Château Lauduc

Estate Profile

Château Lauduc is a family-owned winegrowing estate located in the commune of Tresses, in Gironde. It is currently managed by Régis and Hervé Grandeau, representing the second generation since its conversion to an AOC vineyard. The Grandeau family has owned the estate since 1923.

History and Philosophy

The history of Château Lauduc began in 1919 with its acquisition by Alexandre Balineau, followed by the arrival of the Grandeau family in 1923. In 1971, Richard Grandeau, of the previous generation, initiated the estate's conversion into an AOC vineyard, marking a key milestone in its development. Today, the family property is run by Régis and Hervé Grandeau. The estate is committed to environmentally friendly practices, as evidenced by its certifications. Alongside viticulture, the estate also raises cattle, whose manure is used to enrich the soils.

Appellations

Château Lauduc produces wines under several Bordeaux appellations. The red cuvées are mainly crafted under the Bordeaux Supérieur and Bordeaux appellations, as well as Entre-deux-Mers (for red wine). White wines are produced as Bordeaux blanc, and rosés as Bordeaux rosé and Bordeaux Clairet. The estate also crafts sparkling wines under the Crémant de Bordeaux appellation.

Practical Information

Château Lauduc is located at 8 chemin de Lapeyre, 33370 Tresses. The estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0)5 57 34 43 56 or by email at contact@lauduc.fr. Direct sales at the property and tastings are available. During the summer season, the "Guinguette Lauduc" is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 17:30 to 23:00. The estate holds the Vignobles et Découvertes label. Spoken languages are French and English. Accepted payment methods include debit/credit cards, cheques and cash.

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The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Château Lauduc vineyard covers a recorded surface area of 94 hectares, 60 hectares of which are located in the commune of Tresses. It spans seven communes across Entre-deux-Mers, with plots situated on the highest slopes of Tresses, roughly ten kilometres from Bordeaux. The soils are predominantly clay-limestone and gravelly, benefiting mostly from a due-south exposure. The red grape variety plantings consist primarily of Merlot (70%), complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Cabernet Franc (8%), Malbec (1%) and Petit Verdot (1%). The estate is certified Agriculture Biologique and Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE), and also holds Terra Vitis certification.

Flagship Cuvées

Château Lauduc offers a diverse range of cuvées catering to different profiles and vinification methods.
Among the white wines, Lauduc Classic Blanc and Château Lauduc Grande Cuvée blanc (AB) are available. The sparkling Crémant de Lauduc Blanc reveals aromas of white flowers, citrus, apple and brioche notes.
For rosés, the range includes Lauduc Classic Rosé and Château Lauduc Les éleveurs (AB) rosé, along with Crémant de Lauduc Rosé.
The red wines feature Lauduc Classic Rouge, Château Lauduc Les éleveurs (AB) rouge, Château Lauduc Prestige (AB) and Château Lauduc Grande Cuvée rouge. A dedicated version, Château Lauduc Grande Cuvée rouge E2M (AB), is also available under the Entre-deux-Mers appellation. Single-plot cuvées are also produced, such as d:vin, whose 2020 vintage is 100% Merlot. The estate also makes single-varietal cuvées such as ÉTOILE de LAUDUC Malbec, ÉTOILE de LAUDUC Cabernet Franc, ÉTOILE de LAUDUC Cabernet Sauvignon, ÉTOILE de LAUDUC Merlot and ÉTOILE de LAUDUC Petit Verdot. The L’InVinCible (AB) cuvée is a 100% Merlot with no added sulphur, vinified to deliver a richly coloured and juicy character. The Papa & Tonton Malbec, Papa & Tonton Claret (Clairet), and Papa & Tonton Gros Manseng (white) cuvées complete the portfolio.

Vinification and Ageing

Vinification practices at Château Lauduc are diverse and tailored to each individual cuvée. Harvesting is mechanical. Key steps include destemming, grape sorting and cold pre-fermentation maceration. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats, using indigenous yeasts for certain cuvées. Ageing is carried out either in vats for fresh, fruit-forward wines, or in oak barrels for cuvées such as Cuvée Prestige, where a twelve-month ageing period is noted. The 2020 vintage of d:vin underwent fermentation and barrel ageing for 15 months. For the 2023 Grande Cuvée, the wines were aged separately in oak barrels for 12 months.