Château Lafitte

History of Château Lafitte

A former 14th-century seigneurial house, Château Lafitte has seen its lands dedicated to vines since medieval times. Its current configuration dates from the 16th century, a period when viticulture already occupied a central place. Taken over more than thirty years ago by Philippe and Brigitte Arraou, the estate regained its family soul through passionate restoration. Since 2012, their son Antoine, a committed winemaker and former photographer, has taken over the management of the estate. Driven by deep respect for the environment, he converted the operation to organic farming and then to Demeter-certified biodynamics. This evolution has made Château Lafitte an undisputed reference in natural wines in Jurançon, perpetuating an ancestral heritage while inscribing it in a resolutely contemporary and ecological approach.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Lafitte

The terroir of Château Lafitte benefits from a privileged location in the Pyrenean foothills: a hilly, peaceful landscape rich with abundant biodiversity. The 5 hectares of vines, planted in equal parts of Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng, thrive on clay soils that give the grapes exceptional minerality and freshness. The estate also cultivates fruit trees and cereals, welcomes sheep in winter and bees year-round, creating a living ecosystem where the vine fully expresses itself. Manual work on slopes, respect for lunar cycles and holistic vision of the estate as a living organism: everything contributes to healthy and concentrated grapes, an ideal base for wines from the Jurançon terroir of rare authenticity.

Vinifications at Château Lafitte

At Château Lafitte, vinification is an act of pure transmission of the fruit. Manual harvesting, spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts, no added oenological products for most cuvées, and bottling without filtration or fining: the approach is minimalist and respectful. Aging takes place on fine lees in various containers, oak barrels, terracotta amphorae, stoneware jars or concrete eggs, depending on the desired character of each cuvée. The eco-responsible winery inaugurated in 2018, designed with a photovoltaic roof, a gravity system, a Canadian well and rainwater recovery, guarantees a minimal carbon footprint while preserving the freshness and purity of the wines. This biodynamic and natural vinification gives birth to living, complex and energy-filled cuvées.

The cuvées of Château Lafitte

The estate offers a complete range of cuvées that explore the entire palette of Jurançon wines in natural and biodynamic versions:

Sec: Signature blend of 80% Petit Manseng and 20% Gros Manseng, this biodynamic dry white wine ferments and ages 9 months on fine lees in 500-liter barrels. Complex nose of ripe white fruits, candied citrus, brioche and slight toasted note; round, fresh and mineral palate. Ideal with oysters, fish, sheep's milk cheeses or country ham. 

Argile: 100% Petit Manseng from the estate's clay soils. Natural dry white wine without sulfites or filtration, aged 24 months in stoneware jars. Beautiful frank minerality, perfect balance between tension and fruit, vibrant freshness and impressive length. Unique aromatic palette with each vintage. Perfect with oysters, seafood or as an aperitif. 

Orange: Orange wine of Georgian inspiration, 100% Petit Manseng. 21 to 28-day maceration in terracotta amphora with manual pigeage, then 2-year aging in terracotta. Deep golden color, supple and silky tannins. Wine for inventive gastronomy, to be enjoyed like a light red.

Orange Douce: Maceration sweet wine from late harvest Petit Manseng. Short 12-day maceration in amphora, long fermentation then aging for 2 years in terracotta and 1 year in Limoges porcelain egg. Tannic, oxidative and naturally sweet depending on the vintage. Atypical wine for the most creative pairings. 

Mémoire: Oxidative fortified sweet wine 100% Petit Manseng, aged in solera in barrels without any electrical contact. Deep and evolving expression, to be served with fruit-based desserts. Time sublimes this wine with unlimited aging potential.

Sol i Serena: Natural oxidative sweet wine 100% Petit Manseng fermented and aged 3 to 4 years in 25-liter demijohns placed outdoors. Intense roasted and fruity notes, perfect as a digestif or to enhance a dessert. 

1 LITRE blanc: Natural wine without any additives from a very old vine of mysterious origins. Aged in concrete egg. Pleasant, gourmet and convivial dry white, to share among friends.

Funambule: Natural sparkling wine 100% Gros Manseng made according to the ancestral method (bottling during fermentation, manual riddling and disgorgement). Lemon-mandarin freshness, lightness in alcohol, fine and joyful bubbles. The most "glouglou" of festive wines, from aperitif to dessert.

(R)osez!: Fruity rosé natural sparkling wine 100% Tannat. Gourmet and joyful bubbles for aperitif or dessert.