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BEST TOUR ITINERARY – A Quick Look

Best Tour Itinerary – A Quick Look at the Details

Our Best Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary features the ultimate in unique luxury experiences with privileged VIP tours and wine tastings available exclusively to our tour guests. With our wine industry insider connections and local friends, our Best Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary takes guests on an unparalleled behind the scenes VIP journey into the most prestigious and historical wine producing region in the world. We ensure guests a Bordeaux wine experience that non- based and multi- destination tour companies cannot match. The winery tours and wine tastings featured in our Best Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary represent the “creme de la creme” of producers in Bordeaux wine country. Producers welcome our tour guests behind the scenes at their estates and production facilities to share their family secrets and unique production philosophies. Our group meals reflect the exclusivity of our Bordeaux “wine industry insider” connections with privately hosted lunches and dinners reserved for our guests at private castles, productions facilities, and estate homes. And, to top of this prestigious wine tour experience, we include spectacular walks through the beautiful of this historically rich wine region. Our Best Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary is the ultimate luxury and VIP “insider” wine experience for the Bordeaux wine lover! Tour Guest Testimonial — Would you recommend our Bordeaux Tour?

“Yes, have been recommending your tours ever since I traveled on your Provence Tour in 2014 and will continue to do so. You and your guides are phenomenal – knowledgeable and very attentive!! Hikes, itinerary, wine tastings, food were all my favorites – this was a very unique group. For instance, when I travel as a single, I sometimes miss some events (especially dinners) as they can become tedious. I attended ALL on this trip! This trip has been amazing!! I really appreciate your company, and “applaud” your company! Thanks for another great adventure!” — Jim Butts, Wayzata, MN – Has traveled on 2 OTBP Tours – 2014 Best Adventures in Provence Tour and 2015 Bordeaux Grand & Walking Tour —

Click here to read more guest testimonials… Click here to download and print our Best Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary page in easy to read format…

Best Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary – DAY 1

Group Arrival, Winery Tour & Wine Tasting at Chateau Haut Brion, -Maker Visit, Welcome Dinner in Bordeaux – Dinner included

ARRIVAL IN BORDEAUX. Meet and greet by your tour guides at the scheduled 1 pm pick-up time at Bordeaux St. Jean Rail Station. Transfer to our luxury hotel, Les Sources de Caudalie Resort and Spa located in the heart of the vineyards of the . Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: Before reaching the hotel, guests enjoy a first taste and introduction to the classified producers of Bordeaux with a wine tour and wine tasting in Pessac with our friends at one of the original chateaux to be classified in 1855 under Napolean III. This producer, Chateau Haut Brion, is also the only chateau of the original five situated in Graves rather than Médoc, and therefore the only Chateau on the list that is allowed to sell a dry under the same name and appellation as its . Enjoy a fun and unpretentious tour with an introduction to the history of chateau’s wine production and the evolution of the chateau across the centuries followed by an exclusive visit of the VAT rooms, “chais” (wine cellars) and the cooperage (on- site barrel-maker). Hotel Check-in: After this winery tour and wine tasting excursion, we check guests in at the hotel. Leisure Time: Enjoy time to get settled into your room, explore the hotel grounds, enjoy a drink at the wine bar or a swim at the pool. DINNER: Welcome dinner, a first taste of local “Bordelaise” gourmet cuisine together at one of the best kept secrets in Bordeaux.

Highlights: VIP Winery Tour & Wine Tasting at Chateau Haut Brion and its Barrel-Maker, Hotel Check-in, Welcome Dinner Together – D

BEST BORDEAUX WINE TOUR ITINERARY – DAY 2

SAINT EMILION: WALK #1: Walking the Saint Emilion Wine Jurisdiction, Classified Winery Tours and VIP Wine Tasting at 1st Classified Growth estates Chateau Troplong-Mondot and Chateau La Gaffeliere, Private Gourmet Picker’s Lunch at 1st Classified Growth wine producer Chateau Troplong-Mondot, Afternoon : Leisure Time to Explore Saint Emilion Village, Dinner Independently – Breakfast and Lunch included

