La Rochelle Cruise Excursion Bordeaux Wine Tour

Embark on a vibrant Shore Excursion from La Rochelle to discover the Bordeaux Wine region

Pick up in La Rochelle Cruise Port

This morning, we will come and pick you up at your Cruise Ship in La Rochelle Cruise Port. Meet your English speaking guide who is an expert on Bordeaux Wines. Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of your private wine tour with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to discover the vineyards of the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wine producing region. 

Travel in a spacious Premium minivan

Your private Bordeaux Wine Tour will take place in one of our very spacious Mercedes Minivans. This vehicle can take up to 8 persons. All our vehicles are equipped with an on board P/A system that allows you to hear the commentary of your driver/guide no matter where you are seated. Also, there is free Wi-Fi access on all tour vehicles. Bottled water is also available in all our vehicles. 

Depart from La Rochelle and reach the Right Bank wine region

Starting in the port of La Rochelle, a short drive in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan brings you out of the city to the picturesque countryside plains and rolling hills of the right bank wine producing area. This is the heart of Bordeaux's famous wine region, where many vineyards carry the AOC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux designation. 

Each of these local wineries produce vintages with distinct soil features backed by a long winemaking heritage. The wines produced here are a blend of Merlot grapes with deep, bold flavors, along with other local grape varieties, especially Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser degree, Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines

Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation is located at the north of Bordeaux vineyard, on the right bank of the Gironde estuary. 450 winemakers work on 6000 hectares of limestone clay, gravelly clay and sandy clay soils. The red wines that are produced in the area are powerful while the white wines tend to be intense and complex with a slight acidity.

Visit & Wine tasting in 2 local wineries

Your program today will include a morning and afternoon visit in carefully selected Chateau Wineries of this appellation. During your winery tours you will be introduced to the art of winemaking followed by commented wine tastings of the local wines.

Personal discovery & Lunch (at own expense) in the City of Blaye

Mentioned in the "Song of Roland", the City of Blaye is a relay on the way to Santiago de Compostela for the pilgrims and is experiencing a major development due to its commercial port in the eighteenth century. The medieval city becomes the citadel of Vauban and the new town lies at the foot of the fortress, now listed by UNESCO World Heritage in the Vauban Network with Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc. Shopping street hosts a traditional farmer market twice a week. The streets retain traces of the glorious past of the city. 

While in Blaye, you will have some time for personal discovery and lunch (at own expense). The town is home to a UNESCO World heritage site part of the Vauban Network - the Blaye Citadel. It has preserved  its defense system organized by Vauban with its 1,5km of fortification, its doors and underground passages, as well as the buildings which are necessary for the smooth operation of a garrison : old monastery, jail, barracks, gunpowder depot... 1500 soldiers at the time of Vauban, more than 30 hectares of fortifications, the citadel of Blaye perfectly carries its motto: star and key of Aquitaine.