Best Wineries to Visit in Bordeaux: 9 Château Experiences

The château is a fairytale, and the tourist offering has finally caught up. Pichon Longueville has made superlative red wine for centuries, formerly joined with its twin property, Pichon Lalande, founded by the same family. In 1987, AXA Millésimes acquired the chateau and entrusted its management to Jean-Michel Cazes. Together with Daniel Llose, he embarked on a major restoration program that helped propel Pichon Longueville into the ranks of Bordeaux’s finest Second Growth estates. Today the chateau is run by the amiable Christian Seely, who has continued Jean-Michel Cazes’ program of upgrading and expanding the facilities to welcome visitors.

The Schÿler are a well-established family of negociants that own this lovely chateau in the heart of Margaux. After hiring Michel Rolland as a consultant, the intrepid wine expert revitalized the quality at this formerly lackluster estate, making major improvements to viticultural management and winemaking. Today the chateau is an absolute delight, and the Schÿler family has given the estate a markedly more relaxed personality than many of its classified-growth peers, complete with couches, chairs, and coffee tables. Visitors often say it’s like tasting with friends—exactly what the family wanted to achieve: a monument to 21st-century wine tourism.

This long-established estate in the small appellation of Moulis keeps getting better. Divided in 1822, the estate passed through a succession of owners in the 20th century and floundered until Bernadette Villars inherited it and made substantial changes. Today the estate remains in the hands of the Villars-Foubet family, whose enthusiasm for contemporary art has become almost as distinctive a part of Chasse-Spleen’s identity as the wine itself.

This gorgeous property takes its name from George Smith, a Scottish wine merchant who acquired the estate in the mid-18th century. Today, the dynamic duo Daniel and Florence Cathiard run the show; they were key pioneers in bringing luxury tourism to Pessac-Léognan. They invested a fortune in renovating the property and winery, while the wider Cathiard family subsequently transformed the estate into one of Bordeaux’s most complete wine destinations. Visiting Smith-Haut-Lafitte today is more reminiscent of Napa than traditional Bordeaux – a luxury experience bar none.

The history is remarkable, but so too is the tourism offering. Dating back to the late 13th century, the wine at this estate has always been highly regarded – today, more than ever. Owner Bernard Magrez, a forceful personality on a quest for high quality, has invested heavily in Pape Clement while ensuring that its seven centuries of history remain central to its identity.

In the center of this lovely property stands one of Sauternes’ most magnificent châteaux. The Guiraud family acquired the estate in 1766 and held it until 1846. Today, Château Guiraud has entered a new chapter as part of Matthieu Gufflet’s Terres de Natures, which understands the value of high-end wine tourism. The estate’s pioneering commitment to biodiversity remains a defining feature of modern Guiraud.

In February 2014, Lalique chairman Silvio Denz purchased the historic Sauternes estate Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey. He bought a piece of unique history; the crenelated walls surrounding the chateau remind us it was originally built as a castle, and its surviving tower dates to the 13th century. Denz has been careful not to over-modernize this historical monument, integrating Lalique design while preserving its historic character.

The wine is superb. The chateau takes its name from the Caribbean island, where the estate’s founder made his fortune in the 18th century. Today its vineyards adjoin Cheval Blanc, Figeac, La Conseillante and L’Evangile. Rich, Merlot-dominant wines are its signature trademark.

This famous winemaking dynasty has arguably done more for wine tourism in Bordeaux than any other family. At La Fleur de Boüard, the de Boüards have brought that same ambition to one of Lalande-de-Pomerol’s finest estates—an incomparable way to get under the skin of this sorely undervalued appellation.