Château La Tour Blanche

Château La Tour Blanche was founded in the 17th century by Jean Saint-Marc du Latourblanche, after whom the estate takes its name. It passed through notable hands over the centuries, including négociant Frederic Focke and later Daniel Osiris Iffla, whose 1909 bequest to the French government transformed its destiny entirely. Iffla stipulated that a School of Viticulture and Oenology must be established on the property. The school opened in 1911 and continues to operate today. Since 2010, the estate has been administered by the Region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, making it unique among all classed growths as a state-owned property.

• Founded in the 17th century by Jean Saint-Marc du Latourblanche
• Daniel Osiris Iffla bequeathed the estate to the French government in 1909
• The on-site winemaking school opened in 1911 and produced graduates including Michel Rolland
• Administered by the Region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine since 2010

The estate sits at the top of a ridge in Bommes, at 60 to 67 meters above sea level, with optimal sun exposure and views over the Ciron River. The Ciron's cool waters meeting the warmer Garonne generate the morning mists and hot afternoon sun that create ideal conditions for botrytis cinerea development. Soils are a mix of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone, with gravel over clay and limestone subsoil. The vineyard covers an estimated 44 to 65 hectares and carries organic certification.

• Sits atop a ridge at 60-67 meters, overlooking the Ciron River
• Morning mists from the Ciron combined with afternoon sun promote noble rot
• Soils of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone with clay-limestone subsoil
• Certified organic

The main wine is dominated by Sémillon at 83%, with 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. The 5% Muscadelle is notably one of the highest concentrations of that variety in all of Bordeaux. Grapes are fermented in a combination of new French oak barrels, one-year-old oak, and stainless steel vats. The estate also produces red wines from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, including Cru du Cinquet. Dry white wines include Duo de La Tour Blanche and Les Jardins de La Tour Blanche. The second wine for the main Sauternes is Les Charmilles de La Tour Blanche.

• 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle in the main wine
• Muscadelle proportion is among the highest in all of Bordeaux
• Fermentation in new French oak, one-year-old oak, and stainless steel
• Second wine is Les Charmilles de La Tour Blanche

The School of Viticulture and Oenology, established as a condition of Daniel Osiris Iffla's bequest, opened on the estate in 1911 and has shaped generations of wine professionals. Its most celebrated alumnus is Michel Rolland, who became one of the world's most influential consulting oenologists. Students work directly with the estate's vineyards and cellar, giving the school a practical, hands-on character unlike most academic institutions. The school's presence makes La Tour Blanche singular among all Premier Cru properties in Bordeaux.

• School opened in 1911 as a condition of the Osiris bequest
• Michel Rolland is among its most famous graduates
• Students work directly in the estate's vineyards and cellars
• Unique among all Bordeaux classed growths for hosting an active winemaking school