Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is located in the commune of Bommes. Its origins as a fortified gatehouse date back to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest structures in the Sauternes region. The estate was owned by the Peyraguey family in the 17th century, with records showing the first vines were planted in 1618. During the 18th century, it was owned by Baron Nicolas Pierre de Pichard, who also held ownership of Château Lafite at that time. Pierre Lafaurie acquired the property during the French Revolution and significantly expanded its operations. In the late 20th century, the estate was held by the energy group GDF Suez before being purchased in 2014 by Swiss businessman Silvio Denz. Denz, the CEO of Lalique, has since integrated the crystal brand into the winery while adding a hotel and restaurant to the property.

The vineyard covers approximately 36 hectares situated on a high plateau 70 meters above sea level. The terroir consists of a mosaic of gravel and clay soils, specifically the L’Enclos and Maisons Rouges plots which form the historic core of the estate. These soils contain high silica levels and specific types of gravel that help manage heat while providing necessary drainage. The planting is dominated by Sémillon, which makes up about 93 percent of the vines, while Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle complete the vineyard. Winemaking focuses on selective harvesting in several passes to pick only the grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea. Fermentation and aging take place in French oak barrels, with the proportion of new oak adjusted annually according to the specific needs of the vintage.

This estate was ranked as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification of Sauternes and Barsac, where it was placed second on the list of First Growths. Its primary wine is the Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes, which is noted for its concentration and the balance between acidity and sweetness. The estate also produces a second sweet wine named La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey and a dry white wine called Lys de Lafaurie-Peyraguey. Under the current ownership, the bottles feature an engraved Lalique design originally created by René Lalique in 1928 for the Orient Express. The property is further characterized by its use of Lalique crystal in its cellars, including a unique crystal wine barrel that underscores the connection between the wine and the glassware brand.