We will be in the Bordeaux region in early to mid-October and hope to tour a couple of wineries. Can anyone tell me whether it's possible to visit Chateau d'Yquem and, if so, how to arrange a visit? I have seen references to a tour, but haven't found a way to make a reservation. Thank you.

Start with www.google.fr to get more hits from the google French website.

It's possible. http://mowse.blogspot.com/2010/11/ce...t-chateau.html

As one of the most premier wineries in all of France, it will be very difficult.

I've looked at the website, and it doesn't even mention visits. It talks at great length about HOW to do a great dégustation, but doesn't invite anyone to do it. Good luck. You might contact the Maison du Vin in Bordeaux for further information.

Thank you both. I had looked everywhere, so I guess I'm not overlooking something. I appreciate your help very much.

It's apparently available for guided visit by appointment, free of charge. Use the contact section (under Press) of their website at http://www.yquem.fr/yquem.php?lang=uk
Contacting Maison du Vin may be an alternative.

The free visits are likely only for credentialed press, or those with assignments, not tourists.

We stayed in the Sauternes area for 4 nights this past June. It was difficult to locate Chateau d'Yquem - but when we finally found the entrance, there was no mention of "tours" - in fact the entrance was quite intimidating. Lots of interesting non-wine Chateaux in the area open for tours. The village of Sauternes has a good tasting room where we purchased 8 Sauternes to enjoy on the remaining 5 weeks of our trip to the Pays Basque & Pyrenees. Ch Malle has a mini-tour of the Chateau and there is also tastings of their Sauternes.

Stu Dudley

The wine tasting place in the village of Sauternes is called Maison de Sauternes.

The tour of Ch Malle is a tour of the elegant interior of the building - not any winemaking stuff. You can also tour the garden.

Stu Dudley

OK, I'm ready to change course and let go of Chateau d'Yquem, it was just an idea. The Maison de Sauternes sounds great, thanks for the recommendation.

<< there was no mention of "tours" - in fact the entrance was quite intimidating. >>

The whole website is intimidating. Like so many "high-class" Bordeaux wine châteaux, it's not welcoming to visitors. They don't want them. Hence the advice to get in touch with the Maison du Vin and the Tourist Office in Bordeaux. The whole wine region is set up for known buyers and sellers. They don't want tourists. If you want to get cozy with vintners, Bordeaux isn't the place to do it, unless you've got an "in" or are a commercial buyer.

...and even if you are in the industry, you cannot just walk in to the big-name Bordeaux chateaux, but need appts, often weeks in advance of your intended visit.