Château Gazin

Château Gazin's origins trace back to the 12th century, when the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem owned the property and used it as a hospital for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. The vineyard as it exists today was established in 1772 when Antoine Feuilhade purchased the land. The estate has been recognized among the great growths of Pomerol since the 1840s, though Pomerol has never had a formal classification system. Louis Soualle, great-grandfather of the current owners, acquired Gazin in 1918, and the de Bailliencourt dit Courcol family has managed it ever since. The estate sold 4.5 to 5.5 hectares to the neighboring Château Pétrus in 1969 to 1970, and underwent a complete winery renovation in 1996. Today, the fifth generation of the family, Nicolas de Bailliencourt and his son Christophe, oversees operations.

• Owned by Knights Hospitaller in the 12th century; used as a pilgrim hospital on the route to Santiago de Compostela
• Vineyard creation dated to 1772 with purchase by Antoine Feuilhade
• De Bailliencourt dit Courcol family ownership continuous since 1918
• Sold land to Château Pétrus in 1969 to 1970; complete winery renovation completed in 1996

Château Gazin occupies a unique position in Pomerol as the appellation's largest estate at 26 hectares, with 23.5 hectares cultivated as a rare single continuous block. Most Pomerol properties consist of scattered, non-contiguous parcels, making Gazin's layout exceptional. The vineyard sits on the high plateau of Pomerol at elevations ranging from 30 to 40.2 meters, with the highest points reaching 40.5 meters. Soils are composed of Günzian gravel on the surface over a subsoil of blue and green clay containing iron oxides, known locally as crasse de fer. The estate is divided into 28 internal parcels, with vine age averaging 35 years and the oldest vines planted in 1942. Planting density ranges from 5,500 to 7,000 vines per hectare.

• Largest estate in Pomerol at 26 hectares; 23.5 hectares as a single contiguous block, unusual for the appellation
• Soils of Günzian gravel over blue and green clay with iron oxides (crasse de fer)
• Elevations range from 30 to 40.2 meters across 28 internal parcels
• Average vine age of 35 years; oldest vines planted in 1942

The harvest at Gazin is carried out manually, plot by plot, at optimal ripeness. Fermentation takes place in small concrete vats, with 27 tanks ranging in size from 60 to 150 hectoliters, while Cabernet Franc is vinified separately in stainless steel. The wine ages for 18 months in French oak barrels with 50% new oak. The estate produces approximately 100,000 bottles annually, with 86% exported. The second wine, L'Hospitalet de Gazin, has been produced since 1986. Consultant Thomas Duclos has worked with the estate since 2013, alongside winemaker Rémi Beauche and technical director Mickaël Obert.

• Manual harvest plot by plot; fermentation in 27 concrete vats (60 to 150 hectoliters)
• Cabernet Franc vinified separately in stainless steel tanks
• Aged 18 months in French oak, 50% new barrels
• Second wine L'Hospitalet de Gazin produced since 1986; approximately 100,000 bottles produced annually

Château Gazin holds HVE 3 (High Environmental Value) certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainable viticulture. Practices include the use of organic fertilizers and sexual confusion techniques for pest control, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. These methods support both vineyard health and the surrounding environment.

• HVE 3 (High Environmental Value) certified
• Organic fertilizers used across the vineyard
• Sexual confusion pest control methods employed to minimize chemical use

Pomerol has no official classification system, so Château Gazin carries no formal ranking. However, the estate has been recognized among the great growths of Pomerol since the 1840s and is a member of the Union of Grands Crus de Bordeaux. Its direct adjacency to Château Pétrus, one of the most celebrated wines in the world, underscores the quality of its terroir. The wine is built for aging, with peak maturity falling between 10 and 30 years after vintage.

• No formal classification; Pomerol has no official ranking system
• Recognized among Pomerol's great growths since the 1840s
• Member of the Union of Grands Crus de Bordeaux
• Vineyard sits directly adjacent to Château Pétrus