PESSAC GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Sur les traces du Pape Clément: seven centuries inside a Grand Cru Classé
A guided 1h30 visit at Château Pape Clément in Pessac that tours the vineyard, the wooden cuvier and the barrel cellar and ends with a commented tasting of three wines.
Sur les traces du Pape Clément: seven centuries inside a Grand Cru Classé.
Embark on a compact, authoritative tour through some 700 years of winemaking at Château Pape Clément. The visit moves from the château's caveau to the vine rows, through a wooden cuvier dedicated to red vinification and into the barrel cellar, and finishes with a tasting that draws a line between the wine of yesterday and today.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Seven centuries at a Grand Cru Classé
The tour frames the estate's story around Pape Clément V and the long arc of the property, explaining how a Graves Grand Cru Classé evolved across centuries.
From vine to barrel: cuvier and élevage
Visitors step into the wooden cuvier dedicated to red vinification and the barrel cellar where wine rests—roughly 16 months in barrel—to reveal the estate’s approach to élevage.
A commented tasting of three estate wines
The visit concludes with a commented tasting of three wines from Château Pape Clément, including the red Grand Cru Classé de Graves and a confidential white cuvée.
What the day feels like
How the visit unfolds
The guided experience begins in the château caveau with an account of Pape Clément V, continues with a visit to the vineyard, a look inside the wooden cuvier used for red vinification, and a walkthrough of the barrel cellar before closing with a tasting of three wines that contrasts past and present winemaking at the estate.
THE HISTORY
Seven centuries at a Grand Cru Classé
The tour frames the estate's story around Pape Clément V and the long arc of the property, explaining how a Graves Grand Cru Classé evolved across centuries.
THE PROCESS
From vine to barrel: cuvier and élevage
Visitors step into the wooden cuvier dedicated to red vinification and the barrel cellar where wine rests—roughly 16 months in barrel—to reveal the estate’s approach to élevage.
THE TASTING
A commented tasting of three estate wines
The visit concludes with a commented tasting of three wines from Château Pape Clément, including the red Grand Cru Classé de Graves and a confidential white cuvée.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this visit — and who should plan around restrictions.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The visit lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Note that the château gardens are not accessible on weekends from April to October because they are privatized for weddings.
The experience begins in the château caveau; the tour is operated by Château Pape Clément in Pessac.
Children may attend the visit free of charge but are not included in the wine tasting portion.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the visit?
La Visite et Dégustation dure environ 1 heure et 30 minutes.
Where does the visit start?
The tour starts in the château caveau, where the story of Pape Clément V is presented.
What parts of the estate will we see?
The visit includes the vineyard, the wooden cuvier dedicated to red vinification, and the barrel cellar.
How many wines are tasted?
The visit concludes with a commented tasting of three wines from Château Pape Clément.
Can children take part in the tasting?
Children may participate in the visit free of charge, but they cannot take part in the wine tasting.
Are the gardens open year-round?
The gardens are not accessible on weekends from April to October because they are privatized for weddings.