Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is a family affair. Dating back to 1840, it is an historical property, as befits the Pessac Léognan appellation, the cradle of Bordeaux fine wine making in Bordeaux. Like many properties in the Northern Graves, wine production was almost non-existent here during the depression of the 1930s, when vines were uprooted across the appellation and much agricultural land was sacrificed to urban development.
In 1987, the Gervoson family acquired the property and they are typical of the dynamism now found in the appellation. They have continued to invest over the last 30 years, increasing the vineyard around the chateau to 72.5 hectares of vines, (11.5 hectares of white and 61 of red) by purchasing neighbouring vines and replanting based on a detailed soil survey.
They have renovated the cellars and the chateau with the aim of not only producing the best wine possible but to be able to communicate about how they do this. In 2009, Emilie, one of the three daughters, joined the team to focus on wine tourism. They have since become a multiple winner of Best of Wine Tourism awards. Starting in 2014, again in 19 and in 2020 winning the Gold Best Of Wine Tourism for their events organisation.
In 2015, Emilie commissioned designer Soline Portmann to created an aromatic garden inspired by wine tasting. The star of the garden was the rose ‘Demoiselles de Larrivet Haut-Brion’ created by rose breeder Meilland Richardier and named after the family’s three daughters. It is also the name of the second wine of the property.
The Euphoria Garden tour includes an in depth visit to the 4,000 m² garden, where 7,500 plants illustrate white wine aromas and 15,000 those of red wines. It is the perfect way of engaging the senses of sight and smell before tasting the wines from the property. It’s not just wines you can taste, you can also taste them alongside chocolate, cheeses, oysters or even caviar.
More hands-on experiences include the Blending Secrets workshop, where tasting the wines from different terroir and varietals will prepare you to create the perfect blend. You can also compare and contrast wines aged in barrel with those in concrete vats.
Special theme days, known as Oeonofolies, are also organised for the whole family. These include chocolate Easter egg hunts, art and wine days, inspired by the decorated concrete vats in the cellars, garden discovery days and Halloween-themed fancy dress tastings.
The family welcome larger private and professional groups to the chateau, in a unique and flexible space. There are three reception rooms that work together or independently. The intimate wine library is perfect for professional meetings and a large reception room ideal for weddings or larger groups with a 200 square metre sun deck overlooking the beautiful garden.
Work, play or wine, everyone is welcome at Château Larrivet Haut-Brion.