Private Advanced Wines – Bora Bora Wine Tastings

Bora Bora is better known for lagoon views than serious wine education, which is what makes this private tasting unusual. Master sommelier Allan leads you through refined wines, French regions, liquors, and food pairings in a relaxed two-hour session.

I like the private format, which lets Allan adjust the pace for beginners or experienced wine drinkers. I also like the chance to taste at Saint-James, home to one of Bora Bora’s best wine cellars, with an option to stay for dinner. The main drawback is the $1,200 group price, which is hard to justify unless you fill most of the six available places.

Key points

• Master sommelier Allan leads the tasting, explaining wine in plain terms for both beginners and experienced drinkers.
• Food pairing is the main lesson, not just a parade of wine samples.
• Saint-James provides the usual setting, with access to a respected restaurant and wine cellar.
• The private group limit is six, making this a quiet, personalized activity rather than a social wine class.
• Pickup is available, and the tasting has also been arranged at a resort balcony when the restaurant was closed.
• The $1,200 rate works best for a full group, but feels steep for one or two people.

A two-hour wine lesson in Bora Bora

This is not a quick resort happy hour. The goal is to teach you how to taste wine and, more importantly, how to match wine with food.

That distinction matters. You will taste several wines and liquors, but the session is built around understanding why a particular drink works with a particular bite. Allan explains the basics step by step, helping you notice how food can change the way wine tastes and how wine can make food taste better.

I like this approach because it gives the tasting a useful purpose. You are not simply collecting a few pleasant sips before dinner. You are learning a skill you can use at home, in a restaurant, or during the rest of your French Polynesia trip.

The session lasts about two hours and runs daily from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. That timing works well for a late afternoon plan. You can enjoy the tasting before dinner, then choose to remain at Saint-James for a meal if you want to turn it into a longer evening.

Meeting Allan and setting your pace

Allan is the key part of this activity. He has worked with two and three Michelin-starred restaurants and presents wine in terms that are easy to follow. That is useful if you know a little about wine but still want clear explanations, and it is just as useful if you are starting from scratch.

A private session also gives you room to ask basic questions without feeling out of place. You can ask why one wine fits a dish better than another, how to taste properly, or what to order with dinner. Allan is happy to offer advice on the wine selection for your meal at Saint-James.

The advanced format is aimed at people who already feel comfortable with wine and want a more refined selection. Still, you do not need to be an expert. The teaching is adjusted to your level, and the private setting makes that easier than a fixed group class.

If your group contains mixed experience levels, this is one of the better reasons to choose a private booking. A beginner can ask for a simple explanation while a more seasoned wine drinker can discuss regions, pairings, and styles in greater detail.

Tasting wines, liquors, and small food pairings

The tasting includes multiple wines and liquors served with appetizers. The exact bottles and food selections are not fixed in the information provided, so you should not book this expecting a published menu of labels.

What you can expect is a selection chosen to support the lesson. The appetizers give you a chance to test the pairing ideas in real time. A wine may taste one way on its own, then change once you take a bite of food. That hands-on comparison is the heart of the activity.

This is also why the tasting suits someone who enjoys food as much as wine. The point is not simply to identify grapes or regions. You are learning how sweetness, acidity, weight, and other basic wine qualities interact with a dish.

The liquor portion adds variety, though it may appeal less to someone who wants a strictly wine-focused class. If your main interest is French wine, tell Allan when booking so the discussion can match your priorities as closely as possible.

Saint-James and its serious wine cellar

Saint-James is the usual host location and one of the strongest features of the arrangement. It is considered one of Bora Bora’s best restaurants and has the island’s best wine cellar according to the experience description.

That setting gives the tasting a practical edge. You are not studying food pairing in an empty classroom. You are learning in a restaurant where the ideas can continue into dinner.

You can also remain at Saint-James for a meal after the tasting. Allan can advise you on the wine to order with dinner, which makes the late afternoon schedule especially convenient. If you plan to eat there, mention it when you book so the evening can be organized around both parts of the visit.

The restaurant setting may be less private than a tasting at your accommodation, depending on how the session is arranged. If you want the quietest possible format, ask about the setting in advance. The activity is private for your group, but the restaurant itself is still a public dining venue.

When the tasting comes to your resort

Pickup is offered, and the usual plan involves going to the main island of Bora Bora for the restaurant tasting. The arrangement is not entirely rigid, however.

When Saint-James was closed for one booking, Allan brought the tasting to the Four Seasons, where it took place on the guests’ balcony. This is an important practical detail for resort-based visitors. It shows that the experience may be adaptable when the normal venue is unavailable.

