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Bordeaux · Sub-regions
Graves
Graves is the historic heartland of Bordeaux wine. Since 1987 the prestigious north has been Pessac-Léognan, while the Graves appellation extends south along the Garonne to Langon. Gravel soils give smoky, earthy reds and whites with citrus and wax.
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.
Sandaromatic, approachable
Loose sand and wind-blown sand warm up quickly and hold little water — they give aromatic, early-drinking wines with soft tannins; phylloxera-resistant.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
CLIMATE · Maritime
Oceanic climate, sheltered by the Landes pine forests in the west and tempered by the Garonne. Somewhat warmer and earlier ripening than the Médoc. Late frost is an occasional risk, and rain at harvest can affect the crop.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Flat to gently undulating gravel and sand terraces on the left bank of the Garonne from La Brède to Langon, named after the 'graves' (gravel soils). Since 1987 the northern part has been separated as Pessac-Léognan.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Typical Flavours of the Region
Merlot
RedCabernet Sauvignon
RedSauvignon Blanc
WhiteSémillon
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
Graves lies south of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Garonne. The name means gravel; it is the only Bordeaux appellation named after its terroir. The northern, more prestigious part with Pessac, Léognan and the estates around Haut-Brion was split off in 1987 as Pessac-Léognan. The remaining Graves appellation extends south of it to the Langon area, with places such as Portets and Podensac; Cérons, Barsac and Sauternes also lie within the area with their own appellations.
The soils consist of gravel laid down over time by the Garonne, over sand, clay and limestone on gentle knolls and terraces. The climate is oceanic and mild, with the Garonne and the pine forests of the Landes tempering Atlantic influence; autumn rain is the main risk.
Red wines are made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and dry whites from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. The reds are often smoky and earthy, while the whites show citrus and wax.
Soil Type
Garonne gravel (the 'graves' that give the area its name) over sand, clay and limestone on gentle terraces and mounds.
Climate
Oceanic with mild winters and warm summers; the Garonne and the Landes forest temper Atlantic influences, and autumn rain is the main risk.
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
12 Mar – Sun, 14 March 2027
Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants Bordeaux
Wine fair · Bordeaux
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the appellation called Graves?
Graves means gravel; it is the only Bordeaux appellation named after its terroir. The soils consist of gravel deposited by the Garonne over sand, clay and limestone.
What distinguishes Graves from Pessac-Léognan?
The northern part with Pessac, Léognan and the estates around Haut-Brion was separated in 1987 as Pessac-Léognan. The remaining Graves appellation extends south of it to the Langon area, with places such as Portets and Podensac.
Which wines are made in Graves?
Red wines from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and dry whites from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon are produced. The reds are often smoky and earthy, the whites show citrus and wax.
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.
What does the terroir of Graves taste like?
Soils: Garonne gravel (the 'graves' that give the area its name) over sand, clay and limestone on gentle terraces and mounds.. Climate: Oceanic with mild winters and warm summers; the Garonne and the Landes forest temper Atlantic influences, and autumn rain is the main risk.. Together they shape structure, acidity and aromatics – see the terroir profile above.
All wineries in Graves, A to Z
- Château Bichon Cassignols · La Brède
- Château Brondelle · Mazères
- Château de Castres · Castres-Gironde
- Château du Carpia · Langon
- Château Haut-Reys · La Brède
- Château Le Pavillon de Boyrein · Roaillan
- Château Méric et Chante l'Oiseau · La Brède
- Château Tourteau Chollet · Arbanats
- Clos 19 bis · Pujols-sur-Ciron
- Clos Floridène · Pujols-sur-Ciron
- Clos Toumilon-Peytejat · Saint-Pierre-de-Mons
- L'Esprit Des Vins La Brède · La Brède
- Lusseau · Ayguemorte-les-Graves
- Maison du Berneuilh · Langon
📖 Look up in glossary
All terms →Related wine terms — clearly explained in the Cellarmap glossary.