The history of Château La Gurgue
A rich history
Château La GurgueIts origins date back to the 18th century, when it was owned by Samuel Peixotto. A few years later, Camille Lenoire, another mayor of Margaux, acquired Château La Gurgue. He lent his name to the château for a time and invested in valuable plots of land in Curton, on the best slopes of Margaux. The château then reverted to its original name, "La Gurgue," which is similar to that of a local place name in the village.
Later, Jacques Merlaut acquired the property, eventually passing it on a few years later to his daughter, Bernadette Villars. While La Gurgue had once been in very poor condition, the winery was renovated and several vines were planted. Sadly, a tragic accident claimed the lives of Bernadette Villars and her husband in 1992. Their daughter, Claire Villars, then took over the estate, alongside Château Ferrière and Château Haut-Bages Libéral.
The Château La Gurgue vineyard
With respect for the environment
The vineyard of this prestigious château is ideally situated on the northeast slope of Margaux. The vines benefit from an ideal terroir on a superb Margaux plateau. The soil lies on a plateau of deep, white gravel and sandy-gravelly soils. Furthermore, the plateau covers 12 square kilometers and is home to the majority of the vineyards of the Margaux Classified Growths. This relatively poor, well-drained soil promotes deep root development and concentrated grape flavors. On average, the vines are 35 years old. The grape varieties planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. In total, a large portion of the château's vines grow in the heart of the appellation. Moreover, the climate is ideal, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Gironde estuary. The vineyard also benefits from a mild and humid temperate oceanic climate, regulated by these two large bodies of water.
Vine cultivation at Château La Gurgue
Wines renowned for their delicacy
Claire Villars continues the work in the vineyard, following in her mother's footsteps. The vineyard has been certified organic and biodynamic since 2017. Respect for the environment is central to the philosophy of Claire Villars and her team. The wines are renowned for their finesse and delicacy. The cuvées are a true delight on the nose, boasting magnificent ripe fruit aromas. The tannins are fine, and the precision and balance are perfectly achieved.
