Guiraud

History of Château Guiraud

The history of Château Guiraud dates back to 1766 when Pierre Guiraud, a Protestant wine merchant from Bordeaux, acquired the property then known as "Maison Noble du Bayle". The estate, located in Sauternes, southeast of Bordeaux, developed under the Guiraud family's leadership and quickly gained notoriety. In 1855, it was consecrated as a First Growth during the famous imperial classification of Sauternes and Barsac wines.

Throughout its history, Château Guiraud has distinguished itself through its spirit of independence and innovation. Its famous black and gold label, adopted in the first half of the 19th century, became an iconic visual signature. In 1981, after a period of decline during the war, the Narby family, of Egyptian origin, undertook a complete restoration of the estate and brought it back to the forefront of the wine world. Under the direction of Xavier Planty, hired in 1988, Château Guiraud regained its status as a reference in Sauternes.

In 2006, a new era began with the acquisition of the property by a consortium composed of major figures in the wine world, including Robert Peugeot and Olivier Bernard. Their shared vision allowed the estate to continue its path towards excellence, notably with the achievement of Organic Agriculture certification in 2011, a first for a First Growth of Sauternes.

Today, under the direction of Sandrine Garbay since 2022, former cellar master of Château d'Yquem, Château Guiraud continues to shine through its ecological practices and wines that are both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Guiraud

The terroir of Château Guiraud is an essential component of the exceptional quality of its wines. The estate spans 128 hectares, including 100 hectares of vines, situated on a plateau of sandy and clay gravels. This particular soil, combined with a subsoil rich in deep sands, plays a decisive role in the singular identity of the estate's wines.

The vineyard is planted with a majority of Sémillon (65%) and a significant proportion of Sauvignon Blanc (35%), an unusual choice for the Sauternes appellation, where grape varieties are traditionally dominated by Sémillon. This high proportion of Sauvignon Blanc contributes to the freshness and balance of Château Guiraud's wines, giving them a contemporary dimension while respecting the codes of great sweet wine.

The estate, a pioneer in biodiversity since 1996, has implemented numerous initiatives to encourage natural life around the vines: hedges for wildlife, planting of various species, and even beehives to promote pollination. With more than 630 insect species recorded and a permaculture approach applied across the entire vineyard, Château Guiraud is a true living ecosystem.

Vinification at Château Guiraud

Vinification at Château Guiraud is masterful work, relying on centuries-old expertise and meticulous attention at every stage of the process. The harvest is exclusively manual, carried out through successive selections to pick only grapes affected by noble rot, the famous Botrytis cinerea. This fungus allows for natural sugar concentration in the grape while maintaining a perfect balance with acidity.

After harvest, the grapes are vinified with indigenous yeasts, a practice respectful of the terroir that reinforces the uniqueness of the wines. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, of which a significant proportion (90%) is new, thus ensuring beautiful aromatic complexity and rich texture. The wines are then aged on fine lees for 18 to 24 months, with regular racking to ensure the purity of aromas.

The estate's organic approach excludes the use of any chaptalisation, a method that consists of adding sugar to the must before fermentation, thus affirming Château Guiraud's commitment to natural vinification, in line with its ecological principles.

The Cuvées of Château Guiraud

Château Guiraud - 1st Growth Classified in 1855

The estate's flagship wine, Château Guiraud 1st Growth, is a reference in Sauternes. Made from a blend of 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, this great wine is distinguished by its perfect balance between richness and freshness. The golden colour with amber reflections announces remarkable aromatic complexity, with notes of candied fruits, honey and exotic spices, on a background of white flowers.

On the palate, the wine offers beautiful density, supported by amazing vivacity that counterbalances the natural sweetness of the botrytised grapes. Ageing in new oak barrels brings subtle nuances of vanilla and brioche, without ever dominating the primary fruit aromas. Each vintage of Château Guiraud is a unique expression of its terroir, with exceptional ageing potential.

Petit Guiraud

Petit Guiraud, the estate's second wine, is a more accessible version of the grand vin while maintaining Château Guiraud's unique DNA and style. Made from the same grape varieties and following a similar vinification process, Petit Guiraud is distinguished by its freshness and elegance. It offers a bright golden colour and delicious aromas of fresh fruits, flowers and honey, with a light vanilla touch from partial barrel ageing.

Lighter and easier to drink than its elder sibling, Petit Guiraud is a wine for all occasions, perfect for accompanying desserts or simply to enjoy for pleasure. Certified Organic Agriculture, it reflects the estate's commitment to sustainable and environmentally respectful viticulture.

Château Guiraud particularly stands out in certain vintages, considered as references in the Sauternes universe. Among the most remarkable, the years 2001, 2011, 2019, 2022 and 2023 offer wines of exceptional depth, combining aromatic richness, freshness and a beautiful tannic structure that ensures great ageing potential.

The best vintages of Sauternes and Barsac, two prestigious Bordeaux appellations, include exceptional years such as 1945, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1959, and 1967, recognised for their finesse and complexity. Among more recent vintages, notable years include 1975, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, as well as the legendary 2001. Sweet wine enthusiasts will also appreciate the years 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013. Finally, the excellent climatic conditions of recent decades have produced memorable vintages in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. These wines offer unique aromatic richness and remarkable ageing potential.

Discover the exceptional treasures of the Grands Crus Classés of Sauternes and Barsac, where each estate tells a unique story of expertise and excellence. The prestigious Château d'Yquem, Premier Grand Cru Supérieur, embodies the quintessence of Sauternes. Among the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, explore the subtleties of Château Climens and Château Coutet in Barsac, as well as the wonders of Château Guiraud, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Château La Tour Blanche, Château Rabaud-Promis, Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Château Rieussec, Château Sigalas-Rabaud, and Château Suduiraut in Sauternes. Each estate invites you to dive into the enchanting world of dessert wines, combining aromatic richness, finesse, and elegance, for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Château Guiraud perfectly embodies the alliance between tradition and modernity in the production of great sweet wines. With its unique terroir, early commitment to biodiversity and precise vinification, the estate has carved out an essential place in the universe of Sauternes great growths. Whether with its Grand Vin or its Petit Guiraud, Château Guiraud offers wines that seduce through their balance, freshness and aromatic complexity.