Is a Private Wine Guide in Burgundy Worth It?

What most travelers miss — and how to plan the wine trip that’s right for you
Hiring a private wine guide in Burgundy can be the difference between a nice trip and an unforgettable experience, but is it always necessary? Maybe you’ve zoomed in on the Côte de Nuits or tried to decode the difference between Premier Cru and Grand Cru. Maybe you’ve found a few names you recognize, but have no idea how to actually visit them. You’re not alone.

Burgundy is one of the most rewarding wine regions in the world, but it’s also one of the least intuitive. And that’s exactly why many travelers wonder if it’s worth hiring a private wine guide. The short answer: it depends on what you’re looking for.

1. Yes, you can visit wineries on your own — just not all of them

Let’s start here. You absolutely can explore parts of Burgundy independently. Several larger producers and négociants have well-established tourism programs with structured tastings and walk-in hours. If you’re looking for a relaxed introduction, that’s a great place to start.

But if you’ve read about top domaines in wine magazines or collector circles, the ones with allocated bottles and cult reputations, those producers are not typically open to the public. Most don’t have a tasting room, signage, or staff dedicated to visitors. Appointments are limited and usually reserved for trade professionals or those with personal connections.

That said, you can still taste these wines while you’re here. Some local restaurants hold direct allocations from legendary domaines. I know a few places where you can enjoy an incredible meal and drink a bottle of DRC at a price that’s fair (but still expensive), because they’ve worked with the domaine for decades. So while you may not walk into Romanée-Conti for a tasting, you can still experience its wines, if you know where to go.

And here’s something most people forget: if you’ve come all the way to Burgundy, this is your chance to discover wines you don’t already know. The big names? You can probably buy them back home, especially if you live in the US, UK, or parts of Asia. But the small producers, the under-the-radar climats, the winemakers pouring their heart into tiny cuvées, those are the wines that surprise you.

They’re the ones you ship home, or wrap in your sweater and tuck into your checked bag. They’re the ones with a story you can tell because you were there. That’s the beauty of Burgundy. And that’s where I come in — helping you find wines worth remembering, not just collecting.

Check out the Downloadable Beaune Guide for tips on self-guiding in Burgundy.

2. A private wine guide helps you go deeper — and plan smarter

A guide isn’t for everyone. But if you’re hoping to do more than scratch the surface, or if you’re short on time and want to make the most of it, working with a guide can completely reshape the experience.

I’ve had clients who wanted nothing more than to taste with a winemaker in muddy boots, standing in a cold, cramped cellar that smells like fermenting Pinot. Others wanted something polished and scenic, a château backdrop, beautiful stemware, and a formal tasting with a view. Both are valid. The key is knowing what you’re after, managing expectations, and building a plan that fits.

My role isn’t to steer you into a fixed itinerary. It’s to design an experience that reflects you, your palate, your curiosity, your pace. And because Burgundy doesn’t market itself the way other regions do, that kind of tailoring really matters.

3. Wine is only part of the story — cultural fluency shapes the rest

As an American living in France for nearly a decade, I bring more than just access to producers. I help bridge the gap between cultures.

That means translating not just language, but tone, etiquette, timing, and context. I’ve watched visitors walk into wineries and unknowingly break the rhythm of how things are done here. Not out of disrespect, but simply because Burgundy operates differently. Knowing how to navigate that, while still making guests feel welcome, relaxed, and engaged, is what makes a guide more than a driver or a translator.

Read more about cultural differences “Not Napa: Embracing Cultural Differences in French Wine Tourism“

4. A good guide is also a teacher and a connector

Whether you’re a collector, a sommelier, or just someone who loves wine, Burgundy isn’t easy to interpret without help. Labels focus on place, not grape. Vintages vary drastically. And vineyards just meters apart can have dramatically different prices and reputations.

I help my guests connect the dots. That might mean comparing a Premier Cru in Volnay to a village wine in Pommard. Or explaining why a limestone slope in Chassagne-Montrachet reminds me of the tension in Oregon Chardonnay. We might talk about barrel aging, climate change, or how local cheese shapes the way you taste acidity.

I’m here for the deep dives, if that’s what you want. But I also know when to step back and let the wine speak for itself.

5. What a day with me looks like

Every tour is customized. I don’t offer plug-and-play itineraries because no two clients are alike. We start with a call so I can get a sense of your goals, your experience level, and your preferences — not just what you want to taste, but how you want to feel while doing it.

Some days are hands-on and rustic. Some are elegant and scenic. Some combine both. I build private, guided experiences with optional driver coordination, catered vineyard lunches, or insider restaurant reservations. I also create standalone itineraries for independent travelers — complete with booking instructions, local tips, and annotated Google Maps.

So… is hiring a private wine guide in Burgundy worth it?

If you’re hoping for something personal, immersive, and meaningful, the answer is yes.

You can have a good time visiting a few open-door wineries. But if you want to go deeper — to understand the land, the culture, the quiet magic that lives in these cellars — a guide can turn your trip into something you’ll talk about for years.

Ready to plan your Burgundy wine experience?

I offer:

• Private full-day wine tour experiences from Beaune or Dijon
• Custom itineraries tailored to your goals
• Consulting for collectors, wine students, and hospitality teams