Sauternes
ソーテルヌ
Home of the world's most legendary botrytized sweet wines
Sauternes is a prestigious sweet wine appellation in Bordeaux, France, famous for its botrytized (noble rot) wines. Located south of Bordeaux city, it produces world-renowned dessert wines from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. The appellation includes the sub-appellation of Barsac and is home to the legendary Château d'Yquem.
Best for: Sweet wine lovers and collectors of world-class dessert wines
No sub-regions registered yet.
Producers
シャトー・バストール・ラモンターニュ
Château Bastor-Lamontagne
Château Bastor-Lamontagne is a historic Sauternes estate whose origins date back to 1453, when the domain was first documented. The property gained its hyphenated name after Vincent de La Montaigne, a Bordeaux Parliament Councillor, acquired it in 1711. The modern wine-growing era began in 1839 under the Larrieu family, owners of Château Haut-Brion. Spanning approximately 46 hectares of sandy-gravel terroir on the second terrace of the Garonne River, the estate benefits from morning mists generated by the nearby Ciron river — the essential condition for Botrytis cinerea development. The vineyard is planted to 80% Sémillon and 17% Sauvignon Blanc. In 2019, the estate was acquired by Joseph Helfrich of Grand Chai de France, continuing the commitment to quality. Notably, Bastor-Lamontagne completed its conversion to certified organic viticulture in 2016, making it one of only three Sauternes estates with organic certification. Though not included in the 1855 classification, it consistently produces wines rivalling classified growths, prized for their balance of luscious sweetness, vibrant acidity, and complex aromas of honey, apricot, and exotic fruit.
Explore →
www.chateaubastorlamontagne.frシャトー・ジレット
Château Gilette
Château Gilette is one of the most singular and legendary producers in all of Bordeaux. Located in the village of Preignac at the heart of the Sauternes appellation, the estate encompasses just 4.5 hectares of vines surrounded by low walls that trap morning mists essential for Botrytis cinerea development. The Médeville family has cultivated this land since the 18th century, beginning with the marriage of Numa Médeville and Marie Despujols. The estate's extraordinary reputation rests on a winemaking philosophy born of necessity: in the 1930s, faced with the economic hardships of the Great Depression, René de Médeville built concrete vats instead of buying expensive oak barrels. When he left for World War II, the wines remained in vat for years longer than planned. Upon his return, he discovered the wines had developed exceptional complexity and aromatic depth. Ever since, Gilette ages its Sauternes in sealed, epoxy-lined concrete vats for 20 years or more before release — without any oak contact — followed by an additional 3–5 years of bottle ageing. Today, Julie Gonet-Médeville and her husband Xavier Gonet manage the estate. Only 4,000–6,000 bottles are produced in select vintages, making Gilette one of the rarest sweet wines in the world. The flagship cuvée 'Crème de Tête' (labelled 'Doux' before 1962) is released decades after harvest, presenting fully evolved aromas of candied citrus, dried apricot, honey, saffron and exotic spice with astonishing freshness.
Explore →
gonet-medeville.comシャトー・ギロー
Château Guiraud
Château Guiraud is a Premier Grand Cru Classé estate in Sauternes, ranked in the prestigious 1855 Classification. Originally known as La Maison Noble du Bayle, the estate took the Guiraud name when Pierre Guiraud purchased it in 1766. Spanning approximately 128 hectares — with 100 hectares of vines planted to 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc — the château sits on one of Sauternes' highest plateaus at up to 72 meters elevation. In 2011, it became the first Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Classification to receive Agence Bio (AB) organic certification, a milestone earned after 15 years of dedicated transition that began in 1996. Today, under the direction of Sandrine Garbay (formerly of Château d'Yquem) since 2022 and majority owner Matthieu Gufflet since 2021, Château Guiraud produces a resolutely contemporary Sauternes prized for its vibrancy, balance, and exceptional aging potential of 10 to 50+ years. The estate also produces G de Guiraud, a celebrated dry white Bordeaux from 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Sémillon.
