Château Olivier

History of Château Olivier  

The origins of Château Olivier date back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the property was merely a simple keep surrounded by oak forests, a hunting ground prized by the Black Prince, Edward of Woodstock, son of King Edward III of England. The estate was known as the "seigneurie d'Olivey", in homage to this ancient family of the region. 

During the Hundred Years' War, Bertrand du Guesclin, the famous French military leader, is said to have stayed at Château Olivier on several occasions. In the 16th century, Arthus d'Olivey transformed the keep into a fortified castle with four towers, water-filled moats and a chapel. He was also the first to plant vines, thus initiating the estate's viticultural calling.

The 17th and 18th centuries marked the peak of Château Olivier's renown, with owners such as Jacques de La Serre, whose daughter married a member of the Montesquieu family, famous author of Persian Letters and The Spirit of the Laws. Under the management of Jacques Fossier de Lestard, advisor to the king, the estate took its current form, with the construction of the first cellars and the installation of an ambitious hydraulic system.

In 1867, Alexandre de Bethmann, banker and mayor of Bordeaux, acquired Château Olivier, marking the entry of the de Bethmann family into the estate's history. Since then, the family has managed this property with passion and rigor. In 2021, Éléonore de Bethmann took the reins of the estate, succeeding her brother Alexandre, thus perpetuating a family heritage of over 136 years.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Olivier  

Located on a vast estate of 230 hectares, 60 of which are devoted to vines, Château Olivier benefits from exceptional natural conditions. The vineyard is protected by a forest of centuries-old oaks, pine groves and meadows, creating a truly preserved ecosystem. Classified in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, this terroir is unique thanks to its two glacial terraces rich in lithological diversity, with 13 different soil types, including gravels, clays, limestone and blue marls. 

This variety of soils allows optimal cultivation of red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, as well as white grape varieties, mainly Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. The red vineyard covers 52 hectares, while the white extends over 8 hectares.

Since 2003, a meticulous geological inventory has been carried out to precisely map the terroir, revealing soils of great quality, comparable to those of the finest crus in the region. This mapping has made it possible to adjust the grape varieties and increase the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in the red wines, while optimizing the Sémillon parcels for the white wines.

Vinification at Château Olivier  

Vinification at Château Olivier is a meticulous process, respectful of tradition and terroir, while using modern techniques to guarantee the quality of each vintage. Each vineyard parcel is hand-harvested, with rigorous sorting of the grapes, first in the vineyards then in the cellar. Once harvested, the grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled truncated stainless steel vats, which allow optimal control of temperatures and macerations. 

For red wines, two extraction methods, pumping over and punching down, are used according to the characteristics of each lot of grapes. After fermentation, the wines are placed in French oak barrels where they continue their maturation for 12 months. Aging is done with 30% new barrels, offering a balance between the fineness of the tannins and the preservation of the wine's fruit expression.

The white wines, meanwhile, undergo gentle pressing followed by fermentation in oak barrels. They are aged on fine lees for 10 months, with regular bâtonnage to enhance aromatic complexity and palate structure.

The Cuvées of Château Olivier  

Château Olivier produces two main cuvées, in red and white, both classified as Grands Crus de Graves. 

Château Olivier Rouge - Grand Cru Classé de Graves 

Château Olivier Rouge is a characterful wine, crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot grape varieties. This wine is distinguished by its balance between power and elegance, with aromas of ripe red fruits, spicy notes and a beautiful tannic structure. The palate is ample and silky, offering a persistent finish. The latest vintages, particularly the 2021, reveal a very positive evolution, with fine tannins and remarkable freshness, promising excellent aging potential.

Château Olivier Blanc - Grand Cru Classé de Graves 

Château Olivier Blanc is a white wine of great purity, composed mainly of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. This wine is distinguished by its freshness, crisp acidity and aromatic precision. After aging in barrels for 10 months, the wine develops complex aromas of exotic fruits, citrus and white flowers. On the palate, it reveals itself as structured, with beautiful mineral tension and remarkable length. The 2022 vintage, in particular, has been praised for its balance and aging potential.

La Seigneurie d'Olivier - Second Wine

Château Olivier also produces a second wine, La Seigneurie d'Olivier, made from the estate's young vines. This wine, both red and white, offers excellent value for money and reflects the estate's expertise, with fruity aromas and a pleasant texture, accessible earlier than the first wine.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two appellations of Bordeaux, are distinguished by their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly appreciated for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are equally remarkable for their structure and aging potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm the continuity of this excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore the complete collection of Grands Crus Classés de Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historical reference. For red and white wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. On the red side, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover in the heart of the Graves region.

Château Olivier is much more than a simple wine estate. It is a place steeped in history, where each generation has contributed to building a unique heritage, both architecturally and viticultural. Thanks to the commitment of the de Bethmann family and the expertise of their team, the wines of Château Olivier continue to evolve, asserting their place among the greatest crus of Pessac-Léognan. Whether red or white, the wines of Château Olivier captivate with their elegance, precision and aging potential, making each tasting an exceptional moment.