Château de Rayne Vigneau

The name of Château de Rayne Vigneau expresses its attachment to the land. The term “vigneau” designates, in old Gascon, a place intended for growing vines. A “grand bourdieu” (large farmstead) of 70 hectares, the estate extends over a magnificent rise overlooking the Sauternais, close to the commune of Bommes. Jasper, onyx, agate, sapphire, opal, quartz and many other varieties of stone make up the incredible deposit of the Rayne Vigneau vineyard, which the greatest geologists consider unique in the world. A fertile clay soil, laden with mysterious treasures that combine with the magic of the local climate in a secret alchemy.
On these “heights”, dozens of generations have followed one another since the creation of the estate at the beginning of the 17th century by Gabriel de Vigneau. Madame de Rayne, née Catherine de Pontac, bought the Vigneau estate in 1834. The heirs of the family understood the value of this exceptional terroir and never ceased to develop a pioneering viticulture there, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. The château attained the coveted rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes at the famous 1855 classification. In 1867, the great broker Daney awarded it first place, immediately after Yquem. It was Albert de Pontac, great-nephew of Madame de Rayne, who gave the property its name “Rayne Vigneau”.
Considerable investment and work were made by successive owners for the quality of the wines. At the end of 2004, the estate entered the wine portfolio of the company CA Grands Crus, a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole. Everything is being done to enhance the potential of this Grand Cru Classé. Rayne Vigneau has thus given itself the means to reconnect with its past, when it stood as a great rival to Yquem. The most recent vintages have confirmed it. Since then, the château has settled firmly among the reliable names of the appellation, claiming, vintage after vintage, a style of intensity, freshness and length.