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Bordeaux · Sub-regions
Graves de Vayres
Gravel enclave on the left bank of the Dordogne opposite Libourne: Vayres and Arveyres produce fruity, early-drinking reds and dry whites from Sauvignon and Sémillon.
Grape Varieties
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Most Famous Site
Vayres, Arveyres
Vineyard Area
700 ha
Harvest
September – October
TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux
Graves de Vayres Gravel enclave on the Dordogne
Graves de Vayres: gravel on the left bank of the Dordogne, fruity reds and whites.
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.
CLIMATE · Maritime
The area lies on the left bank of the Dordogne opposite Libourne; the gravel island is surrounded by the clay-limestone soils of the Entre-Deux-Mers. The climate is Atlantic.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Vineyards around Vayres and the Arveyres plateau on terraces of the Dordogne, covering about 600 hectares. The ground rests on clay-limestone and sandy subsoil.
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 de Vayres is highlighted.
Overview
Typical Varieties
Terroir & Climate
Wine Character
Graves de Vayres lies in the Entre-Deux-Mers on the left bank of the Dordogne, opposite Libourne. The small appellation comprises Vayres, which lies on a meander of the Dordogne, and Arveyres, a tongue of land formed by a loop of the river. Unlike the rest of the Entre-Deux-Mers, which is shaped by limestone hills and clay, the area forms a gravel enclave, which gives it its name.
The soil consists of gravel and sand deposited by the Dordogne on terraces, over clay and loam. It drains well and warms up quickly. The climate is oceanic with mild winters and warm summers; proximity to the river tempers extremes and reduces frost risk.
On the gravel soils Merlot ripens reliably, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The reds are fruity, round and early drinking. Dry whites are also made from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, fresh and aromatic with citrus and herbal notes. It is an appellation of rather modest size and accessible prices.
Soil Type
Gravel, sand
Climate
Oceanic with mild winters and warm summers; proximity to the Dordogne tempers temperature extremes and frost risk.
Top profiles
1 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list below
All Wineries
6 resultsEvents in Bordeaux
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12 Mar – Sun, 14 March 2027
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Open cellar · Saint-Émilion
Thu, 24 June 2027
Fête de la Fleur
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Frequently Asked Questions
What sets Graves de Vayres apart from the rest of the Entre-Deux-Mers?
The rest of the Entre-Deux-Mers is shaped by limestone hills and clay, whereas Graves de Vayres forms a gravel enclave that gives the area its name. The soil drains well and warms up quickly.
Which villages and wines belong to Graves de Vayres?
The small appellation covers Vayres and Arveyres on the left bank of the Dordogne. It makes fruity, round reds based on Merlot and dry whites from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
What is the climate like in Graves de Vayres?
The climate in Graves de Vayres is oceanic, with mild winters and warm summers. Proximity to the Dordogne moderates temperature extremes and the risk of frost. The harvest runs from September to October.
Which grape varieties define Graves de Vayres?
The key grape varieties in Graves de Vayres are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. The best-known vineyard is Vayres, Arveyres.
When is the best time to visit Graves de Vayres for wine?
The harvest in Graves de Vayres takes place September – 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 de Vayres?
Cellarmap lists 6 wineries in Graves de Vayres across roughly 700 hectares of vines. Every profile shows location, contact, grape varieties and, where available, vineyards, classification and visitor information.
All wineries in Graves de Vayres, A to Z
- Château Bacchus · Vayres
- Château Pichon Bellevue · Vayres
- Château Toulouze · Vayres
- Clos du Paradis · Vayres
- Clos du Prieuré · Vayres
- Domaine du Mascaret · Vayres
📖 Look up in glossary
All terms →Related wine terms — clearly explained in the Cellarmap glossary.