Chateau de Rayne Vigneau

Château de Rayne Vigneau is a Premier Cru Classé wine estate from the 1855 Classification of Sauternes and Barsac and is located in Graves in the region of Sauternes. The château produces a benchmark Sauternes wine from the commune of Bommes. Château de Rayne Vigneau has a history dating back to the 17th century when it was originally named 'Vigneaux de Bommes' by founder Gabriel de Vigneau. The estate has been owned since 2015 by the Trésor du Patrimoine group and is managed by Vincent Labergere.

Château de Rayne Vigneau's land spans 84 hectares (207 acres) on a mound composed of Garonne gravels over a clay base. Vineyards are planted to 74 percent Sémillon, 24 percent Sauvignon Blanc, and two percent Muscadelle with vines averaging 30 years old. The vines are ideally situated to be influenced by morning mists created from the confluence of the Ciron and Garonne rivers, necessary for grapes to be affected by botrytis, the noble rot required for the production of Sauternes.

The château harvests in tries to collect grapes only once they have been perfectly botrytised. Grapes are again sorted at the winery, then pressed delicately before fermentation in barrel. The wines mature in 40 to 50 percent new oak barrels for 12 to 18 months before blending and bottling.

Château de Rayne Vigneau produces a second Sauternes wine by the name Madame de Rayne. The estate also produces a Sauternes called Clos l'Abeilley from a parcel selection and a white Bordeaux wine named Le Sec de Rayne Vigneau from 7ha (17 acre) of Sauvignon Blanc grown on the estate property. The château produces around 38,000 bottles annually.