Château Saint-Jean-des-Graves

Identity

Château Saint-Jean-des-Graves is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Pujols-sur-Ciron, operated by SCEA J & E David. Jerry David manages technical expertise, while Marie-Amélie David oversees commercial operations. The estate is also supported by Guillaume Massieu, head of technical operations, and Philippe, tractor driver.

History and Philosophy

Jerry David represents the fifth generation at the helm of the estate. Today, Jerry and Elena David are passing down their expertise to their son Jonathan and daughter-in-law Marie-Amélie. The estate achieved Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification on 1 October 2020.

The Appellations

Château Saint-Jean-des-Graves produces wines under the Graves Rouge Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée and the Sauternes appellation.

Practical Information

Address: Château LIOT, 33720 Pujols-sur-Ciron

Telephone: +33 (0)5 56 27 15 31

Email: chateau.liot@wanadoo.fr

The estate offers wine tourism activities including tours and tastings, as well as a dedicated experience named “Secret d’Or”.

Find out more

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard spans a total surface area of 40 hectares. The soils consist of red clay resting on a bed of fractured limestone, alongside gravel over a fissured limestone subsoil. Planting density ranges between 5,500 and 6,500 vines per hectare.

The average age of the vines is 35 to 40 years. The red grape variety mix comprises 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon across 12 hectares. For the white wines, the grape varieties consist of 50% Sémillon and 50% Sauvignon over 6 hectares. Recent Sémillon plantings were carried out by Marie-Amélie David across two of the estate's plots. Harvesting is carried out by hand for the white and Sauternes wines, and is either manual or mechanical for the reds.

Flagship Cuvées

Château Saint-Jean-des-Graves crafts both red and dry white wines. The estate also produces Sauternes, whose winemaking method relies on noble rot (Botrytis Cinerea) to achieve grape overripeness. Château Liot is another cuvée offered by the estate.

Vinification and Ageing

For the red wines, maceration lasts 21 days, followed by 18 months of ageing. The white wines undergo 6 to 8 months of ageing with lees stirring (bâtonnage). The harvest is conducted entirely by hand for the white wines and for the Sauternes.