Guiraud, Chateau
Summary
Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Guiraud operates a 128-hectare estate in Sauternes with 103 hectares of vineyards planted on gravel, sand, clay, and iron-rich soils, producing both their flagship sweet wines and dry white Bordeaux. Their traditional approach combines a distinctive 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc blend with time-honored selective harvesting and barrel aging techniques, while maintaining their pioneering status as Sauternes' first organically certified Premier Grand Cru Classé property.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Guiraud stands as one of Sauternes' historic estates, established in 1766 when Pierre Guiraud, a Protestant merchant from Bordeaux, purchased the property. The château earned recognition in the 1855 Classification, securing its position as a Premier Grand Cru Classé of Sauternes. After passing through several families over the centuries, the estate experienced a significant transition in 2006 when four partners—Xavier Planty, Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier, Stephan Von Neipperg of Château Canon La Gaffelière, and industrial magnate Robert Peugeot—acquired the property.
Xavier Planty, who had served as the estate's manager since 1986, continued to guide Château Guiraud's development until his retirement in 2019. Today, the estate operates under the direction of Managing Director Luc Planty, who maintains the vision established during the 2006 ownership change. This leadership transition marked a period of renewed focus on quality and environmental stewardship at the property.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Guiraud encompasses 128 hectares in the heart of Sauternes, with 103 hectares dedicated to vineyards. The estate's plantings consist of 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, a higher proportion of Sauvignon Blanc than many neighboring Sauternes properties. This varietal balance contributes to the distinctive house style, which often displays pronounced freshness alongside the honeyed richness typical of the appellation.
The vineyards sit on diverse soils composed primarily of deep gravel beds mixed with sand and clay, with sections featuring red gravel and iron-rich deposits that influence the wines' character. Vines average 35-40 years in age, with some parcels containing plants over 50 years old. The estate practices high-density planting at approximately 6,600 vines per hectare, following traditional Sauternes methods.
Beyond their flagship sweet wine, Château Guiraud produces G de Guiraud, a dry white Bordeaux from the same vineyard parcels, and Le Dauphin de Guiraud, which serves as a second wine for the grand vin. The estate typically produces around 100,000 bottles annually, though this figure varies significantly based on vintage conditions and the selective harvesting required for botrytized grapes.
Philosophy & Practice
Château Guiraud made history in 2011 as the first Premier Grand Cru Classé property in Sauternes to receive organic certification, following a fifteen-year transition away from conventional farming. This commitment extends beyond certification requirements, with the estate maintaining over 100 hectares of forests, meadows, and gardens surrounding the vineyards to promote biodiversity. The property hosts a conservatory of grape varieties with over 150 different types of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, supporting research into genetic diversity and climate adaptation.
The winemaking approach at Guiraud adheres to traditional Sauternes methods while incorporating modern precision. Harvest occurs through multiple passes through the vineyards, with pickers selecting only grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, with 90% new oak for the grand vin, at temperatures controlled between 20-24°C. The wines typically age for 18-24 months in French oak barrels before bottling.
Temperature-controlled cellars allow for precise aging conditions, while the estate's quality control includes rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. This methodical approach to production, combined with their environmental commitments, defines Château Guiraud's modern identity while honoring the traditional methods that have defined Sauternes production for centuries.