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Your Autumn Retreat in Bordeaux's Vaunted Vineyards

5:24 PM (Today)wineenthusiast
Cork and Compass

Experience where history and terroir meet ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

Wine Enthusiast®
 
 
 
 
November 2-7, 2026 | 6 Days, 5 Nights
 
 
 
 
 
Join us for an intimate journey through Bordeaux’s legendary wine country this November, where centuries of tradition meet world-class craftsmanship. Explore celebrated appellations from Pauillac to Saint-Émilion, visiting elegant châteaux and storied vineyards, while enjoying insider access to renowned estates, memorable tastings, and exquisite French cuisine.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meet your expert, Jeff Porter!
 
 
Jeff Porter is a Writer-at-Large and Reviewer for the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Panel and former Wine Director of the Michelin-starred Del Posto. He is known for translating the world of fine wine with warmth and clarity, bringing guests inside Bordeaux’s most celebrated estates through stories of craft, tradition, and place. Traveling with Jeff offers an intimate, elevated perspective—guided by a seasoned sommelier who believes exceptional wine experiences should feel both inspiring and welcoming.
 
 
Bienvenue à Bordeaux
 
 
 
Arrive in Bordeaux and transfer as a group to your hotel set along the scenic Gironde estuary. Meet your Cork + Compass Travel expert Jeff Porter and fellow travelers, and journey down the road to Château Lynch-Bages for a tasting of innovative wines. Dinner this evening is at Château Beychevelle.
 
Included Meal: Dinner
Accommodations: Château Cordeillan-Bages
Wineries: Château Lynch-Bages
 
 
Pauillac
 
 
 
Begin with a tasting at the esteemed Château Haut-Batailley, where wines with fine tannic structure develop complexity and depth over time. Pause to enjoy lunch in Pauillac and the opportunity to explore the town at your own pace. In the afternoon, continue for a tasting at the Château Cos d’Estournel founded in 1811. Return to your hotel and gather for dinner at Café Lavinal.
 
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Château Cordeillan-Bages
Wineries: Château Haut-Batailley, Château Cos d’Estournel
 
 
Saint-Émilion
 
 
 
Start with a guided tour, tasting, and lunch at Château La Tour Blanche. The afternoon offers tours and tastings at two estates: Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, celebrated for its superb sweet wines, and Chateau Carbonnieux, known for producing wines classified as Grands Crus Classés de Graves. Afterward, check in to your room at Château Léognan and gather for dinner at Le Manége.
 
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Château Léognan
Wineries: Château La Tour Blanche, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Château Carbonnieux
 
 
Saint-Émilion
 
 
 
The morning begins with a tour and tasting at Château Canon La Gaffelière, an area planted with vines since Gallo-Roman times. Explore at your leisure in the medieval city of Saint-Émilion, then continue to Château le Puy. Your final tasting today is at the 17th-century Château Troplong Mondot. Return to Léognan, where you’re free to enjoy dinner on your own and explore the area.
 
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Château Léognan
Wineries: Château Canon La Gaffelière, Château le Puy, Château Troplong Mondot
 
 
Bordeaux
 
 
 
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Bordeaux’s historic city center and take in Quinconces Square, the 18th-century Le Grand Théâtre, and the Place de la Bourse. After an independent lunch, visit Château Smith Haut Lafitte for a tour of the vineyards and a tasting. In the evening, gather for a festive dinner cruise aboard the riverboat Le Sicambre and admire the illuminated buildings along the Garonne River as you raise a toast to your journey through Bordeaux.
 
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Château Léognan
Wineries: Château Smith Haut Lafitte
 
 
Au Revoir
 
 
 

Bid farewell to Bordeaux with a transfer to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport for individual flights home.

 

Included Meals: Breakfast

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exclusive access to world-class wineries,
guided by the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Panel experts.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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