Viticulture: Bordeaux Expansion Overview and Setup Guide

Quick Answer

The Viticulture: Bordeaux Expansion adds a new layer of strategic depth to your Viticulture games. This guide walks you through the expansion contents and provides a clear, step-by-step setup process so you can start playing with confidence.

If you're looking to enrich your Viticulture experience, the Bordeaux Expansion offers new visitor cards that can change how you approach each season. Designed by Uwe Rosenberg alongside the original Viticulture designers, this expansion integrates smoothly with the base game.

In this guide, we'll break down what's inside the box and walk you through the setup process, including common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're a seasoned vintner or new to the game, you'll find practical tips to get the expansion on the table quickly.

What's in the Bordeaux Expansion?

The Bordeaux Expansion focuses on adding 40 new visitor cards, each with unique artwork and effects. These cards introduce fresh decisions and strategies, making each game feel different. The expansion is designed to be used with the base Viticulture game and does not require other expansions.

Since the expansion only adds cards, it doesn't change the core rules or add new components like boards or tokens. This keeps the setup simple and the game length similar to the base game. The new cards are shuffled into the existing visitor decks, so you'll see a mix of old and new cards in every game.

• Check that your base game is complete before adding the expansion cards.
• The expansion includes 40 new visitor cards, but no additional tokens or boards.

Setup Essentials: Preparing Your Game

Before you shuffle the expansion cards into the base decks, ensure your base game is set up as usual. This includes placing the main board, preparing the worker tokens, and dealing starting hands. The expansion doesn't require any extra setup steps beyond adding the new cards.

One common mistake is to shuffle the new cards into the wrong deck. The Bordeaux Expansion cards are designed to be added to the existing visitor decks, not the summer or winter visitor decks separately. Always check the card backs to ensure they match the deck you're adding them to.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

1. Unbox and Sort the Expansion Cards: Carefully open the expansion and separate the 40 new visitor cards. Verify that all cards are present and undamaged. Checkpoint: Count the cards to ensure you have all 40.
2. Identify the Correct Decks: Look at the card backs to determine which deck they belong to. The Bordeaux Expansion cards should match the back of the existing visitor cards in your base game. Mistake to avoid: Do not mix them with summer or winter visitor decks if the backs differ.
3. Shuffle the New Cards into the Base Decks: Thoroughly shuffle the new cards into the corresponding visitor decks. Ensure a random distribution so the new cards appear throughout the game. Checkpoint: Shuffle well to avoid clumps of new cards.
4. Set Up the Game as Usual: Follow the standard setup for Viticulture, including placing the main board, distributing workers, and dealing starting hands. No additional components are needed. Mistake to avoid: Do not forget to place the visitor decks within reach of all players.
5. Begin Playing and Enjoy the New Strategies: Start the game and be ready to adapt to the new visitor card effects. The expansion adds depth without overwhelming complexity. Checkpoint: Take a moment to read any new cards you draw to understand their effects.

Product Facts

• Viticulture: Moor Visitors: The Moor Visitors Expansion, designed by famed designer Uwe Rosenberg and Viticulture designers Jamey Stegmaier and Alan Stone, adds 40 new individually illustrated visitor cards to Viticulture. If you enjoy the variety that the Bordeaux Expansion brings, the Moor Visitors expansion is a natural companion, adding even more unique cards to your decks.

The Viticulture: Bordeaux Expansion is a simple yet effective way to refresh your Viticulture sessions. With just a few minutes of setup, you can enjoy new strategic options and keep the game feeling fresh. Happy gaming!