Bordeaux wine tasting tour
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Bordeaux bespoke wine tours exploring vineyards by electrical bike or minivan in small groups or customized to make your trip truly memorable.
Bordeaux wine tours with locals
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8 persons max.
5 hours
Small Group Tour
Saint-Emilion Wine Lovers (afternoon)
Venture through the stunning landscape of Saint-Emilion, enjoying its flavorful wines and discover the secrets of its medieval village. Absorb the history, culture and have loads of fun with your local expert guide, as you are given an intimate and enriching tour of one of the world's most prestigous wine regions.
8 pers. max.
8 hours
Small Group Tour
On the road to Saint-Emilion…by bike! (full day)
Take a break and come try our electric bike tour in Saint-Emilion! In a small group, your guide will take you to the splendid vineyards of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. Visit 2 wineries, taste its wines in privacy and enjoy a fresh gourmet picnic style lunch with a view! Wander in the steep streets of the medieval village of Saint-Emilion before a final tasting at a local wine shop. Are you ready to join us on a journey through this historical French landscape?
8 persons max.
8 hours
Small Group Tour
Graves & Saint Emilion Full Day tour: Bordeaux Essentials
This is our Bordeaux 'Great Escape' tour, the ultimate French lifestyle experience all in one day. Explore up to 3 different vineyards sampling various styles of wines and enjoying a relaxing French-style picnic by the vines. Unique to Bordeaux!
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French lifestyle!
A unique wine tour in Bordeaux, France.
Bordeaux Wine Trails invites you to discover the Bordeaux wine region, one of the best in the world. We have a history of winemaking and culture that we’re extremely proud of and want to share it with you !
Our goal is to give you an authentic taste of French food, wine, landscape, history and cultural heritage on every one of our Bordeaux wine tasting tours. Our local expert guides love what they do, entertaining and ensuring all our guests get the best from their time with us.
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Latest Updates
Slow tourism in Bordeaux: getting off the beaten track
Life is busy and days go by fast. Sometimes the old ‘eat, sleep, repeat’ routine gets tedious, and that’s when it’s time for a holiday. And there’s no better place to unwind and unpack for a few days than in Bordeaux, the world’s most sought out tourism destinations!
5 good reasons to visit Bordeaux with your kids
If you're looking for some ideas for your stay in Bordeaux with your family, here are some family friendly tours and activities for visiting this amazing city with your kids!
Bordeaux whites
Bordeaux wines suffer from a persistent cliché: Bordeaux would only produce red wines. Admittedly, the region produces mostly reds, but not only!
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The Bordeaux Wine Bar Crawl
OUR PRIVATE TOUR
Private tour
Home > Private Tour > The Bordeaux Wine Bar Crawl
There a countless places to go in Bordeaux, and plenty of wine bars! There’s no better way to delve into the Bordeaux nightlife for your hen party or bachelor party in Bordeaux, then getting a personalized guided tour to the best wine bars our city has to offer!
Imagine, four hours of complete immersion in the wine bar culture, experiencing nothing but fun and frivolity. Your party of will be led by a local wine guide, stopping at two different wine bars, each with their own distinct personality and variety of wines to offer. You are sure to have a great night out that combines conviviality with wine exploration.
Forget the tourist bars, your guide will take you to the trendiest and must-see addresses in Bordeaux, so you can experience an evening with the locals!
The tour starts at the end of the afternoon at a bar which specializes in biodynamic wines. The night continues with a visit to another wine bar which specializes in a variety of Bordeaux wines, both boutique and premimum chateaus. To top the evening off, your party shall finish at a renowned Bordeaux hotspot for more great wine. The locals come here for the drinks, the great food and the music!
Whether you are a seasoned wine lover, a beginner, or want to see what Bordeaux at night is all about, your guide will make your evening fun, friendly and unforgettable. We can also organize special extras, including blind tastings or quizzes to test your group’s wine knowledge!
Program
16:00
Meet your guide in front of the Bordeaux Tourist Information Office at 12 cours du 30 Juillet.
