Olivier

History of Château Olivier

The origins of Château Olivier date back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the property was merely a simple keep surrounded by oak forests, a prized hunting ground for the Black Prince, Edward of Woodstock, son of King Edward III of England. The estate was known as the "seigneurie d'Olivey", in honour of this ancient family from the region.

During the Hundred Years' War, Bertrand du Guesclin, the famous French military leader, is said to have stayed at Château Olivier on several occasions. In the 16th century, Arthus d'Olivey transformed the keep into a fortified castle with four towers, moats filled with water and a chapel. He was also the first to plant vines, thus initiating the estate's wine-growing vocation.

The 17th and 18th centuries marked the height of Château Olivier's renown, with owners such as Jacques de La Serre, whose daughter married a member of the Montesquieu family, famous author of Persian Letters and The Spirit of the Laws. Under the management of Jacques Fossier de Lestard, advisor to the king, the estate took on its current form, with the construction of the first wine cellars and the installation of an ambitious hydraulic system.

In 1867, Alexandre de Bethmann, banker and mayor of Bordeaux, acquired Château Olivier, marking the entry of the Bethmann family into the estate's history. Since then, the family has managed this property with passion and rigour. In 2021, Éléonore de Bethmann took over the reins of the estate, succeeding her brother Alexandre, thus perpetuating a family legacy of more than 136 years.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Olivier

Located on a vast estate of 230 hectares, of which 60 are devoted to vines, Château Olivier benefits from exceptional natural conditions. The vineyard is protected by a forest of century-old oaks, pine groves and meadows, creating a truly preserved ecosystem. Classified in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, this terroir is unique thanks to its two glacial terraces rich in lithological diversity, with 13 different types of soil, including gravels, clays, limestones and blue marls.

This variety of soils allows for optimal cultivation of red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, as well as white grape varieties, mainly Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. The red vineyard covers 52 hectares, while the white extends over 8 hectares.

Since 2003, a meticulous geological inventory has been carried out to precisely map the terroir, revealing high-quality soils comparable to those of the best growths in the region. This mapping has allowed for the adjustment of the grape varieties and the reinforcement of the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in the red wines, while optimising the Sémillon plots for the white wines.

Vinifications at Château Olivier

Vinification at Château Olivier is a meticulous process, respectful of tradition and terroir, but using modern techniques to guarantee the quality of each vintage. Each plot of vines is harvested by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes, first in the vineyards and then in the winery. Once harvested, the grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled truncated cone-shaped stainless steel vats, which allow for optimal control of temperatures and macerations.

For red wines, two extraction methods, pumping over and punching down, are used according to the characteristics of each batch of grapes. After fermentation, the wines are transferred to French oak barrels where they continue their maturation for 12 months. Ageing is done with 30% new barrels, offering a balance between the finesse of the tannins and the preservation of the wine's fruity expression.

The white wines, on the other hand, undergo gentle pressing followed by fermentation in oak barrels. They are aged on fine lees for 10 months, with regular stirring to enhance aromatic complexity and structure on the palate.

The cuvées of Château Olivier

Château Olivier produces two main cuvées, in red and white, both classified as Grands Crus de Graves.

Château Olivier Rouge - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Château Olivier Rouge is a wine of character, made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot grapes. This wine is distinguished by its balance between power and elegance, with aromas of ripe red fruits, spicy notes and a beautiful tannic structure. The palate is full and silky, offering a persistent finish. Recent vintages, notably 2021, reveal a very positive evolution, with fine tannins and remarkable freshness, promising good ageing potential.

Château Olivier Blanc - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Château Olivier Blanc is a white wine of great purity, composed mainly of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. This wine is distinguished by its freshness, sharp acidity and aromatic precision. After ageing in barrels for 10 months, the wine develops complex aromas of exotic fruits, citrus and white flowers. On the palate, it reveals itself to be structured, with a beautiful mineral tension and remarkable length. The 2022 vintage, in particular, has been praised for its balance and ageing potential.

La Seigneurie d'Olivier - Second wine

Château Olivier also produces a second wine, La Seigneurie d'Olivier, from the estate's young vines. This wine, both red and white, offers excellent value for money and reflects the estate's expertise, with fruity aromas and a pleasant texture, accessible earlier than the first wine.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two Bordeaux appellations, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly prized for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are equally remarkable for their structure and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm this continuing excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore all the Grands Crus Classés de Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the First Growth of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historical reference. For red andwhite wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. For reds, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover in the heart of the Graves region.

Château Olivier is much more than just a wine estate. It is a place steeped in history, where each generation has contributed to building a unique heritage, both architecturally and viticulturally. Thanks to the commitment of the Bethmann family and the expertise of their team, Château Olivier's wines continue to evolve, affirming their place among the greatest growths of Pessac-Léognan. Whether red or white, Château Olivier's wines seduce with their elegance, precision and ageing potential, making each tasting an exceptional moment.