Château d’Yquem’s 113-hectare vineyard—approximately 279 acres—stretches out across the scenic Aquitaine countryside. The perfect marriage of morning mists and dry afternoon heat promote botrytis-affected grapes—the basis for the brand’s sweet Sauterne wines.
In the cool serenity of the cellar, the true magic takes place. Wines from a variety of pressings are blended and put into new oak barrels while they finish the fermentation process—arguably the most unpredictable phase of winemaking. The best of these blends will then go into an underground cellar for an additional twenty months to achieve the perfection associated with Château d’Yquem’s vintages.
The color of the sunshine that helps in its creation, Château d’Yquem’s award-winning wine has a long-standing reputation for excellence. In fact, Thomas Jefferson—a vintner himself—was so impressed with its quality that he ordered 250 bottles to be shipped to the United States.
Also of note are the estate’s spectacular rose gardens, lining the walk that leads visitors to the entrance. Artists often gather here, sketchbooks and pencils in hand, hoping to capture even a soupçon of the beauty of Château d’Yquem.
Text Karen Callaway
Photography Stephanie Welbourne Steele
Discover the splendor of Château d’Yquem in the May/June 2017 issue of Victoria magazine.