16:15
Discovery of a wine bar specialized in Bordeaux wines
17:30
Discovery of a wine bar specialized in biodynamic wines
18:45
Final stop at a Bordeaux hotspot for more tastings
Highlights
- From 2 to 10 guests
- 3 visits
Meeting point
Office de tourisme de Bordeaux
12 Cours du 30 Juillet 33000 Bordeaux
Options:
Cruise on the Garonne river, day trip to Arcachon Bay, or a French cooking class? We can help you organize the perfect hen party or stag party! Don’t hesitate to contact us to get more info and make a request!
Cancellation conditions: Please consult our Terms of Sale.
Included / Excluded
Included
- Tasting local delicacies at 3 stops
- 6-7 glasses at 3 stops
- English speaking guide with extensive wine knowledge (sommelier and/or WSET level 2 or 3 diploma holder)
- Tour commentary with fun and interesting facts regarding Bordeaux’s history/culture
Excluded
- Gratuities for the guide
- Personal insurance or expenses
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Q&A
Can we bring our luggage on the tour?
You can carry your luggage with you on request. It will depend on the size of the luggage and the space available in the van. But your chauffeur-guide will accompany you during your visits, so, any luggage or personal effects inside the vehicle will be left unattended. Bordeaux Wine Trails cannot be held liable in the event of theft or damage to your property.
Do you need a lot of physical effort to complete the tour?
No, the E-bike tour is designed for an effortless adventure for any ability level and age thanks to the electrical power of our brand new bikes.
How can I book a tour with you?
We’re located right in the city centre of Bordeaux. So, if you’re in town you can always drop by to book your tour. If not you can reserve your tour online on our website. In case you have any questions you can always get in touch with us.
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Our Private Tours
Private Tour
Family friendly private wine tour
Pack your bags and bring the whole family to Bordeaux! We've got a family-friendly tour with a special selection of kid-friendly wineries at your disposal. Customized to meet your family's needs, you can explore Bordeaux's infamous Saint-Emilion region, enjoying the wine as your children revel in cultural activities and games. A stress free wine tour that is a delightful experience for everyone!
Private Tour
A seaside getaway to Arcachon Bay
For an unforgettable wedding proposal, anniversary, birthday or simply to enjoy a romantic moment together, Bordeaux Wine Trails offers you a day to remember at the top of the breathtaking Dune du Pilat.
Private Tour
Explore Saint-Emilion by electric bike
Looking for an original wine tour activity for a small group for a birthday, bachelor party or a team building? Bordeaux Wine Trails offers a scenic electric bike ride through the countryside of Saint-Emilion, discovering its beautiful vineyards and awe-inspiring chateaus on your very own private tour.
Wine tasting in Bordeaux, a guide to the vineyards and wines of Bordeaux
Wine tasting in Bordeaux is one of the main tourist attractions. It is the second largest wine region in the world with over 800 million bottles of wine produced annually.
Among the most famous wine producers of Bordeaux:
- Château Haut Brion
- Château Lafite Rothschild
- Château Latour (for serious collectors and professionals only)
- Château Margaux
- Château Mouton Rothschild
- Château Ausone
- Château Cheval Blanc
- Château Grand Renouil
- Château du Pavillon
- Château Petrus
But don't expect the most famous wine houses like Chateau Margaux to organize a tasting for you. Such houses invite visitors only by prior reservation, and tastings are organized only for professionals. You can't buy their wines there either, which they sell only through representatives (shops in Bordeaux or worldwide). That is, it will only be an acquaintance with the Chateau itself and the vineyards, but not with wine. At a cost of 200 - 300 euros per bottle (and good vintages can cost several thousand), you should also not hope for a free tasting of expensive wine in Bordeaux. nine0005
Bordeaux winery tours
Many tour operators organize winery tours. You can take a day wine tour from Bordeaux towards the main vineyards of the region: Canon Fronsac , Saint Emilion , Médoc , Graves and Sauternes. Usually these are 8-seat minivans with professional guides.
- What wines to try - recommendations from the best experts
- Bordeaux vineyard trails
- Saint Emilion Vineyard Routes
- Bordeaux wine routes, excursions to the vineyards of Bordeaux
The Summer Wine Festival goes hand in hand with Bordeaux-fête-le-fleuve, a festival of river, land and international atmosphere.