BUFFET BREAKFAST. MORNING: After breakfast – Full day in Saint Emilion village – Departure to Saint Emilion village – rated one of the most beautiful historical and wine growing villages in France. was introduced to this fertile region of Aquitaine by the Romans, and intensified in the Middle Ages. It is an exceptional landscape devoted entirely to wine-growing, with many fine historic monuments, artisan, craft and wine shops and a photogenic pedestrian village to discover. CHOOSE AN OPTION below — for Walkers and NON-Walkers. (OPTION #1) WALKERS – Walk #1: Saint Emilion Jurisdiction: Saint Emilion Jurisdiction: Embark on a guided walk through the classified growth vineyards of the Saint Emilion wine jurisdiction, the most renowned “” producing region of Bordeaux. (OPTION #2) NON-WALKERS – Shuttle from to/from Saint Emilion Village and each VIP winery tour and wine tasting by minivan. THE EXPERIENCE: There will be 2 exclusive “Grand Cru” winery tours and VIP tastings today. Each winery tour includes an introduction to the producer’s history, practices and unique vinification, barreling and bottling practices, followed by an insider visit of the VAT rooms and “chais” (wine cellars) –an authentic behind the scenes experience followed by wine tasting of several at each producer. WINERY TOUR & TASTING: At Premier Grand Cru Classe (1st classified growth) producer Chateau TROPLONG-MONDOT – (For both Walkers and NON- Walkers). LUNCH: Exclusive private picker’s lunch (For both Walkers and NON-Walkers) – Welcome to our privately hosted “gourmet picker’s lunch” at Saint Emilion 1st classified “Grand Cru” wine producer (Premier Grand Cru Classe) Chateau Troplong-Mondot — Awarded its 1st Michelin-star in 2016. Lunch is comprised of local specialities accompanied by the estate’s “Grand Cru” . AFTERNOON: We continue along our walking trail and conclude our walk back in Saint Emilion village where guests have leisure time to explore and discover Saint Emilion’s history, as well as visit local artisan and wine boutiques. THE EXPERIENCE: The wine merchants offer wine tasting prior to purchase, and the shops provide international shipping should you wish to add to or begin a personal collection of Bordeaux wines, or simply purchase a selection of wines tasted during your trip. LATE-AFTERNOON: WINERY TOUR & TASTING: At Premier Grand Cru Classe (1st classified growth) producer Chateau LA GAFFELIERE – (For both Walkers and NON- Walkers). DINNER: Independently at either the hotel gourmet restaurant or its casual dining bistrot, or take a taxi to spend the evening in Bordeaux.

Highlights: Saint Emilion – Walking in Saint Emilion, Private Lunch at Chateau Troplong- Mondot, VIP “Grand Cru” Winery Tours & Wine Tastings at 1st Classified Growth Producers Chateau Troplong-Mondot and Chateau La Gaffeliere – B, L

BEST BORDEAUX WINE TOUR ITINERARY – DAY 3

Sauternes: WALK #2 – Walking in , Visit at the School of in Sauternes, Private Gourmet Lunch at 1st Classified Growth Wine Producer Chateau La Tour Blanche, Winery Tours and VIP Wine Tasting at 1st Classified Growth Estates Chateau La Tour Blanche and Chateau d’Yquem, Dinner Together – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

BUFFET BREAKFAST. CHOOSE AN OPTION below — for Walkers and NON-Walkers. (OPTION #1) WALKERS – Walk #2: Sauternes Walk – The Sauternes Walk through the prestigious and mystical “sweet grape appellation”, home to the semillon, and grape varieties – “cepages” as they’re called in French. Thanks to the exceptional micro-climate created by the Ciron River running through this picturesque appellation, the wine producers of Sauternes experience a very unique occurrence — They only get one glass of wine per vine, whereas in nearby St-Emilion, it’s more like a bottle per vine. (OPTION #2) NON-WALKERS – Shuttle from to/from Sauternes village and each VIP winery tour and wine tasting by minivan. The Experience: During our 2 winery tours in the prestigious Sauternes appellation today, enjoy opportunities to put your ear to the opening of the in the cellars. Listen to the magic of nature at work during the wine-making process, as you engage your sense of sound to listen to the wine fermenting or “working” — a sizzling like sound. WINERY TOUR & TASTING: At Premier Grand Cru Classe (1st classified growth) producer Chateau LA TOUR BLANCHE – (For both Walkers and NON- Walkers). Private Winery Tour and wine tasting at this famous French Oenology school in Sauternes, 1855 classified growth wine producer and teaching school for up and coming cellar masters. LUNCH: A privately hosted lunch at Chateau La Tour Blanche amidts the prestigious Sauternes Grand Cru appellation vineyards (For both Walkers and NON-Walkers). WINERY TOUR & TASTING: At Premier Grand Cru Classe (1st classified growth) producer Chateau d’Yquem – (For both Walkers and NON-Walkers). Private Winery Tour and wine tastings at one of the world’s most famous French sweet wine producer. THE EXPERIENCE: There is a sunny magic in these bottles, and the more the wine ages, the more golden its appearance and sweeter its flavors. It is wondrous that such prized wine comes from grapes that in any other appellation would be considered only fit for discarding. Our Best Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary includes only the finest VIP experiences to pamper our guests. LATE AFTERNOON & EARLY EVENING at leisure on return to the hotel. DINNER: Another gourmet Bordelaise dinner together this evening.

