River cruise · Garonne, Dordogne, Gironde · seasonal supply
Bordeaux river cruises: the season's wine, port of call by port of call
A cruise boat sailing up the Garonne and the Dordogne sells a week among the vineyards: Pauillac, Saint-Émilion, Blaye, Cadillac. At table, passengers expect the wine of the day's port of call. The calculation below prices a boat's season, meal by meal, and splits the bottles between the appellations on the itinerary.
A season's wine, for your fleet
Nothing is sent until you click on the quote. A bottle serves six 12.5 cl glasses.
The wine of the port of call
Serving in the evening the wine from the vineyard visited that morning is the thread running through the cruise. The appellations on the classic itinerary, and where Transvins has wines to serve them:
| Port of call | By the glass that day | Our wines |
|---|---|---|
| Pauillac, the Médoc | Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux, in red | Pauillac and Margaux |
| Libourne, Saint-Émilion | Saint-Émilion grand cru, Pomerol | Saint-Émilion and Pomerol |
| Blaye, Bourg | Côtes de Blaye and Côtes de Bourg, supple reds | On the quote |
| Cadillac, opposite Sauternes | Sauternes, Barsac with dessert; white Graves | Sauternes and Graves |
| Bordeaux | Pessac-Léognan, red and white | Pessac-Léognan wines |
A gala dinner at the end of the cruise can run to an older classified growth: the vintages to drink in 2026 say which are ready.
What a seasonal contract needs to settle
- Named wines for the whole season, with a replacement wine for each: a wine can run out in August.
- The delivery rhythm: at each turnaround at the Bordeaux quay, or in blocks of several weeks if the boat has room in its cellar. The place and time of delivery at the quay are confirmed in the quote.
- The price: excl. VAT, fixed for the season or per quarter, as specified in the quote.
- The wine notes: château, appellation, vintage, grape varieties, in two lines. Most passengers read English; translation stays on your side.
Why a wine merchant rather than a national onboard supplier?
For the port of call. A Bordeaux wine merchant has the appellations on the itinerary, châteaux from those appellations, and older vintages for the gala dinner. For soft drinks, beer and spirits, your usual supplier is still the right contact.
Can you order for the whole season in March?
Yes: one quote for the season, with staggered deliveries. Each delivery then follows how full the cruises actually are: you adjust the quantities order by order.
What about a restaurant boat or evening cruises on the Garonne?
The same calculation works with one night and one meal; the need is more like a restaurant's, see wine for restaurants.
How much should you keep on board?
One cruise's consumption, plus a margin of a tenth. Wine suffers in the heat: an onboard cellar at a stable temperature, away from the engine room, and no three-week reserve in high summer.