Bordeaux wine tasting:
Wine tasting usually takes place at the winery or organized by the respective companies. There are several different types of wine to choose from. They are poured into a glass in a small amount so that you can appreciate the bouquet of taste and aroma. Customers are often expected to buy the wines they like, so the tasting itself can be free. nine0005
What is useful to know when tasting:
- it is advisable not to be hungry (you will get drunk quickly, and it is quite difficult to appreciate all the sophistication of the bouquet of wine when drunk), but not too full
- do not suffocate with perfumes - they will interrupt the sense of smell
- before tasting the wine, it is swirled a little in the glass, admiring the color and structure of the wine, and also allowing the wine to fill the glass with aroma
- when tasting wine, do not swallow immediately, but hold it in your mouth so that the wine touches all the taste buds and reveals the bouquet to the maximum
- when you swallow the wine, pay attention to the aftertaste: good wine “plays in the mouth” for a long time
Variety of shades of wine from Bordeaux:
Useful links:
- Wines of Bordeaux
- Bordeaux dry white wines
- Sweet white wines Bordeaux - Sauternes
- Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur (AOC)
- Côtes de Bordeaux (AOC)
- Saint-Emillion and Pomerol Fronsac (AOC)
- Vintage and wine year Bordeaux
- Wine tasting at Bordeaux
- Bordeaux wine routes, excursions to the vineyards of Bordeaux
- Bordeaux wine classification
- The best wines of Bordeaux
- Vineyards of Bordeaux:
- Bordeaux vineyard terroirs:
- Médoc Vineyards (AOC)
- Chateau Margaux
- Graves Vineyards (AOC)
- Vineyards Pessac-Léognan (AOC)
- Vineyards Sauternes (AOC), wines Sauternes
- Bordeaux vineyard trails
- French wines
- French wine classification
- Wine and cheese
- Wine and cheese pairing
- Wine Cahors
- Wines of Southwest France: Gascony, Cahors
- Top 10 best wines of Provence and Côte d'Azur
- Wines of Provence
- Wines of Avignon
- Wines Chateneuf-du-Pape nine0009 Wines of Cassis
- Wines of Burgundy
- How Burgundy wines are made
- Burgundy wine tasting
- Burgundy quality
- Burgundy Terroirs
- Burgundy Grand Crus
- Champagne wines
- Champagne grapes
- Wines of Alsace
- Alsace wine road
- Wines of Turkheim
- Wines of Sartena
- Wines Ajaccio
- Wines of Valence
Chateau Gruaud Larose
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Crus De Pessac-Leognan ___________________________________________________
Pessac-Leognan is one of the most prestigious Bordeaux appellations. This sub-region was separated from Grave only in 1987. According to the 1959 classification, it was in the communes of today's Pessac-Léognan that the best white and red Graves wines were produced. The soils here, as follows from the previous name of the appellation, are gravel. The landscape is dominated by pine forests. nine0005
It is believed that the best soils of the region are concentrated in this area. A high degree of drainage helps produce quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The village of Pessac is close to these producers. Leonyan is 10 km away and is completely surrounded by pine forests and vineyards. The famous manufacturers Domaine de Chevalier, Chateaux Haut-Bailly, Malartic-Lagraviere, Larrivet Haut-Brion, Fieuzal are located here.
Pessac-Leognan white wines are made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc (minimum 25% in blends) and Semillon, often aged in oak for balance. Sauvignon blanc and Semillon white wines are usually drunk young (up to 3 years old), but Pessac-Leognan white wines can reach their best taste within ten years. nine0005
Chateau Carbonnieux
Cru Classe 20€ (2 wines)
Winery Chateau Carbonnier traces its history back to 1292. In the last century, in 1956, Marc Perrin purchased the estate and set about restoring and improving it. He began by increasing the area planted with grapes to 45 hectares in 1970, then to 70 hectares in 1980 and amounting to almost 92 hectares today. Anthony, his son, built a new winery and adapted the cellars to new winemaking methods. At 19In 87, the Pessac-Leognan appellation was created, which included some of the most famous Château Graves, including Château Carbonnier.
