Dom. de Chevalier

Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France The châteaux Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion and Pape Clément typify the classic Pessac-Léognan estate: a grand house surrounded by its vineyard. The same is true of Domaine de Chevalier. This noble house appeared only in the 19th century, when the forest took up most of the western Graves in Bordeaux. Archives from the 17th century show a “Domaine de Chivaley” included houses, gardens, grounds, vines, woods and meadows. The name “Chivaley,” Gascon for “knight,” is believed to be linked to the presence of the very old pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostela, which still borders the estate. The term “domaine” originally referred to an ensemble - formed by a family residence and agricultural estate in which viticulture coexisted with other crops and breeding. One of the things that makes Chevalier unique is that it achieved fame in a relatively short time, compared to the majority of Bordeaux great growths. Only three men have managed domaine de Chevalier from the time it was acquired by Arnaud and Jean Ricard in 1865 and was purchased by the current family of Olivier Bernard in 1983. Jean Ricard was the true creator of Chevalier. His son-in-law, Gabriel Beaumartin, who was at Chevalier for 40b years was responsible for crystallizing its reputation. Claude Ricard had been running the estate for 35 years the Olivier arrived in 1983. Under his leadership, the estate was included among the elite grand crus in the 1953 classification of the Graves. He worked with Olivier for five years, to help with the transition. Considerable efforts have been made since 1983. The vineyards were expanded and all aspects of winegrowing were revisited. The focus on quality, has never ceased, however and the Domaine remains one of the best values for ageworthy, tradition Bordeaux in the region.