The world’s best wines come from France. This is indisputable, although other regions of the world are growing in popularity. However, ninety percent of the world’s investment wines come from the Bordeaux region of France. So, the three tours listed here are all in France, through the areas of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The finest vintages of these wines are grown and bottled here at estates which are centuries old. You will enjoy five-star accommodations at hotels, or at the chateaux themselves, accompanied by Michelin five-star cuisine, and experience wine tastings at the vineyards, while learning about wine from the masters. All of these tours are handled by French Wine Explorers, the top-rated tour agency, and are rated at the top of Travel & Leisure magazine’s list of great tours of the world.

Bordeaux Prestige TourMost Luxurious Wine Tours

The first tour on our list is the Bordeaux Prestige Tour. The tour is six days and five nights, staying at the Château Clément in the village of Vals-les-Bains, located in the Médoc area. Tour highlights include tasting all five First Growth chateaux wines from the Médoc, a fine Sauterne from Chateau d’Yquem, and First Growth wines from St. Emilion and Pomerol.

6-day Private Estates of Burgundy and Bordeaux

This is a new tour from French Wine Explorers, and it covers both the Burgundy and Bordeaux areas. Tour highlights include a visit to the 13th century monastery of Clos de Vougeot. This monastery is now owned by the Confrérie du Tastevin, the famous wine brotherhood of Burgundy. While touring this ancient and uncannily atmospheric place, you will learn how wine was made in the Middle Ages, and see an actual wine press from the 13th century still in action.

Enjoy Grand Cru red wines while staying at a local estate in the Côte de Nuits, and stroll the renowned vineyards of the Domaine de la Romanée Conti. Travel to the Côte de Beaune and savor legendary Montrachet wines. Journey southward, to the Graves region and experience great tours and tastings at Château Smith Haut Lafitte or Château La Louviere, then move on to the sweet dessert wine area of Sauternes where the chateaux Guiraud or Suduiraut await.

Move on to the Médoc region, and the ‘Routes des Châteaux’ through the villages of Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint Julien. In Pauillac, the best known appellation of Bordeaux, taste three of the five great First Growths: Château Lafitte, Château Latour and Château Mouton-Rothschild. A special treat awaits you on this day of the tour – a private wine tasting lunch at one of the best estates in the region. Finish off this tour in St. Emilion and Pomerol. Some of Bordeaux’s oldest vineyards are found in St. Emilion, and they produce well-structured wines made by blending three of the best known grapes.  Pomerol is considered the premier area for Merlot wines in the world. Tour the medieval village, and then head homewards with many great memories to share.

Grand Cru Tour of Burgundy

This tour concentrates on the Burgundy area, and gives you the opportunity to sample every single of of the thirty-two Grand Cru wines made in this region. Offering the best of the beautiful and dream like Côte d'Or, you will stay at the renowned Hotel le Cep in Beaune, take guided tours of Hospices de Beaune and Clos de Vougeot, and enjoy wonderful meals at Michelin-rated restaurants.

These tours offer you the opportunity to visit the vineyards where the best wines in the world are produced.   It's as if the pictures on the labels of your favorite vintage French wines come alive, and you are walking in the midst of them.    For the wine connoisseur, these are simply dream vacations come true.  And of course, wines that you especially like can usually be shipped home for you.