Chateau Durfort-Vivens

Château Durfort-Vivens is a Bordeaux wine estate in the Margaux appellation, ranked as a second growth in the official 1855 Classification. The wine is based on Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc, but the exact blend can change depending on the vintage.

The 55-hectare (136-acre) vineyard is planted on deep gravel soils over a sand and clay base. 70 percent of this vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, with 24 percent Merlot and 6 percent Cabernet Franc. In the winery, there are a range of wooden and concrete vats sized to match specific vineyard parcels. Following fermentation, winemakers select the best barrels to go into the grand vin – usually around 40 percent of production. The remainder goes into the second wine, Vivens. Château Durfort-Vivens typically spends around 18 months in French oak barriques, with 35 to 45 percent new wood.

Since 1961, the estate has been owned by the Lurton family.