Chateau Beychevelle

Château Beychevelle is located in the Saint-Julien appellation. In the Bordeaux classification of 1855, the wine from this château was classified as 4th Cru. The wine is predominantly based on the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. The wine is thus dominant, smooth, and has a supple strength. Better vintages have excellent aging potential.

Château Beychevelle is often referred to as the Versailles of the Médoc, but a more accurate description would be calling it the Grand Trianon in Bordeaux style. It highlights the harmonious dignity that emanates from the residence, as well as the charm embodied in its monumentality. Legend has it that when the ships of the Duke of Épernon sailing along the Gironde passed this residence, they lowered their sails in loyalty to the feudal lord. It is said that this custom gave rise to the château's name: Beychevelle—supposedly derived from the French baisse-voile, meaning to lower the sails.

From 1890 to 1989, the estate was managed by the Achille-Fould family, descendants of the famous minister and banker from the time of Napoleon III. Heir to this dynasty, Aymar Achille-Fould, sought the help of the famous Professor Peynaud in 1970. Together, they decided to tighten the selection criteria for rootstocks, which logically improved the wine quality. Their theory was born out of experience, and the successors of Professor Peynaud, Pascal Ribéreau-Gayon, and Jacques Boissenot, continue to adhere to it to this day.

After Aymar Achille-Fould's death in 1986, the GMF group, a shareholder since 1984, acquired a majority stake, and in 1988 they merged with the Japanese group Suntory to form Société des Grands Millésimes de France, the current owner.

An interesting fact about the Beychevelle estate is that it has long included a farm where cattle are raised. The animals thus provide all the natural fertilizer needed in the vineyards.