Château Carbonnieux

Château Carbonnieux stands among the oldest wine estates in Bordeaux, with origins tracing to the 12th and 13th centuries. The Carbonnieu family's documented ownership dates to 1234, and the estate was transformed by Jean de Ferron in 1519. Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Sainte-Croix subsequently shaped its winemaking identity, building a reputation particularly for white wines. The estate suffered significant setbacks from phylloxera, two World Wars, and the economic crises of the 1930s before the Perrin family took ownership in 1956 and undertook a comprehensive restoration that continues to define the property today.

• Documented ownership by the Carbonnieu family recorded in 1234
• Transformed by Jean de Ferron in 1519; later shaped by Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Sainte-Croix
• Phylloxera, World Wars, and the 1930s crisis all severely damaged the estate
• Perrin family has owned and managed the property since 1956

The estate covers 170 hectares in total, with 92 hectares under vine. The soils are a varied mosaic typical of Pessac-Léognan: Garonne gravel, clay-sand, clay-gravel, and clay-limestone. This diversity supports both red and white varieties across a temperate Bordeaux climate. Approximately 55 hectares are dedicated to red varieties and 45 hectares to white. The estate operates its own weather station for on-site climate monitoring and has achieved both HVE Level 3 and ISO 14001 environmental certifications.

• 92 hectares planted across a 170-hectare estate
• Soils include Garonne gravel, clay-sand, clay-gravel, and clay-limestone
• Roughly equal split between red (55 ha) and white (45 ha) plantings
• HVE Level 3 and ISO 14001 certified; uses an on-site weather station

Carbonnieux produces both red and white Bordeaux under its Grand Cru Classé de Graves designation. The red is led by Cabernet Sauvignon at 60%, with Merlot at 30%, Cabernet Franc at 7%, and Petit Verdot at 3%. The white is composed of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon, a blend well suited to the gravelly, clay-influenced soils of Pessac-Léognan. The estate is a member of the Union of Bordeaux Grands Crus, which counts 134 member estates.

• Red blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
• White blend: 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sémillon
• Classified Grand Cru Classé de Graves for both colours
• Member of the Union of Bordeaux Grands Crus (134 members)

Château Carbonnieux holds Grand Cru Classé de Graves status for both its red and white wines, a distinction shared by only six estates in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. The red was classified in 1953 and the white in 1959. This dual classification reflects the estate's historical strength in white wine production, built during its time under Abbey ownership, as well as its continued excellence across both colours under the Perrin family.

• Grand Cru Classé de Graves for red (classified 1953) and white (classified 1959)
• One of only 6 Pessac-Léognan estates with dual red and white classification
• Classification applies to the Pessac-Léognan AOC within Graves