Château Guiraud

family business

botrytis

sauternes

The Château's “liquid gold” is known all over the world, and its iconic black and gold label is an instant sign of quality for those who love Bordeaux’s sweet Sauternes wines. With Luc Planty at the helm, Château Guiraud not only honors its past, but is spearheading a sustainable future for the whole region.

Organic France

Our Experiences

Regional

White Wines of Bordeaux

Tasting

ITM with Bordeaux Blends

Essentials

Path to Prosperity in Bordeaux

Essentials

Essentials of Food & Wine Pairing

Meet the Winemaker

Under the leadership of Xavier Planty, the Château was the first 1855 Grand Cru Classé in Sauternes to achieve organic certification. Xavier’s son Luc took over in 2019 and continues to champion minimal intervention and environmental stewardship.

In the Vineyard & Cellar

Near the Ciron river, the property is perfectly situated to develop botrytis, or noble rot, which enables the creation of Sauternes' trademark sweet wines. The Château maintains a conservatory of vines, with 135 original strains of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Each grape is harvested by hand, requiring a staff of more than 200. After gentle pressing, the must is fermented in new oak barrels for 3 to 6 months, then matured in older oak for 18 to 24 months. Luc strives for sustainability in energy use and water supply, and by recovering CO2 during vinification.