Château Pichon Baron, a Second Growth estate in the prestigious Pauillac winemaking subregion of the Médoc, takes its name from the Baron Jacques Pichon de Longueville, who acquired the vines as part of his wife’s dowry in 1694. The estate’s nineteenth-century castle is a magnificent calling card, with fairytale turrets and a decorative pool in front. However, the magic happens below the surface, where a 1988 architectural competition in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou in Paris prompted a series of renovations to the fermenting room and cellar, resulting in a multi-layered gravity-fed masterpiece.

Château Pichon Baron’s methods are fastidious both in the winery and out in the vineyards, which have held an accreditation in Sustainable Agriculture since 2003. Visitors can expect an educational and Instagrammable experience while honouring the estate’s rich history, with personalized tours that start in the vineyards and end with a tasting of three wines. Bespoke options include themed and vertical tastings and master classes. The ultimate tasting experience is a seated session guiding visitors through the most exceptional vintages of Pichon Baron’s flagship ‘Grand Vin.’

The vineyards cover 73 hectares, planted with Bordeaux’s traditional red grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Only the best grapes from the oldest vines make it into the ‘Grand Vin de Château Pichon Baron.’ Produced in limited quantities, this wine spends 18-20 months in predominantly new oak barrels, leading to a full and complex tannic structure and a hint of spice. The estate’s two second wines, ‘Les Tourelles de Longueville’ and ‘Les Griffons de Pichon Baron,’ both display excellent fruit concentration.