Château L'Avocat

Nicola, originally from Wales, practised as a GP before embarking on the life of a vigneron, with her New Zealander husband Sean. The couple took over a 19th century property acquired in 1988 by Nicola’s parents in the village of Cérons, Graves, a near-neighbour of Barsac, to the north of Sauternes. Château L'Avocat dates from the 19th century and in the early 1930’s the property was recognised as one of the top properties in the southern Graves . The grapes were bought by none other than Baron Philippe de Rothschild, after the war, in a fermage (long term lease) arrangement. The oldest vines date back to a wholesale replanting, necessary after the dreadful frost of 1956. Quality vineyards, such as this, are difficult to find so Nicola and Sean were delighted to be able to buy the unique property back in 2002. They have begun a replanting programme and have been certified organic since 2009. The soil is reflected in the name of the appellation – Graves. At Château L’Avocat, signature, deep, alluvial gravels, blended with limestone and sand, produce wonderful mineral precision – fabulously versatile food wines, with classical elegance.