Ride Overview

The very name of Bordeaux has come to mean great wines. No part of France is able to produce a wider variety of the noblest wines than the Gironde area surrounding the city of Bordeaux.

Riding through this area, you will have the opportunity to taste great wines such as Medoc, Cote de Blaye, Cote de Bourg, Bordeaux Superior, Bordeaux Lalande, Pomerol, Saint-Emilion, Cadillac, Graves, Sauternes.

You will ride through landscapes of some of France’s richest architectural land, You will pass near picturesque farms, rolling meadows, ancient villages, churches and castles. Much of the area has not changed significantly for the last several hundred years …

2023 Rates:  $2,925.00 USD per person in a shared room (Single Supplement:  $615.00 USD)
Non rider rate in a shared room with a rider:  $2,035.00 USD
Dates:  Sept. 23-30, Oct. 1-8, Oct. 14-21, Oct. 22-29

2024 Rates: $3,260.00 USD per person in a shared room (Single Supplement:  $615.00 USD)
Non rider rate in a shared room with a rider:  $2,135.00 USD
Dates: May 11-18, May 19-26, Sept. 28-Oct. 5, Oct. 6-13, Oct. 19-26, Oct 27-Nov. 3

NOTE: the level of riding for this ride is for an experienced rider who has mastered all 4 gaits (walk, posting trot (posting is mandatory), canter/gallop in a forward seat on varied terrain and in open spaces. You must be able to control the speed and direction of your horse without being rough on their mouth or back. There are many long trots and canters, so you need to be physically fit. You must also be able to mount unaided. If, on the first day of the ride, the guide does not feel you have adequately met these guidelines, you will not be able to continue by horseback but may travel with the support vehicle. A 300 euro fee will be charged for transporting your horse back to the farm. No refunds will be issued in the event you are not able to ride to these guidelines.

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 6 days of guided trail riding
  • All meals
  • Horse and all tack
  • Guiding services
  • Luggage transfers
  • All taxes

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Visits/Tastings outlined in the itinerary (c. 30€)
  • Drinks with evening meals (bottled water, wine, beer, soda)
  • Airport transfers
  • Gratuities for the team at the end of the stay

Day 1

Arrival and pick up at Bordeaux airport at 6:30PM at HALL B at the "Brioche Dorée" snack bar .
Transfer to the bed and breakfast in Moulis en Médoc and enjoy a briefing and dinner.

Day 2

Breakfast at 8AM and then transfer to the horses at 9AM. The ride begins after all are introduced to their horses and head out at 10AM.
The morning ride starts in a flat landscape between vineyards and forests and winds its way through lovely scenery before arriving to the lunch spot. A picnic lunch awaits you on the borders of the Gironde. After lunch you will taste a Medoc at the wine museum of Maucaillou.

Afterward, you will cross the Gironde, with your horse, on a ferry, towards Blaye (crossing time of 40 min). Upon arrival you will ride to the citadelle Vauban (18th century).

Dinner and Night in a hotel.

Day 3

Breakfast at 8AM, departure from the hotel at 9AM and then mount up to ride out at 10AM.
Today, you will ride through the Côtes de Blaye and the Côtes de Bourg in hilly and lush landscape. Lunch will be a picnic at a wine producers’ place at Lamothe castle and showcase tasting of the Côte de Bourg.
At around 3PM, you’ll mount back up and ride toward Cubnezais through a flatter landscape good for longer trots and canters. You’ll enjoy the micro climate en route, with distinct areas of humid zones.
The evening will be a delight as you’ll visit the winegrower of the vineyard Gravette’s where you will enjoy a tasting during the evening meal. Overnight on site.

Day 4

Breakfast at 8AM and again on the horses by 9:30AM. Today you’ll explore a region where vineyards alternate with small forests which will lead you to the castle Mayne Veil, for a tasty picnic lunch and tasting of Fronsac wine.
After lunch you will ride toward Libourne, where you will pass through the famous region of Pomerol. It is at the castle Belles Graves that you will leave your horses to enjoy tasting the famous Lalande de Pomerol wine.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Libourne.

Day 5

Continuing your ride in the direction of Saint Emilion and passing through the famous properties of château Pétrus, Cheval Blanc and château Figeac you will arrive to your picnic lunch at the castle Robin des Moines – complete with a tasting of this wine followed by a free visit of the city of St Emilion.
In the afternoon you will leave St Emilion to ride through the large valley of Dordogne and arrive in Saint Jean de Blaignac by 7PM.
Dinner and overnight in a bed and breakfast.

Day 6

You are now in the region of the "Entre deux Mers", with its varied landscapes, hilly and wooded, and its beautiful wineries.
You will stop at the castle of Rauzan (13th century) with a tasting of Entre deux Mers and then continue on in the afternoon to ride through vineyards alternating with forests, which will lead to the castle of Broustaret (Bed and Breakfast).
Dinner in the city of Cadillac where you will taste the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux before an enchanting nocturnal visit of the city.

Day 7

Again riding out by 9:30AM, you’ll be amazed by the scenery. Until reaching Cadillac, the region is quite hilly but then you will pass through the valley of Garonne to reach the vineyards of Graves and Sauternes.
Another flavorful picnic, today at the castle of Myrat is in store. The count of Pontac will personally show you his castle and will delight you with a tasting of this gold-couloured wine.
In the afternoon, gallops between vineyards and forests will lead you to Sauternes. From the top of the tower of the oenological school “La Tour Blanche” you will take in the view on the wineyard of Sauternes.
During dinner you will taste the wine of Graves and spend the night at the hotel.

Day 8

After breakfast, transfer to Bordeaux airport at pre set time.

France-Medoc-Bordeaux-map