Highlights: Sauternes – Walking in Sauternes, Private Lunch at 1st Classified Growth Chateau La Tour Blanche, VIP “Grand Cru” Winery Tours & Wine Tastings at 1st Classified Growth estates Chateau La Tour Blanche and Chateau d’Yquem, Michelin-star Dinner – B, L, D

BEST BORDEAUX WINE TOUR ITINERARY – DAY 4

GRAVES & COOKING CLASS: WALK #3 – Walking in Pessac-Léognan (Graves Appellation), VIP Winery Tours & Wine Tasting at “Grand Cru” estates Chateau Carbonnieux and Chateau Haut Bailly, Private Gourmet Lunch at a “Grand Cru” Wine Producing estate Chateau Haut Bailly, Culinary Class With Friend, Celebrity Master & Cookbook Author Chef Antoine at his family home in Sauternes – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

BUFFET BREAKFAST. FULL DAY IN GRAVES – WINERY TOURS AND VIP WINE TASTING – “Graves: Pessac-Léognan: Gods of the ”. The third walk of our Bordeaux Harvest tour takes guests not only through the most prestigious of the Graves appellation vineyards, but also exposes guests to some of the largest classified estates of the Graves appellation, and the Bordeaux wine region. THE EXPERIENCE: Today offers a chance to witness extremely different harvesting and vinification processes from what we have witnessed in Saint Emilion, Sauternes and at Chateau Haut Brion in Pessac. CHOOSE AN OPTION below — for Walkers and NON-Walkers. (OPTION #1) WALKERS – Walk #3: GRAVES WALK – Winery Tours and Wine Tasting throughout the walk. As with each of our walks during this tour, we are walking through prestigious vineyards from winery to winery (producer to producer) where guests are welcomed for exclusive “behind the scenes” tours and VIP wine tasting. The Experience: Each winery tour includes an introduction to each producer’s estate and its history, harvest practices and unique vinification, barreling and bottling practices and an exclsuive visit of the VAT rooms and “chais” (wine cellars) followed by VIP wine tasting (OPTION #2) NON-WALKERS – Shuttle from to/from each winery tour and wine tasting by minivan. WINERY TOUR & TASTING: At Premier Grand Cru Classe (1st classified growth) producer Chateau CARBONNIEUX – (For both Walkers and NON-Walkers). LUNCH: Gourmet Lunch at wine producing Chateau Haut Bailly Amidst the Vineyards (For Both Walkers and NON-Walkers) – Enjoy the VIP treatment as personal guests during a private gourmet lunch together with “Grand Cru” wines at classified wine producer Chateau Haut Bailly. Lunch is a privately hosted lunch exclusively for our group. We will be dining in the chateau estate dining room. The Experience: Lunch begins with a welcome cocktail followed by an exquisite lunch of regional specialties prepared by our private chef, and accompanied by the property’s classified “Grand Cru” wines – Private winery tour and wine tasting prior to our lunch. WINERY TOUR & TASTING: At Premier Grand Cru Classe (1st classified growth) producer Chateau HAUT BAILLY – (For both Walkers and NON-Walkers). MID-AFTERNOON – RETURN TO THE HOTEL. There will be time to drop off any purchases you may have made, to freshen up and enjoy a short break before cooking class. EVENING & DINNER: FUN, HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS – Cooking class with our friend, Celebrity Master Chef and Cookbook Author Antoine at his family home in the Sauternes countryside — his latest cookbook has just been released. The Cooking Class Experience: We will prepare a multi-course meal of “Bordelaise” recipes. Afterwards, we enjoy the evening “aperitif” also known as pre-dinner cocktails with our chef Antoine and his wife followed by a sumptuous gourmet dinner of the recipes prepared together and demonstrated during class. We will prepare our recipes using many different cooking mediums including Antoine’s custom-designed wood-fired oven. Dinner: is accompanied by Antoine’s professional selection of classified wines from his cellar and the vineyards of his local Bordeaux wine producing friends and colleagues — including classified Medoc and Entre Deux Mer wines.

