Doisy Vedrines

The History of Château Doisy-Védrines

The estate takes its name from the Chevaliers de Védrines, who owned it until the mid-19th century. Originally, Doisy-Védrines, Doisy-Daëne and Doisy-Dubroca formed a single cru, Domaine Doisy, mentioned as early as 1832 by André Jullien in his renowned Topographie de tous les vignobles connus. When the property was divided, Doisy-Védrines retained the largest share of the land as well as the château. In 1855, the cru was ranked a Sauternes Second Growth.

Since the mid-19th century, Château Doisy-Védrines has belonged to the Castéja family, one of Bordeaux’s oldest winemaking dynasties and also the owners of prestigious crus such as Château Batailley and Château Trotte Vieille. Olivier Castéja, who has managed the property since 2001 after learning the trade from his father, continues that legacy. In 2020, his son-in-law Guillaume Lefèbvre took over management of the estate. The following year, the acquisition of Château Pernaud and its fifteen hectares brought the vineyard’s total area to fifty-one hectares.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Doisy-Védrines

Château Doisy-Védrines stands on the clay-limestone rise of Haut-Barsac, the highest point of the Barsac plateau, home to the appellation’s finest terroirs. The soil combines fine gravel and surface clay over a classic limestone subsoil, an ideal setting for great sweet wines. This privileged location, together with autumn mists, encourages the development of noble rot on the grapes.

The vineyard now covers fifty-one hectares, planted at a density of approximately 6,500 vines per hectare. Sémillon accounts for the largest share (around 80%): Sauternes’ principal grape variety brings richness and aromas of honey and candied citrus. It is complemented by Sauvignon, which provides freshness, and a small amount of Muscadelle. Yields are deliberately kept very low to ensure concentration and quality.

Winemaking at Château Doisy-Védrines

True to Sauternes tradition, Château Doisy-Védrines harvests entirely by hand in successive passes. Pickers make six to eight passes through the vines, selecting only grapes perfectly concentrated by noble rot. This meticulous harvest, spread over several weeks, is essential to making a fine sweet wine.

Fermentation and aging take place in French oak barrels, with a substantial proportion of new barrels renewed each year. Aging lasts approximately fifteen to eighteen months. The combination of traditional expertise and modern techniques gives the estate’s wines the vitality and finesse expected of Sauternes Classified Growths, as well as a remarkable balance between richness and freshness.

The Cuvées of Château Doisy-Védrines

Château Doisy-Védrines (Sauternes, Second Growth) is the estate’s fine sweet wine, made predominantly from Sémillon. Regarded as one of Barsac’s richest and most generous wines, it has a golden color that develops amber highlights with age. Its intense nose combines honey, candied citrus, exotic fruit (pineapple, mango, dried apricot) and notes of wax, vanilla and spices brought by botrytis. The full, luscious palate retains essential freshness and ends in a long, flavorful finish. Magnificent with foie gras, desserts and blue cheeses, it can also be enjoyed as an aperitif and has superb aging potential.

Château Petit Védrines is the estate’s second wine, also a sweet wine. More approachable in its youth, it delights with aromas of apricot and peach and a delicate pastry-like finish. Balanced and appealing, it can be enjoyed young, particularly as an aperitif, and pairs well with seafood.

Since 2023, the estate has also produced a dry white wine under the Bordeaux appellation. Made from Bordeaux white grape varieties, this lively, aromatic wine completes the range and reflects the renewal underway at the property.