According to an old legend, the monks of the Order of the Holy Cross, who owned the estate in the 18th century, sold wine to the French mistress of the Ottoman emperor, and in order not to offend the religious feelings of her high patron in this case, they called it on the label "Mineral water from Carbonie". It is said that when the emperor visited his lady, he tasted this wine and asked her in bewilderment why the French make such a fuss about their wine when they have such fine water? Chateau Carbonnier is a wonderful complex wine, and it is best to drink it at a young age. nine0005
Chateau Pape Clement
Cru Classe De Graves (from 130 € /person - horizontal tasting 4 grand cru)
A huge contribution to the viticulture of Pessac-Leognan was made by Bishop Bertrand de Gotha, who during the time of Philip the Handsome in 1305 was elected Pope Clement Fifth. It was in his honor that the Chateau Pape Clement farm got its name. During its existence, the estate belonged to different owners. Today, they are led by Leo Montagne and Bernard Magrez, who continue the centuries-old tradition of winemaking. The vineyards of the economy are spread over an area of 32.5 hectares with a wide variety of terroirs. 30 hectares are occupied by red grape varieties - Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and only 2.5 hectares are given over to Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. The harvest is carefully and carefully harvested, after which the berries undergo a rigorous selection. Excerpt wines Chateau is carried out only in French barriques. Images of keys - a symbol of Papal power - adorn the labels of four wines from Chateau Pape-Clement. nine0005
Wine "Chateau Pape-Clement" won a number of high awards at international competitions, including gold medals at the "International Wine and Spirit Competition Awards" in London in 2004 and at the Bordeaux competition in 2003, silver at the competition in Paris in 2005 .
Domain De Chevalier
Cru Classe - classic (from 25€ /person)
It is believed that the name "Chevalier" is a distorted name of Chibaley (Xibale), that was the name of the first owner of the Domaine de Chevalier and the creator of the vineyard, who lived in the middle of the 18th century. In 1865, Chateau was acquired by Jean Ricard - he and his descendants did a lot for the estate: they restored the destroyed part of the vineyard, introduced the practice of vinification in new oak barrels, paid great attention to the time and process of harvesting. At 19In 83, the Domaine de Chevalier was bought by the Bernard family, the current owners. However, the last of the Ricards remained a consultant to the estate for a long time. The Bernards increased the area of vineyards from 18 to 40 hectares and restored some buildings of the complex.
Grape harvest for the production of red wine "Domaine De Chevalier" is carried out by hand from the first half of September to mid-October. Maceration and fermentation are carried out for 3 weeks in stainless steel vats at a temperature of 30°C. The wine is aged for 16-20 months in oak barrels, 50% of which are new. nine0005
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Cru Classe De Graves
classic - individual visit from 180€ (3 wines - 2 reds, 1 white) prestige - from 750€ (4 different)
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte dates back to 1365. It was in this year that the Scot George Smith acquired land in the Grave area and built an estate, which he named after his last name. Later, vineyards were planted here, which in 1842 were inherited by the mayor of Bordeaux, Duffour Duberier. It was during his tenure at Château Smith Haut Lafitte that great wines were created that were awarded the title of Grand Cru. Today Château Smith Haut Lafitte is owned by Daniel Catyard, who is a fan of his craft and continues to honor the traditions of this prestigious estate, seeking to bring his wines to perfection. And, judging by the highest marks from the most eminent critics in the world of wine, he succeeds perfectly. nine0005
In addition, the Catjar family does not limit its activities only to the production of wines. Florence Cathiard, Daniel's wife, organized the so-called "five" - "les Cinq" of five chateaus (except for Smith-aux-Laffite, it includes: Canon-la-Gaffelière, Gazin, Braner-Ducru and Ponte Canet) in order to promote of their wines around the world. Their daughter Matilda was involved in the creation of the Caudalie cosmetic line based on grape seed polyphenols. In addition, the family opened the spa hotel Les Sources de Caudalie at the chateau, two restaurants in the hotel are marked with Michelin stars. nine0005
The grape harvest for Chateau Smith-O-Lafite is done only by hand, then it is carefully sorted, and only the most ripe berries fall under the press. Fermentation of wine is carried out at a temperature of 28-30 ° C, after which it matures for 18 months in oak barrels, with 80% of them new and 20% old. The wine is not filtered, but is regularly poured from barrel to barrel, thanks to which it is freed from sediment and acquires a softer rounded taste.
