The Bordeaux Wine Magazine 2026 July issue, by the Bordeaux Wine Experience, the leading Bordeaux Wine Tour Company
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This magazine was shared with you as a member
of our exclusive circle of Bordeaux wine enthusiasts.
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France and Europe have been hit with several heat waves this summer, and I’m expecting an early harvest in Bordeaux
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A Personal Note From Michael,
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It is hot in Bordeaux.
42°C hot. 108°F hot.
Slow days. Unruly kids. Friends and in-laws drop in whenever they feel like it.
Evenings start as dinners and somehow turn into something much longer.
Everyone still at the table because nobody wants to be the first one to leave.
This is July in Bordeaux. Hot. Slow. Unruly.
Fortunately for me, it’s rosé season at the Naveau compound. Ice. Rosé. And 42°C.
But this year, the heat has given Bordeaux something more interesting than just good gossip and another reason to drink rosé.
It has given us a story.
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Guests enjoying some of our family estate’s rosé
during our private cooking class
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Let’s uncork the extraordinary!
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Join me for an unforgettable wine- and culinary-filled experience in Bordeaux,
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So, What Does this Mean for Bordeaux in 2026?
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“La vigne doit souffrir pour donner de bons raisins”
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Because in Bordeaux, the story always starts in the vines.
I walked the vineyards of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion last week.
The first thing that jumped out?
This vintage is running two to three weeks ahead of normal.
In Bordeaux, this is not a small thing.
This is a region that likes its traditions on a schedule.
Some early parcels could be picked in the first days of August.
While visiting a few of my favorite spots, I ran into a viticultural advisor talking about the heat.
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Michael enjoying a glass of 2009 Clos Fourtet
away from the summer heat
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Twenty years working these vines, and he had never seen anything quite like it.
I laughed. Then looked closer.
The grapes were ripening quickly.
Sugar levels were climbing ahead of schedule.
Vines were even showing a little sunburn. Yes, actual sunburn. On the wood.
Like they forgot to put on sunscreen.
He wasn’t worried.
He was amused.
“Well,” he said, “this is going to be a year.“
It hit me on the drive home…
He was more concerned about adjusting his August vacation plans than about the heat and his vines.
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Viticultural advisor examining his vines on the Right Bank
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Of course, underneath that casual Bordeaux shrug, there is serious skill happening.
Deciding when to pick. Which vines can wait. Which ones cannot. That is not luck.
That is twenty years of paying attention.
And all week, I kept hearing one of my favorite Bordeaux sayings:
“La vigne doit souffrir pour donner de bons raisins.“
The vine must suffer to produce good grapes.
Here, it applies to more than grapes. It applies to kids, too.
I tell my 6- and 8-year-olds this all the time. They are not convinced. Suffering has never sounded very appealing to these two.
Some days, I’ve got a 1982 Lafite on my hands. Other days, a Beaujolais Nouveau that’s been sitting open since 2018.
Either way, I love ’em. Whether I’m getting it right or not.
But the vines keep proving the saying right.
A vine that has everything easy does not always give you the most interesting wine.
A vine that has to work a little often gives you something with more character in the glass.
So no, I’m not stressing about the heat.
I’m into it.
It’s July. It’s 42°C. I have plenty of rosé.
This could be one of those vintages people talk about for years… and that’s exactly the Bordeaux I love sharing with you.
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Vine roots in Bordeaux burrow deep into the soil…
vines that have to work a little more
often gives you more character in the glass
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Your hosts, Michael & Maud Naveau, love to welcome you to Bordeaux
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Come See It Yourself
This is the part of Bordeaux you don’t get from a wine label…
Advisors joking about vacation, standing shoulder to shoulder with vines sulking in the heat, a vintage that’s already got a personality of its own.
I only take a few groups through it myself each year.
Private access, long tables, real conversations. This is not a bus tour.
2026: Only 2 Rooms Available
Take a closer look and join our Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Experience (2026).
2027 Bordeaux Wine Experience
And our 2027 Wine Experiences are now open and already filling up.
Questions?
Just reply. I read every message myself.
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Guests enjoying a fun dinner paired with exceptional wines
at my private underground wine club in Bordeaux
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Start Planning Your Bordeaux Wine Experience
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The Bordeaux Wine Experiences are designed for those who value experience over the ordinary,
conversation over crowds, and the rare privilege of being welcomed behind doors seldom opened.
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour
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Venues typically inaccessible to the public
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Join the Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour for an experience of pure opulence, featuring exquisite cuisine and exceptional wines.
Taste the soul of Bordeaux through its most celebrated vineyards and vintages.
From legendary First Growths to hidden family estates, each glass reveals a story of passion, terroir, and time-honored craftsmanship.
Savor exclusive chateau meals for a truly gorgeous, culinary experience.
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Meals are served in private dining rooms inside classified châteaux—settings most visitors never see, featuring exclusive meals set in remarkable venues typically inaccessible to the public.
The tour presents a rare opportunity to taste all five First Growths of over 30 years old, plus the Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem of over 40 years old!
Six days of long lunches, first-growth verticals, and sunset drives through the Médoc—small enough to feel like a private invitation, structured enough that you never wonder what’s next.
What makes it even more special is the inclusion of older vintages, adding a unique dimension to the wine-tasting experience.
It’s no wonder that the Bordeaux Grand Cru Tour has earned its status as a beloved favorite.
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour
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The Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour
Behold one of our most exclusive tours, a wine lover’s dream come true in the heart of Bordeaux.
This ultimate wine tour promises an unparalleled experience, setting the bar for perfection.
Harvest time in Bordeaux is thrilling, filled with anticipation and vibrant energy in the vineyards.
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Taste all five First Growths of over 25 years old
plus Chateau d’Yquem of over 40 years old
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Prepare to be amazed as you savor the exquisite taste of all five First Growths of over 30 years old, plus the Superior First Growth Chateau d’Yquem of over 40 years old!
The tour doesn’t stop there; it extends to include the best offerings from Saint Emilion and Pomerol, featuring many older vintages.
Elevating the experience further are the outstanding meals meticulously curated at exceptional venues rarely accessible to the public.
Six days of long lunches, first-growth verticals, and sunset drives through the Médoc—small enough to feel like a private invitation, structured enough that you never wonder what’s next.
It’s no surprise that the Bordeaux Grand Cru Harvest Tour has become a cherished favorite.
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Join Us for an Incredible 2026 Harvest Experience
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A Superb, Fun, and Exclusive Wine Vacation
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The ultimate destination to enjoy all five First Growths plus Yquem
in a relaxed and informal atmosphere
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The Bordeaux Wine Experience
Domaine de Coulon
2 Chemin de Meydieu
33360 Latresne (BORDEAUX), France
Website: www.BXWINEX.com
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Call us:
+33 (6) 83 44 89 41
(These lines go directly to our Chateaux in Bordeaux, so please remember that we’re on Paris time!)
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Copyright 2026 by The Bordeaux Wine Experience. All rights reserved. The content, design, and graphical elements of this Magazine are copyrighted. The Bordeaux Wine Experience is a company specializing in wine and culinary tours in the Bordeaux region for an English-speaking international clientele.
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