Private – Introduction to wine – Bora Bora Wine Tastings

The most useful part of Bora Bora Wine Tastings is the hands-on lesson in pairing wine with food. Master Sommelier Alan leads a private tasting at Saint-James, a top Bora Bora restaurant with a strong wine cellar, and explains how to taste step by step. You do not need to know much about wine before you arrive.

I like the private format, since Alan can adjust the pace and level to your group. I also like the food pairings, which make this more than a flight of glasses. The main drawback is the price: $800 per group is excellent value for six people, but a very costly two-hour activity for a couple.

Key points to know

• Alan teaches, rather than simply pours: You learn how to taste wine and how food changes its flavor.
• Saint-James provides the setting: The restaurant is known for its wine cellar and offers the option of staying for dinner.
• The tasting lasts about two hours: Sessions run from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Sunday.
• The group is fully private: Your booking includes only your own party, with up to six people.
• Wines and liquors are paired with appetizers: The selection can suit different tasting levels and interests.
• Pickup is available: Confirm the pickup details when booking, since the supplied information does not list individual pickup locations.

Why a wine lesson fits Bora Bora

Bora Bora is famous for water, sunsets, and overwater rooms. A wine lesson gives you something different to do, especially during the late afternoon when you may want a break from the sun.

This is not presented as a simple stop for a glass of wine. Alan’s aim is to show you how wine and food affect one another. That practical focus matters. You are not just learning that one wine is red and another is white. You are learning why a wine may taste better with one food and less successful with another.

I like that the activity is suitable for people at different levels. If you already know French wine, you can ask more detailed questions. If you normally order wine by choosing the bottle with the nicest label, you can start with the basics without feeling out of place.

The supplied details describe Alan as a Master Sommelier who has worked with two and three Michelin-starred restaurants. That background helps explain the professional approach, but the real value for you is his teaching method. The tasting is designed to be useful at the dinner table, not just impressive for an afternoon.

Arriving at Saint-James for the 3:30 PM tasting

The tasting takes place at Saint-James, one of Bora Bora’s best-known restaurants and a venue with a serious wine cellar. The scheduled time is 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, every day of the week, with a duration of about two hours.

That timing is sensible. You can spend the earlier part of the day outdoors, then move into a seated food and wine activity before dinner. If you plan to eat at Saint-James afterward, the tasting also gives you a natural bridge into the evening.

Pickup is offered, but the exact arrangements are not included in the supplied information. I would confirm the pickup point and timing before you commit, particularly if you are staying away from the restaurant.

Because the activity is private, you do not have to share the table with strangers or match the pace of a large group. That can make a big difference in a tasting lesson. Some people want to ask about French regions and restaurant service. Others simply want to understand why a particular wine works with a particular bite. Your group can set the tone.

How the two-hour tasting works

The stated goal is to teach you the right way to taste wine. Expect Alan to guide you through the process instead of handing over glasses without explanation.

The tasting may cover several wines and liquors, depending on the level and type of session selected. The available details do not provide a fixed wine list, so you should not book this expecting specific vintages or grape varieties. The appeal is the lesson and the pairing work, not a guaranteed bottle-by-bottle menu.

Appetizers accompany the tasting. This is important because food pairing cannot be explained well in the abstract. You can taste a wine on its own, then try it with food and notice how the balance changes. A wine that seems sharp or heavy by itself may work much better with the right bite.

I like this part of the design because it gives you a skill you can use later. You may leave with a better sense of how to choose wine for a meal, how to notice sweetness or acidity, and how to compare a wine before and after eating.

Liquors are also included in the description. The activity is therefore broader than a standard wine flight, although the details do not say which spirits will be served. If you have a strong preference for wine over spirits, ask what the planned tasting includes before booking.

What Alan’s teaching style means for you

The tone of the activity appears to be serious about wine but friendly to beginners. That balance is useful in Bora Bora, where many people book this as part of a honeymoon or special holiday rather than as a professional wine course.

Several of the comments about the experience single out Alan’s careful explanations, presentation, and ability to make the lesson enjoyable. One couple described the private tasting as a highlight of their honeymoon and said it was the best wine tasting they had experienced. That is strong praise, but you should read it in context: the setting is intimate, the guide is the central feature, and the activity suits people who enjoy learning over a drink.

Another couple began with little professional wine knowledge and still found the session useful. That tells me the experience is not aimed only at collectors or restaurant experts. You can arrive with basic questions and still get plenty from the class.

A group that had originally expected a shared course ended up receiving a private session when others did not sign up for the same date. That flexibility is a plus, though you should not assume every booking will be rearranged in the same way. The booking is advertised as private, so that is the format to plan on.

