Discover the Wines of Sauternes region of Bordeaux

The Sauternes wine region is famous for the high quality sweet white wines that are produced here. The most famous winery of the region is Chateau d’Yquem that was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines. Sauternes wines are made in great majority with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to which are added in much lesser amounts Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris.

The wines of Sauternes are produced thanks to the action of a fungus, Botrytis Cinerea that causes the grapes to rot. This process is called the noble rot when it comes to take place on healthy grapes and under a favorable climate.

The local climate of Sauternes during the summer time is usually composed of morning mist followed by warm and dry afternoons which has the effect to dry the grapes, reduce the water content and concentrate the sugar. The result is the making of an intensely sweet, gold colored wine with strong aromas of honeysuckle, blossom and stone.

From Bordeaux, reach Château d'Yquem & the Sauternes wine region

On this private half‑day tour from Bordeaux, your driver‑guide will pick you up at your accommodation and drive you through the rolling vineyards of Graves and Sauternes to reach Château d’Yquem. On arrival, a member of the Château’s team welcomes you for a journey of discovery into the history, terroir and savoir‑faire that have made Yquem a global reference.

Your private tour typically includes:

A guided walk through the vineyards, with explanations on terroir, grape varieties and the role of climate in developing noble rot.
A visit of the winemaking facilities and cellars, where you learn about the meticulous selection of berries, long barrel aging and blending philosophy.
An immersion into the esteemed world of Château d’Yquem, with stories about emblematic vintages, food pairings and serving recommendations.

The visit concludes with a focused tasting of one vintage: Château d’Yquem 2016. Guided by the estate’s ambassador, you explore the aromatic profile, texture and balance of this specific vintage and understand how it fits into the long history of Yquem wines. After the tasting, your driver‑guide will take you back to Bordeaux.