LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
Step into the wonderful world of Graves AOC, a special part of France's famous Bordeaux wine region. Every year, this remarkable area that has 16 grand cru châteaux produces about 20 million bottles of wine! Most of these are red wines, making up two-thirds of what they make, while the rest are fresh white wines and sweet ones called Graves Supérieures.
Think of Graves as a long strip of land - 55 kilometres long and 10 kilometres wide - running from La Brède to Langon. Pine trees line one side, while the Garonne River flows along the other. This special setup creates different little weather zones, perfect for growing grapes. While it's part of the bigger Graves subregion, the only Bordeaux subregion famed for the three main Bordeaux wines, this AOC has its special character.
Graves has been making wine since Roman times - that's a really long time ago! Graves wine production for export dates back to the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Between the 1500s and 1700s, these wines became famous all over Europe. A famous thinker named Montesquieu, who lived here, said these wines could make anyone feel better. This region's rich history still shapes how wine is made here today.
Graves is situated on the left bank of the Garonne River, southeast of Bordeaux. Graves has a perfect soil for grape-growing. Add in the ocean breezes from the South Atlantic, and you've got ideal conditions for making great wine.
The vineyards sit at different heights - from just 3 meters up to 60 meters above sea level. Each height makes the grapes grow differently. It rains just the right amount, mostly in spring and fall, giving the vines what they need.
The soil here is special - it's a mix of gravel, sand, and clay. The gravel helps water drain away and keeps the soil warm, which the grapevines love.
These conditions are perfect for different types of grapes. Red grapes like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grow really well here, as do white grapes like Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Like other wineries in many wine regions, Graves faces challenges from changing weather patterns. Warmer temperatures and unpredictable rain are driving winemakers to adapt how they grow their grapes.
Selling wine can be tricky - there are high prices, lots of competition, and people's tastes keep changing. But more people are getting interested in high-quality wines and earth-friendly farming, which is good news for the Graves wine region.
Graves is moving forward while keeping its traditions. They're using new farming technology and better ways to grow grapes, but they're careful to keep what makes their wines special. This balance helps make sure these wonderful wines will be around for many years to come.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
Come visit and see the beautiful wine country of Graves AOC! The ground here is full of small rocks and stones - that's actually how the region got its name. Pine trees grow tall on the west and south sides, helping to block strong winds and keep the air just right for the grapes. The Garonne River flows along the region's eastern edge, making the whole place look like a picture from a storybook.
From the amazing Château de Portets to the lovely old village of La Bréde, this area of the Bordeaux region has something for everyone:
Graves has a special weather that makes its wines so good! Thanks to the Atlantic Ocean nearby, this area enjoys perfect grape-growing weather - winters don't get too cold, and summers stay warm but not hot. This steady weather helps the grapes grow evenly, which helps to make balanced wines.
Rain falls mostly in spring and fall, about 600 to 800 millimetres each year. While the vines need this water to grow, sometimes too much rain can cause problems. The Garonne River helps keep things balanced by making the temperature just right and providing water when it's dry. Big pine forests protect the area, too, creating perfect little spots where both red and white grapes grow really well.
Want to see the Graves region at its best? Come in the fall, from September to October. This is when they pick the grapes - the French call it "les vendanges." You can watch people harvest the grapes and join special wine tours, tastings and events at local wineries. It's the perfect time to see how wine is made!
Spring is also wonderful, from April to June. The vineyards look beautiful, with new green leaves and flowers blooming everywhere. The weather is nice and mild - perfect for walking through vineyards, taking nice walks, or having a picnic among the grape vines. Whether you really know about the wine region or just want to see pretty places, spring in the Graves wine region is a great time to visit!
Graves is the only Bordeaux subregion that produces red, dry white, and sweet wines. Here, we discover how winemakers craft different types of wines - from reds to whites and sweeter styles - each telling the story of this special place and the history of the people who make them.
The rocky soil of the Graves AOC makes the wines taste more intense. The weather, influenced by the nearby ocean, helps create wines with lots of different flavours working together.
If you visit the Graves AOC, make sure you visit to see Pessac-Léognan, where you'll find beautiful wine castles. Léognan and Martillac are also lovely places to visit, with pretty vineyards located all around.
Many wineries welcome visitors, showing them how they make wine and letting them taste it. During grape picking time, there are fun tours and local festivals where you and your family can meet the winemakers and try their wines.
These wines are perfect for pairing with food! Try the red wines with rich dishes like chicken in wine sauce or duck. The dry white wines are perfect with fish and seafood. The sweet wines make desserts taste even better, especially fruit pies and pastries.
Within this area, you can stay in cozy bed-and-breakfasts or fancy wine estates. Many places offer tours and special wine packages so you can learn about and taste wines while enjoying your stay.
The Graves AOC, located in a special part of the Graves wine region, grows different types of grapes that make wonderful wines. Each grape brings something unique to the wines that people around the world love to drink.
Graves is the only Bordeaux subregion that produces red, dry white, and sweet wines. Here, we discover how winemakers craft different types of wines - from reds to whites and sweeter styles - each telling the story of this special place and the history of the people who make them.
The rocky soil of the Graves AOC makes the wines taste more intense. The weather, influenced by the nearby ocean, helps create wines with lots of different flavours working together.
If you visit the Graves AOC, make sure you visit to see Pessac-Léognan, where you'll find beautiful wine castles. Léognan and Martillac are also lovely places to visit, with pretty vineyards located all around.
Many wineries welcome visitors, showing them how they make wine and letting them taste it. During grape picking time, there are fun tours and local festivals where you and your family can meet the winemakers and try their wines.
These wines are perfect for pairing with food! Try the red wines with rich dishes like chicken in wine sauce or duck. The dry white wines are perfect with fish and seafood. The sweet wines make desserts taste even better, especially fruit pies and pastries.
Within this area, you can stay in cozy bed-and-breakfasts or fancy wine estates. Many places offer tours and special wine packages so you can learn about and taste wines while enjoying your stay.
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