Explore →
www.chateauguiraud.comシャトー・オー・ベルジュロン
Château Haut-Bergeron
Château Haut-Bergeron is one of Sauternes' most decorated estates, with a history dating to 1756 and nine generations of the Lamothe family at its helm. Situated in the heart of the Sauternes appellation on 37 hectares, the property benefits from the unique microclimate created by the nearby Ciron River, which generates morning mists that foster the growth of Botrytis cinerea — the noble rot essential to great Sauternes. Planted predominantly with 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc, the estate harvests grapes by hand in multiple passes (tries successives) to select only perfectly botrytized fruit. Under brothers Hervé (winemaking) and Patrick (vineyard and marketing) Lamothe, the eighth generation, the estate has accumulated 118 medals including 68 gold since 1964, making it the most awarded château in Sauternes. A flagship cuvée spéciale from century-old 100% Sémillon vines, launched in 1996, represents the pinnacle of their craft.
Explore →
www.chateauhautbergeron.comシャトー・ラ・トゥール・ブランシュ
Château La Tour Blanche
Château La Tour Blanche is a Premier Cru Classé Sauternes estate ranked second only to Château d'Yquem in the 1855 Classification. Located in the commune of Bommes, the 44-hectare domaine is planted to 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Muscadelle on a terroir of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone — the gravelly topsoil ensures excellent drainage while underlying clay retains moisture, and the proximity of the Ciron River creates the morning mists essential for noble rot development. The château was bequeathed to the French State in 1907 by its owner Daniel 'Osiris' Iffla, on condition that a school of viticulture and oenology be established; La Tour Blanche School opened in 1911 and has trained wine professionals ever since. Today managed by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the estate is certified HVE 3 (High Environmental Values) and pursuing organic practices. Harvesting is carried out in 5–6 successive passes (tries) by hand. The wine is known for its superb balance between richness and freshness, with aromas of honey, apricot, crème brûlée, orange blossom, and tropical fruits, supported by racy acidity. Top vintages (2001, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2020) can age 20–40+ years.
Explore →
www.tour-blanche.comシャトー・ラモット・デピュジョル
Château Lamothe Despujols
Château Lamothe Despujols is a historic 2nd Grand Cru Classé estate from the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, nestled in the heart of Sauternes. Family-owned by the Despujols family since 1961, the 7.5-hectare vineyard is predominantly planted with Sémillon (85%), complemented by Sauvignon Blanc (10%) and Muscadelle (5%). The diverse terroir of limestone, sand, gravel, and clay contributes to the production of elegant sweet wines known for their honeyed, apricot, and citrus notes. These wines offer a beautiful balance of sweetness and acidity, capable of aging gracefully for many years.
Explore →
www.lamothe-despujols.comシャトー・ラモット・ギニャール
Château Lamothe Guignard
Château Lamothe Guignard is a distinguished Second Cru Classé (Second Growth) estate from the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, located in the Sauternes appellation. Situated on one of Sauternes' highest points overlooking the Ciron valley, the vineyard benefits from ideal conditions for noble rot. Acquired by brothers Philippe and Jacques Guignard in 1981, the estate is renowned for crafting fine, unctuous, fruity, and aromatic sweet wines. The blend primarily consists of 90% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Muscadelle, with grapes meticulously hand-picked in multiple passes to ensure optimal concentration.
Explore →
www.chateau-lamothe-guignard.frシャトー・レ・ジュスティス
Château Les Justices
Château Les Justices is an 8.5-hectare estate located in Preignac at the heart of the Sauternes appellation, and is the sister property of the legendary Château Gilette — itself famous for aging its wine for up to 20 years in concrete vats before release. Planted with 88% Sémillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc, and 4% Muscadelle, the vineyards straddle two plots with soils of deep gravel and silt over a bedrock subsoil. Founded under the Médeville family, the estate passed to Julie Médeville and her husband Xavier Gonet in 2004 (now trading as Gonet-Médeville), continuing a philosophy of minimal intervention and purity of fruit. The wine is aged entirely in stainless steel or concrete tanks for 18 months with no oak — a deliberately unoaked style that showcases fresh fruit, crisp acidity, and the honest character of the botrytized grapes. Consistently ranked among the finest non-classified Sauternes, Les Justices offers exceptional value and freshness seldom found in the appellation.
Explore →
gonet-medeville.comシャトー・ラボー・プロミ
Château Rabaud-Promis
Château Rabaud-Promis is a Premier Grand Cru Classé Sauternes estate located in the commune of Bommes. The estate's history traces to 1660 when it was known as the 'champ de Rabeaud.' In 1903, the original Rabaud property was divided: Adrien Promis acquired the larger share and named it Château Rabaud-Promis, while the Sigalas family retained the remaining portion as Château Sigalas-Rabaud. The 33-hectare vineyard is planted on Pyrenean clay-gravel soils — Sémillon 80%, Sauvignon Blanc 18%, and Muscadelle 2%. Morning mists from the Ciron River foster Botrytis cinerea, enabling the production of concentrated, honeyed sweet wines. After pneumatic pressing, the wine is vinified in stainless steel and French oak barrels, then aged for 12–14 months in 30% new French oak. The Déjean family stewarded the estate from 1950 until 2020, when Jacques Merlaut (owner of Château Gruaud Larose) became a partner, ushering in a new era of investment and excellence.
