Château Sigalas-Rabaud

The vineyard traces its origins to the 17th century under the de Cazeau family, with the Rabaud family owning the estate prior to 1660. The Sigalas family purchased the property in 1864. In 1903, the estate was divided when Pierre-Gaston de Sigalas sold the majority share to Adrien Promis, creating the separate Château Rabaud-Promis. The remaining portion was renamed Château Rabaudet before taking its current name, Château Sigalas-Rabaud, also in 1903. The Marquis de Lambert des Granges assumed control of the Sigalas side in 1950, and Laure de Lambert Compeyrot became technical director in 2007, representing the sixth generation of continuous family stewardship.

• Vineyard origins date to the 17th century under the de Cazeau family
• Sigalas family ownership began in 1864
• Estate split in 1903, creating both Sigalas-Rabaud and Rabaud-Promis
• Laure de Lambert Compeyrot became technical director in 2007

The estate sits on a south-facing slope in the commune of Bommes, within the broader Graves region. Soils are a combination of sand, gravel, and clay, with a clay base covered by silico-gravelly material deposited by the Garonne River. The proximity to the Ciron River is critical: the cold waters of the Ciron meeting the warmer Garonne create the morning mists that promote the development of Botrytis cinerea, the noble rot essential to Sauternes production. Average vine age across the 14.25 hectares is 45 years.

• South-facing slope in the commune of Bommes
• Soils of sand, gravel, and clay over a silico-gravelly Garonne deposit
• Ciron River mists promote Botrytis cinerea development
• Average vine age of 45 years

The vineyard is planted predominantly with Sémillon at 85%, complemented by 14% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. This is a classic Sauternes composition, with Sémillon providing the body and susceptibility to noble rot, while Sauvignon Blanc contributes freshness and aromatics. The estate is certified under Terra Vitis and holds High Environmental Value 3 certification. Following harvest, the wines are aged for 18 to 24 months in new French oak barrels. Annual production is approximately 30,000 bottles of the grand vin.

• 85% Sémillon, 14% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle
• Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) is essential to wine production
• Aged 18 to 24 months in new French oak
• Approximately 30,000 bottles produced annually

The estate produces three wines. The grand vin, Château Sigalas-Rabaud, is the flagship sweet Sauternes and is nicknamed 'le bijou de Sigalas,' meaning the jewel of Sigalas. The second wine, Lieutenant de Sigalas, has been produced since 2004. Starting in 2009, the estate also began producing Demoiselle de Sigalas, a dry white wine. The addition of a dry white reflects the growing trend among Sauternes estates to diversify production.

• Grand vin: Château Sigalas-Rabaud, sweet Sauternes Premier Cru Classé
• Second wine: Lieutenant de Sigalas, produced since 2004
• Dry white: Demoiselle de Sigalas, produced since 2009
• Known informally as 'le bijou de Sigalas'