Grand Village, Chateau
Summary
Chateau Grand Village is the ancestral family estate of the Guinaudeau family (owners of Chateau Lafleur), producing Merlot-Cabernet Franc blends and Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon whites from 15-20 hectares of clay-limestone soils in Bordeaux's Fronsac region. The estate applies the same exacting standards used at their prestigious Pomerol property—including hand-harvesting, meticulous sorting, and measured oak aging—to deliver exceptional quality that consistently outperforms its Bordeaux Supérieur classification.
Heritage & Leadership
Chateau Grand Village is located in the Fronsac region on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, France. The estate represents the ancestral family home of the Guinaudeau family, who have owned and managed the property for several generations. The Guinaudeaus are perhaps better known as the proprietors of the prestigious Chateau Lafleur in Pomerol, bringing their winemaking expertise to both estates.
The property is currently under the stewardship of Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau, with their son Baptiste and his wife Julie increasingly involved in daily operations. This family management structure ensures continuity of vision and approach across generations. The same team that oversees the renowned Chateau Lafleur also manages Grand Village, applying their considerable expertise to this Fronsac property.
While Grand Village may not carry the same appellation prestige as the family's Pomerol estate, it benefits from the same rigorous standards and attention to detail that have made Lafleur highly respected in the wine world. The estate stands as a separate and distinct property with its own terroir identity rather than functioning as a secondary label.
Vineyards & Wines
Chateau Grand Village encompasses approximately 15-20 hectares of vineyards situated on elevated terrain with favorable drainage conditions. The vineyards benefit from the classic clay-limestone soils typical of Bordeaux's Right Bank, providing an excellent foundation for both red and white grape varieties.
The estate's vineyard area is divided between plantings for red and white wine production. The red wines follow Right Bank traditions, primarily featuring Merlot and Cabernet Franc blends that express the character of the Fronsac terroir. These wines are classified under the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation.
For white wine production, Chateau Grand Village cultivates Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, the traditional white varieties of Bordeaux. The estate produces both standard Chateau Grand Village labeled white wines and a specialized single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc called "Les Champs Libres," which has garnered particular recognition for its quality. The white wines fall under the Bordeaux Blanc appellation.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Chateau Grand Village mirrors the philosophy employed at Chateau Lafleur, emphasizing respect for terroir and minimal intervention. This approach begins in the vineyard with careful attention to viticulture and continues through the winemaking process.
Harvesting at Grand Village is performed by hand, with meticulous sorting of grapes to ensure only the highest quality fruit enters production. This selective approach forms the foundation of their quality-focused methodology. The estate practices sustainable viticulture with particular attention to soil health, though specific certification details are not widely documented.
The aging process typically takes place in French oak barrels, with a measured approach to new oak that allows the terroir expression to remain prominent. This balanced use of oak aging contributes to wines that showcase freshness and structure characteristic of the Fronsac region while maintaining the precision associated with the Guinaudeau winemaking style.
Through consistent application of these principles, Chateau Grand Village produces wines that reflect both their specific terroir and the Guinaudeau family's winemaking philosophy, offering a distinctive expression of Fronsac and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations.