Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

The origins of the estate date back to 1720 when the Bergeron family established a vineyard at the site. Bertrand Ducru purchased the property in 1795 and renamed it Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. He invested significantly in the cellars and the manor house, commissioning the architect Paul Abadie to design the facade that exists today. The property achieved its status as a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. In 1941, the Borie family acquired the estate from the Desbarats de Burke family. Since 2003, Bruno-Eugène Borie has managed the property as the third generation of his family to hold ownership.

The estate encompasses approximately 105 hectares of land, with roughly 75 to 90 hectares dedicated to active vine cultivation in the southern part of the Saint-Julien appellation. The terroir is defined by deep layers of Gunzian gravel and quartz pebbles, which the estate calls beautiful stones. These large stones facilitate drainage and reflect sunlight to assist in ripening. The vineyards are planted with 70 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 30 percent Merlot, following the removal of minor varieties like Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Recent viticultural practices include mechanical weeding and the use of organic composts to maintain soil health. Grapes are sorted on mobile tables in the vineyard before being vinified by specific plot in the cellar.

The flagship wine is the Grand Vin, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, which is known for its balance and aging potential. It is frequently cited as a super second, a term used for estates that rival the quality of first growths. The estate also produces La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou, which serves as the second wine and is sourced from specific plots within the vineyard. In 2019, the property introduced Le Petit Ducru de Ducru-Beaucaillou as its third label. Unlike many Bordeaux properties where the residence is separate, the château is built directly over the barrel cellars and serves as the private residence of the Borie family.