Château Couhins

Château Couhins was formed from two historic vineyards, Domaine de la Gravette and Domaine du Pont de Langon, and remained in private hands under the Gasqueton and Hanappier families until 1968. That year marked a turning point: the French agricultural research institute INRA (now INRAE) acquired the property to use as a research station focused on sustainable grape and wine production. At the same moment, a portion of the estate was sold to the renowned négociant André Lurton, giving rise to the independently operated Château Couhins-Lurton next door. In 2009, the estate underwent a complete renovation featuring modern, energy-efficient architecture that aligned with its scientific mission.

• Formed from Domaine de la Gravette and Domaine du Pont de Langon
• Owned by Gasqueton and Hanappier families until 1968
• Sold to INRA in 1968; a portion simultaneously sold to André Lurton
• Full estate renovation completed in 2009 with energy-efficient design

Château Couhins holds a singular position in Bordeaux wine law. In the 1959 Classification of Graves wines, it was awarded Grand Cru Classé status exclusively for its white wine, making it the only estate in all of Bordeaux to carry a classification limited to white wine production. This distinction underscores the longstanding reputation of the property's Sauvignon Blanc-driven whites and sets it apart from red-dominant classified estates across the region.

• Grand Cru Classé (Graves 1959) for white wine only
• The sole Bordeaux estate classified exclusively for white wine
• Classification applies under the 1959 Graves wine classification system

The 32-hectare estate sits in Villenave-d'Ornon within the Pessac-Léognan appellation, reaching a maximum elevation of 50 meters. Soils are notably diverse, encompassing clay-limestone hillsides, sandy-clay plateaus, gravel, and sandy soils, providing a range of expressions across the estate. The temperate maritime climate of Bordeaux moderates growing conditions throughout the season. Couhins achieved 100% organic certification in 2022, reinforcing its institutional commitment to sustainable and research-led viticulture. In 2023, Sémillon was newly planted, signaling an expansion of the white wine program.

• Soils include clay-limestone, sandy-clay, gravel, and sandy types
• Maximum elevation of 50 meters in Villenave-d'Ornon
• Temperate maritime climate typical of Bordeaux
• 100% organic certified since 2022; Sémillon planted 2023

The white vineyard, covering 10 hectares, is planted overwhelmingly to Sauvignon Blanc at 95%, with Sauvignon Gris making up the remaining 5%. The red vineyard spans 22 hectares with Merlot at 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon at 40%, and Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc each at 5%. The estate's white wine is characterized by a delicate bouquet of spring flowers and white-fleshed fruits, with fullness and liveliness on the palate and a mineral persistence through the finish. The recently planted Sémillon will eventually add further complexity to the white program.

As an INRAE research station, Château Couhins serves a purpose that goes beyond commercial wine production. The institute uses the estate to develop and test sustainable viticulture and winemaking practices, contributing findings that influence the broader Bordeaux and French wine industries. The 2009 renovation of the estate facilities was designed specifically to support this scientific work while maintaining the property's classification status and production quality. The move to full organic certification in 2022 reflects both institutional values and research priorities around reduced chemical inputs in viticulture.