Sip, swirl, and pair your way through paradise. This private Bora Bora Wine Tastings session is built for learning, not just drinking, with a Master sommelier (Alan) who has worked with 2 and 3 Michelin stars. You’ll taste multiple wines and liquors, plus appetizers, in the Saint-James setting with its strong reputation and wine cellar.

What I like most is how step-by-step it is: you get shown how to taste so it makes sense, even if you’ve never done this before. I also love that the class is about matching wine to food, so the lessons carry over to dinner later in Bora Bora.

One consideration: at $800 per group (up to 6), it’s best value when you’re traveling as a couple with friends or a small party that will actually share the table.

Key highlights

• Master sommelier Alan with Michelin-star experience guiding your tasting
• Hosted at Saint-James at Bora Bora, with access to a top-tier wine cellar
• Wine and liquor tastings paired with appetizers
• Food-and-wine matching training, from basics to better instincts
• Private group format for up to 6 people
• 2-hour session, typically offered between 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM daily

Tasting Like a Pro: The Lesson Behind the Glass

This tasting is designed around one idea: your palate is trainable. You’re not just sampling bottles; you’re learning how to notice what’s happening in the glass, and then how to connect those flavors to what’s on your plate.

The approach is step by step, which matters in Bora Bora where the “vacation mode” can make everything feel like one big blur. With this kind of coaching, you end up leaving with a few practical tasting habits you can reuse at a hotel breakfast, at a bistro, or during a seafood lunch.

A big part of the value is the way pairing gets explained. Wine can lift food, and food can lift wine, but only when you understand the basics. That’s what you’re paying for: the bridge between flavors, not just the flavors themselves.

Who’s Teaching: Alan’s Michelin-Star Touch in Plain Language

The star here is the sommelier, Alan. You’ll want someone who can translate wine into everyday terms, and the reviews point to a teacher who’s both intentional and thorough. That shows up in how the tasting is presented, with enough structure that you don’t feel lost.

Alan’s background includes work connected to 2 and 3 Michelin stars, and you can feel that mindset: clean pacing, thoughtful explanations, and attention to how the tasting experience flows from one pour to the next. Even if you’re not a wine person, this setup helps you build confidence fast.

One useful angle from the experience is the focus on French wines. Since French Polynesia sits in the Francophone orbit, the pairing lessons and wine style context can make a lot more sense than if you’re only hearing generic wine-talk.

Saint-James Hosting: Why the Setting Helps Your Tasting

The tasting takes place at Saint-James, one of Bora Bora’s best-regarded restaurants and known for its wine cellar. That’s not just a fancy backdrop. A serious wine cellar usually means the tasting environment is treated like an actual craft, not a casual side activity.

In a class like this, environment matters because it shapes the mood and the pace. When you’re hosted in a respected restaurant setting, you naturally slow down and pay attention. That makes your tasting notes, corrections, and aha moments land better.

There’s also an added option: you can stay at the restaurant for dinner if you want to turn the lesson into an immediate test. If you do, Alan can advise on what wine to choose, which is exactly what makes this more than a one-off event.

The 2-Hour Flow (3:30 PM to 5:30 PM) and What Happens During It

This session runs about 2 hours and is offered daily in the 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM window. I like the timing because it slots neatly between a beachy morning and a dinner plan. It also helps with the “vacation rhythm,” where late afternoon activities feel more natural than early tours.

During the tasting, you’ll go through multiple wines and liquors paired with appetizers. That pairing component is key: it keeps the class grounded in real eating, instead of letting you judge wine in a vacuum.

You can also expect different levels of tastings, which is great if you’re traveling with mixed experience levels. If you already know a bit, you can likely follow along without getting stuck in basics. If you’re starting from zero, the step-by-step approach helps you build a foundation instead of feeling overwhelmed.

Wine + Food Pairing: The Skills You’ll Use After the Class

This is the part you can carry home. The whole point is learning the right way to taste and then matching wine to food. That sounds simple, but it’s a huge upgrade for your future meals.

Here’s what pairing education changes in practice:

• You start noticing whether a wine feels heavier or lighter against seafood.
• You learn how acidity and flavors can either clash or work together.
• You get a better sense of why certain dishes make a wine taste better, even if you can’t name the wine yet.

The pairing lessons are especially valuable in Bora Bora because your meals often lean toward fresh seafood and tropical ingredients. If you know what to look for in the glass, you’ll be better equipped to choose a bottle that works with your plate instead of guessing.

And since you’ll taste both wines and liquors, you’ll get practice thinking beyond just one category. That widens your palate and makes you less dependent on labels.

Price and Value: Is $800 Worth It for a Private Group?

The price is $800 per group for up to 6 people. On paper, that can sound steep, especially if you’re picturing a per-person price. But private tastings flip the math depending on your group size.

If you bring a full group of six, that’s roughly $133 per person. If you’re a couple, it’s closer to $400 per person, which is a different decision. The real value isn’t just the alcohol. It’s the one-on-one attention from Alan, the structured instruction, and the pairing guidance at a high-end restaurant.

This works best when:

• You want a high-impact activity for a honeymoon or special trip.
• You enjoy learning while you’re on vacation.
• You want pairing advice you can use at dinner rather than a generic tasting flight.

If your group is large enough to share the cost, the private format becomes a smart splurge. If it’s just two of you, it’s still a great experience, but it’s the kind of splurge you’d want to plan for in your overall Bora Bora budget.

Pickup, Mobile Tickets, and Small Practical Tips That Matter

Pickup is offered, and the tour uses a mobile ticket. That’s genuinely helpful in Bora Bora where you don’t want your afternoon schedule tangled in extra logistics.

Because the session runs between 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM, I’d plan your day so you’re not rushing from a swim or a long excursion. Let yourself arrive with time to settle in, because your taste perception will be sharper when you’re relaxed.

Also plan ahead: this tends to be booked about 20 days in advance on average. If your travel dates are fixed, I’d reserve early so you don’t end up with limited time slots.

What to bring is simple: show up with curiosity and a willingness to slow down. You’ll get more out of the class if you treat it like a lesson rather than a race to finish each pour.

Should You Book Bora Bora Wine Tastings?

Book it if you want a private, taught tasting with real food-and-wine pairing focus, and if you value advice you can use right away at meals. The Saint-James setting adds weight to the experience, and Alan’s Michelin-star background plus the thorough teaching style makes it a strong pick for both beginners and intermediate wine fans.

Skip or think twice if $800 per group doesn’t fit your budget, especially if you’re traveling as just two people and won’t spread the cost. Also, if you’re hoping for something casual with zero structure, this is more of a guided learning session than a party-style tasting.

If you’re on Bora Bora for romance, celebration, or a “we only do one special activity” moment, this one is built for that.

FAQ

How long is the Bora Bora Wine Tastings experience?

It lasts about 2 hours.

What is the group size for this private tour?

It’s private, and the price is for up to 6 people per group.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What time does the tasting run?

It runs daily from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Where is the tasting hosted?

It’s hosted by the restaurant Saint-James in Bora Bora.

Is there an option to have dinner at Saint-James?

Yes, there is an option to stay at the restaurant to have dinner, and you can get advice about wine selection for your dinner.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; changes within 24 hours of the start time aren’t accepted.