Explore →
www.rabaud-promis.comシャトー・レイモン・ラフォン
Château Raymond-Lafon
Château Raymond-Lafon is one of the most celebrated unclassified estates in Sauternes, situated immediately north of and adjacent to the legendary Château d'Yquem. The domain was established in 1850 by Raymond Lafon, but its modern identity was forged in 1972 when Pierre Meslier, who was the régisseur (managing director) of Château d'Yquem and architect of its legendary 1967 vintage, purchased the property. Applying the same exacting standards he had mastered at Yquem, Meslier transformed Raymond-Lafon into what connoisseurs came to call a 'mini Yquem'. The estate's 18 hectares of vines are planted to 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, benefiting from the same microclimate as d'Yquem — the morning mists rising from the Ciron river that nurture Botrytis cinerea (noble rot). Harvest is conducted by hand with multiple selective passes (tris) through the vineyard, requiring up to 10 passes to pick only the most perfectly botrytised grapes. The wine is aged in 100% new French oak barrels for three years. Quality standards are absolute: between 20% and 80% of the harvest may be declassified in any given year. By the 1980s, Raymond-Lafon commanded prices exceeding those of many classified growths. Today the estate is run by Pierre's three children — Marie-Françoise, Charles-Henri and Jean-Pierre Meslier — who maintain their father's uncompromising vision.
Explore →
www.chateau-raymond-lafon.frシャトー・リューセック
Château Rieussec
Sauternes First Growth adjacent to Yquem, owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild, producing luscious botrytised wines of great richness and longevity.
Explore →
www.lafite.com/domaines/rieussec/read/シャトー・シガラ・ラボー
Château Sigalas Rabaud
Château Sigalas Rabaud is one of the smallest Premier Cru Classé estates in the 1855 Sauternes classification, encompassing just 14 hectares on a gravelly hillock with southern exposure in the commune of Bommes. The estate traces its origins to 1660, when it formed part of the historic Rabaud domain. In 1903, Pierre-Gaston de Sigalas separated what he called 'le bijou de Sigalas' (the jewel of Sigalas) — the finest parcel — from the larger Rabaud property that became Château Rabaud-Promis. The vineyard is planted with 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. Harvest is conducted in multiple passes (tries successives) to select only perfectly botrytized grapes. Vinification takes place in French oak barrels, with aging in 33% new oak for a minimum of 18 months. The resulting wine is celebrated for its rare elegance and floral freshness — distinguished from heavier Sauternes by its lifted citrus and white fruit character rather than overtly honeyed weight. The château also produces a second wine, 'Le Lieutenant de Sigalas'.
Explore →
www.chateau-sigalas-rabaud.comシャトー・シュデュイロー
Château Suduiraut
Located in the heart of the Sauternes appellation in the commune of Preignac, Château Suduiraut is a prestigious Premier Cru Classé estate dating back to the 17th century. The vineyard benefits from sandy and gravelly terroir, and the estate is renowned for its meticulous selection of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The resulting wines are celebrated for their remarkable complexity, golden hue, and balance between intense sweetness and vibrant acidity, with notes of honey, apricot, and exotic fruits.
Explore →
www.suduiraut.com/en/シャトー・ダルシュ
Château d'Arche
Château d'Arche is a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé (Second Growth) in the 1855 Classification of Sauternes. Located in the commune of Sauternes in the Graves region of Bordeaux, the estate traces its origins to 1611 when Étienne d'Arche settled in the area. The 40-hectare estate has approximately 27–30 hectares under vine, planted with 90% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle. The estate was owned by the Perromat family until 2005 when it was sold to private investors who have since revitalized the winery and embarked on organic conversion. In 2019 a new eco-responsible winery building was inaugurated.
