreth (See more reviews)
2. Full-Day tour to Saint-Emilion and Medoc, from Bordeaux
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 9 hours | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion and Medoc
- Start time: 9:00 AM
- Duration: 9 hours
- Size of tour: maximum of 8 people
- Included: transportation from Bordeaux and to all of the wineries in an air-conditioned vehicle, three winery visits and tastings, three-course picnic lunch
If you want to really explore the area in depth, this wine tour which includes Saint Emilion as well as Medoc is a great option. After leaving your meeting point in Bordeaux you’ll head first to a chateau in Saint Emilion for a tasting of their grand cru wines.
Then heading into the village you’ll get a chance to see the quaint medieval streets of Saint Emilion on a walking tour.
For lunch you’ll make your way back through Bordeaux and stop for a three course picnic and another glass of wine.
Then finally you’ll head north to the Medoc region where the day finishes up with one more tasting and a final picturesque chateau for a photo-op before heading back to your drop off point in Bordeaux.
“Three top notch wineries divided between St Emilion and Margaux. Tours were informative in gorgeous settings, wine samples- representative and lovely.” – MaryAnne (See more reviews)
3. Saint-Emilion Small-Group Electric Bike Wine Tour Tastings & Lunch from Bordeaux
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 8 hours 30 minutes | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion
- Start time: 9:30 AM
- Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Size of tour: maximum of 8 people
- Included: transportation between Bordeaux and Saint Emilion by air-conditioned minivan, e-bikes to ride, lunch, four glasses of wine, walking tour around Saint Emilion
This full day e-bike tour allows you to take in the countryside around Saint Emilion at a leisurely pace. Air-conditioned transportation in a minivan is provided from Bordeaux before you switch to two wheels.
The first stop on the tour is at a vineyard where you will learn more about wine tasting while samping a few glasses of their product. You’ll also enjoy lunch here. After lunch the tour continues on to another chateau for more wine tasting. In total, you’ll have the chance to sample four glasses of local wine throughout the tour.
The day finishes with a guided walking tour around the village of Saint Emilion.
“The tour itself was amazing – enjoyed the walking/bike tours & tasting/lunch at different chateaus. Would definitely recommend it!” -Gabriele (See more reviews)
4. Saint Emilion Afternoon Wine Tour with Winery Visits & Tastings from Bordeaux
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 5 hours | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion
- Start time: 1:50 PM
- Duration: 5 hours
- Size of tour: 2 – 8 people
- Included: transportation in air-conditioned minivan, two winery visits, 5 – 6 glasses of wine, cheese platter, walking tour of Saint Emilion
Get the most out of the region on this winery tour with tastings and a visit to Saint Emilion.
You’ll start your day in Bordeaux where you’ll meet your guide before being transported by air-conditioned minivan to a Saint Emilion region winery. There you’ll have a tour and a tasting and learn more about the process of wine making as well as about what you’re drinking.
After that you’ll head into the village of Saint Emilion where your guide will bring you around on a short walking tour.
The afternoon will finish up at a second winery. Depending on your specific tour date, this one may be a second Saint Emilion chateau or one in the neighboring Pomerol region. Wherever you end up you’ll enjoy a few more glasses of wine as well as a cheese platter.
In total, you’ll have the opportunity to sample between five and six glasses of regional wine.
“The wine tastings were excellent, we didn’t feel rushed and had time to explore Saint-Emilion on our own.” -Patricia (See more reviews)
5. Saint-Emilion Electric Bike Day Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 8 – 9 hours | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion
- Start time: 9:00 or 10:00 AM
- Duration: 8 – 9 hours
- Size of tour: maximum of 10 people
- Included: Transportation from Bordeaux, e-bike and helmet, wine tours and tastings, lunch, tour of Saint Emilion
Explore the Saint Emilion wine region by e-bike on this full day tour. You’ll first make your way from Bordeaux to the countryside with your guide in the provided transportation.
