ProducerMargaux

Château Durfort-Vivens

シャトー・デュルフォール・ヴィヴァン

Pioneer of biodynamic viticulture among Bordeaux classified growths — the first Margaux Grand Cru Classé to hold dual organic and Demeter biodynamic certifications (2016). Home to the world's largest terracotta amphora wine cellar, producing wines of exceptional purity and elegance.

Château Durfort-Vivens is a Second Grand Cru Classé in 1855 located in the Margaux appellation of the Médoc, Bordeaux. The estate traces its roots to the 14th century when the Durfort de Duras family established a hunting lodge on their Margaux lands, which evolved into a wine estate of excellence by the 17th century. The name 'Vivens' was added in 1824 when the estate passed to the Chevalier de Vivens family. Between 1937 and 1961, the estate was owned by Château Margaux and its vines blended into Pavillon Rouge. Lucien Lurton acquired the estate in 1961 and his son Gonzague Lurton took over in 1992, driving a major quality renaissance. The estate became 100% biodynamic in 2013 and obtained dual Bio and Biodynamic (Demeter) certifications in 2016, becoming the first Margaux Grand Cru Classé to achieve this distinction. Spanning approximately 65 hectares across Margaux, Cantenac, Soussans, and Arsac, the estate is planted with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc on deep gravel and limestone soils with sandy-clay subsoil. Since 2018, the wines are aged in a combination of French oak barrels and custom-made terracotta amphorae from Italian maker TAVA — Durfort-Vivens operates the world's largest amphora wine cellar by volume. The wines are known for their purity, elegance, silky tannins, and remarkable terroir transparency.

www.durfort-vivens.com ↗

Cuvées

Who Is This For?

Ideal for wine lovers who appreciate refined elegance over power — those drawn to silky tannins, floral aromatics, and pristine terroir expression rather than opulent, oak-heavy styles. Well-suited for drinkers curious about sustainable and biodynamic viticulture, and for collectors seeking a Margaux Grand Cru Classé that offers excellent quality-to-price ratio compared to First Growths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the classification of Château Durfort-Vivens?
Château Durfort-Vivens is classified as a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé (Second Growth) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification — a distinction it has held since that original ranking placed it among the very best châteaux in the Médoc.
What grape varieties are used and in what proportions?
The estate is planted with approximately 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, making it one of the most Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant estates in the Margaux appellation, even compared to Château Margaux itself.
What makes Château Durfort-Vivens unique in terms of sustainability?
In 2016, Château Durfort-Vivens became the first Grand Cru Classé in the Margaux appellation to obtain dual certification — both Organic Farming (AB) and Biodynamic (Demeter). Owner Gonzague Lurton began transitioning to biodynamics in 2009 and achieved full estate-wide biodynamic farming by 2013.
What is the significance of amphora aging at this estate?
Since 2018, Durfort-Vivens has pioneered the use of custom-made terracotta amphorae from Italian maker TAVA alongside French oak barrels. The clay vessels allow controlled oxygenation without imparting wood flavors, preserving the pure fruit expression and terroir character of the wine. The estate operates the world's largest amphora wine cellar by volume.
What happened to the estate between 1937 and 1961?
From 1937 to 1961, Château Durfort-Vivens was owned by Château Margaux. During this period, no wine was released under the Durfort-Vivens label; instead, the grapes were used in Château Margaux's first wine and Pavillon Rouge (the second wine). It was only in 1995, after Gonzague Lurton's investments, that the estate resumed selling wine under its own name as a fully independent cru.