Water front wines
The rolling limestone hillsides of the right bank of Bordeaux, with vineyards often running down towards the rivers, offer some splendid views. In Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, Château Biac dominates the Garonne River Valley and in Fronsac, the vines of Château de La Dauphine (2025 Best Of Wine Tourism Award for Wine Services) overlook the Dordogne River and their Patrimoine Tour shares the view from above the chateau, running you up there in a classic 2CV.
Although the Médoc isn’t known for its slopes, received wisdom is the best vines do overlook the water. Close to the Gironde estuary the deepest, brightest well drained gravel reflects the ripening sunshine back up to the Cabernet vines. It’s here some of the most famous names of the region are found. Pauillac neighbours Chateau Latour and Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande are right on the banks of the Gironde Estuary. The best views of the Latour vineyard are from the stunning panoramic terrace of Comtesse. In downtown Pauillac, the new cellars of Château Grand Puy Ducasse are right on the waterfront, an urban winery since 1820. The new cellars were opened to visitors in July 2024, designed for wine making but with guests in mind. A panoramic tasting room and terrace above the cellars overlooks the waters of the Gironde Estuary reinforcing the historic link to the water.
In Saint Estèphe, the vines of Châteaux Montrose, Meyney and Phelan Ségur are all lined up along a gravel outcrop overlooking their vines sloping down almost to the water’s edge. The dining room windows of Chateau Phélan Ségur look over this view where the chef shares local Médoc cuisine.
Further down river, in the Médoc appellation, Château Loudenne also enjoys a stunning view of the Estuary from the terrace of this ‘pink chateau’. From their private dock, alongside the monumental Victorian cellars, a mini-cruise embarks giving a view back to the properties that run along the water’s edge.
A tale of two towers
If natural topography hasn’t given you a view, you can always make one. In 2015, Château Gruaud Larose in Saint Julien built an ultra-modern, 18m high metal tower that offers an extraordinary view of the whole neighbourhood. The 50m2 platform is the perfect vantage point to understand the lay of the land across the left bank appellations of Saint Julien, Pauillac, west across the Haut Medoc and east across the estuary to the cotes appellations on the right bank. The 18th century chateau, now a classified monument, already had its own tower. Built by l’Abbée Gruaud in 1740, it too offered lovely views as well as an ancient clock and bell tower that was used to call workers to the vines. Tradition has it they hoisted a flag on the tower to announce the release of a new vintage. Once the narrow wooden staircase became unsafe for visitors, they wanted to re design the concept. Luckily the new, considerably higher tower has a lift!
In Pessac Léognan, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte also enjoys two towers, both built on a gravel outcrop with stunning views. The original 16th century stone tower, accessible via an outdoor staircase, is named after historical owner, Scotsman George Smith. It overlooks the vines and the Sources de Caudalie hotel and spa and is used to host private dinners. Across the manicured lawn, the second tower was built in the 1990s above the in-house cooperage where visitors can see how chateau barrels are made and toasted over the open fire. It’s also a clock and bell tower with a platform for 360° views across the vineyards and through the trees to the distant Garonne River.
Improve on the view
When Château La Dominique redesigned their cellars, they used the large terrace on top of the new build to create a restaurant, La Terrasse Rouge. Right on the edge of the Saint Emilion appellation, it offers stunning views across neighbouring Pomerol. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the exterior walls are covered in mirrored, stainless steel blades in different shades of red representing the evolution of the wine. Slightly curved, they give an inverted and fragmented vision of both the vines and the sky. The floor is strewn with red glass pebbles representing the grapes fermenting in the vats below. The restaurant opened in 2014 and won a well-deserved Best Of Wine Tourism Award for architecture.
Château Haut Bailly also made the most of the roof space above their new cellar in Pessac Léognan. Here environment, aesthetics and a great view go hand in hand. The semi submerged cellar is not only carbon neutral but has increased the biodiversity thanks to the 38m diameter roof garden purposely sown with plants with a mix of seeds and berries to support local fauna. Visitors access the roof via a glass elevator rising from deep in the barrel cellars past the 8.80 meter high vat rooms to emerge in the beautiful garden.
The 13th generation of the Cap de Mourlin family is making wine at the three family vineyards on the right bank. When brothers Thierry and François decided to renovate the whole production facility at Château Balestard La Tonnelle, Grand Cru Classé of Saint Emilion just a 10 minute stroll from the Medieval city, they created a panoramic terrace above the cellars. It’s the perfect viewing point for a masterclass in right bank geography, with views across Saint Emilion, the satellite appellations, Pomerol and Fronsac.
If you prefer a view of nature, family owned and run Château Mauvinon (2024 Best Of Wine Tourism Award for Sustainable Wine Tourism) also in Saint Emilion has an original way to share their passion for the environment. They have named the terrace above their tasting room ‘Le Nichoir’ or nesting box. It is the perfect place to observe the local bird life encouraged by their organic and biodynamic practices.
Sweet views
Despite the name Château La Tour Blanche (2023 Best Of Wine Tourism Award for Innovative Wine Tourism) the best view here isn’t from the tower but from the high point of the vineyard, 60 metres above sea level overlooking the Ciron valley where the chateau has built a wooden belvedere. High on the rolling hills of Bommes, one of the five villages that make up the Sauternes appellation, it offers a unique perspective over the natural environment of Sauternes, with views across the vines towards the Atlantic ocean. It’s the perfect spot for a sunset glass of Sauternes and can be privatized for a picnic or chic aperitif. You can stay late and enjoy the star filled sky – there’s no light pollution out here – just lock the door on the way out.
Historical views
Bordeaux has a long history and many ancient properties built by previous generations to embrace the views. The name Château Beauregard in Pomerol gives the game away. The terrace of this lovely property has a small moat filled with water lilies that overlooks the elegant gardens filled with ancient trees, unique in this small appellation where every ha of vines carries a high price.
At Château Giscours in Margaux (2024 Global Best Of Wine Tourism Award), a terrace runs the length of the 19th century neoclassical château. It overlooks the stunning park and ponds, the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink before retiring to the elegant dining rooms of the property.
Château du Taillan also has a large terrace in front of this chateau that has remained in the same family since 1896. It’s the most romantic venue for wedding ceremonies, brunches but also apéros, brunch or open air cinema.
The Entre deux Mers, is known for its lovely countryside and historical architecture with Château de Camarsac a perfect example. The imposing building is a real crenelated chateau and was built over a period of five hundred years from the 11th century. Restored by Solange and Thierry Lurton, you can now climb the new wooden staircase in the tower to the roof terrace for some of the best views of the region.
Historical high point
Château de Pressac (2025 Best Of Wine Tourism Award for architecture) has stood high above the Dordogne valley in Saint Emilion for six centuries. On its promontory with vines winding up the terraces to the château, architectural remnants from the middle ages and towers from the renaissance still dominate a view that will take your breath away and take you back in time.
Historical and architectural marvels, mother nature, flowing rivers and rolling vines, Bordeaux has a view to suit all tastes, best enjoyed with a glass of wine, of course.
Wendy Narby - Insider Tasting Photo credits : Wendy Narby / Château Biac / Château Gruaud Larose / Château Haut Bailly / Château La Tour Blanche / Château Beauregard