Once you get on your e-bike you’ll cycle out to the first vineyard where you’ll have a tour, a wine tasting, and a picnic lunch.
The day continues on with your second winery visit and more wine tasting. And finally, once you arrive back in Saint Emilion you’ll be led around the village on a walking tour before having a bit of free time to wrap up the day. The tour finishes back in Bordeaux at the same meeting point you began at.
“Biking was the best way to see the beautiful country. Hosts at both wineries were welcoming, enthusiastic, and entertaining.” -Spencer (See more reviews)
6. Saint-Emilion Morning wine tour, winery & tastings from Bordeaux
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 4 hours 10 minutes | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion
- Start time: 8:50 AM
- Duration: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Size of tour: 2 – 8 people
- Included: transportation in air-conditioned vehicle, guided tour of Saint Emilion, tour of winery and tasting of red wines
On this morning winery tour your guide will bring you out to the Saint Emilion countryside to get a taste of the area’s red wines. You’ll go by minivan from Bordeaux with your first stop in the village of Saint Emilion.
In the village you’ll have a guided walking tour to learn more about its history and for a chance to see the gorgeous streets and breathtaking views.
This is followed by a grand cru winery visit. There you’ll have a tour of the facilities and a tasting during which you’ll learn more about the wine making process. You’ll sample only red wines on this tour.
“Yan was the most personable and knowledgeable tour guide possible! I know way more about wine now than I did before” -Rhonda (See more reviews)
7. Saint-Emilion Small Group Day Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 7 hours | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion
- Start time: 10:30 AM
- Duration: 7 hours
- Size of tour: maximum of 8 people
- Included: air-conditioned transportation from Bordeaux to the chateaux, three wine tastings, lunch with a glass of wine, walking tour of Saint Emilion
During this tour you’ll enjoy three different Saint Emilion region wine tastings. The day starts by making your way from Bordeaux to the Saint Emilion area on air-conditioned transportation.
At the first chateau you’ll get a tour of the facilities and learn from the winemakers more about their process. And of course you’ll have a chance to have your first wine tasting of the day.
After that the tour heads for lunch, which is a typical French picnic with a glass of wine to go with it. Then it’s time for the second chateau and the second tasting before finally going into the village of Saint Emilion.
In the village you’ll have one final wine tasting as well as a guided walking tour around its quaint streets.
“Really good tour with lovely guide Stefan who was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The wineries we visited showed different aspects of the wine industry and were very interesting with lovely wines to taste.” -Vanessa (See more reviews)
8. From Bordeaux: Afternoon Saint-Emilion Wine Tasting Trip
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 5 hours 30 minutes | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion
- Start time: 2:00 PM
- Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Size of tour: 2 – 8 people
- Included: Air-conditioned transportation, two chateau visits, 4 – 5 glasses of wine, small appetizer platter, mini wine tasting class, walking tour of Saint Emilion
During this afternoon wine tour, you’ll get to visit two chateaux and try a total of at least four glasses of different Saint Emilion wines.
The tour departs from Bordeaux on air-conditioned transportation and brings you to the wineries as well as to the village of Saint Emilion. In the village your guide will bring you on a walking tour to tell you more about the history and interesting points of the village.
At the chateaux you’ll learn more about the winemaking process as well as have a mini-class on the proper way to taste a glass of wine to fully appreciate its different qualities. A small tasting platter of local French produce is offered.
“Our guide, Kaio, was well informed and charming. He led us to two wineries for tastings and a walk through the town of St. Emilion with a visit to caves and great scenic view points.” – Christine (See More Reviews)
9. Saint Emilion Half-Day Trip with Wine Tasting & Winery Visit from Bordeaux
Rating: 4.5 out of of 5 stars | Tour length: 4 hours | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion
- Start time: 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM
- Duration: 4 hours
- Size of tour: 2 – 8 people
- Included: Wine tasting, Air-conditioned transportation from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion and back, walking tour of Saint Emilion
During this wine tasting tour to Saint Emilion you will have the opportunity to try a variety of local reds from a grand cru winery — meaning the wines and the winery are of superior quality. And if that’s not enough, it’s all located at a beautiful chateau which you’ll be able to explore.
