Sauternes, Barsac, Bommes, Preignac and Farguesannual, November2 days
Open-house weekend of the Sauternes and Barsac appellations, with close to 50 chateaux in Barsac, Bommes, Preignac, Sauternes and Fargues opening for tastings, visits and workshops. The 2026 edition is on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, 11:00 to 18:00; tastings are free and need no reservation, while some activities such as a masterclass at Chateau La Tour Blanche (30 euros) are paid.
Tip: Visits at some estates, for example Chateau Climens, are by reservation only and run on a single day; check each estate on the programme page.
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, Cadillacannual, June (6 and 7 June in 2026)2 days
Open-house weekend of the Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux appellation, with around thirty chateaux and wine estates offering tastings, activities and food. The 31st edition was held on 6 and 7 June 2026, 10:00 to 19:00; one-hour tasting workshops at the Maison des Vins de Cadillac, led by a trainer from the Ecole du Vin de Bordeaux, cost 3 euros per person.
Tip: The workshops at the Maison des Vins de Cadillac need no booking and run at fixed times on both days, subject to available places.
Bordeaux quaysBiennial, even years, late June4 days
Bordeaux wine festival held biennially on the Garonne quays since 1998. 70+ wine pavilions, 35,000 tasting tokens sold; classified-growth chateaux pouring current releases and select back vintages.
Chartrons, BordeauxAnnual, early December3 days
Annual consumer and trade grand tasting organised by the Bettane et Desseauve wine guide, held in Hangar 14 on the Chartrons quay. 250+ Bordeaux producers presenting current releases and en-primeur samples.
Lac district, BordeauxBiennial, odd years, June4 days
The world's leading international wine and spirits trade fair, held biennially at the Bordeaux exhibition centre. 2,400+ exhibitors from 40+ countries; Bordeaux first growths always prominently represented.
Bordeaux region-wideAnnual, early April (typically first week)5-7 days
The annual en-primeur tasting week when international trade and press taste barrel samples of the new vintage at the chateaux before release. Prices set and allocations agreed; a central commercial event in the Bordeaux calendar.
