Chateau Guiraud

Château Guiraud is a wine estate in Sauternes, Bordeaux. It was classified as Premier Cru in the 1855 Classification and is one of the region's most famous wine estates. Guiraud's vineyards are planted with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, with the former making up the majority of the lusciously sweet botrytized wine. 

The château has around 85 hectares (210 acres) under vine, on sandy gravel and clay soils, which provide a good growing environment and through their moisture-retaining qualities, are conducive to the spread of Botrytis cinerea. Only grapes that have been affected by noble rot are picked by hand, and are fermented plot by plot in new oak barrels. After Château Guiraud reaches the desired level of sweetness, it is aged in barrel for at least 24 months before it is released.

The château also makes a second wine, Petit Guiraud, from younger vines. There is also a dry Bordeaux Blanc called Le G de Château Guiraud, although unlike the rest of the portfolio, it is Sauvignon Blanc-dominant.

Château Guiraud was originally known as the Noble House of Bayle before it was bought by Pierre Guiraud in 1766. The house and vineyards were passed through the family until it was sold to a group of winemakers from around France in 2006.