Do not assume that an in-room or balcony tasting is guaranteed. The listed setting remains Saint-James, and alternative arrangements depend on availability and agreement with the provider. Still, if you are staying at a resort and would rather not spend part of your day arranging transport, it is worth asking if the tasting can be held where you are staying.

A resort setting can also make the activity easier for a group with different energy levels. You avoid adding another transfer to an already busy vacation day, then can continue with your own evening plans after the two-hour session.

What the $1,200 price really means

The cost is $1,200 per group of up to six people. That works out to $200 per person if six people attend, $300 each for four people, or $600 each for a couple.

That is a serious price, even in Bora Bora. The value comes from the private instruction, the wine and liquor selection, the appetizers, the sommelier’s time, and the possibility of using Saint-James before dinner. It is not a budget tasting and should not be treated as one.

For six wine-focused friends, couples traveling together, or a family group with a shared interest in food, the price becomes easier to defend. You are dividing the fee across the whole group and receiving a private session rather than paying individual admission to a large class.

For two people, I would book it only if wine is a major part of your vacation and you value expert instruction. If you mainly want a pleasant drink before dinner, a restaurant wine order will cost much less.

The best value comes from using the full format. Ask questions, discuss dinner, compare the food pairings, and take advantage of Allan’s advice. A quiet two-hour tasting with no conversation would not make good use of the price.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a strong choice for:

• A couple celebrating a special occasion
• A group of friends who already enjoy wine
• Beginners who want a private, low-pressure introduction
• Diners planning to eat at Saint-James afterward
• Guests who want a thoughtful afternoon activity away from the usual lagoon excursions
• People interested in French wine regions and food pairing

It is less suitable if you dislike alcohol, want a large social event, or are looking for a cheap way to sample local drinks. It is also not the best use of money if your group has little interest in food and wine.

The private format helps with mixed ages and skill levels, but everyone attending should be comfortable with a two-hour tasting. The activity focuses on learning and conversation rather than entertainment, music, or sightseeing.

Timing, pickup, and practical planning

The scheduled time is 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Allow yourself a little flexibility around pickup since the experience can involve transport to the main island or another agreed location.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the activity is booked an average of 47 days ahead, early planning makes sense if you have a fixed dinner reservation or a narrow vacation schedule.

The experience is private, so only your group participates. That is valuable in Bora Bora, where many activities can feel tied to resort timetables or larger shared outings.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

How to make the most of your tasting

Tell Allan your wine background before the session begins. If you are new to wine, say so plainly. If you already know your way around French bottles, explain what you like and what you hope to learn.

Ask about the dinner option early. Saint-James is the logical place to continue the lesson, and Allan can help you choose a bottle that fits the meal. If the restaurant is not available, ask whether a resort-based tasting is possible.

I would also avoid scheduling a strenuous activity immediately afterward. The tasting runs into the early evening, and you will get more from it if you are not watching the clock for another appointment.

Finally, book with the group size in mind. Six people sharing the fee changes the value calculation completely. A small group of one or two can still enjoy the privacy, but the cost per person is much higher.

Should you book Bora Bora Wine Tastings?

Book this if you see wine and food as a central part of your vacation, not just something to drink with dinner. Allan’s Michelin-starred restaurant background, the private format, and the chance to continue at Saint-James make this a distinctive Bora Bora activity.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling on a tight budget or mainly want local sightseeing. At $1,200 per group, this is a specialty experience, not an everyday excursion.

For a full group of wine lovers, I think the price is easier to justify. For a couple, book only if private instruction and a carefully planned food pairing matter more to you than another lagoon outing.

FAQ

Where does the Bora Bora wine tasting take place?

The tasting is hosted by Saint-James restaurant, which has one of Bora Bora’s best wine cellars. In some situations, it may be arranged at your accommodation, subject to availability.

How long does the tasting last?

The tasting lasts approximately two hours, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

What days is the tasting available?

It is scheduled Monday through Sunday.

How many people can join the private tasting?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

Who leads the wine tasting?

Master sommelier Allan leads the session. He has worked for restaurants with two and three Michelin stars.

What will I taste?

You will taste multiple wines and liquors accompanied by appetizers. The session focuses on tasting wine and matching it with food.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered. The usual arrangement involves going to the main island of Bora Bora for the restaurant tasting.

Can I have dinner at Saint-James after the tasting?

Yes. There is an option to stay at Saint-James for dinner, and Allan can advise you on a suitable wine selection.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.