Château Gruaud-Larose

Château Gruaud-Larose is a winery classified as Deuxieme Cru Classé according to the Bordeaux classification. The estate is located on the eastern side of the Médoc peninsula.

A priest and his château – Château Gruaud-Larose

The first records of Château Gruaud-Larose date from 1725, when Joseph Stanislas Gruaud founded the domaine. In 1757, Gruaud acquired three parcels in the commune of Saint-Julien Beychevelle. These were to become the foundation of his winery, which he unsurprisingly named Château Gruaud. The second half of the name was added with the priest’s nephew, Sébastien Larose.

Even though, after Sébastien’s death, the estate was divided between two buyers, Désiré Cordier bought back both properties in 1935 and reunited them. Désiré was the owner of the wine trading group Cordier, for which the château was for many years the top estate. However, in 1997 it was sold to the Taillan group, owned by the Merlaut family.

Terroir of the Médoc

The terroir of Château Gruaud-Larose is typically shaped by the Médoc. Over millions of years, various sediments were deposited along the banks of the Gironde, forming today’s stratified soils.

The most important of these are the light gravel layers, which provide both good drainage and temperature regulation by reflecting excess heat during the day and storing warmth at night. An important feature in summers, which can become very hot and dry in the Médoc. Winds from the sea additionally cool the vineyards and carry away moist air.

Grape varieties and wines of Château Gruaud-Larose

Typical for Bordeaux, the following grape varieties are grown on the 82-hectare estate of Château Gruaud-Larose:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc
• Petit Verdot

From these grapes the first wine, Château Gruaud-Larose, as well as the second wine, Sarget du Gruaud-Larose, are produced today. Around 90% new oak is used for the first wine. The maturation takes place in Bordeaux tradition in barriques.