The " Best of Wine Tourism " is a yearly award given in recognition to the properties which have been the most efficient and innovative in their welcome of the public to their properties, and which makes their discovery captivating and exciting: the Bordeaux wine festival has decided this year to highlight some of these properties, by organising a tour "Best Of".

Departure from Bordeaux at 9:30 a.m. to Château d'Agassac, with its medieval origins dating back to the 13th Century (Cru Bourgeois Haut Medoc) for a visit and wine tasting with commentary.
(Please note: Sunday, 29 June - this visit will be replaced by that of a visit to Chateau Giscours, "Grand Cru Classé de Margaux").

Continue towards Margaux and Château d'Arsac, Cru Bourgeois appellation, one of the oldest in the Médoc. Its present owners, since 1986 have restored it to all of its previous brilliance and splendour, and by also putting its contemporary art, in particular its sculpture, to the service of wine culture.
"Picnic basket" in the park of the Château where you will be able to admire the works of art.

After lunch, the discovery of Château Kirwan, "Grand Cru Classé" of Margaux and also enjoy, thanks to the charm and the passion of one family, the jewel of the 18th, the magnificent gardens of the château. A final discovery and tasting with commentary.
Back to Bordeaux approx. 6:00 p.m.

Note: full on Thursday 26

The " Médoc peninsula " extends to the Northwest of Bordeaux, between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic coast. The vineyard occupies a narrow strip of land on the slopes facing the river, over a width of 3 to 5 km. and is around 75 km long in total.

During the course of the day, we invite you to discover the principle appellations, Pauillac, Saint Julien, Margaux, where we can find concentrated on the "Route des Château", more than 1200 properties, "Crus Bourgeois" to "Grands Crus Classés". Even if the methods and the techniques used vary, the quality remains the ultimate goal!

Depending on the day, you will enjoy three visits with wine tastng in the Châteaux of the "Grands Crus Classés" selected especially for you; Giscours, Beychevelle, Beaumont, Lascombes, Lynch Bages, Brane Contenac.
Each day includes 3 visits of properties with tastings and a "picnic basket".
Back to Bordeaux at approx. 6:00 p.m.

Saint Emilion is a unique place, classified as a World Heritage site for its "exceptional landscape devoted entirely to viticulture, including its towns and villages many historic buildings." (Unesco Citation).

Guided tours of the major monuments of the Medieval City, Ermitage d'Emilion, Chapelle de la Trinité, collegiate church and its cloister, catacombs, and above all, the exceptional monolithic church, which was carved into the limestone cliff between the 9th and 11th centuries: with 38 metre scale is the largest in Europe.

At the end of the morning, departure to the Château Franc Mayne, whose cellars are installed in old subterranean quarries.

The guided tour with wine tasting will be followed by a " picnic basket " on the grounds of the property.

You will end the day with the discovery of the Château La Gaffelière, "Premier Grand Cru Classé". This property, which produces exceptional wine, also has within its walls a Gallo-Roman villa, attesting to the antiquity of the domain.
Return to Bordeax at around 6:00 p.m.

Note: full on Thursday 26

During the day, you will discover three magnificent Bordeaux appellations, to the south-east of Bordeaux, along the Garonne: Graves, Passac-Léognan, and Sauternes.

Historically the oldest of the Bordeaux vineyards, Graves was already producing wine in ancient times. It takes its name from the nature of the gravel of its soil, provided by the nearby Garonne, and which split a few years ago into the two distinct appellations "Graves" and "Pessac Léognan".

You will start the day with a tasting and commentary at château Smith Haut Lafitte, "Grand Cru Classé" appellation, which traces its origins to the 16th Century.

Then on to Sauternes, whose appellation includes only about 2500 hectares over 5 municipalities : Sauternes, Barsac, Bommes, Preignac and Fargues. A visit with a tasting and commentary at the Château d'Arche, second "Grand Cru Classé", and its elegant 17th Century chartreuse, followed by a "picnic basket" on the grounds of the property.

In the afternoon, return to the Graves vineyard, for a guided tour with tasting at the Château de Castres, where several years ago the present owner undertook a total restructure, and today offers some very fine wines.
Return to Bordeaux at around 6:00 p.m.

Note: full on Thursday 26

Day of discovery of the two faces of Bordeaux, at the same time an architectural gem, recently classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco and also capital of the world wine trade, the gateway to one of the most prestigious vineyards.

