Famous Worldwide for Wine Production
Saint-Émilion is one of the most famous wine destinations in the world and a perfect escape from Bordeaux .
Bordeaux is probably one of the most famous places in the world for the production and sale of wine. The port of Bordeaux exported the region’s wines to both the old and new world.
The famous claret comes from here and some of the greatest red wines in the world are produced in this region.
The unique climate, rain and sunshine, together with the rich alluvial soil from the Gironde estuary and top-quality grapes, create the famous Bordeaux “superior quality”.
Getting to Saint-Émilion
The local tourist office offers organized wine tours for full or half days at approximately 89 euro, including transport, a light lunch and vineyard visits.
Unfortunately, these were fully booked on our arrival, so we decided to take the train journey to the lovely town of Saint-Émilion, famous for its beautiful white sandstone buildings.
Just 45 minutes from Bordeaux main station, Saint-Émilion is easily reached via the Bordeaux tram and rail system. A return day ticket costs approximately 15 euros.
We met some Irish visitors who rented a car but found the costs expensive. It is often better to organize tours before leaving Ireland through the Gironde Tourist Board or travel agents such as Harvey Travel or Strand Travel.
Walking Through the Vineyards
There is a long uphill walk from the train station into the town itself, although taxis are available.
Many visitors prefer the scenic route through the vineyards, stopping at wineries along the way. Some of the train travelers we met did exactly the same.
This is also an excellent area for:
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Guided vineyard walks
- Wine tasting experiences
From mid-May to mid-September, vineyard walking tours are especially popular.
Many locals recommend late summer as one of the best times to visit.
Exploring the Medieval Town
Saint-Émilion offers much more than wine.
Along the picturesque streets you can:
- Visit art galleries
- Browse craft shops
- Explore wine merchants
- Discover historic churches and cloisters
The town has many wine shops with export experience and several owners know Ireland well, particularly Cork and Galway.
There is also:
- The Collegiate Church
- The Monolithic Church bell tower
- The Cordeliers Monastery and cloister
- The King’s Tower (Château du Roy)
The steep cobbled streets require care, but the views and atmosphere make the climb worthwhile.
Wine Museums & French Heritage
At the top of the hill you can visit a wine museum explaining how Bordeaux wines are produced.
Nearby, we discovered a wine and crystal shop selling Baccarat crystal.
The underground pottery museum is another hidden gem, showcasing ceramics dating back to Roman times and offering insight into French pottery history.
Visitors can also explore:
- The Wine Grower’s Museum (Ecomuseum of Libournais)
- Historic wine cellars
- Roman and medieval heritage sites
The Irish Connection to Bordeaux Wines
We know some visitors, who have gone to visit Lynch Bages and the Dillon estates, both with strong Irish connections to the Bordeaux region.
The Phelan family came from Clonmel and settled in the area in the late 1700s. The business later became known as Phelan Segur , located in St. Estèphe , just north of Bordeaux.
The Kirwans and Bartons are other famous Irish names associated with vineyards in the Bordeaux region.
Many original Irish families intermarried with the French over time and, in some cases, the family names evolved or changed on the vineyards.
Now, the increased wealth of modern Ireland has also seen new Irish investment in vineyards, much like the Americans and Germans did in previous decades.
The Cross family from Northern Ireland purchased Chateau de la Ligne , while Lochlann Quinn , brother of former Irish politician Ruairi Quinn , owned the well-known Chateau Fieuzal vineyard.
These vineyards can often be visited, although it is best to check with the local tourist board and make advance bookings.
A day of vineyard walks, wine tasting and a quality French meal can make for an ideal escape from Bordeaux city as part of a longer weekend break.
Visitors can also learn about wine tasting and perhaps discover the historic Irish links to wine through the story of the “Wild Geese” — Irish families who left Ireland after the Battle of Kinsale and later periods of religious persecution.
It is a wonderful region to reflect and relax as you travel back towards Bordeaux through acres of ripening vineyards.
We had an Irish guide the previous day who explained how many Irish families settled in this region from the 1700s onwards, often after military service in France, later purchasing vineyards and developing successful wine businesses. That tradition continues today.
Wine Tasting & Local Food
Bordeaux is renowned for its red wines, but you will also find excellent white wines, both dry and sweet. Popular dry white grapes include Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, while regions such as Entre-Deux-Mers, Côtes de Bourg and Côtes de Blaye are also well known.
The sweet wines of Bordeaux are famous too, particularly Sauternes and Barsac, which make excellent dessert wines, along with Graves Supérieures and Sainte-Foy wines.
Exploring the Medoc Region
While we focused mainly on reds and Saint-Émilion, a trip to the Medoc was also highly recommended for serious wine enthusiasts, although our schedule did not allow enough time.
This area lies north of Bordeaux near the mouth of the River Gironde and is synonymous with red wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon grapes thriving on gravel-rich soils.
Bus No. 705 from Bordeaux Quinconces bus station will bring visitors towards the Medoc and the famous Chateau Margaux area, home to some of the world’s most celebrated wine estates.
For more details see:
Pauillac Medoc Tourism
There is also a train service from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station, approximately 35–40 minutes away.
Back in Bordeaux
Back at Bordeaux-Saint-Jean Station , a splendid building and a reminder of another era, it was time to board the busy tram and return to the hotel to rest the legacy and reflect on an enjoyable and memorable day.
Sunday is actually a very good day to make this outward journey from the city, as many amenities in Bordeaux are quieter or closed, unlike the lively and bustling Saturdays.
After a short rest, it was time once again to enjoy another good-value French meal, accompanied by an excellent local wine, while discussing the day’s experiences and the finer things in life.
Travel Connections from Ireland
At one stage, Waterford Airport had a direct route connection to Bordeaux, although travelers now generally fly via Cork or Dublin. Even so, modern travel has brought the culture, history and gastronomy of south-west France much closer to Ireland.
In the past, many Bordeaux wines arrived directly into Port of Waterford for bottling and export to England, during a period when Waterford benefited from tax advantages on imported wine. Ships traveled directly from Bordeaux to Waterford in journeys taking less than three days.
Today, centuries later and in the era of modern air travel, visitors can leave Bordeaux and be back in Waterford in under two hours. Perhaps in the coming years, with renewed interest in regional travel and the future development of Waterford Airport, such direct connections may yet return once again.