Château la Tour Blanche
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Profile of Château La Tour Blanche, Premier Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes, owned by the Conseil Régional de Nouvelle-Aquitaine, certified organic, renowned for its educational and environmental commitment.
Identity
Château La Tour Blanche is an 1855 Premier Grand Cru Classé, located in Bommes, Gironde. It is owned by the Conseil Régional de Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The cellar master is Philippe Pélicano and the estate manager is Miguel Aguirre. The estate has the unique purpose of hosting a school of viticulture and oenology, providing tuition-free education.
History and philosophy
The origins of Château La Tour Blanche date back to the 17th century. In 1907, Daniel Iffla, known as “Osiris”, bequeathed the estate to the French State on the condition that a free, public school of viticulture be established there. The estate is officially committed to organic viticulture, with its first certified wines released in 2023. This robust environmental approach is complemented by practices such as eco-pastoralism, using sheep for natural weeding in the vineyard before budburst and after harvest.
Appellations
Château La Tour Blanche primarily produces wines under the Sauternes appellation, for which it was classified as a Premier Grand Cru in 1855. The estate also crafts wines under the Bordeaux appellation.
Winemaking and ageing
For Sémillon, ageing takes place in 100% new oak barrels for 16 to 18 months. Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle are aged entirely in vats. The château's cellar was renovated in 1999.
Practical information
Château La Tour Blanche is located at 704 chemin Daniel Iffla Osiris, 33210 Bommes. You can contact the estate by telephone on +33 5 57 98 02 73 or by email at tour-blanche@tour-blanche.com. The tasting boutique is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm. Guided tours and tastings of three wines are available, including a golf buggy tour and a viewpoint terrace. Tours are subject to a fee. The estate welcomes groups (10–50 people) and pets. Languages spoken are French, English, and Spanish. Services such as an on-site shop, click-and-collect/takeaway, and delivery are available. Accepted payment methods include payment cards, bank cheques, cash, and bank transfers.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary appellation of Château La Tour Blanche?
- Château La Tour Blanche is primarily celebrated for its wines produced under the Sauternes appellation, where it was classified as a Premier Grand Cru in 1855. The estate also produces wines under the Bordeaux appellation.
- Who owns Château La Tour Blanche?
- Château La Tour Blanche is owned by the Conseil Régional de Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This unique ownership stems from Daniel Iffla's bequest in 1907, which stipulated the establishment of a free school of viticulture and oenology on the estate.
- What is the vineyard's surface area and grape variety breakdown?
- The vineyard of Château La Tour Blanche covers 46 hectares. The grape variety plantings are predominantly Sémillon (75%), complemented by Sauvignon Blanc (19%) and Muscadelle (6%). The average vine age is 35 years.
- Is Château La Tour Blanche certified organic?
- Yes, Château La Tour Blanche is certified in Agriculture Biologique (organic farming). The estate has undertaken a strong environmental commitment, producing its first certified organic wines in 2023. Eco-pastoral practices are also implemented.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard spans an area of 46 hectares. It is characterised by soils consisting of a gravel ridge over a clay-limestone subsoil. The average age of the vines is 35 years. The grape variety proportions are 75% Sémillon, 19% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Muscadelle. Harvesting is carried out by hand. The estate is certified in Agriculture Biologique (organic farming) and HVE-certified.
Flagship cuvées
The estate’s grand vin is Château La Tour Blanche, a Sauternes renowned for its finesse and elegance. The second wine is Les Charmilles de La Tour Blanche. The estate also produces other cuvées, such as Isis, Duo de La Tour Blanche, Léonie de La Tour Blanche, and Osiris, under the Bordeaux appellation.
- Commune
- Bommes
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Classification
- 1er Cru Classé 1855
- Owner
- CONSEIL REGIONAL DE NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE
- Technical direction
- Philippe Pélicano
- Surface area
- 46 ha
- Second wine
- Les Charmilles de La Tour Blanche
- Certifications
- Bio, HVE
- Grape varieties
- Sémillon 75%, Sauvignon Blanc 19%, Muscadelle 6%
Estate news
03 February 2010
Classement 1855 Sauternes et Barsac
Cet article présente le classement officiel des vins de Sauternes et Barsac, établi en 1855 à la demande de l'Empereur Napoléon III pour l'Exposition Universelle de Paris. La classification a été confiée au Syndicat des Courtiers de Commerce de la bourse de Bordeaux et visait à reconnaître la qualité et la notoriété de chaque cru. Le classement initial comprenait 25 châteaux, mais en raison de successions et de partages de sols, il en compte aujourd'hui 26. Le classement inclut une catégorie "Premier Cru Supérieur" représentée par le Château d'Yquem. Les "Premiers Crus" sont les Châteaux La Tour Blanche, La Faurie-Peyraguey, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, de Rayne-Vigneau, Suduiraut, Coutet, Climens, Guiraud, Rieussec, Rabaud-Promis et Sigalas-Rabaud. Enfin, la catégorie des "Seconds Crus" regroupe les Châteaux de Myrat, Doisy Daêne, Doisy-Dubroca, Doisy-Vedrines, d'Arche, Filhot, Broustet, Noirac, Caillou, Suau, de Malle, Romer-Du-Hayot, Lamothe et Lamothe-Guignard. L'article a été rédigé par Adelin Pâques et publié le 3 février 2010.
Read the source — chais-et-vignes.comPractical information
- Address
- 704 chemin Daniel Iffla Osiris, 33210 BOMMES
- Phone
- +33 5 57 98 02 73
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- Du lundi au vendredi de 9h à 12h et de 14h à 17h.
- Visits
- Expérience unique avec golfette, belvédère à 3,60m de haut, dégustation