Château La Louvière
A Timeless Heritage
Located a few kilometers south of Bordeaux, Château La Louvière is one of the most emblematic estates in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Built in the late 18th century, the château, surrounded by superb parkland, is a model of neo-classical architecture. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1991.
Purchased in 1965 by André Lurton, the estate is a precious family heirloom whose wines are among the finest in Bordeaux. An ambassador for the art of living, always welcoming and accessible, the château offers tours, and can be rented for seminars, business meals… A boutique is also dedicated to wine lovers.
1 — 7
Château La Louvière | Red
AOC Pessac-Léognan
Château La Louvière has many fascinating facets. The sumptuous architecture of the château building dates from the late 18th century, but winegrowing here goes back more than 700 years. The first vines were planted circa 1310, although modern winemaking dates from the 17th century and was handed down by able monks from the Carthusian monastery in Bordeaux, who had acquired considerable talent as viticulturists and winemakers. The people who produce the wine in the 21st century have inherited these time-honoured methods, adding just the right amount of innovation and modernity to make the utmost of the outstanding terroir. La Louvière's red wine has a dark colour and an elegant bouquet with delicate hints of oak...
2 — 7
Château La Louvière | White
AOC Pessac-Léognan
Château La Louvière has long been famous for its white wines. In fact, these already highly-prized by Canadian merchants in the 17th century ! A century later, they were to be found on the finest tables in Saint Petersburg. The very elegant white La Louvière is now among the finest dry white wines in the Graves, and is a fine ambassador for the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Marked by the Sauvignon Blanc varietal character, but not overly so, it can age remarkably well.
3 — 7
L de La Louvière | Red
AOC Pessac-Léognan
Château La Louvière's second wine, L de La Louvière, is made with the same care and attention
as its older brother. This wine is immensely attractive thanks to its roundness and fruitiness. It is produced according to traditional methods with a few modern touches in a prestigious location where art reigns alongside winegrowing.
as its older brother. This wine is immensely attractive thanks to its roundness and fruitiness. It is produced according to traditional methods with a few modern touches in a prestigious location where art reigns alongside winegrowing.
4 — 7
L de La Louvière | White
AOC Pessac-Léognan
Château La Louvière's second wine, L de La Louvière, is made with the same care and attention as its older brother. This wine is immensely attractive thanks to its roundness and fruitiness. It is produced according to traditional methods with a few modern touches in a prestigious location where art reigns alongside winegrowing.
5 — 7
Les Lions de La Louvière | Dessert white
AOC Graves supérieures
The Cuvée Les Lions from Château La Louvière is a rare wine. In fact, it has only been made in 1989, 1996, 2003 and 2010, i.e. only in years with certain outstanding weather conditions (warmth, humidity, etc.) conducive to the development of noble rot on our Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Nature is fantastic since, as luck would have it, the conjunction of these parameters occurs only once every seven years !
6 — 7
Les Lions de La Louvière | Red
AOC Pessac-Léognan
7 — 7
Les Lions de La Louvière | White
AOC Pessac-Léognan
"History belongs to those who write it."
André Brochu
Quebec poet and novelist
The history of the Château
In the year 1310, Aquitaine was under English rule, and “La Lobeyra” (La Louvière) already existed. One of the old registers of “Gascon Calendars”, kept by the English administration, bears witness to this… A humble dwelling, embellished by a small tower, stands in the middle of a clearing. The vineyard is still modest: just a few micro plots of vines planted here and there on the best gravel terroirs.
The modern vineyard of La Louvière, as we know it today, gradually came into being between 1510 and 1550, thanks to the dynamism and foresight of two men from an old family of jurats and advisors to the Bordeaux Parliament: Pierre de Guilloche and his son Jean. They embarked on major land transactions.
In 1620, following a donation to the Chartreuse de la Miséricorde de Bordeaux, the estate passed into the hands of the monks. For almost two centuries, the Carthusian monks brought their expertise to the winemaking process. Coopers and cellar masters lavished the utmost care on the white and red wines, which were highly prized by merchants from Picardy, England and Flanders. In the 18th century, the wines produced by the Carthusian monks were among “the most excellent to be drunk in the whole kingdom”. They were the source of the reputation of La Louvière wines well beyond our borders.
The Revolution broke out in 1789, and the property of the clergy was confiscated. The estate was put up for sale in the spring of 1791. The auction was won by a Bordeaux merchant, Jean-Baptiste Mareilhac. Wishing to offer his young wife Jeanne-Émilie a “country house”, he began major renovations. Under the direction of François Lhôte, a renowned Parisian architect, a beautiful building in the purest neo-classical style was built. The interior decoration was entrusted to a highly talented Flemish painter: François-Louis Lonsing. The new residence was admired by all. The Mareilhac family presided over the destiny of the estate for much of the 19th century.
In 1946, the site was listed on the Inventaire des Monuments Historiques and classified in 1991.
In 1911, Alfred Bertrand-Taquet, a Parisian by birth and shareholder in the “Revue Vinicole”, bought the estate and ran it until 1944. La Louvière remained a sleeping beauty for over fifteen years.
In 1965, André Lurton fell under its spell and bought it. The years that followed saw the estate gradually regain its former prestige… In 2009, a new, semi-underground winery was inaugurated. This highly aesthetic and functional building required 2,000 m³ of concrete. Dedicated to the ageing of red wines, it can accommodate a thousand barrels.
Vineyard data sheet
Area
White 13 hectares
Red 65 hectares
Encépagement
White 96% Sauvignon, 4% Sémillon
Red 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon
Soils
White Gravelly-sandy, gravelly-clay, clayey-limestone, clayey-limestone-sandy (marl)
Red Deep gravels
Consultant oenologists
White Valérie Lavigne
Red Mikael Laizet
Castle tour
Tours and tastings by appointment / Shop sales
Year-round Monday to Friday, April to October Monday to Saturday (10am to 1pm – 2pm to 5pm)
Visit Château La Louvière
Situated just 20 minutes from the center of Bordeaux, Château La Louvière welcomes you to immerse yourself in the world of great Bordeaux wines. We offer a wide range of activities, including tours of the Château, wine tasting, fun and gourmet workshops, and the organization of seminars and business meals.
Buy our wines
direct from the Châteaux
All our wines are available for direct sale at the estate, at the Château La Louvière boutique (with tasting facilities) and at the Château Bonnet reception (currently no tasting facilities).
At Château La Louvière, you can round off your visit with a tour of our cellars, a wine tasting session or even take part in one of our workshops (booking recommended). We welcome you to the Château all year round, Monday to Friday (Saturdays too, from April to October), from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm.
Château La Louvière
149, Avenue de Cadaujac, 33850 Léognan
(+33) 5 56 64 75 87
Contact us
