Private Advanced Wines – Bora Bora Wine Tastings

The clever part of Bora Bora Wine Tastings is that it treats wine as food education, not just a line of glasses to sample. Over about two hours, Allan guides you through refined wines, liquors, and appetizers, showing how each can change the taste of the other.

I like two things right away: the tasting is private for your group of up to six, and the lesson is built around practical pairing skills. I also like the setting at Saint-James, home to one of Bora Bora’s best wine cellars, with the option to stay for dinner afterward.

The main consideration is the price: $1,200 per group is a serious splurge, especially for a two-hour activity. It makes the most sense for a small group that cares about wine, rather than for someone looking for a casual drink before dinner.

Key points to know before booking

• A personal lesson with Allan: Your sommelier has worked in two and three Michelin-starred restaurants and adjusts the discussion for beginners and experienced wine drinkers.
• Pairings are the heart of the tasting: Appetizers are matched with wines and liquors so you can see how food and drink affect one another.
• Private format for up to six people: You are not sharing the table with an unrelated group, which allows the session to follow your interests.
• Saint-James adds real wine-cellar appeal: The tasting is hosted at one of Bora Bora’s leading restaurants, with dinner available afterward.
• A flexible setting can be possible: When Saint-James was closed, Allan brought the tasting to a Four Seasons balcony, showing that the plan may adapt to your accommodation.
• Late afternoon timing works well: The scheduled window is 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, a useful bridge between the day’s activities and dinner.

What the two-hour Bora Bora wine tasting is really about

This is not a quick resort bar tasting. The aim is to teach you how to taste wine and, more importantly, how to pair it with food.

That distinction matters. You are not simply handed several pours and asked which one you prefer. Allan explains the basic method of tasting, then uses food to show why a wine may taste different from one bite to the next. A wine that seems sharp or heavy on its own can work beautifully with the right appetizer. Food can also make a wine seem softer, sweeter, fresher, or more intense.

I like this approach because it gives you something to use after Bora Bora. You may not remember every region or grape, but you can leave with a better sense of how to choose a bottle for a meal.

The session is described as an advanced tasting, with refined wines and appetizers. That does not mean you need professional training. The format is designed for people with different levels of wine experience, and Allan explains the subject in everyday terms. If you are new to wine, you should be able to follow the lesson. If you already know your way around a wine list, you can focus on the finer points of matching wine and food.

Meeting Allan, your personal sommelier

The guide is Allan, a Master sommelier who has worked in restaurants with two and three Michelin stars. That background gives the session a serious foundation, but the useful detail is his teaching style.

Allan is described as personable and able to explain French wine regions in terms that make sense to both beginners and experienced drinkers. That is important in a private tasting. You can ask a basic question without feeling out of place, or spend more time on regions, styles, and pairing if your group already knows the basics.

A private format also gives Allan room to read the group. If one person is just beginning to learn about wine and another already enjoys comparing vintages, the discussion does not have to stay at one fixed level.

I would tell you to share your interests early. Mention the wines you usually enjoy, the foods you plan to eat afterward, and any liquors you are curious about. The supplied details do not promise a fixed bottle list, so the exact selection may vary with availability and the sommelier’s choice.

The tasting at Saint-James

Saint-James is the main setting for this experience. It is presented as one of Bora Bora’s best restaurants and has the island’s best wine cellar, making it a fitting place for an advanced tasting.

The restaurant setting matters because the lesson is tied to food from the start. Instead of treating appetizers as decoration, the tasting uses them as working examples. You can taste a wine alone, then try it with a bite, and notice how the pairing changes the balance.

That comparison is the most valuable part of the afternoon. Wine pairing can sound vague when explained only with words such as light, rich, dry, or full-bodied. It becomes clearer when you taste the difference yourself.

The planned timing, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, is also sensible. It leaves room for a late afternoon tasting before dinner, and the restaurant offers the option of staying for a meal. Allan is happy to advise you on wine for dinner, which can help you carry the lesson into the rest of the evening.

I would confirm the dinner plan before booking or as soon as your reservation is accepted. The tasting includes appetizers, but the information provided does not say that dinner is part of the $1,200 price.

A useful backup at your resort

The experience can adapt if the restaurant is unavailable. When Saint-James was closed, Allan brought the tasting to the Four Seasons, where it took place on the resort balcony.

That detail is useful for two reasons. First, it shows that the tasting is not tied only to one dining room. Second, a private resort setting may suit you better if you want a quieter session with your own group.

You should not assume that every resort booking will take place on a balcony or that an in-room setup is guaranteed. The confirmed location will depend on availability and arrangements. Still, the Four Seasons example shows a practical degree of flexibility.