Panoramic Tour of the major historical monuments (347) classified by Unesco on about half of the present city, in the lively quarters and cosmopolitan symbols of a city on the move.

The Chartrons district, historical district of traders, has kept its wine-producing identity with numerous wineries, like the one which now houses the "Musée des négociants" (Museum of Traders) that can be reached on foot.

"Picnic basket" on the banks of the Garonne, where warehouses have been replaced with walks and landscaped gardens open on to the 18th century façade, then leaving for the vineyard "urban" Pessac-Léognan, vineyards now encircled by the urban centre.

Visit with tasting and commentary at the Château Pape Clément, "Grand Cru Classé Graves", and return to Bordeaux at the end of the afternoon.

Note: full on Friday 27 and Saturday 28

This hilly region invites you for a real historical and wine journey: the Entre Deux Mers region, which consists in various appellations such as the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and Cadillac, produces smooth and syrupy red wines and white wines which are to be tasted young and cool.

From the cultural and entertaining place Planet Bordeaux, which is entirely dedicated to the Wine world, to the majestic Sauve Majeure Abbey, you will visit welcoming family properties and will appreciate the products of this rich region during a gourmand "picnic basket".
Return to Bordeaux at around 6:00 p.m.

The Country of Bergerac, territory of vineyards and bastides, invites you to a jaunt where wines and heritage will be pointed out.

The journey will begin with the discovery of a property producing all the colours and the flavours of this vineyard. Then, you will visit of the old district of Bergerac and will enjoy a tasting at the Cloister of Récollets which houses the House of Wines, the departure point of the Bergerac Road of Wines.

After a cruise over the Dordogne River and a greedy "picnic basket" on board, the Castle of Monbazillac will open to you its doors for a tasting of the famous nectar.
Finally, in the bend of the Montravel vineyard, you will enjoy a last stage in the Castle of Montaigne, where the philosopher drafted his essays.
Return to Bordeaux at around 7:00 p.m.

During that day, we offer to you to discover the wealth of the vineyard and the Estuary of the "Haute Gironde".

The day will begin with the visit of a wine property of the Premières Côtes de Blaye and the tasting of wines from this appellation, which are appreciated since the Middle Ages by the experts of the whole world. This vineyard, which inspires authenticity and pleasant way of life, gives all its warmness and intimacy to this countryside.

You will continue, from Blaye to Bourg-sur-Gironde, with a stroll by boat over the Gironde River Estuary with a Côtes de Bourg wine tasting initiation, while admiring the landscape of this region which is often called the "Small Switzerland from the Gironde".
You will have lunch at a restaurant located on the port of the ancient village of Bourg-sur-Gironde. The wines at lunch will be given by the Syndicats Viticoles du Pays de la Haute Gironde.

The last stage of this day in "Haute Gironde" will take you in a wine cellar of the Cubzac region in order to visit the wine storehouses and to taste the Crémant of Bordeaux.
Return to Bordeaux at around 6:00 p.m.

During that day, you will discover a region where the vine has never stopped to shape the landscapes, the villages and the people's life.

You will start your trip in the small village of Couthures, a legendary site of the Garonne River, where you will discover a unique "scenovision", a moving testimony of the life of the People of the Garonne River (45mn). The entertainment will continue on the terrace overhanging the river, which is one of the most beautiful panoramas of the region, where you will taste with a "picnic basket" the products of the region, prepared by the Farms of the Garonne.

The afternoon will be dedicated to the nearby vineyard of Duras. Here the vineyard is next to plum trees and sunflower fields. The House of Wines of Duras invites you to discover all the flavours of this region which produces white, red, rosé and smooth wines (exhibiting The Keys of the Wine and tasting).

You will end the day with a visit and a wine tasting at a family wine property.
Return to Bordeaux at around 6:00 p.m.

Note: full on Sunday 29

• The programs numbered 1 to 5 take place on Thursday, 26 June, Friday, 27 June, Saturday, 28 June and Sunday, 29 June.
• The programs numbered 6 and 7 take place only on Saturday, 28 June.
• The programs numbered 8 and 9 take place only on Sunday, 29 June.

• The Discovery Day with three commented visits.
• Transport by luxury coach.
• Picnic baskets for lunch.
• Bilingual guide

Departure in the morning at 9:30 a.m., and the return in the late afternoon, depending on the trip, generally between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m..

Cancellation fees:
Up to 48 hours before the visit: 50% of the fees,
No refund for the tickets when cancellation done less than 48 hours before the visit.