5 Best Châteaux You Can’t Miss on Your Next Trip to Bordeaux

If there is a bucket list with wine regions that a wine lover should visit, Bordeaux will for sure be one on top. As the world capital of wine and a UNESCO world heritage, Bordeaux is an excellent destination both for wine enthusiasts as well as those who simply enjoy the best gastronomy and stunning, picturesque castles and vineyards. There is no better pleasure than visiting the wine destination you love, talking to the people who produce the wine that moves you, and discovering everything you want to know.

However, planning which chateau to visit can be difficult - but that’s why I’m here to help! To taste very elegant wine and spend time in an enchanted world! Before we dive into the sub-regions and producers, let’s first discuss when to avoid visiting, so you don’t make the same mistakes that I did…

January - many producers will be busy blending the wine at this time; plus it’s the coldest month of the year…
En Primeur week - traditionally held in March but it was pushed to April this year due to the pandemic. This week should definitely be avoided unless you are in the trade as most producers will be busy with en primeur tastings.
August - like much of Europe, a lot of people are out on vacation in Aug, and will be closed to visitors during that time.
Harvest - this can vary in every vintage and producer by producer. Although it could be beautiful in the vineyards, most producers will not take visitors during the harvest.
Weekends - while there might be a few chateaux that are open, most will be closed on weekends.

In general, when you visit Bordeaux wineries, you will need to make an appointment. If you have specific producers in mind, their websites is the best way to book appointments. Otherwise, you can book through the Bordeaux tourism office (Office de Tourisme de Bordeaux), or book a day tour with travel agencies. Most appointments are a private, one-on-one experience and will include winery visits, cellar visits, and tastings.

Ready for the list? Here you go!

Domaine de Chevalier

Domaine de Chevalier is a highly-regarded wine estate in Pessac-Léognan. A secret garden in the Graves region. The birth of the estate dates back to the second half of the 19th century - did you know the name "Chevalier" comes from the Gascon word for knight? It was bought by the Bernard family in 1983 who made major investments in the vineyard and cellar. I had a magical time here tasting through a beautiful lineup including an '82 Blanc, which was incredibly young and fresh, complex and subtle at the same time. People say a good white Bordeaux can age 20 years, well, apparently they can age for even 40!

Château La Dominique

Ideally situated northwest of Saint Emilion, bordering on the Pomerol appellation, Chateau La Dominique has 29 hectares of remarkable soil adjoining the region's most famous vineyards. Fine balance shows through in their wines - combining the generosity of Saint Emilion and the richness of Pomerol, thanks to the estate's respect for the terroir and desire to work with it rather than denature it. In addition to making great wine, the Fayat family also worked with the internationally-acclaimed architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel to build a state-of-the-art winery that's also well-integrated into the landscape and in harmony with existing buildings. The 6 tints used are designed to recreate the different shades of red wine seen under light (inspired by Anish Kapoor). Panoramic windows and open spaces create a unique atmosphere that harnesses the culture of the vine, the winemaking, and the pleasure of tasting. Unique, luminous, imaginative - definitely one of Bordeaux's most beautiful chateaux!

Château Pavie

Chateau Pavie is a Premier Grand Cru Classé A estate in St. Emilion, counted as one of the most prestigious vineyards in the region. The estate vineyards have a coveted position, enjoying both the limestone bedrock of the plateau and the south-facing slope that both drains excess water and gets excellent exposure to the sun.I've always been a big fan of their wines, especially with the significant improvement in their winemaking in the past decade. I had the pleasure of tasting through the 2021 en primeur lineup and I was really impressed! The wines - while still incredibly concentrated and dense - had a lot more freshness, energy, and vibrance in the glass, with some floral and saline notes in addition to the beautiful fruits.

Château Giscours

Château Giscours is a well-regarded estate in Margaux, they own one of the largest vineyards on the Left Bank. But that’s not all – far from it! Around the Chateau, Giscours has a whole life of its own. Numerous places and people form part of this flamboyant, dynamic life that makes Giscours such a unique location! They have numerous tours including picnics in the vineyards! We were also fortunate to taste two older vintages at lunch - 2011 and 2001, beyond incredible! Perfumed nose with super-integrated tannins, finishes silky with balsamic and black pepper notes. If you are visiting Bordeaux, Château Giscours is an experience not to be missed!

Château Pichon Baron

Pichon Baron, a fairytale château in the heart of the Pauillac appellation. The majestic 19th-century castle, uniquely charming and romantic, with its two emblematic turrets, has stood proudly at the vineyard's heart. They are open all year round for visits and tastings including the visit of the estate and the vertical tastings. All visits are customized, you can spend as much time as you prefer in the vineyards and cellars, or request a tailored tasting of the Grand Vin Château Pichon Baron discovering their exceptional vintages. Definitely add to the itinerary of your next trip to Bordeaux!

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