Sauternes is a region celebrated for making sweet white wines, which can range from dulcet nirvana…read moreto downright cloying. Although I previously knew that I enjoyed the wine type, I didn't understand the full complexity involved in the production of this liquid gold. A visit to Château Rieussec provided me with a thorough explanation and a knowledge of what it takes to produce such a magnificent bottle of wine. Having made reservations in advance for an English speaking tour, we were warmly greeted in the reception area and then we were directed to the tasting room to wait for our host. Considering they don't charge for the visit (which seems uncommon in the area), it is a sensational value. Unlike the tours I'm used to in the United States, there were no throngs of bachelorette parties, nor was there an easy to amble up to bar for tasting large pours of many different varietals. Instead we were treated to a private experience, given a complete look at the history of the winery, the terroir, and the process used. Since Rieussec's vineyards border the highly lauded Château d`Yquem (who does not accept visitors unless you are in the industry), they are perfectly positioned to produce the top notch wine that has earned them the title of 1er Cru Classé. For wine lovers, it is like visiting a sacred temple, and being allowed to observe some of their rituals. I never realized how important the climate was to the wine itself, the local fog creating the perfect conditions to yield the candied grapes. There is a delicate balance to the plots selected for the grapes themselves, of which the primary grape grown is Sémillon, with a smaller percentage of Sauvignon Blanc as well. The picking process requires an eagle eye and multiple pickings to ensure the right balance and the highest quality in the wine. Then there are many other details that I would never have considered, all of which are necessary to create a bottle that meets their stringent guidelines. Truly we felt honored to be able to receive such an in depth look at region, and steps required to create a bottle of Château Rieussec's wine. Our host was gracious to and full of interesting information. At the end of our tour we were given some of the wine to sample, enjoying the smooth complexity as notes of honeysuckle, peach, and lychee made their way through. I only wish we had a block of blue cheese with us at the time to pair it with! I cannot recommend a visit enthusiastically enough, it is without doubt, a must for any wine lover.

From the same producers of Chateau Lafite Rosthschild, one of the most famous Bordeaux wines of all…read moretime. They make a pretty fantastic Sauternes to boot. Made of 90 - 95% Sémillon , Muscadelle and 5-10% Sauvignon, this late harvest wine is amongst some of the best Sauternes out there, batting in the same league as Yquem but much more affordable

I thought that I had booked a small group tour and tasting here only to find midway through we were…read morejoined by a large bus tour group. This totally changed the feel of the tour as the large group socialized, took campy photos, and made the tasting experience crowded and chaotic. Our charming guide, Rodrigo, did his best to manage the large group, which we appreciate. The tasting was just okay, no chance to explain much about the wine, no water or small snacks to cleanse the palate and no offers to taste anything special or extra. My husband and I have been on wine tours all around the world and have never experienced anything like this. Typically I do book independent tours or private guides, but we only had one day in Bordeaux and thought this might give us a flavor of the region in a shorter time frame. I recommend that the management provide large groups their own guide and space so as not to impact the experience of other guests. If you are looking for a more personal experience this may not be worth your time.

Came here today for a wine tour and tasting. The tour was was wonderful. It was interesting and…read morethe grounds were beautiful. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and kept things moving. My biggest disappointment was the wine tasting. We tasted 3 wines. A white Bordeaux and 2 reds. I didn't care for any of them. I really wanted to like this and ship a case home but since the 3 I tasted we're not what I like, I left empty handed.

Excellent welcome, tour with clear explanations in English and very nice wines to taste…read more This company focuses on biological production. No pesticides are used to increase production yield. Biodiversity is of great importance to this vineyard. Balance of nature is key for success. Grapes are hand picked. New barrels are used. The site is well organised and looks pretty. Well worth a visit! Be prepared to spend some money as the dessert wines are excellent and also pricey! ;)

Guirard uses only Semillion and Sauvignon in their Sauternes blend. Another of the 1st cru wines,…read morewhich sits nearby the famed Yquem, it's also another excellent Sauternes producer for those of us that can't afford the Premier Crus of Yquem

We stayed in the Gite here. The wine was some of the best I've had in St Emillion area. I would…read morehighly recommend this Chateau.

A Wine School & Premier Cru Sauternes…read more A microscopic fungus called botrytis cinerea develops on bunches of grapes in the autumn thanks to the alternating mists of the morning and the warmer sun in the afternoon. This fungus provides the berries with a high natural sugar concentration that has aromas of dried fruits. Harvesting is done by hand with pickers going through the rows of vines several times, usually four to six times, to pick only the individual berries that have been affected by what is known as Noble Rot. This Noble Rot is what makes these delicious fermented Sauternes of Bordeaux renowned around the world. In a visit to Chateau La Tour Blanche, we were given a very fascinating tour not only of the winery but of the vineyards, witnessing first hand the botrytis cinerea. This Chateau was bequesthed to the French State in 1907 upon the death of its last owner, Daniel Iffla who made the condition that the Chateau become a practical, no-fee wine school. We met many of the students who had recently been harvesting the grapes and were in the process of learning the techniques and principles of oenology. The estate is open year round Monday-Friday from 9 am-Noon and 2pm-5pm and has a tasting room where we bought several bottles of this delicious wine. This is a must vist Chateau to learn about the remarkable terroir, technology, and traditions of Sauterne wine making.

following closely behind Yquem and La Tour in the world standings of Sauternes Lafaurie Peyraguey…read moreis another excellent offering for those of us that find it hard to go into Yquem price territory.