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Crus De Saint-Emilion ___________________________________________________
Saint-Emilion is the oldest wine-growing site in the Bordeaux region. The first vines were planted here by the ancient Romans in the 2nd century. In the IV century, the Roman poet Ozone sang in his poems the wine from the vines of Saint-Emilion. The UNESCO organization has included the terroir of Saint-Emilion in the World Heritage List. The wines of Saint-Emilion are considered the most authentic of the Bordeaux wines. They are very generous and reach their maturity faster than other Bordeaux red wines. nine0005
Chateau Soutard
Grand Cru Classe from 95 €/person
Chateau Soutard, owned by the Lineri count family, traces its history back to 1836 and has hardly changed over the years. Château Sutar is one of the oldest castles in the region, its territory covers about 22 hectares. The limestone plateau on which the Chateau is located allows you to withstand any, even extreme weather conditions without harm to the vineyards. Today Château Sutar offers traditional wines of Saint-Emilion with a huge storage potential (average 20-25 years). nine0005
Chateau Beau-Sejour
Becot Premier Grand Cru Classe
classic - from 30€ /person (4 different wines from 3 own vineyards)
prestige 1990-2000-2010 - from 580€ (individual visit up to 6 people)
Château Beau-Céjour Beco is today one of the leading wineries in Saint-Emilion, located in the heart of the appellation, next to the Old Town. The farm received the status of "1er Grand Cru Classe" (Class B) in 1955, but lost it thirty years later due to the fact that the then owner Michel Beco expanded his holdings by purchasing a neighboring farm that was not included in the Grand Cru Classe classification. However, he made every effort to ensure that, thanks to the high quality of the wines, the estate already at 1996 regained its elite status. At the moment, the castle owns about 20 hectares of vineyards located in the northwestern part of the appellation on calcareous soils. The average age of the vines is 40 years, the ratio of cultivated grape varieties: 70% - Merlot, 24% - Cabernet Franc, 6% - Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine ages 18-20 months in oak barriques, 50-70% of which are new. Today the farm is run by the sons of Michel Beco - Gerard and Dominique.
Chateau Pavie
Premier Grand Cru Class A
classic - from 40€ /person (1 wine)
prestige - from 600€ (individual visit up to 6 people, 3 wines)
Chateau Pavie is the largest Premier Grand Cru (Class B) estate in Saint Emilion. It is located on the site of an old peach orchard ("pavies" - red peaches). Grapes have been grown here since the 4th century AD. Today the estate is owned by Gerard Perez, who acquired the Chateau in 1998, rebuilding and reforming the cellars and the winery building. nine0005
Now Chateau produces about 15,000 cases of wine per year from grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyards occupy 37 hectares, the average age of the vines is about 45 years. The terroir varies in character. Some vineyards, located 85 meters above the Dordogne River, are based on typical clay-limestone soils with rocky bowels. Others are located on the "milieu de cote" (middle of the slope), 55 meters above the Dordogne River. Here the soils consist of very fine brown limestone. In addition to the red wine "Château Pavie", rosé wine "La Rose de Pavie" is also produced here. Pavi wines cause a mixed reaction from critics - some are shocked by the flamboyant style of these wines, others accuse Gerard Perez of insufficient attention to the local terroir. nine0005
Chateau Angelus
Premier Grand Cru Classe A - from 50€ /person
Chateau Angelus is located on a small road leading from the parking lot at Maison du Vin in Saint Emilion to Château Canon (Canon). The Château Angelus vineyard is a collection of different plots of land brought together by the Bouard de Laforet family, one of the oldest in Saint-Emilion, and has existed in its current form since the late 1970s. The owners of the winery are representatives of the fourth generation of the Bouard de Laforest family - cousins Hubert de Bouard de Laforest (Hubert de Bouar de Laforest) and Jean-Bernard Grenie (Jean-Bernard Grenie). At 19In the 1980s, the famous oenologist of Bordeaux Michel Rolland was invited as a consultant. He insisted that all the estate's wine be aged in small oak barrels, until that moment Chateau Angelus was not aware of any oak aging at all. Since then, the wine from Chateau Angelus has been aged 18-22 months in 100% new oak barrels. Lactic acid fermentation takes place in small oak barrels that only small estates with considerable means can afford. The results of this innovation were so stunning that at 19In 96, Chateau Angelus achieved an upgrade to Premier Grand Cru.
