Private Advanced Wines – Bora Bora Wine Tastings

The best part of this Bora Bora outing is its focus on wine and food together, not simply a row of glasses to sample. Sommelier Allan guides you through several wines and liquors, explaining how flavor, texture, and food can change one another.

I like the private format for up to six people, and I like the setting choices: Saint-James has Bora Bora’s best wine cellar, but Allan has also brought the tasting to a resort balcony when the restaurant was closed. The main drawback is the price, which makes the most sense for a small group of serious wine fans rather than casual drinkers.

Key points to know

• A private tasting for up to six people: Your group gets Allan’s attention instead of sharing the table with strangers.
• A lesson in pairing, not just tasting: You sample wines and liquors with appetizers designed to show how food and drink affect each other.
• Sommelier Allan leads the session: His background includes work at restaurants with two and three Michelin stars.
• Saint-James is the usual setting: Its wine cellar adds real value, with an option to remain for dinner afterward.
• A flexible location can help: When Saint-James was closed, the tasting took place on a Four Seasons balcony.
• Plan for a $1,200 group price: The cost covers up to six people, so the per-person value improves with a full group.

Why this two-hour tasting is different

Bora Bora offers plenty of ways to spend an afternoon on the water. This one takes a quieter route. You sit down with a sommelier and learn how to taste wine with purpose, then test that lesson against food.

That distinction matters. A standard tasting can leave you with a few favorite labels and a pleasant buzz. This session aims to give you a method. You learn how to pay attention to what is in the glass, then see how a bite of food can make the wine seem softer, sharper, fruitier, or more balanced.

The advanced tasting is designed for people who already know their way around wine, but you do not need to be an expert. Allan’s teaching style is described as easy to follow for both experienced drinkers and beginners. He explains French regions and wine choices in everyday terms, which should help if formal wine language usually feels like a private club.

You will taste multiple wines and liquors, along with refined wines and appetizers. The exact selection is not fixed in the information provided, so do not book expecting a published bottle list. That flexibility can be useful: Allan can shape the session around the level and interests of your private group.

Meeting Allan at Saint-James

The regular setting is Saint-James, one of Bora Bora’s best restaurants. The restaurant is especially important here because of its wine cellar. You are not simply tasting in a generic room with a few bottles brought in for the occasion. The venue gives the session a stronger connection to a serious restaurant wine program.

The scheduled time is 3:30 to 5:30 PM, Monday through Sunday. That timing works well for an afternoon pause after a morning activity. It also leaves you with an easy choice at the end: head back to your accommodation, or stay at Saint-James for dinner.

If you plan to continue into dinner, Allan can advise you on a wine selection. That is a practical benefit, since the lesson does not have to stop when the tasting ends. You can use what you learned to choose a bottle that fits the meal instead of ordering by label alone.

Pickup is offered, though the supplied details do not specify pickup zones, vehicle type, or transfer duration. Confirm those points when you book. Bora Bora has separate island and resort logistics, so the transfer details may matter more here than they would for a city tasting.

What happens during the tasting

The session lasts about two hours. You should expect a guided progression rather than a quick flight of unrelated pours.

First, Allan teaches the basic process of tasting. The goal is to help you notice the wine in stages and put those impressions into useful words. The lesson is not presented as a test. You are learning how to recognize what you like and why a particular wine works with a particular dish.

Next comes the food pairing. The appetizers are there for a reason. You taste a wine on its own, then with food, and compare the effect. This is where the session becomes more useful than a simple tasting. Food can bring out fruit, reduce the impression of alcohol, highlight acidity, or make a wine feel less balanced. The right pairing can change the entire character of a pour.

The tasting also includes liquors. That broadens the lesson beyond traditional wine pairing and gives the session a wider range of aromas, strength, and texture. The details of the liquor selection are not provided, so ask Allan about the planned lineup if particular spirits matter to you.

The advanced level is suited to a group that wants refined wines and more thoughtful pairings. Still, the private setting means the pace can likely respond to your questions and experience. A couple who already enjoys wine may want more detail about regions and styles. A mixed group may need simpler explanations. A private appointment is better suited to that range than a large public tasting.

The food pairing is the real lesson

I like the pairing focus because it gives you something useful to take home. You may forget the name of one bottle, but you are more likely to remember that a certain style worked well with a certain type of food.

The appetizers also keep the tasting from becoming a series of empty-stomach pours. You can pay attention to flavor and structure while having small bites along the way. The supplied information describes the food as delightful appetizers, but it does not list ingredients or portion sizes. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or foods you avoid, raise the issue before the appointment.

Do not expect a full meal from the tasting itself. The option to stay for dinner at Saint-James is separate and should be treated as a possible continuation, not part of the two-hour tasting package unless confirmed at booking.

This format is particularly useful if you are planning a special dinner during your Bora Bora stay. Allan can help you think about wine as part of the meal rather than an afterthought. That is a small change in approach, but it can make a restaurant evening feel more deliberate.

