5 wine-related activities in Bordeaux
If you tell us you’ve come to Bordeaux and have no intention of trying any of its wines, we won’t believe you. There are plenty of wine bars in the city, and the vineyards are well worth a visit, from Saint-Emilion and Médoc to Pessac-Léognan and Entre-deux-Mers.
However, if you’d like to discover Bordeaux wine without actually visiting the vineyards, that’s entirely possible. Here’s our list of 5 wine-related activities you can do on your own from the city centre.
Visit the Cité du Vin
This is obviously a must for wine lovers. The Cité du Vin, which opened in 2016, is not a museum about Bordeaux wines, but about wine in general. The permanent itinerary, which was changed in January 2023, is precise and varied. From the notion of ‘terroir’ to the different methods of winemaking, from the history of Bordeaux wines to the representation of wine in films, there is bound to be a section that will appeal to you. On top of that, a glass of wine is included in the ticket, to be enjoyed on the top floor of the museum, with a view over Bordeaux.
A recent museum, but already a classic.
Following in the tracks of Bordeaux wine
It’s hard to imagine that wine-making activities (wineries, trading houses, shipping ports) were located in the heart of Bordeaux for several centuries. But that’s what a self-guided tour offered by Bordeaux Tourist Office since 2023 invites you to discover. With the help of a map (€5, available at the tourist office) and your smartphone, you can explore Bordeaux and discover how viticulture and trade have influenced the city. The 3km route takes you from the tourist office to the Cité du Vin. Expect to spend around 2 hours along the way.
It’s also a great way to discover the Chartrons district, one of Bordeaux’s most charming neighborhoods.
Visit the Micro Winery in Darwin
Darwin is now one of the most visited sites in Bordeaux. Located on the other side of the Garonne, this former military barracks is home to a number of businesses committed to the environmental transition, including a “micro-winery”. Created in 2021, the Micro Winerie buys organic grapes from various winegrowers in the region before processing them at Darwin, in the very heart of Bordeaux. The aim is to produce original wines that are close to the consumer and respectful of the environment. The Micro Winerie offers tours of its cellars, tasting workshops and wine-making workshops. Bottles can also be purchased on site.
Who said Bordeaux couldn’t reinvent itself?
A wine tasting workshop
Drinking wine in a bar is fine, but drinking wine at a tasting workshop is (sometimes) even better! Especially if you want to understand the wines of Bordeaux, its vineyards and be able to ask questions to a local expert. A number of places organise guided wine tastings. There’s the Cité du Vin, of course, but also the CIVB wine school (opposite the tourist office). As for us, we’d advise you to go to ComplanTerra, a wine shop and bar that we really like. Sacha organizes various wine-tasting workshops, in French and English, including a workshop on Bordeaux wines every Saturday from 6pm to 7pm.
A great way to start an evening.
Visit Château Pape-Clément in Pessac
The vineyards are difficult to reach without a car. Nevertheless, the Pessac-Léognan appellation, one of Bordeaux’s most famous, is located just a few kilometres south of Bordeaux. You can get to Château Pape Clément in Pessac by public transportation. All you need to do is take bus no. 24 from Porte de Bourgogne, for example, and stop at Pont de l’Orient. Prices start at €25 (1hr30 and 3 wines tasted). The estate produces both red and white wines, which we recommend you try if you’ve never drunk a white Pessac-Léognan.
There is also a beautiful park around the château, where you can enjoy the property after your visit.
So, which activity will you choose to immerse yourself in Bordeaux wines? And don’t worry, if you don’t like wine, you can always take advantage of the city to discover some sweet specialities.