Gourmet products local specialties and wines Virtuoso

The wines of the noble house Lafite took off when a Bordeaux doctor prescribed this wine to King Louis XV as the best and most pleasant tonic. If this 18th century building is adorned with rich Napoleon III furniture that is worth a look, the main curiosity remains the circular winery designed by the architect Ricardo Bofill. Combining aesthetics and functionality, the working buildings are the reason for the worldwide reputation of this first classified growth.

The vineyards of Château Pontet Canet are located in the heart of the Pauillac appellation, south of the Mouton Rothschild estate. A visit to the château is quite unusual: horses can be seen moving among the vines. This ancestral human-animal method respects the vines and the terroir. The grapes are harvested by hand, using crates rather than baskets: they are transferred directly from the vines to the sorting table. This Grand Cru Classified in 1855 is certified organic and biodynamic. A fine approach!

Following major renovation work, the Renaissance project at Château Grand-Puy Ducasse (^5th Grand Cru Classé) is taking off. In the heart of the town of Pauillac, the estate now boasts a unique vinification and ageing facility. 46 vats suspended from the ceiling evoke the great organs of a cathedral. For the 2024 tourist season, the château will reopen its doors to the public, with a tour recounting the history of Maison Ducasse, Pauillac and Bordeaux and its wines.

Created in the 1690s, this family estate is a Grand Cru Classé of 1855. The house, built in 1840 by the architect Duphot at the request of the Countess of Lalande, has been restored with great care. A walk in its park with groves and its rose garden immediately plunges us into the romantic period. To see: the vats, the cellars and the magnificent collection of old and contemporary glasses. Very interesting, the wines rhyme with elegance, complexity and charm.

Château Latour, created in 1680, is one of the oldest vineyards in the Médoc. Since then, the boundaries of the plantation have not changed, a rare occurrence for a wine estate. The same perenniality as for its prestigious notoriety acquired at the beginning of the 18th century thanks to the action of its owner, the Marquis de Ségur, confirmed in 1855 when it was classified as a first great growth. In the center of the 47 ha of the enclosure, the round and white tower, built in the 18th century, proudly watches over the estate, only a few dozen meters from the estuary.

Fifth classified growth, the property, which covers 22 hectares, remained in the hands of the Borie family until 2017, when it was bought by the Cazes family. This castle has a particularity: the Aspic tower. It was built in the 19th century by Anne-Françoise Averous, just like the cave of Artigues. This tower is surmounted by a dome and a Virgin treading on a viper, symbol of evil, also called aspic. The towers in the vineyards were used to monitor the state of the vines and the work of the wine growers.

Château Haut Bages Libéral is a wine estate located in Pauillac. Classified as the 5th Grand Cru in 1855, it offers a wide selection of quality wines. The estate also offers tours of its facilities, from vine to glass. Château Haut Bages Libéral also has an online store where you can buy their wines. It is important to note that alcohol consumption should be in moderation.

Château Bellegrave is a winery well worth a visit. With its rich history and exceptional terroir, it offers visitors a unique experience. The château offers guided tours to discover its history and winemaking techniques. Wine lovers can also sample the wines produced on site.

Patrick and William Ludger are two brothers born in Pauillac. After different and busy careers, they decided to create their craft brewery in the heart of the Médoc, as a sort of return to the land where they were born. They work with quality products, from French organic agriculture while also favoring local products. The Premium range is regional with local references, including animals well known to the Médoc inhabitants: the Tourterelle is blonde, the Biche amber and the Civelle (another name for the pibale) white.