Food pairing is the real lesson

Many wine tastings focus on identifying smells and flavors. Those skills can be fun, but they may not help much when you are choosing a bottle for dinner. This activity puts food pairing at the center.

You will have appetizers with the tasting, allowing you to see how a dish can change the way wine tastes. The lesson is especially useful if you often find wine confusing at restaurants. Instead of memorizing a long list of regions, you can learn a few basic ideas and apply them to a menu.

I would pay close attention to the comparisons. Notice how the wine feels before food, then how it changes with a salty, rich, sweet, or strongly flavored bite. The supplied details do not name the appetizers, so the exact pairings may vary. That is not a flaw, but it means you should think of the food as part of the teaching rather than a promised menu.

The focus on pairing also makes this activity a good choice for couples with different levels of interest. One person can enjoy the tasting, while the other gains practical advice for ordering wine at dinner. You do not need to memorize technical terms to benefit.

Staying for dinner at Saint-James

You can choose to remain at Saint-James for dinner after the tasting. Alan is happy to advise you on the wine selection for the meal, which adds a useful second stage to the experience.

The dinner itself is not included in the stated $800 price, so treat it as an optional add-on and confirm the arrangement before booking. The tasting may finish at 5:30 PM, leaving an evening meal as a natural next step, but you should verify restaurant availability separately.

This option works best if you want a complete food and wine evening without moving between venues. It also lets you test what you have learned right away. After spending two hours discussing pairings, choosing a bottle with Alan’s advice gives the lesson a practical finish.

The limitation is that the experience description does not provide a dinner menu, dinner price, or guarantee of a table. Do not assume the optional meal is included. Ask the restaurant about reservations and costs.

Is $800 a fair price?

The price is $800 per group, with up to six people included. For a full group, that works out to about $133 per person before any separate dinner costs. For six friends who want a private lesson, access to a Master Sommelier, several tastings, appetizers, and a restaurant setting, that can be a reasonable splurge.

For two people, the same price works out to $400 each. That is much harder to justify if you only want to sample wine. It becomes more defensible if you care about private instruction, are celebrating a honeymoon, or plan to continue to dinner at Saint-James.

The private format is the key value point. You are paying for personal attention rather than a low-cost group tasting. If all six places are filled by your own party, the price becomes considerably more attractive.

I would book this for the quality of the instruction, not for the quantity of alcohol. The available information does not promise a specific number of bottles or pours. You are paying for a guided tasting lesson, food pairings, and access to Alan’s advice.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a strong fit for:

• Couples celebrating a honeymoon or special occasion
• Small groups who want a private activity
• Beginners who want clear wine basics
• Wine fans interested in French wines and food pairing
• Diners planning to eat at Saint-James afterward
• People who prefer a calm seated activity to another water excursion

It may not suit you if you want a casual party atmosphere, a large selection of named vintages, or the lowest possible price. The experience is structured and instructional. Even though it is meant to be fun, the main point is learning.

The activity also may not be ideal for someone who does not drink alcohol, since wines and liquors are central to the session. The information confirms that service animals are allowed and that most people can participate, but it does not describe non-alcoholic alternatives.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is offered Monday through Sunday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, during the stated operating period ending November 26, 2026.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows Bora Bora local time.

Since this is a private booking, the maximum group size is six. A mobile ticket is offered, and pickup is available. Confirm the meeting or pickup details in advance, since the general information does not identify every pickup location.

Should you book Bora Bora Wine Tastings?

Book it if you want a polished, private food and wine lesson rather than another sightseeing stop. Alan’s teaching, the Saint-James wine cellar, the appetizers, and the option to stay for dinner create a well-shaped afternoon.

I would be most comfortable recommending it to a group of four to six, since the cost spreads better. A couple can still find value here, particularly during a honeymoon, but should be certain that personal instruction matters more than simply ordering wine with dinner.

If you are curious about wine but lack confidence, this is a useful choice. If you already expect a particular list of French bottles or a full dinner included in the price, ask questions first. The best reason to book is the chance to learn how wine and food work together, then use that lesson at the table that same evening.

FAQ

How long does the wine tasting last?

The experience lasts about two hours, with the scheduled session running from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Where does the tasting take place?

The tasting is hosted by Saint-James restaurant in Bora Bora.

What is the price?

The price is $800 per group, for a group of up to six people.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private tour.

What does the tasting include?

The experience includes multiple wine and liquor tastings, appetizers, and instruction on tasting wine and matching it with food.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. The supplied information does not specify individual pickup locations, so confirm the details when booking.

Do I need previous wine experience?

No. The tasting is designed for different levels, and the sommelier teaches the process step by step.

Can I have dinner at Saint-James afterward?

Yes, there is an option to remain at the restaurant for dinner. Dinner is not stated as part of the $800 tasting price, so confirm the arrangements separately.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

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 or refunded.