Highlights: The Graves – Walking in Graves, Private Lunch at “Grand Cru” Chateau Haut Bailly, VIP “Grand Cru” Winery Tours & Wine Tastings at Chateau Carbonnieux and Chateau Haut Bailly, Cooking Class at our Friend, Celebrity Chef Antoine’s Home – B, L, D

BEST BORDEAUX WINE TOUR ITINERARY – DAY 5

BORDEAUX: Half-DAY at Leisure in Historic BORDEAUX or Book Spa services at Our Luxury Hotel or Borrow a Bike and Discover the Local Countryside, Winery Tour & Wine Tasting at 1st Classified Growth Wine Producer Smith Haut Lafitte, Visit at Cooperage (Barrel-Maker), Special Wine Cocktail Hour, Farewell Gala Dinner Together – Breakfast and Dinner included

BUFFET BREAKFAST. CHOOSE AN OPTION below — for Walkers and NON-Walkers. OPTION #1 — Departure for a leisure day in historical downtown Bordeaux. Guests are invited for a short introductory walking tour of the city’s historical sites before setting off to explore on their own. THE EXPERIENCE: Bordeaux is home to beautiful historic monuments and museums, excellent shopping, wine boutiques, and exceptional scenery walking along the renovated banks of the River. There are endless ways to spend the day here. Exploring Bordeaux is a true step back in French history, and has something to offer and interest every traveler. OPTION #2 — Any guests interested in the Caudalie Spa, please contact us in advance and we can help you organize a reservation for a spa treatment or a half- day spa session. Today offers a perfect opportunity to pursue independent interests, try the caudalie spa, a massage or other spa service for anyone not heading to Bordeaux for the day. ADDITIONAL OPTION — Bicycles are also available to borrow to enjoy a ride around the local vineyard filled countryside or simply enjoy a walk of the hotel property. LUNCH: Independently in Bordeaux or at the hotel for those not venturing into the city today.

WINERY TOUR & TASTING: At Premier Grand Cru Classe (1st classified growth) producer Chateau SMITH HAUT LAFITTE – (For the entire group). THE EXPERIENCE: Our final 1st Growth “Grand Cru” Winery Tour of the trip with a Special Wine Cocktail Hour & Tasting and a visit to the producer’s Cooperage (Barrel-Maker). PRIVATE FAREWELL GALA DINNER: Special Wine Cocktail hour and exclusive gourmet farewell GALA dinner is included in our Best Bordeaux Wine Tour Itinerary together prepared by our favorite Michelin-star Chef of Bordeaux and held in the private chateau cellars of one of Bordeaux most prestigious Grand Cru wine producers.

Highlights: Bordeaux City Walking Tour & Free Time, VIP “Grand Cru” Winery Tour & Wine Tasting at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Barrel-Maker visit, Cocktail Hour, Private Gala Dinner at a 1st Classified Growth Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte – B, D

BEST BORDEAUX WINE TOUR ITINERARY – DAY 6

Tour Conclusion, Group Departure – B

BUFFET BREAKFAST. Trip concludes today with a 10 AM arrival to St. Jean TGV Rail Station in Bordeaux, France. Earlier and later departures can be organized. Please contact us for details at [email protected]. Click here to review the confirmed list of 1st growth wine producers we visit during our 2016 Bordeaux Tours.

(B) = Breakfast Included, (L) = Lunch Included, (D) = Dinner Included Our Bordeaux, France Wine Tasting and Walking Tour is recommended by BEST selling Author PJ Adams! Read more…

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