Médoc Wine Tour: Private Bordeaux Vineyard Experience

FAQ

• What is Medoc?

  Medoc is a region of France located North East of Bordeaux in the South Western part of France. Nestled between the Gironde River Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, the region is famous for being a top wine growing area that produces world renowned Bordeaux red wines. Famous appellations of the Medoc include Margaux, Saint Julien Pauillac or Saint Estephe. Famous wineries of the Medoc include Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

• What is Medoc Wine?

  Medoc wines are red wines produced in the Medoc wine region of Bordeaux. They are usually blended wines which means that several grape varieties are mixed together to obtain a final blend. Common grape varieties used in the blend include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot but can also include Petit Verdot, Malbec or Carmenere. Some of the most famous red wines of Bordeaux are produced in the Médoc such as Chateau Margaux or Chateau Latour.

• What is a Margaux Wine?

  Margaux wine refers to one of the most famous wines produced in the Bordeaux wine region called the Medoc. At its best, Margaux wine is the most seductive and perfumed of all Bordeaux wines. The grape varieties often found in Margaux wines are a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and to a lesser extent Cabernet Franc. Petit Verdot occasionally makes it into the blend but this being a very delicate grape to grow, the climate of the vintage has its importance.
  
  Margaux wines have a complex bouquet with fruity aromas of raspberry, cherry, and red currant, but also floral, spicy, and roasted aromas. The wines on the palate are powerful and the ageing of the wines can last from 5 to 30 years.
  
  We usually include a visit & wine tasting in a Chateau of the Margaux appellation on this Full Day Medoc Wine Tour.

• Can you visit Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild or Château Lafite Rothschild?

  Chateau Margaux is the lead winery located in the appellation that bears its name. This is certainly one of the most frequent questions that we have.
  YES, it is possible to visit Chateau Margaux. Don't hesitate to contact us at the time of planning your coming to Bordeaux. If you want to book Chateau Margaux just a few days before you arrive then forget it! Please note that if you add the option for a tasting, you will taste only one glass of their second wine, Pavillon Rouge, as the first wine is offer only for wine professionals. This Chateau is closed during the Primeurs season (end of April - beginning of May) and the harvest season (from August to end of October).
  
  To book a tour to Margaux, you need to take into consideration that the number of visits per day are limited as are the number of guests. All bookings must be made a long time ahead of your tour date. If you contact us directly, our dedicated team of Bordeaux Winery Bookings will be pleased to design your Bordeaux wine tour itinerary.
  
  YES, it is possible to visit Chateau Mouton Rothschild in the Pauillac appellation. We do not include the visit of this winery on our regular scheduled tour. If you would like us to book a visit for you and your party, don't hesitate to contact our team and we can organise a fully customizable private tour just for you that will include this winery. Pricing of their visits depend on the option chosen, between 250 to 385 euros per person.
  
  No, it is not possible to visit Chateau Lafite Rothschild in the Pauillac appellation. They now only program visits for professionals of the wine trade.
  
  NO, it is not possible to visit Chateau Latour. Only wine professionals or wine merchants can follow a visit and participate in a wine tasting session at this winery. If you want to visit & wine taste you will have to prove that you are in the wine trade as this will be asked by the administration of the winery.

• Is it possible to visit a Barrel making facility?

  No, it is not possible to visit a Barrel making factory near Bordeaux.

• Do you organize pick up and return at accommodation for Bordeaux private tours?

  Yes, absolutely. We will come and pick you up at your Hotel, accommodation or AirB&B in Bordeaux. We can also come and pick you up if your accommodation is located within a 30 kms (20 miles) radius around Bordeaux.

• What type of vehicles are used during a Bordeaux private wine tour?

  Our company uses only premium cars & minivans that are recent, comfortable and fully equipped including individual A/C, shaded windows and large leg space.

• Who conducts your private wine tours from Bordeaux?

  We only employ accredited and licensed tour guides that are also the drivers for all tours that need visits to be conducted by certified guides. Good examples are: the visit of museums, guided walking tours in cities, visit of historical monuments and so on.
  
  In some regions, where wine tours prevail (Bordeaux, Alsace) the tours are conducted by professional local guides or sommeliers that are experts in Wines.

• Can we choose which wineries we will visit during your Bordeaux private wine tours?

  Yes, we will be happy to organize and pre-book your winery tours of the Medoc. Please note that most wineries open their doors to visitors but some high end wineries such as Chateau Latour and a few others do not welcome any visitors. Also, it is important to mention that we only make the required Chateau reservations once you have booked your private wine tour with Ophorus.

• Are the Winery Tours private on your Bordeaux wine tours?

  Yes, we pre-book winery visits and tasting session just for you and your party. This means that you will enjoy a private visit of the installations followed by a private commented wine tasting session. 

• How many Bordeaux wines will I taste during this private Médoc Wine tour?

  Unlike other wine tasting sessions that you might have followed around the world, the tastings in Bordeaux are not as generous in terms of pours . The amount of wine tasted is not what many would expect but here it is all about elegance, fruit, quality, aromas and flavors rather than quantity.
  
  Each Chateau will have you taste their premium wine and what we call the 'second' wine of the estate. Sometimes, Chateau owners also add a tasting of some other wine if they happen to be the owners of another Chateau in Bordeaux. So basically, at each winery visited it will be 2 to maximum 4 wines tasted.
  
  If you wish to taste more wine, lunch in Pauillac is a perfect location to sample other appellations - it is easy to order wines by the glass. To further enhance your wine experience, it is always possible to buy some bottles at the wineries visited. Bordeaux has also a very large number of wine bars where you can enjoy a further tasting experience. Ask your guide for great recommendations.

• Is lunch included on this private Medoc Wine tour from Bordeaux?

  No, we never include lunch on our private tours. However, if you would like to include lunch don't hesitate to reach out to us and we will be happy to make the necessary arrangements for you. It is also possible to ask your guide for suggestions. On this full day tour, free time for lunch will be given in Pauillac where there are different possible options.