A private format with a practical advantage

The activity is private for your group, with a maximum of six people. That is a strong feature for couples, families, or a small circle of friends who want to ask questions without holding up a larger table.

A private booking also makes the $1,200 price easier to assess. Split among six people, the cost is $200 per person. For two people, it is $600 each. Those figures put the outing firmly in the special-occasion category, but the price includes the private sommelier, the tasting, the food pairings, and the chance to use a top restaurant wine cellar.

For a full group of six wine enthusiasts, the price may be reasonable for Bora Bora, where resort activities and private services often carry premium rates. For a couple who simply wants to try a few wines, it is a serious expense. I would book it only if the learning element and private attention matter to you.

The session is booked, on average, 47 days ahead. That does not guarantee that you must reserve that early, but it is a useful warning for anyone planning a tight Bora Bora schedule. The experience is offered daily during the stated operating period, yet availability still needs confirmation within 48 hours of booking.

When the planned venue is not available

One of the more useful details is the setting flexibility. The usual restaurant was closed for one appointment, so Allan brought the tasting to the Four Seasons where the group was staying and hosted it on the balcony.

That does not mean every resort balcony is automatically available, or that an in-room session is guaranteed. It does show that the host can adapt when the normal venue cannot operate. Confirm the location in advance rather than assuming your accommodation will be used.

A resort-based tasting can also be more convenient if you would rather avoid a transfer. On the other hand, Saint-James offers the stronger wine-cellar setting and the possibility of continuing into dinner. If the restaurant atmosphere is part of your reason for booking, make sure it is open on your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this most

This tasting is a strong match for:

• A small group that already enjoys wine and wants to learn more.
• Couples planning a polished afternoon before dinner.
• Beginners who prefer personal explanations over technical lecture-style instruction.
• Anyone interested in French wine regions and food pairing.
• Visitors staying at a resort who value a private appointment and possible pickup.
• People planning dinner at Saint-James who want help selecting wine.

It is less suitable if you want a lively party, a long meal, or a low-cost activity. The focus is instruction, tasting, and conversation. The two-hour length also means it is a structured appointment, not an open-ended afternoon at a wine bar.

Because the experience includes liquor as well as wine, it may not suit anyone looking to avoid spirits. The exact balance of wine and liquor is not given, so ask before confirming if that is important to you.

Timing, pickup, and booking details

The tasting runs from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, every day of the week during the listed operating period, which extends through November 26, 2026. Allow time around the appointment rather than scheduling another activity immediately before it. Pickup is offered, but the listing does not give exact pickup instructions, so confirm the meeting point and timing after booking.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the session is private and the price is per group, make sure your final headcount is clear when arranging it. The maximum is six people.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. No special physical requirements are listed. If you need a particular seating arrangement or have food concerns, contact the provider before the tasting rather than waiting until the afternoon begins.

The cancellation policy is friendly but strict near the start time. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses Bora Bora local time.

Is the $1,200 price worth it?

The honest answer depends on how many people share the booking and how much you value instruction. Six people splitting the bill get a much better deal than two. The session includes more than wine samples: you receive Allan’s guidance, food pairings, private attention, and access to a serious restaurant setting.

The price also reflects Bora Bora’s high operating costs and the specialist nature of a private appointment. Still, you should not book it simply because it sounds luxurious. If your group is not interested in tasting technique or pairing, a less expensive drink at dinner may give you more pleasure.

I would see the value in this outing for a group of four to six people who already enjoys wine, or for a couple celebrating something important. The option to continue at Saint-James strengthens the value, especially if you were already considering dinner there.

Should you book Bora Bora Wine Tastings?

Book it if you want a personal lesson, refined pours, and food pairings rather than another standard resort activity. Allan’s Michelin-starred restaurant background, the small group size, and the chance to taste at Saint-James give the session a clear purpose.

Think twice if the $1,200 group price feels high, if your party is not interested in wine, or if you want a full dinner included. For the right audience, this is a focused and flexible afternoon that can improve how you choose wine long after your Bora Bora holiday ends.

FAQ

How much does Bora Bora Wine Tastings cost?

The private tasting costs $1,200 per group, with up to six people included.

How long does the wine tasting last?

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

Is the tasting private?

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

Who leads the tasting?

Sommelier Allan leads the session. He has worked at restaurants with two and three Michelin stars.

What will I taste?

The experience includes multiple wines and liquors, along with appetizers selected for food pairing.

Where does the tasting take place?

The experience can be hosted at Saint-James, which has one of Bora Bora’s best wine cellars. Pickup is offered, and the tasting has also been held at a resort when Saint-James was closed.

Can I stay for dinner at Saint-James?

Yes, there is an option to remain at Saint-James for dinner. Allan can advise you on a wine selection for the meal.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup details and meeting point after your booking is confirmed.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The tasting is designed to teach wine tasting step by step, and most people can participate regardless of their prior wine knowledge.

What is the cancellation policy?

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