Château Guiraud, a Sauternes first growth classified in 1855. More than just an illustrious name, it is an invitation to discover the mysteries of this exceptional wine estate proud of its values and constantly in search of innovation. All the more so since the change of owners in July 2006 has led to renewal, based on a strategy for quality, protection of the environment and tourism. Enquiry into the sources of this economic drive, that adheres closely to the group’s convictions and is bringing the firm new success …
What does the overall agronomic approach adopted for Château Guiraud consist of?
“The strategy for the vineyard is naturally general and covers many subjects; it concerns weather conditions, growing methods, soil drainage … We use no chemical weed killers whatsoever and do not use any insecticide treatments. The idea is to take natural action on ancient soils worn by 500 years of viticulture. Each plot is dealt with by using techniques that respect the environment: paths are grassed down, late ploughing around the vine, grass-cutting of borders and paths after the grass has fully grown. For soils, this approach concerns spreading organic matter or magnesia chalk, which has been done for the past twenty years. We abandoned chemical weed killers ten years ago.
These methods show an awareness shared by all members of staff, keen to protect their own health and that of the environment.
Another part of the strategy concerns parasites. In collaboration with the ENITA in Bordeaux, we have four kilometres of low hedgerows within the vineyard or around the vines, in which a diverse fauna of insects live during the low season. In summer, these insects will become predators of parasites that cause damage to the vine. This traditional method has proved its efficiency for establishing equilibrium between colonies of insects and it enables us to ensure rational vine treatments against parasites such as worms which attack the grape bunches.”
Did this approach lead you naturally to organic growing methods, which is completely new for this appellation?
“Our objective is a gradual conversion to certification for organic agriculture in 2011. For us, this is the result of many years of efforts devoted to the quality of our production: it is this policy that we can then display and make available in our other activities. Respect for the terroir in its biodiversity can but sustain the excellence of a growth and the development of the group.
Château Guiraud strives to apply methods that contribute to the creation of a balanced ecosystem. Besides the various activities mentioned above, we have, for example, set up a purification station to deal with waste products of wine-production on a bed of reeds fully incorporated in our estate. Re-processing of this waste by plant containers is being studied and should be implemented for phytosanitary effluents of wine-production activities in 2009.”
Château Guiraud is also a leader for research into the genetic diversity of vine plants
“Selection of the best vines which are then re-produced is in fact a method that we have increased since 2001. We believe that standardisation creates monotony and it is vital for a first growth such as ours to preserve and explore the genetic heritage of high-quality vine plants. This is why we are the only Bordeaux first great growth to produce our own vine plants – approximately 70000 stocks a year – with an extremely precise choice of rootstocks. It implies lengthy selection work: the last vines planted after the frosts in 1956 are now beginning to disappear …Having succeeded in presenting these initiatives in their best light to the general public, your estate won a ‘Best of gold’ in the Wine Tourism competition last year
“Château Guiraud is extremely proud to have received this ‘Best of Gold’ for its first participation in the 5th event of this international competition, ‘Best of Wine Tourism’, an award for the best development of environmental techniques. This competition is organised every year by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the network of Capitals of Major Winegrowing areas presents awards to estates which offer the most innovative reception facilities for visitors. Other winegrowing capitals that took part in this last event of the competition were the towns of Mendoza, Bilbao and Cape Town…
This recognition of our efforts pays tribute to the complementarity of our development of both wine production and reception for visitors; all of this within the framework of an environmental policy which we have implemented at all levels over the past twenty five years.”
It is Will wine tourism be one of your priorities for next year?
“It is indeed an integral part of wine sales. Most individual tours are free; others are paying visits and are accompanied by vertical tastings of our classified great growth, along with a discovery of gastronomy. The proximity of professional tourism tours is one of the possibilities we intend to pursue and develop in the future.
We will also focus on architecture this year: to respond to the gradual increase of our production, we are launching an architecture competition in view of the construction our new vat house. We must also concentrate on sustainable development, with a full energy assessment for the estate. However, we are keeping in mind the need for authenticity and simplicity, values which have characterised this estate since the 19th century. Our philosophy is to combine respect for historical heritage, with conservation of the environment and modernity.”
Your activities do not stop here. Château Guiraud is also extremely present on the international wine scene …
“We are present at a large number of events: the RVF exhibition, the ‘Grand Tasting’ in Paris, weekends organised for keen wine enthusiasts in Bordeaux … and in May this year, alongside other classified great growths of Sauternes, we will exhibit at Vinexpo in Hong Kong … Last year we took part in two hundred wine tasting events, in Dubai, Shanghai, Reykjavik, Rio de Janeiro and Ontario, to mention just a few …
This enterprising enthusiasm is ensured by the members of our board of directors who travel all over the world to promote our wines. In July 2006, Château Guiraud was taken over by four people: an industrialist, Chairman of the FFP (a holding quoted on the stock exchange), Robert Peugeot (hence the Lion of Guyenne that appears on the new labels launched in 2007, more than a reminder, a message to Bordeaux wine merchants of the change that has taken place at this estate), and three winegrowers, Olivier Bernard, Stéphan Von Neipperg and Xavier Planty, who previously managed the estate for twenty four years, when it was owned Dolphin International Vineyard Limited. They are exceptional ambassadors, since Château Guiraud’s wines are always presented at tastings alongside those of Domaine de Chevalier (managed by Olivier Bernard) and Château Canon La Gaffelière et Château de la Mondotte (estates owned by Stéphan Von Neipperg).
This promotion is part of the group’s strategy of associating a great growth wine with modern, active communication. We also have a comprehensive website (newsletters, information about visits to the estate, fact sheets, etc …)
Although we sell approximately 50% of our production in France, we are resolutely focussing our efforts on other areas of business.”
Developments abroad, wine tourism, architecture, sustainable development … The wine world lends itself, more than any other, to culture and technical knowledge and also to sharing and encounters, an invitation to travel in every way. An opportunity to be seized for a group that is constantly innovating, aware of the ethics this implies for a great growth wine …
Château Guiraud
33210 Sauternes
Tél. + 33 (0) 5 56 76 61 01
Fax + 33 (0) 5 56 76 67 52
www.chateauguiraud.com
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