Sauternes - The vineyards

Sauternes, the highly prestigious sweet white wine, is produced 40 km upstream of Bordeaux in a region nestling between the left bank of the Garonne river and the immense Landes forest. This noble area of about 2,200 hectares is divided among the villages of Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Barsac. Although they can all properly claim the famous Sauternes appellation, producers in Barsac can choose between the Sauternes A.O.C. and its sister appellation, Barsac A.O.C.

The 27 Sauternes and Barsac "Grands crus", as classified at the 1855 Universal Exhibition in Paris, are the region's finest wines. For 140 years their successive owners, conscious of their responsabilities, have skilfully perfected these legendary, yet unpredictable elixirs. Their fine qualities may be appreciated unaccompanied, or with food, producing some of the most surprising combinations.