Private Wine Tour in Sauternes
Sauternes is the closest thing to Mecca that dessert wine lovers can experience. If Tokaj is the king of sweet wines, then Sauternes is most definitely the queen. Located less than an hour from Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, it’s also an easy day trip to this peaceful and extremely picturesque wine region, and well worth the trip even for non-dessert wine lovers – you will be converted! With more than 20 years’ experience organizing private food and wine tours, Cellar Tours has created this one-day chauffeured tour to two stellar estates, both first growths, in Sauternes itself and neighboring Barsac. You will enjoy private VIP tours, taste an array of vintages to see the fascinating contrast and diversity within the dessert wine genre, and sit down to lunch with the friendly family at one of the region’s oldest and most prestigious estates.
Winemaking dates back centuries in Sauternes, and for white wines at least to the 1600s. Historic fans of Sauternes include characters like Thomas Jefferson, who considered Château d’Yquem one of France’s great white wines. The nectar-like wines are made from grapes affected by “noble rot” (“Pourriture noble”), Botrytis cinerea, which develops in the region’s autumn mists and sunny spells, transforming the grapes’ aromas and concentrating their sugars. Sauternes wines are known for their delicate balance of sweetness and acidity, and the better-made Sauternes are simply some of the best wines on earth. They are amazing, long-lived wines and can still taste spectacular at 60 or 80 years of age! Come, let us introduce you to these captivating wines.
As featured in
Signature journey
Highlights include private château visits and tastings, a chauffeured Mercedes, and lunch with wines at Château Coutet.
Day 1Sauternes - Barsac
Chateau Coutet
Morning: Your private driver and impeccable Mercedes will collect you from your hotel or villa in Bordeaux or Saint-Émilion. Enjoy the drive to the Sauternes wine country, viewing gentle hills, rustic farmhouses, and vineyards everywhere. You will arrive at the first estate of the day, to the excellent Guiraud winery next door to Château d’ Yquem (their vineyards border each other). The estate began making wine commercially in 1766 when Protestant merchant Pierre Guiraud bought the property, and he made swift enemies with the neighbors as not only was he protestant in a Catholic stronghold, he was also a Republican (anti-monarchy, in a region where the wine estate owners were nearly all aristocrats).
Guiraud was classified as a cru classé in the 1855 classification, and today, it is one of the leading Sauternes wineries. It’s organic, and apart from the wine tasting, we can also organize a botanical tour with an introduction to biodiversity if that interests you. You will have a tour of the vineyard and cellar and finish with a superb tasting of six Sauternes wines from varying vintages. Formidable! Then, travel a few miles down the road to Barsac. Barsac, like Sauternes, is the name of a town, an appellation, and a wine style. And confusingly, wines made in Barsac can share the appellation with Sauternes on the label. People say that while Barsac wines are similar to Sauternes, they show more restraint, freshness and a crisper, more linear profile.
Arrive at Château Coutet, one of our favorites, for the wine and the superb hospitality. The Baly family has run this beautiful cru classé estate since the ’70s, but the history goes far back. An English Aquitaine tower on the property dating back to the 13th century, an ancient chapel, and a sumptuous Château. Thomas Jefferson praised the wines of Coutet and said that they were the best Sauternes in Barsac, and indeed, the wines are now better than ever. With a family member, you will tour the vineyard and old cellar (complete with lagar for treading grapes and Saint Vincent- patron Saint of the vines- watching over) and learn about the property’s history and the area.
Lunch: Carry on to their family dining room, where you will be welcomed at lunch to taste their wines “in situ.” After a five-course feast paired with wines, including an extra fabulous Cuvée Madame, sip a digestif on the terrace admiring the view.
Late afternoon: Your driver will take you back to your hotel or villa. We hope you had a terrific time today.
“An unforgettable food and wine tasting experience in Sauternes!”
Genevieve has spent more than 20 years creating private food and wine journeys across Spain, Portugal and France. She regularly visits the regions featured in these collections, meeting with winery, hotel, guide, and restaurant partners and exploring new experiences. She also reviews feedback from Cellar Tours guests. Her role is to help travelers choose the wine region, itinerary style, and pace that best match their interests—not simply the destination with the most famous name.
Unless your personal proposal states otherwise, accommodation, travel insurance, personal expenses, gratuities, and any meals or tastings not listed in the proposal are not included.
All wine visits and tastings are private and pre-arranged for your party.
We plan your Sauternes journey around your individual requirements. Share mobility considerations, allergies, dietary preferences, and pacing needs early so we can adapt transportation, dining, château visits, and walking tours wherever possible.
