Grape Varieties
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Most Famous Site
Graves (Portets, Podensac, Langon)
Vineyard Area
3.500 ha
Harvest
Early September – early October
TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux
Graves Gravel terraces south of Bordeaux — the cradle of Bordeaux wine
The Graves are Bordeaux's oldest wine district — smoky reds and waxy whites from gravel, priced far below neighbouring Pessac-Léognan.
SOILS
Gravel / Sandlight, approachable
Gravel and sand drain heavily — vines struggle for water, wines turn fine, light and elegant.
Sandstonewarm, dry, spicy
Sandstone warms quickly and yields ripe, fragrant wines with yellow fruit and fine spice.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
CLIMATE · Maritime
Maritime and mild, sheltered by the Landes pine forest to the west; the Garonne tempers. A little warmer and earlier ripening than the Médoc.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Flat gravel and sand terraces along the Garonne from La Brède to Langon — named after the 'graves', the gravel soils.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Typical Flavours of the Region
Sauvignon Blanc
WhiteCabernet Sauvignon
RedMerlot
RedSémillon
WhiteRegion aroma cloud
Bordeaux overview
This sub-region is part of Bordeaux. The map shows all 23 sub-regions — Graves is highlighted.
Overview
Typical Varieties
Terroir & Climate
Wine Character
The Graves are the historic heart of Bordeaux wine — wine was shipped to England from here in the Middle Ages. Since 1987 the prestigious northern part has been split off as Pessac-Léognan; the Graves appellation proper stretches south along the Garonne to Langon. Gravel soils ('graves') yield smoky, earthy reds and whites with citrus and wax — at prices recalling Bordeaux's early days.
Top profiles
7 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list below
Château Tourteau Chollet
Graves · Arbanats
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Château de Castres
Graves · Castres-Gironde
Château Méric et Chante l'Oiseau
Graves · La Brède
Château Brondelle
Graves · Mazères
Château Haut-Reys
Graves · La Brède
Clos Floridène
Graves · Pujols-sur-Ciron
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
All Wineries
14 resultsChâteau Tourteau Chollet
Graves · Arbanats
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Château de Castres
Graves · Castres-Gironde
Château Brondelle
Graves · Mazères
Château Haut-Reys
Graves · La Brède
Château Méric et Chante l'Oiseau
Graves · La Brède
Clos Floridène
Graves · Pujols-sur-Ciron
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Maison du Berneuilh
Graves · Langon
Château Bichon Cassignols
Graves · La Brède
Château du Carpia
Graves · Langon
Château Le Pavillon de Boyrein
Graves · Roaillan
Clos 19 bis
Graves · Pujols-sur-Ciron
Clos Toumilon-Peytejat
Graves · Saint-Pierre-de-Mons
L'Esprit Des Vins La Brède
Graves · La Brède
Lusseau
Graves · Ayguemorte-les-Graves
Events in Bordeaux
All events in Bordeaux →12 Dec – Sun, 13 December 2026
Bordeaux Tasting
Tasting · Bordeaux
19 Feb – Mon, 22 February 2027
Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants Strasbourg
Wine fair · Straßburg
19 Apr – Thu, 22 April 2027
Semaine des Primeurs Bordeaux
Trade event · Bordeaux
1 May – Sun, 2 May 2027
Portes Ouvertes en Saint-Émilion
Open cellar · Saint-Émilion
Thu, 24 June 2027
Fête de la Fleur
Wine dinner · Bordeaux
Sat, 11 September 2027
Marathon du Médoc
Wine walk · Pauillac
Frequently Asked Questions
Graves or Pessac-Léognan?
Pessac-Léognan is the northern part split off in 1987 with all the Crus Classés. Graves is the southern remainder — similar soils, less renown, better prices.
Which grape varieties define Graves?
The key grape varieties in Graves are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. The best-known vineyard is Graves (Portets, Podensac, Langon).
When is the best time to visit Graves for wine?
The harvest in Graves takes place Early September – early October – when vineyards and cellars are busiest. May to July suits tastings without harvest bustle; many estates open their tasting rooms off-season by appointment.
How many wineries are there in Graves?
Cellarmap lists 14 wineries in Graves across roughly 3,500 hectares of vines. Every profile shows location, contact, grape varieties and, where available, vineyards, classification and visitor information.
Which is the most famous vineyard in Graves?
Graves (Portets, Podensac, Langon) is regarded as the most famous vineyard of Graves. The vineyard overview on this page shows which estates farm it.
📖 Look up in glossary
All terms →Related wine terms — clearly explained in the Cellarmap glossary.