Château Cheval Blanc

Identity

Château Cheval Blanc is a winegrowing estate located in Saint-Émilion, in the Gironde department. It has been jointly owned by Bernard Arnault and the Frère family since 1998. General management is overseen by Pierre-Olivier Clouet.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Cheval Blanc dates back to the 15th century, with vines documented on the land from this period. The estate officially became a château in 1834. Its reputation flourished in the 19th century, notably following its acquisition by Jean-Jacques Ducasse in 1832 and the modernisation led by Jean Laussac-Fourcaud. The estate was awarded gold medals at the Universal Exhibitions of Paris in 1878 and Antwerp in 1886. In 1871, the vineyard's current parcel structure was established. In 1955, Château Cheval Blanc was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé 'A' of Saint-Émilion, a distinction it held until its withdrawal from the classification starting from the 2022 vintage.

The estate's philosophy aims to guide the birth of a wine that faithfully reflects its terroir and the climatic conditions of each vintage. Château Cheval Blanc is committed to agroecology to preserve its soils and ensure their stewardship for future generations. In 2011, a new vinification cellar was constructed, designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc.

Appellations

Château Cheval Blanc produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation.

Practical information

Château Cheval Blanc is located in Saint-Émilion, postcode 33330.

Address: Château Cheval Blanc

Telephone: 0557555555

Email: contact@chateau-chevalblanc.com

Visits to the estate are strictly by appointment for wine trade professionals only.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The vineyard of Château Cheval Blanc covers a planted surface area of 39 hectares, divided into 56 plots. Its parcel layout has remained unchanged since 1871. The terroir is characterised by a combination of clay and gravel soils, with veins of blue clay. The average age of the vines is around forty years.

The estate's main grape varieties consist of 52% Cabernet franc, 43% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Viticulture is guided by agroecology, without the use of chemical herbicides. Environmental practices such as the reintroduction of trees, hedgerows, and cover crops (clover, mustard) are carried out, with over 3,000 trees planted. Animals including sheep, pigs, beehives, and hens are also integrated, alongside a vegetable garden. Tillage is halted in mid-summer following earthing-down, allowing natural grass cover to manage water resources. One hectare of vines is replanted every three years following a soil rest period. In 2006, the château acquired an 8-hectare parcel of Château La Tour du Pin Figeac, followed by an additional 11 hectares from the same estate in 2022, of which 6.5 hectares were replanted with Sauvignon blanc to develop white wine production.

Flagship cuvées

The estate's grand vin is Château Cheval Blanc, a still red wine. Its blend varies according to the vintage—for example, 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet franc for 2012, or 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon for 2019. These wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity, balanced structure, and exceptional ageing potential.

The estate also produces a second red wine, Le Petit Cheval, with a blend of 56% Merlot and 44% Cabernet franc in 2019, and 59% Cabernet franc and 41% Merlot in 2020. In 2014, Château Cheval Blanc launched a white wine, Le Petit Cheval Blanc, crafted from a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon.

Vinification and ageing

Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand by a team of around fifty pickers, working bespoke parcel by parcel using small crates. Grapes are sorted meticulously to retain only pristine fruit. Following a night in a cold room, they are destemmed and crushed, then gravity-fed into fermentation vats. Vinification is tailored plot by plot, involving gentle fermentations and delicate pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats. The vinification cellar, built in 2011, houses 52 curved concrete vats of varying capacities, alongside 55 custom-built cement vats. The wines undergo ageing in oak barrels.