Château Guiraud

Originally known as La Maison Noble du Bayle, the estate was acquired by Pierre Guiraud in 1766. It entered the 1855 Bordeaux classification as a Premier Cru under the name Château Bayle. The Narby family purchased the property in 1981 and undertook its restoration. In 2006, a consortium took over, including Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier, Stephan Von Neipperg of Château Canon La Gaffelière, Robert Peugeot as CEO, and former estate manager Xavier Planty. Matthieu Gufflet joined as a shareholder in 2021, and Sandrine Garbay, formerly of Château d'Yquem, became Director in 2022. The estate's black and gold label has remained essentially unchanged since its creation, symbolizing the property's Protestant roots.

• Originally named La Maison Noble du Bayle before Pierre Guiraud's acquisition in 1766
• Classified Premier Cru in 1855 under the name Château Bayle
• Current ownership consortium took control in 2006
• Sandrine Garbay, formerly of Château d'Yquem, became Director in 2022

The estate sits at a peak elevation of 72 meters in the Sauternes commune, directly adjacent to Château d'Yquem. Soils are 80% sandy gravel and 20% clay gravel, with a complex subsoil of deep translucent sand, pure gravel, red clay, limestone marl, and fossilized oyster beds. The oceanic climate combined with proximity to the Ciron River creates the misty morning conditions that promote Botrytis cinerea, the noble rot essential to Sauternes production. Organic viticulture has been practiced since 1996, with the estate achieving organic certification in 2011. The vineyard harbors over 630 species of insects and has been insecticide-free since 2004. Guiraud also maintains a conservatory of more than 135 Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc clones.

• 80% sandy gravel and 20% clay gravel soils over a complex subsoil including fossilized oyster beds
• Ciron River proximity creates morning mist that promotes Botrytis cinerea development
• Organic viticulture practiced since 1996; certified organic in 2011
• Over 630 insect species recorded; insecticide-free since 2004

Grapes are hand-harvested in multiple passes, known as tries, with 3 to 6 passes through the vineyard to select only botrytized fruit at peak condition. The wine is vinified in 90% new French oak barrels and aged for 18 to 24 months. The result is a sweet white Sauternes with a contemporary, refreshing character. In addition to the flagship Sauternes, Guiraud produces a second wine and a dry white wine, with total annual production reaching approximately 90,000 bottles of the main wine. The estate was awarded the Terres de Natures label in 2022 in recognition of its environmental commitments.

• Hand-harvested in 3-6 tries to select optimally botrytized grapes
• Vinified and aged in 90% new French oak barrels for 18-24 months
• Produces a main Sauternes, a second wine, and a dry white wine
• Awarded Terres de Natures label in 2022

Château Guiraud operates two on-site dining venues: La Chapelle de Guiraud and Le Cercle Guiraud, making it a destination for wine tourism in the Sauternes appellation. The estate's commitment to biodiversity, organic farming, and visitor experience reflects its positioning as one of the region's most progressive First Growth producers.

• Two restaurants on site: La Chapelle de Guiraud and Le Cercle Guiraud
• Located in the Sauternes commune adjacent to Château d'Yquem
• One of the most environmentally progressive estates in the 1855 classification