Vineyard Chateau l'Angelyus, occupying 23.4 hectares, is located on clay-limestone soils. Three grape varieties are grown here: the predominant Merlot (51%), Cabernet Franc (47%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (2%). The average age of the vines is 30-35 years. Planting density - 7000 vines per hectare. Yields are limited, all work is done by hand.
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Crus De Saint Julien ___________________________________________________
No other commune of Bordeaux boasts as many classified chateaus as St-Julien, the smallest of the famous Medoc four communes. production. The bed of gravel mounds here is not as deep as in Pauillac, but they are all located either at the Gironde or on the southern slopes of a vast (by Medoc standards) valley, where the soil is drained by the rivers Jalle du Nord and Chenal du Milieu. nine0005
Chateau Beychevelle
Grand Cru Classe blind tasting - from 40€ /person (4 wines)
Château Bechevel is not to be missed as it is the first large estate on the D2 motorway leading north to Saint Julien. Few castles in Bordeaux have the same unique charm as this mansion, more like an old palace. It was founded in the 17th century and once belonged to powerful Bordeaux families, and once this estate was owned by Duke Jean-Louis Nogaret de la Valette, Grand Admiral of France. The maritime theme continues on the labels of wines; all bottles of wine from the Beychevelle estate depict a ship. Legend has it that during the time of King Henry III, the Duke d'Epernon, the first admiral of the royal navy, lived on these lands. Therefore, passing by these places, the ships, as a sign of respect, were obliged to greet their admiral with powerful volleys of ship's guns with lowered sails. The French command is "Lower the sails!" sounds like "Baisse Voiles", but in the local Aquitaine dialect, this phrase sounded like "Baiche Veyles" or "Beche Vel". nine0005
Chateau Gruaud Larose
Grand Cru Classe - from 30€ per person classic tasting millesima 1996-2000-2005 +
second wine of the estate 2009
from 95€ /person
The origin of Chateau Gruau Larose is associated with the name of the knight Joseph Stanislas Gruau and attributed to 1725. His heirs - a judge and a priest - united the vineyards into one, with a total area of 116 hectares, and named Fond-Bedeau. It is noteworthy that they produced wines in the form of two separate cuvees - Abbé Gruault and Chevalier de Gruault. Chevalier de Gruault was known as an eccentric. He built a watchtower over the vineyard to watch over the workers. He also raised the national flags of Britain, Germany, and other countries over the estate after each harvest to indicate which country should buy the wine according to his style. After the death of Chevalier in 1778, his son, Lieutenant Governor of Guyenne Joseph-Sebastian de la Rosa, bought the land from other heirs and united it into a large estate, which began to bear the name Gruo Larose. nine0005
Château wines were of excellent quality and very popular with the nobility. About the wines of Chateau Gruau Larose they said that this is the "King of wines, wine for kings." This statement remains on the label to this day. The heirs of Sebastian de la Rosa sold the estate to Pierre Balghery and Baron Sarga. These two families ruled the estate for about 50 years, until in 1867 there was a split, and the division into two parts - the chateau Gruau Larose Sarguet and the chateau Grueau Larose Fort. In the 20th century, both estates were bought and reunited by Cordier. However, at 19In 83, he sold the estate to the French bank Compagne de Suez, and in 1997 Château Gruault Larose acquired the Taillan Group, headed by Jacques Merlot, who had been a well-known merchant in Bordeaux since the 60s, and since 1976 began buying real estate in the region and was the owner Chateau la Gourgue, Chateau Haut-Bag Liberal, Chateau Ferrière, Chateau Sitran and others.
Today the area of Chateau Gruaud Larose is 165 hectares, of which 82 hectares are occupied by vineyards.