Pick up in Bordeaux This morning, we will come and pick you up at your hotel or accommodation in Bordeaux. Meet your English speaking driver/guide, who is a local expert on Bordeaux Wines In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your hotel of accommodation. Meet your English speaking guide who is an expert on Bordeaux Wines. Your driver / guide is also a certified guide which means that he or she is licensed to conduct tours in historical villages such as Saint Emilion and has access to monuments and museums that are not accessible to those that do not possess this licence. Once you have met your guide, he/she will go over the program and itinerary of the day with you. Then, board your comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan and begin to make your way to the Saint Emilion wine producing region. Travel in a spacious Mercedes Minivan Your private Bordeaux Wine Tour in the medoc will take place in one of our very spacious Mercedes Minivans. This vehicle can take up to 8 persons normally but on this occasion, the vehicle will only be for you. This allows you to choose the seat that you think best in terms of social distancing while still enjoying the information passed on by your guide. 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. Wine & History combo on a Saint Emilion private full day tour This private full day small group wine tour packs a lot of delights. On this exclusive private tour just for 2 persons of St Emilion organized by Ophorus, you will have several options such as tasting delicious Bordeaux wines and visiting the most important landmarks. Add to this the rich historical attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage site and you see why this full day option makes for such a great tour. Depart from Bordeaux and reach the Right Bank wine region Starting in the city of Bordeaux, 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 Saint Emilion AOC 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. Choose one of the following options, best adapted to your wishes To make this exclusive Saint Emilion wine tour full day trip from Bordeaux unique, we have made it possible for you to choose from a selection of options so that the tour is adapted to your priorities. During the booking process, you will be prompted to choose one of the options below. Just select the one that you prefer and the tour will be automatically adapted to your preferences.
Visit a Grand Cru Winery: This option is perfect for those of you who wish to combine wine & heritage. In the morning, upon arrival in St Emilion, we will take you to one of our carefully selected partner wineries known for the quality of the wines they produce. Your Ophorus guide will be with you during the visit so don't hesitate to ask any questions. Whether you have questions about history, technique, flavors, aromas, food & wine pairings don't hesitate to ask them anything that relates to wine to make this full day a very special one. Visit the Chateau, technical installations and cellars and participate in a commented tasting of the Chateau wines.
- OPTION 2 - Visit and Wine tasting in 2 Grand Cru Chateau's of Saint Emilion
Walking tour in the village: This option also includes a walking tour with your guide in the village of Saint Emilion. Discover the most significant landmarks of the village and retrace the history of a famous Monk. Stroll through the quaint, cobbled streets of this medieval town, while your tour guide recounts local history, from the days of the 8th century hermit Emilion, to the 19th century mining galleries, which still lie beneath the village. It is no coincidence that Saint Emilion has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999. After the walk, enjoy some free time to explore on your own in the village.
- OPTION 3 - Combine Saint Emilion with Pomerol and Visit 3 Wineries
This option is a perfect choice for both novice and wine connoisseurs alike who want to experience 2 very different appellations of the right bank. By choosing this option, you will experience 2 visits and wine tastings in the Saint Emilion appellation (as in option 2) to which we will add 1 visit and wine tasting in the Pomerol appellation.
Pomerol is located right next to the Saint Emilion appellation. The south and west part of the appellation have sandier soils compared to the slightly heavier soils in the east, which include a certain proportion of clay. It is in this eastern section, on the marginally higher land where Pomerol meets Saint-Émilion, that the best wines are produced. Three of the most highly regarded Pomerol producers – Pétrus, Lafleur and Le Pin – are located here. Merlo is the dominant grape in Pomerol and plays a large part in making the wines rich, smooth and approachable at an early age, while also being capable of extended aging. Cabernet Franc is also often present, adding structure and an element of savory spice. These characteristics mean Pomerol wines are much sought after on the international market.
If you decided to choose this option, then your tour will be mainly focused on wine. You will only have a short time for lunch (at own expense) in the village of Saint Emilion. We will include the Visits of 3 wineries during the day with 2 wineries in Saint Emilion wine producing area and 1 visit in the Pomerol appellation. The combination of two different appellations will allow you to dig deeper into the notion of 'terroir' which is the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate. This is where the expertise of our guides will show all its importance as you benefit from their knowledge to better comprehend this essential french notion when it comes to wines.
The Legend of Emilian
The first indications of human settlements in the area date back to the Roman Empire, but the story of Saint Emilion starts in the eighth century AD. At that time, a monk from Brittany, fleeing persecution in his hometown of Vannes sought refuge in one of the natural caves near the settlement of Ascum Bas.Although he lived the simple and secluded life of a hermit, Saint Emilion allegedly performed several miracles from his Aquitaine hideaway. Soon, his renown spread far beyond the town and region, bringing pilgrims and disciples from far afield to visit him. The small settlement grew fast as it became a religious center.
After Saint Emilion died, his followers made sure he would be remembered by giving the town of Ascum Bas the new name Saint Emilion.Much later, monks developed more intensive and widespread vineyards. This is when the reputation for Saint Emilion wines started building towards what it is today. The rich Merlot-based blends of these fertile plains have given local wines a great appeal, and several wines produced in chateaux near Saint Emilion have been given the highest possible awards under the French appellation wine rating system.
