In a Bordeaux viticultural landscape often perceived as unchanging, certain estates choose to forge a singular, demanding, and deeply responsible path. Such is the case with the "Bordeaux Pirate" winemakers. Bordeaux Pirate is a collective of Bordeaux winegrowers (as well as négociants and cooperatives) united by a single vision: innovating to reinvent Bordeaux wine, in the vineyards, in the cellar, and throughout our commercial practices.

Once a year, the "pirate winemakers" present their innovative cuvées to an independent panel. The finest amongst them are awarded the "Pirate" label, whether they fall under an official appellation or not!

The "Bordeaux Pirate" spirit: a philosophy in its own right

For us, being a Pirate Winemaker is not merely about displaying a label; it represents a comprehensive, concrete, and structured approach, built around key fundamental pillars:

• Viticulture respectful of ecosystems

  Our commitment to organic viticulture stems from a deep conviction. We must cultivate living soils in order to pass on to our children land capable of sustaining them for generations to come. This commitment translates into practices such as using cover crops, rejecting synthetic chemicals, and paying meticulous attention to biodiversity within our vineyard parcels.

• Authentic, low-intervention vinifications

  This commitment continues in our cellars. We favour spontaneous fermentations driven by indigenous terroir yeasts, completely banning oenological enzymes and additives. Our wines contain minimal to no added sulphur depending on the cuvée, and human intervention is kept to a strict minimum to allow the terroir to express itself fully. This approach gives rise to free, precise wines that remain faithful to their origin, where the genuine expression of fruit takes precedence over any contrived style.

• Replanting forgotten grape varieties: a heritage and forward-looking commitment

  Beyond our viticultural methods, at Château Cazebonne, our commitment takes on a distinctive meaning through our endeavour to revive more than a dozen historical Bordeaux grape varieties, such as Mancin, Castets, or Saint-Macaire. As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne highlights in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", these varieties were once an integral part of the Bordeaux vineyard before gradually fading away. At Cazebonne, replanting them is a heritage-driven, ecological, and visionary act. It enriches the genetic diversity of our plots, opening up new sensory horizons and providing a lucid response to the challenges of climate change, thanks to varieties that are often hardier and more resilient.

• A new perspective on Bordeaux

  Through the diversity of the cuvées showcased, pirate winemakers demonstrate that dynamic Bordeaux producers are actively on the move, keen to offer contemporary wines that align with the expectations of wine lovers, without ever compromising our terroirs, grape varieties, or heritage. The Bordeaux Pirate movement is part of an ongoing dialogue with consumers and wine professionals alike.

At Château Cazebonne, replanting historic, long-forgotten grape varieties in Bordeaux is an ambitious project made possible by the support of the many enthusiasts who have embraced our wines. Their trust allows us to keep innovating and safeguarding this precious viticultural heritage. If you have ever wondered, "Why did I become a winemaker?", you will understand the importance of this journey. To deepen your understanding of the fascinating history of Bordeaux grape varieties and explore further, we invite you to discover Liber Pater (Loïc Pasquet): the quest for the original taste of Bordeaux. You can also download the digital edition of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages". If you would like to test your wine knowledge, feel free to try our wine quizzes. Finally, to taste the fruits of our labour, we invite you to explore our complete collection of cuvées available on our online shop.