Château Dauzac

Identity

Château Dauzac is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Labarde, in the Gironde department. It was ranked a Cinquième Grand Cru Classé in 1855. The estate is owned by the Famille Roulleau. Laurent Fortin has been its managing director since 2013, with Cécilia Trimaille as oenologist and Frédéric Benour as cellar master. Éric Boissenot serves as consultant oenologist.

History and Philosophy

Vine cultivation at Château Dauzac dates back to the 12th century. The estate was acquired by Pierre Drouillard at the end of the 17th century, and later by Nathaniel Johnston in 1863. In 1885, a major contribution to viticultural history took place here with the development of the Bordeaux mixture. In 1924, the imperial yellow label, the estate's iconic emblem, was created. Château Dauzac was recognised as a Grand Cru Classé in 1855. Committed to an environmental approach, Château Dauzac's 2022 vintage was presented as carbon-neutral. The estate was also awarded a Best Of Wine Tourism award in 2016 for its architecture and landscapes, and again in 2017 for the wine tourism promotion of its environmental practices.

Appellations

The Château Dauzac vineyard produces wines under the Margaux and Haut-Médoc appellations.

Practical Information

Château Dauzac is located at 1 avenue Georges Johnston, 33460 Labarde. For enquiries or bookings, the estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 5 57 88 98 51 or by email at reservation@chateaudauzac.com. The boutique is open Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. The estate offers fee-paying tours and tastings, with at least three wines presented for tasting. Tours can be booked online for a minimum of two people and are available in French, English, and Spanish. Château Dauzac offers a range of wine tourism experiences, including tours, overnight stays, and private events. The estate features several reception areas such as La Grande Galerie (capacity of 120 guests for seated meals, 150 for cocktails), Le Petit Salon, La Panoramique, Ceres, and Cybèle, all equipped for seminars and corporate events. There is no on-site restaurant, but on-site and online boutique services are available with delivery options. Wi-Fi is available. Pets are not allowed.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Château Dauzac vineyard extends over 49 hectares within an unbroken 120-hectare estate. It is situated in close proximity to the Gironde estuary. The terroir is characterised by a deep gravel ridge over a gravelly and clay subsoil. The grape varieties are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (69–70%) and Merlot (28–30%), complemented by Petit Verdot (2%). The average vine age is 35 years, with a planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare. Viticultural practices include sustainable winegrowing, the use of organic fertilisers, eco-friendly control of grapevine moths, cover cropping in selected parcels, double Guyot pruning, debudding, and manual canopy management. Harvesting is carried out by hand. The estate fosters biodiversity through the presence of sheep, beehives, egrets, and herons.

Flagship Cuvées

The Grand Vin, Château Dauzac, is the estate's principal wine. There is also a second wine, Aurore de Dauzac, alongside single-parcel selections such as Labastide Dauzac and Franc de Pied. The brand wines include D de Dauzac rouge, D de Dauzac blanc, Comte de Dauzac, and Bacchus de Dauzac. Specific cuvées such as Château Labarde in Haut-Médoc are also produced.

Vinification and Ageing

Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled vats, including wooden vats with double transparent staves installed in 2014. Ageing generally lasts between 12 and 18 months, predominantly in French oak barrels with 60% to 70% new oak. The barrels are selected for their extra-fine grain and light toast. Since 2016, the wines have been made without animal products, using plant-based proteins for fining, rendering production 100% vegan.