Wine festivals in Aquitaine, France, begin in May with the public opening of the winemaking Chateaux of the Cotes de Bourg, Bergerac and Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux appellations. Bordeaux Fete le Vin runs in late June and early July at the largest square in Europe on the banks of the Garonne.
Each July and August Jurancon Winery has Open Days with tours, tastings of appellation wines and regional produce (foie gras, cheese).
At Hot Air Balloons over Duras, in mid-August, balloons depart from a Cotes de Duras village daily. The Sunday Wine Festival features tastings of regional wines. A sound and light show, craft market and tastings highlight the Buzet Wine Festival on the second weekend in August. Eymet's Oyster and White Wine Festival, with music and dance, is August 15 every year.
Grape picking festivals
The Harvest Banns are at a different chateau yearly, on the third Sunday in September. Traditional Grape Picking Festivals, with harvesting, crushing, pressing, tastings and traditional costumes are held in early October in Montfort and Marcillac. The wine chateaux of Graves appellations open their doors in late October.
Armagnac market
Labastide d'Armagnac hosts the grand Armagnac market with meals and events at the end of October. In November, Armagnac producers in Landes and Lot-et-Garonne open up their wineries for visitors. At the mid-December Jurancon Harvest Festival, 40 winegrowers open their doors for the public, craftspeople, farmers, artists and musicians. The wine chateaux of Pessac-Leognan appellation have a public Open Day every December.