Explore →
www.chateau-arche.frシャトー・ダルシュ・ピュニョー
Château d'Arche-Pugneau
Château d'Arche-Pugneau is a historic 17th-century estate located in the heart of Sauternes, Bordeaux, renowned for its exquisite sweet white wines. It was officially classified as a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru Classé) in the prestigious 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. The vineyard spans approximately 50 hectares within the Sauternes appellation, benefiting from a unique microclimate created by the confluence of the Garonne and Ciron rivers, which fosters the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The estate primarily cultivates Sémillon, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc and a small percentage of Muscadelle. The château is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, holding HVE level 3 certification and ISO 14001, with its entire vineyard transitioning to organic farming. Beyond winemaking, it is a pioneer in wine tourism, offering guided visits, events, and an on-site hotel, providing an authentic experience of the Sauternes region.
Explore →
www.chateau-arche.frシャトー・ド・マル
Château de Malle
Château de Malle is a historic estate in Bordeaux, renowned as a Second Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Classification of Sauternes and Barsac. Established in 1598, the château itself is a classified Historic Monument, featuring remarkable 18th-century architecture and Italian-style gardens inspired by Versailles. The estate spans approximately 50 hectares across the prestigious Sauternes and Graves appellations, producing exquisite sweet white wines, dry white wines (M de Malle), and red Graves wines. Since 2024, under the ownership of Luc and Clémence Planty, Château de Malle has embraced organic farming, reflecting a commitment to both its rich heritage and sustainable viticulture.
Explore →
www.chateau-de-malle.frシャトー・ド・レイヌ・ヴィニョー
Château de Rayne Vigneau
Château de Rayne Vigneau is a Premier Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes in the 1855 Classification, located on a magnificent gravel ridge overlooking the village of Bommes — the third-highest point in Sauternes after Château d'Yquem. The estate traces its origins to 1635, when Gabriel de Vigneau first cultivated the land. In 1834, Baroness Catherine de Rayne (née de Pontac) purchased the estate; her great-nephew renamed it Rayne Vigneau in her honour in 1892. What makes this château singular is its terroir: the Garonne gravels are interspersed with semi-precious stones — agates, onyxes, amethysts, sapphires, and rock crystals — a geological curiosity that accounts for the wine's legendary golden hue. The 84-hectare single-block vineyard is planted to 74% Sémillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle, with vines averaging 30 years of age. Grapes are hand-harvested in 4 to 8 successive passes (tries), and wines are aged in 40–50% new French oak barrels for 12 to 18 months. Since 2007, the estate has pursued sustainable viticulture (HVE Level 3 certified, vegan wines). Acquired in 2015 by the Trésor du Patrimoine group, it is now managed by Director Vincent Labergère and consultant oenologist Henri Boyer. In 1867, Rayne Vigneau was ranked first among all Premiers Crus in the Sauternes classification, immediately after Yquem — a testimony to its enduring greatness.
Explore →
www.raynevigneau.frクロ・オー・ペラゲ
Clos Haut-Peyraguey
Clos Haut-Peyraguey is a Premier Grand Cru Classé estate in Sauternes, located at the highest point of the Bommes plateau. One of the smallest first growths in the 1855 classification, its 12 hectares of vineyards (8 in a single block) are planted to approximately 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc on complex gravelly-sandy soils. The estate traces its origins to 1618 and was separated from what is now Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey during the division of the Duchatel family estate in 1879. Since 2012 it has been owned by négociant Bernard Magrez, who has pursued sustainable viticulture and selective, pass-by-pass hand harvesting of botrytis-affected grapes. The resulting wines are celebrated for their racy acidity that keeps the sweetness fresh and never cloying, with flavors of quince, candied citrus, apricot, marzipan, and exotic spice.
Explore →
bernard-magrez.com/en/clos-haut-peyraguey/
Food Pairings
Foie gras, Roquefort and blue cheese, lobster, crème brûlée, peach tarts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Sauternes wines so special?
- Sauternes wines owe their unique complexity to Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), a fungus that dehydrates grapes while concentrating sugars, acidity, and flavor compounds. The result is an intensely sweet wine with remarkable balance and aging potential.
- How long can Sauternes wines age?
- The greatest Sauternes wines can age for 50 years or more. Even second-growth estates like Château Doisy-Dubroca benefit from 8-15 years of aging to reach full maturity.
- What is the difference between Sauternes and Barsac?
- Barsac is a sub-region within Sauternes. Its limestone-rich soils produce wines with slightly more freshness, lighter body, and pronounced minerality compared to the richer, more opulent wines of the other Sauternes communes.