Pickup is offered, which is helpful in Bora Bora, where getting between your accommodation and the main island can require planning. The details do not specify the pickup area or transport method, so confirm those points when you receive booking confirmation.

What you will learn about matching wine and food

The central lesson is simple: wine and food can improve one another when their main traits are balanced.

The tasting gives you a chance to see that in stages. Allan teaches you how to taste, then connects the wine to appetizers. You may pay attention to the wine’s weight, freshness, sweetness, or intensity, then see how the food changes your impression.

The exact wines and dishes are not listed, and that is worth keeping in mind. You are booking the teaching format and the sommelier’s selection rather than a guaranteed menu of named bottles.

For someone who already enjoys wine, the advanced option offers more than a beginner introduction. You can focus on why a particular style works with a dish, how French regions differ, and how to make a better choice from a restaurant wine list.

For a beginner, the value is different. You get a private setting where you can ask what may feel like obvious questions. The experience is meant to build confidence, not test your vocabulary.

Liquors are included in the broader tasting program as well. The available information does not specify how many spirits you will taste or which bottles will appear, so consider them part of the selection rather than a fixed promise.

The $1,200 price and who gets good value

The cost is $1,200 per group, with up to six people included. At the full group size, that works out to $200 per person. For two people, the effective cost is $600 each, so group size has a major effect on value.

This is not a bargain activity. You are paying for a private session, a Master sommelier, refined wines and liquors, appetizers, and access to a respected restaurant setting. The price is easier to justify when six people share it, or when wine is one of the main interests of your trip.

I would book it for a small group that wants a polished food-and-wine experience and plans to make an evening of it. I would skip it if you mainly want a scenic cocktail, a low-cost tasting, or a short introduction without much discussion.

The Four Seasons example also affects the value question. If the session can be arranged at your resort when Saint-James is unavailable, you may avoid some inconvenience. But the location should be confirmed rather than assumed.

Timing, pickup, and group size

The scheduled operating hours are Monday through Sunday, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, from November 23, 2021 through November 26, 2026. The activity lasts about two hours.

Because this is private, your group is the only group taking part. That makes the experience more focused than a large public tasting, and it gives you more control over questions and pacing.

Pickup is offered, and mobile tickets are accepted. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the activity is often booked 47 days ahead, I would not leave it until the last minute if this is important to your Bora Bora plans.

The tasting begins in the late afternoon, so plan your day with a little breathing room. You do not want to arrive rushed from another activity, especially if you hope to continue at Saint-James for dinner.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. No special fitness requirement is stated, but you should confirm any personal needs when booking.

How the cancellation rule affects your plans

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that 24-hour window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes made that late are not accepted.

That is a reasonable policy for a private tasting with food and selected bottles, but the $1,200 group price makes the deadline worth watching closely. Set a reminder for the local cutoff, particularly if your Bora Bora schedule includes flights, boat transfers, or weather-sensitive activities.

Who should book this experience

I see this as a strong match for:

• Couples who care more about wine and food than a standard sightseeing stop.
• Small groups willing to share the cost of a private tasting.
• Beginners who want patient, personal instruction.
• Experienced wine drinkers who want a more focused French wine discussion.
• Diners planning to eat at Saint-James afterward.
• Resort visitors who value the chance of a private setup at their accommodation.

I would be cautious if you are traveling on a tight activity budget. The price is high for the length, and the exact wine list is not fixed in the information provided.

It is also not the right choice if you dislike structured tastings. Allan’s role is to teach, not simply pour drinks. The best value comes from paying attention, asking questions, and tasting the food with each selection.

Should you book Bora Bora Wine Tastings?

Book it if wine pairing is a real part of the pleasure you seek from a trip. The private setting, Allan’s fine-dining background, food pairings, and access to Saint-James make this more thoughtful than a routine resort tasting.

I especially like the option to continue with dinner and ask Allan for help choosing wine. That turns a two-hour lesson into part of a full evening.

Skip it if you want a cheap or casual drink, or if your group will not make use of the instruction. At $1,200 per group, this is a specialist splurge. Shared among six people who enjoy wine, it can be a memorable Bora Bora activity. For one or two people, you should be sure the private teaching and restaurant setting are worth the premium.

FAQ

How much does the Bora Bora wine tasting cost?

The private experience costs $1,200 per group, and up to six people can participate.

How long does the wine tasting last?

The tasting lasts approximately two hours, with scheduled hours from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Where does the tasting take place?

The experience is hosted by the restaurant Saint-James in Bora Bora. A Four Seasons balcony was used when Saint-James was closed, so an alternate resort setting may sometimes be arranged.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. The provided details do not specify the exact pickup area or transport method, so confirm those arrangements after booking.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of six people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.