This narrative was photographed on June 23, 2024 at Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, located in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, approximately 50 kilometers from Bordeaux, southwestern France. The chateau and winery is set to celebrate its 300th anniversary in October 2024.
Winemaking in the Bordeaux region has a rich history dating back 2000 years to the Roman era when the first vineyards were established. It gained further prominence during the Middle Ages following the royal marriage between Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine, which helped introduce Bordeaux’s wines from the French coast to Britain and beyond.
The Bordeaux region has been a major hub of winemaking for centuries. A significant landmark, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, is celebrating its 300th anniversary with events that offer a unique glimpse into the intricate world of French winemaking.
On an online wine seller’s site, a bottle of Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2021 Saint-Julien 2e cru classe is listed for $250. In contrast, a bottle from the 2020 vintage is priced at $1584. The description mentions that the wine, made from 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, features a “Pure and concentrated” nose, blending crème de cassis with floral (fresh violet) and fruity (blackberry, blueberry) aromas. Upon aeration, it evolves to reveal exotic spices, cedar, cigar box, and smoked graphite notes.
The 300th anniversary celebration will be observed during the annual Harvest Festival scheduled for October 19th at the historic château. The festival honors a winery and château with a rich history, enduring through the French Revolution, the era of Napoleon, both World Wars, and the notable Judgement of Paris in 1976 where American wines were deemed on par with French vintages.
Consider how seldom Americans celebrate the 300th anniversary of anything. The United States marked the 200th year of the Declaration of Independence in 1976, but few will witness its 300th anniversary in another 52 years.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 11, 1982 Jean-Eugène Borie, previous owner of the winery Bordeaux’s Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, was known for a classic vintage. (Information sourced from David Breslauer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
The Ducru-Beaucaillou Harvest Festival will be overseen by co-owner Bruno Borie, who is passionate about cooking, hosting, and wine. The festival will feature:
A culinary workshop where participants can learn the intricacies of preparing duck stew with a wine sauce under the guidance of Chef Anthony Roy from Ducru-Beaucaillou.
An exclusive session to sample the varied wines from the Maison’s collection, presented by Ducru-Beaucaillou’s Master of Wine, Tracey Dobbin.
A “Concurs d’élevage bogin” event allowing attendees to admire some of France’s most exquisite animals as they gracefully march to violin accompaniment on the château grounds.
Experience the traditional craft of barrel making with a live demonstration by Master Coopers, detailing the steps to create the perfect oak barrel vital for aging wine.
In addition, guests will be able to enjoy a communal lunch at the Ducru-Beaucaillou harvest table.
Guests can also participate in masterclasses and wine discovery workshops, and enjoy the refined tastings. Outdoor games will be organized to bring conviviality to the event. Guided tours of the cellar will show the secrets of making great wines, and there is a ‘beef competition.’
Tickets to the festival are 60 euros but guests have the option to take a master class. If they opt to do so, tickets are 85 euros. The Chateau is a private residence so guests will be finding their own lodging.
A picture taken on August 23, 2019 shows the Cordouan lighthouse off the coast of Le Verdon-sur-Mer, southwestern France. – The Cordouan lighthouse is France’s oldest lighthouse still active. It has been in service since 1611 and is located seven kilometers offshore at the mouth of the Gironde estuary.
Bordeaux is renowned for its vineyards, picturesque countryside, local markets, and exquisite dining options. It is also famous for river cruises historically used by winemakers to transport barrels on flat-bottom boats. The region is home to the oldest operational French lighthouse, Le Phare de Cordouan, established in 1611, which is also celebrated as “the Versailles of the Sea” due to its magnificent architecture.
The area is increasingly well-known for surfing along the Atlantic coast. There are around 50 surfing schools offering activities like stand-up paddleboarding or surfboard yoga.
Bordeaux is 580 km from Paris, accessible easily by train. The fastest trains between Paris and Bordeaux take about 2 hours and 3 minutes, with tickets costing around $52 if booked a week in advance. By car, the Spanish border lies just 120 miles south.
The renowned Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, a Grand Cru classé within the Saint-Julien appellation, stands out in the Médoc region. The château’s website extols “In praise of voluptuousness”. Numerous other vineyards in the Médoc offer château visits and wine tastings. Bordeaux is particularly captivating in autumn, and its harvest festival provides a deep dive into both the local wine culture and broader regional traditions.
As noted by the Millesima website, “In the past 300 years, six families have worked ceaselessly to elevate this estate to the international reputation it enjoys today. A property of the Borie family since 1941, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou takes its name from its terroir of ‘beautiful pebbles’ made up of Gunzian gravel.”
A worker carries a wicker basket full of grapes during the harvest at the Corton-Charlemagne vineyard, in Pernand-Vergelesses, Bourgogne region south-eastern France on September 5, 2018.
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