Château de Fargues
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Château de Fargues, a family-owned estate since 1472, produces Sauternes and a dry wine in AOC Bordeaux. HVE-certified, its 15-hectare vineyard is planted with Sémillon and Sauvignon on clay-gravel soils, followed by oak barrel ageing.
Identity
Château de Fargues is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Fargues, in the Gironde department. The Lur Saluces family has owned it since 1472. Philippe de Lur Saluces is the current owner, while François Amirault manages the estate. Martin Hugerot also manages estate operations. Alexandre de Lur Saluces was the former owner.
History and philosophy
The history of Château de Fargues dates back to 1306, the year the castle was built by Cardinal Raymond Guilhem de Fargues. The Lur Saluces family acquired the estate in 1472. The château suffered a fire in 1687. The Lur Saluces family's winemaking commitment on these lands began in the 1930s under Bertrand de Lur Saluces, who initiated the first plantings of white grape varieties. The estate's first vintage was produced in 1943.
The estate is certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) and is actively engaged in a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach.
Appellations
Château de Fargues crafts wines under the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) Sauternes. Another wine may also be produced under the AOC Bordeaux appellation.
Practical information
Château de Fargues is located in Fargues de Langon, 33210. To get in touch, you can call +33 (0)5 57 98 04 20 or send an email to fargues@chateau-de-fargues.com. Direct cellar-door sales and mail-order purchases are available. Visits are offered free of charge by prior appointment. The tasting cellar is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
- Who are the current owners of Château de Fargues and how long has the family been associated with the estate?
- The Lur Saluces family has owned Château de Fargues since 1472. Today, Philippe de Lur Saluces is the owner. François Amirault and Martin Hugerot also manage the estate. The former owner was Alexandre de Lur Saluces. The estate's winegrowing history under the stewardship of the Lur Saluces family began in the 1930s with the first plantings of white grape varieties.
- What is the vineyard surface area at Château de Fargues and what constitutes its terroir?
- The Château de Fargues vineyard spans 15 hectares, with an ongoing 9-hectare extension project. The total surface area of the property covers 170 hectares. The terroir is predominantly composed of clay-gravel. The average vine age is 35 years, with a planting density of 7,000 vines per hectare. The blend of grape varieties consists of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon.
- How is harvesting carried out at Château de Fargues and what makes its wines unique?
- Harvesting at Château de Fargues is conducted by hand in successive selective pickings (tries). This method ensures that only grapes affected by Botrytis Cinerea (noble rot) are harvested, which is essential for crafting sweet Sauternes wines. The estate primarily produces a Sauternes, alongside an occasional dry wine under the Bordeaux appellation called Guilhem de Fargues.
- What certifications does Château de Fargues hold and what is its environmental approach?
- Château de Fargues is certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale), reflecting its environmentally responsible farming practices. The estate also follows a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework. For vine fertilisation, Château de Fargues uses natural compost sourced from its own herd of bazadaises cattle, highlighting its dedication to sustainable viticulture.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château de Fargues vineyard currently covers 15 hectares, with a 9-hectare extension project underway. The total surface area of the property is 170 hectares. The soils consist of clay-gravel. The average age of the vines is 35 years, with a planting density of 7,000 vines per hectare.
The grape varieties planted are 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon. For fertilisation, the estate uses natural manure from its own herd of bazadaises cattle. Harvesting is carried out by hand in successive selective pickings (tries) to gather only the berries affected by Botrytis Cinerea, also known as noble rot.
Flagship cuvées
The flagship wine of Château de Fargues is a Sauternes, a sweet botrytised wine characterised by noble rot. The estate also occasionally produces a dry wine named Guilhem de Fargues, under the AOC Bordeaux appellation.
Vinification and ageing
Vinification of Château de Fargues wines takes place in oak barrels. Ageing lasts between 30 and 36 months in barrels, with up to 100% new oak for the primary wine, or between 20 and 25% depending on the vintage. Racking is carried out every three months.
- Commune
- Fargues
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Classification
- Sauternes — domaine emblématique
- Owner
- Famille Lur Saluces
- Technical direction
- François Amirault
- Surface area
- 15 ha
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Sémillon 80%, Sauvignon 20%
Practical information
- Address
- 33210 Fargues de Langon, 33210
- Phone
- +33 (0)5 57 98 04 20
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- Du lundi au vendredi de 9h à 12h et de 14h à 18h.
- Visits
- Oui sur rendez-vous