This trip leaves from a meeting point in Bordeaux and brings you to Saint Emilion and back on an air conditioned minivan which fits up to eight people.
After your wine tasting you’ll continue the journey to Saint Emilion where you’ll have a short walking tour of the beautiful, UNESCO-listed village before some free time to continue exploring on your own.
“Luigi, our guide, was very knowledgeable not only about the area but about wine as well. We had experience on the processing of wine from previous wine tours in other places, but Luigi taught us about other more useful points about wine selection, particularly for Bordeaux wines.” -Alison (See more reviews)
10. Medoc or St-Emilion Small-Group Wine Tasting and Chateaux Tour from Bordeaux
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 5 hours 45 minutes | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion or Medoc
- Start time: 2:00 PM
- Duration: 5 hours 45 minutes
- Size of tour: 2 – 8 people
- Included: Transportation between Bordeaux and wineries by air-conditioned minivan, tasting of four wines, appetizer platter, mini workshop, tour of Saint Emilion village included in Saint Emilion option only
You choose if you want to spend the afternoon experiencing the wines of Medoc or of Saint Emilion on this small group tour. Whichever you choose, you’ll meet your tour group in Bordeaux and head out by air-conditioned minivan to the vineyards.
The tour includes visits to two châteaux and the opportunity to taste a total of four wines. You’ll also get to enjoy an appetizer platter of french breads, cheeses, and cured meats.
Each tour wraps up with a mini workshop with a wine expert on tips for how to best taste test and understand the complexities of the wines.
Note that only the Saint Emilion option includes a stop in the village.
“We visited 2 vineyards and tested 2 types of wine at each one. We had a great time!” -Lena (See more reviews)
11. Saint-Emilion : Village, Château and Wine tasting
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Tour length: 4 hours | Book now
Tour information:
- Location: Saint Emilion
- Start time: 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM
- Duration: 4 hours
- Size of tour: maximum of 8 people
- Included: Transportation on air-conditioned van back and forth from Bordeaux, 3 wine samples, walking tour of Saint Emilion
Explore the Saint Emilion wine region on this half day tour of vineyards to visit near Bordeaux where you’ll learn as much about the wine making process as you will about the history of the region.
You’ll travel to Saint Emilion with your group and guide by air-conditioned van. There you’ll meet the winemaker at a grand cru winery who will show you around and teach you more about the history and process of winemaking. You’ll then have the chance to sample three glasses of wine.
Your history lesson will continue with a guided walking tour around the village of Saint Emilion. You’ll get a bit of free time there before heading back to Bordeaux.
“Great tour with very detailed descriptions of history of wine making. Vincent does a great job and went out of his way to make the tour fun for everyone.” – Arvind (See more reviews)
What are the most famous wines of Saint Emilion?
Saint Emilion is best known for its reds. Specifically, the wines which come from the Merlot grapes as well as blends or other varieties closely related to Merlots.
Many of the vineyards and wines are called “Grand Cru” this means that the wines or the winemakers are of superior quality. The reality is though that this classification does not actually have a measurable value.
One of the most popular and sought after Saint Emilion wine makers is Château Cheval Blanc. Their bottles can often go for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars depending on the vintage (the year the wine was produced).
When is the best time of year to visit Saint Emilion?
Saint Emilion has a lot to offer year round, but the best for Saint Emilion wineries to visit is in the shoulder seasons. That is the springtime — May, June, and even into early July, as well as autumn — September and October especially.
Both of these periods are amazing times to see the vineyards and the grapes. In the spring, the vines are just starting to come to life after a long winter and are full of small, white, budding flowers before they begin to turn into the tiniest little baby grapes.
Come autumn the grapes are ready to harvest, so you can catch them either as they are big and heavy and full on the vines, or as the fields are busy with people working to get the harvest in, process, and into a bottle for your next drink.