Graves
グラーヴ
Historic Left Bank home of gravelly soils and refined Bordeaux.
About Graves
- Producers listed
- 8
- Appellations
- 2 areas
Graves is one of Bordeaux's most historic wine regions, located on the Left Bank south of the city. Its name derives from the gravelly soils deposited by the Garonne River, which provide excellent drainage and retain heat, producing wines of remarkable finesse. The region produces both distinguished red wines (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot-based) and elegant white wines (Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon-based), often showing a distinctive mineral, smoky character.
Best for
Lovers of elegant, mineral-driven Bordeaux reds and sophisticated dry whites.
Food Pairings
Red wines pair beautifully with lamb, duck, and aged cheeses. The crisp whites are perfect with oysters, seafood, and rich fish dishes.
Producers
シャトー・フェランド
Château Ferrande
Château Ferrande, located in Castres-sur-Gironde, is a distinguished estate in the Graves appellation of Bordeaux. Owned by the Castel family since 1992, the property spans 97.5 hectares. It is renowned for its unique terroir of Guntzian gravel, which imparts power and elegance to its wines. The estate produces both structured, fruit-forward red blends and highly aromatic, mineral-rich white wines featuring Sauvignon Gris.
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www.chateau-ferrande.com/シャトー・レスピード・メデヴィル
Château Respide Médeville
Château Respide Médeville is a historic estate in the heart of the Graves appellation, Bordeaux. Historical records dating back to 1630 mention the vines of Respide, and the property was already listed among distinguished Bordeaux estates in the 1855 Féret guide. The estate was integrated into the Médeville family holdings by Christian Médeville in 1984. In 2004, his daughter Julie Médeville — who hails from a celebrated Sauternes winemaking family — took over management together with her husband Xavier Gonet, whose family are renowned Champagne producers. Their union of expertise from both Bordeaux and Champagne is reflected in the meticulous, artisanal approach at Respide Médeville. The estate covers 14 hectares atop the first gravel hill north of Langon, with commanding views over the Garonne valley. Sandy, gravelly clay soils give rise to two wines: a Graves Rouge blended from around 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, and a barrel-fermented Graves Blanc made from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle.
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www.respide.frシャトー・ヴィラ・ベレール
Château Villa Bel-Air
Château Villa Bel-Air is a historic 18th-century estate located in Saint-Morillon, in the heart of the Graves appellation in Bordeaux. Acquired by the Cazes family (owners of Château Lynch-Bages) in 1988, the estate underwent extensive renovation including vineyard replanting and winery modernization. In 2017, the Armand Ballande family took ownership and further elevated quality with guidance from the prestigious Derenoncourt Consultants. Situated on gravelly hillsides with Garonne-deposited soils and sheltered by surrounding pine forests, the château produces elegant red and white wines that beautifully express the finesse and complexity of Graves terroir.
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www.villabelair.comシャトー・ド・シャンテグリーブ
Château de Chantegrive
Château de Chantegrive is a prominent family-owned estate located in the Graves region of Bordeaux, in the commune of Podensac. Established in 1966 by Henri and Françoise Lévêque, who famously sold their prized stamp collection to purchase their first plots of land, the estate has grown to become one of the largest and most respected properties in the appellation, spanning around 96 hectares. Since 2006, the estate has benefited from the expert winemaking consultation of Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus, which has significantly elevated the precision and quality of its wines. Certified HVE 3 for sustainable viticulture, Chantegrive produces elegant, terroir-driven red and white wines. Its flagship white, Cuvée Caroline, is highly acclaimed for its freshness and complexity, while its reds offer a harmonious balance of rich fruit and refined tannins.
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www.chantegrive.comシャトー・ド・クリュゾー
Château de Cruzeau
Château de Cruzeau is a historic estate in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, acquired by André Lurton in 1973 after a storm revealed its remarkable gravelly soils. The 69-hectare estate produces elegant red blends of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and rich barrel-aged white wines from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Certified HVE 3, reflecting its commitment to sustainable viticulture.
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andrelurton.com/
Appellations
Smaller wine areas within Graves.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Graves wines distinctive?
- Graves wines are defined by their gravelly soils which give both reds and whites a unique mineral, smoky character not found elsewhere in Bordeaux.
- Are Graves wines only red?
- No — Graves produces both acclaimed red wines (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) and elegant dry white wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon), making it uniquely versatile.
- How does Graves differ from Médoc?
- While Médoc focuses almost exclusively on reds, Graves produces outstanding whites too. The soils are gravelly throughout, giving wines a distinctive mineral freshness.
- Is Pessac-Léognan part of Graves?
- Yes, Pessac-Léognan is a prestigious sub-appellation carved out of the northern part of Graves in 1987, home to the famous Graves Classified Growths including Château Haut-Brion.