In 2003, the French government created a certification programme ‘Tourisme & Handicap’, a world first. Now managed by Atout France, France’s tourism development agency, the programme helps companies create or improve how they welcome guests with reduced mobility and other handicaps. Across the Nouvelle Aquitaine region there are over 1150 restaurants, accommodation, tourism sites and of course vineyards. This Tourisme et Handicap® certification is voluntary, with a website that makes it easy for guests to plan ahead and choose the best places to visit. Many of the Great Wine Capitals winners are amongst them.
You can find a list of inclusive visits here
Designed for people – wine makers and visitors
A new build is the perfect opportunity for redesign that includes accessibility to all visitors whatever their disabilities. The new cellars and reception centre of Vignobles de Larose (recently awarded of a Regional Best Of Wine Tourism award for its sustainable practices) at Château Larose-Trintaudon in the Haut Médoc, is a perfect example. Construction started in 2021, with the first phase, the wine cellar, delivered in 2023. The chateau seized this opportunity to re think how to welcome visitors. In 2024 they opening a building devoted to wine tourism. Their self-guided immersive experience welcomes all comers, regardless of their level of wine knowledge or mobility and takes them through the history, seasons and terroir of the property thanks to clever scenography and videos. No appointment needed, discover at your own pace before enjoying a tasting. Or by appointment enjoy their guided tour of the cellars, also designed to be accessible to all, with lifts to raised walkways allowing guests access to the impressive new cellars even during the busy harvest time. There’s a tasting of wines from all four properties of the group. Parking is easy, right at the entrance, for cars, camper vans and coaches, with electric charging stations and free Wi-Fi. This new initiative that shares their history of sustainability also led to them winning this year’s Best Of Award for Sustainable Tourism.
Château de Villegeorge, also in the Haut Médoc, is certified Tourism & Handicap and Terra Vitis for their sustainable viticulture. Winner of a Best Of Wine Tourism award back in 2010, owner wine maker Marie-Laure Lurton, also recently renovated Château La Tour de Bessan in Margaux. Both buildings are original and accessible. The cellars of Château de Villegeorge are in an 19th century tile maker building and La Tour de Bessan in 1930s industrial building converted into a remarkable avant-garde cellar. As well as an accessible visit, join a member of the team for a blending workshop or taste their wines alongside the delicious local Mademoiselle de Margaux chocolates, or skip the visit and step back in time, tasting a range of their older vintages.
At Château Lamothe Bergeron wine tourism is adapted to all, all-year round. They are proud of their “Vignobles et Découvertes” certification, another guarantee that a wide variety of visitors are welcome here. Thanks to ramps and lifts everyone can enjoy the light show in the cellar, tastings, picnics and even siestas in the park.
Further north in the Médoc all guests are welcome at Les Vignerons Unis Médoc, the largest barrel cellar in the Médoc and their wine making museum. Also certified “Tourisme et Handicap” they are equipped to welcome everyone. The cathedral like atmosphere of the cellar calls on all the senses, sight, smell, sound and the tasting workshop is accessible to everyone and hosted by one of the member growers, it’s the opportunity to discover the world of wine through the eyes of a vigneron as a member wine maker accompanies every visit.
Right bank sensations
On the right bank, in Saint Emilion, the modern winery La Maison Cardinale (2026 Global Best Of Wine Tourism winner) also uses sensations to make wine accessible with fully immersive experiences. Their Mélodique visit is a perfect example, rock music leads the visitors into a deeper understanding of the language we use to explore wine. Breaking down perceived barriers that people often build around wine. Sound is also used to take the visitors through the seasons of the vineyard and a virtual reality visit takes the guest throughout the year of the winery without leaving the cellar.
Below ground
Saint Emilion is also famous for the underground limestone caves, excavated as of the 9th century for their honey coloured stone used for the châteaux and buildings as far away as Libourne and Bordeaux. Some vineyards now use these old quarries to age their wines. These atmospheric cellars are part of the wine experience at Château Villemaurine, right on the edge of the Medieval village. They are accessible to wheel chair users, as is the gorgeous new Villa des Vignes, their hotel opened in September this year, including the stunning indoor pool with views across the vines.
Above ground
Château Balestard La Tonnelle, also a stone’s throw from the village, has a 360° panoramic terrace accessible to all. It’s the perfect viewpoint from which to understand the complexity and diversity of the right bank appellations and taste the wines or enjoy a light bite while you’re there.
Saint Emilion may be historic, but it has many modern wineries and renovated cellars designed to offer access and wine experiences for everyone. The ultra-modern tasting lounge at Château la Croizille is suspended above the vineyard offering a stunning view over a perfect amphitheatre of vines. In contrast their neighbouring Château Tour Baladoz is a classic ancient property, also accessible to all, sharing in one visit the contrast Bordeaux offers.
Entre deux Mers
On the opposite bank of the Dordogne, on the edge of the Entre-deux-Mers, Château de Bonhoste, winner of a Best of Wine Tourism in 2011, also have a huge underground cellar but above ground they have two 20 m2 wooden fermentation vats converted into mini-studios. Château du Payre, an organic Entre deux Mers vineyard have a very zen approach to wine tourism with Sophrology classes for those who need to get rid of some stress. All-inclusive visits include an overnight stay in one of their lovely château guest rooms
To get a full overview of the diversity the Bordeaux appellation can offer, visit Planet Bordeaux over 1000 wines red, white, rosé, clairet and crémant are available for sale, with a selection always available to taste. There’s an interactive discovery of the vineyards, region and wine from the largest Bordeaux appellation with experiences also designed specifically for children.
Urban Winery
You don’t have to go far from the city of Bordeaux to enjoy a full and accessible winery experience. Château Luchey Halde is a 23 hectare vineyard on the very outskirts of Bordeaux. It is at once one of the oldest and one of the newest properties of Pessac-Léognan. Vines were planted here in roman times. More recently and for 80 years, it was a military training ground close to the airport. Completely recreated by ENITA de Bordeaux (a government agricultural agency) in 1999, it is now an agricultural school of Bordeaux Sciences Agro and benefits from the latest technology that they are happy to share with all visitors.
Cite du Vin
If you really don’t want to venture beyond Bordeaux, visit La Cite du Vin, a unique immersive and sensory cultural experience. The discovery is not just about Bordeaux but the whole world of wine. Individual self-guided tours allow visual and audio help and wheel chair access is all the way up to the 8th floor for an panoramic tasting with a view across the roof tops of the city. They too are both a winner of a Great Wine Capitals award and certified ‘Tourism Handicap’.
Excellence and accessibility go hand in hand right across the region.
Author: Wendy Narby - Insider Tasting Photos credits: ©ChateauCarsin / ©VignoblesdeLarose / ©LaTourdeBassan / ©ChateauLucheyHalde /©MaisonCardinale / ©LaCitéduVin