CASTLES PESSAC

Château Pape Clément is a prestigious Graves wine estate located in Pessac, just 5 miles from central Bordeaux, surrounded by 60 hectares of vineyards. Named after Pope Clement V, elected pontiff in 1305, the château has produced wine since the first recorded harvest in 1252, when the estate was gifted to the wine-loving pope. Acquired by Bernard Magrez in the 1980s, it produces exceptional red wines made from Cabernet, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, alongside whites from Sauvignon, Sémillon, and Muscadelle. The estate offers wine tastings and gastronomic evening meals by reservation, with five guest rooms available for visitors seeking an immersive wine country experience.

Château de Camponac is an 18th-century mansion in Pessac, nestled within Bordeaux's renowned winemaking region and surrounded by lush vineyards and rolling hills. Originally built as a grand residence with architectural details reflecting period artistry, a water feature was created on its grounds facing which a chartreuse, or country house, was built following 18th-century Bordeaux custom. The château has been carefully preserved and now serves dual purposes as both a historical landmark and cultural institution. Home to the Historial Raphaël Saint-Orens museum since 1979, it showcases Pessac's rich history and heritage, housed in what were formerly the estate's stables and old wine vat building, and remains fully accessible by wheelchair for visitor convenience.

Château Haut-Brion is an exceptionally significant estate representing over 500 years of winemaking heritage and one of Bordeaux's most prestigious landmarks. Located in Pessac, just kilometers southwest of Bordeaux itself, it holds the rare double distinction of being both a Premier Grand Cru Classé (First Growth) from the 1855 classification and a Cru Classé de Graves. The 51-hectare estate features 48 hectares of red varieties—Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot—complemented by 3 hectares of white grapes. The terroir comprises deep gravel over clay and sand with abundant minerals and quartz, with vineyards positioned on gravel slopes reaching 27 meters elevation. Under American ownership since 1935 and currently directed by a descendant family member, it remains a cornerstone of French viticulture.