Celebrating Three Centuries of Winemaking Excellence: Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou’s 300-Year Anniversary Chris Lehoux, September 14, 2024 This picture was taken on June 23, 2024, at Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, located in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, 50kms from Bordeaux, southwestern France. The chateau and winery are set to celebrate their 300th anniversary in October 2024. Winemaking in the Bordeaux region of France has a rich history that spans over 2000 years, dating back to Roman times when the first vineyards were established. During the Middle Ages, the region gained further prominence when the royal marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine introduced Bordeaux wines to Britain and the international stage. The Bordeaux region is renowned as a global center for winemaking. One of its historic wineries, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, is preparing to celebrate its 300th anniversary with an event that offers a rare glimpse into the prestigious world of French winemaking. At an online wine seller, a bottle of Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2021 Saint-Julien 2e cru classe vintage was listed at $250. The previous 2020 vintage could fetch up to $1584. The winery describes the aroma of the 2021 wine, which consists of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, as ‘Pure and concentrated, blending scents of crème de cassis with floral (fresh violet) and fruity (blackberry, blueberry) undertones. When aerated, it reveals exotic spices, cedar, cigar box, and smoked graphite.’ The 300th anniversary celebration will occur at the annual Harvest Festival scheduled for October 19th at the historic château. This event honors a winery and château that have withstood significant historical events including the French Revolution, Napoleon’s era, both World Wars, and the 1976 Judgment of Paris where American wines were declared comparable to some of the best French vintages. How often do Americans get to commemorate the 300th anniversary of an institution? Although the United States marked its Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence in 1976, most of us won’t experience its 300th anniversary, which is still 52 years away. HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 11, 1982, Jean-Eugène Borie, former owner of the Bordeaux’s Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, appeared with a notable vintage. Photo attributed to David Breslauer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images. The Ducru-Beaucaillou Harvest Festival will be led by co-owner Bruno Borie, who is renowned for his passion for cooking, hosting, and viniculture. The festival will include a variety of displays and activities celebrating these themes. A culinary session where participants will learn the intricacies of creating a sophisticated duck stew enhanced with a wine sauce, instructed by Chef Anthony Roy from Ducru-Beaucaillou. An exclusive session sampling the diverse wines offered by Maison led by the estate’s Master of Wine, Tracey Dobbin. “Concurs d’élevage bogin”: experience a showcase of some of France’s finest animals displaying their grace around the château grounds to the accompaniment of violin melodies. Explore the craftsmanship behind barrel making with a live demonstration by Master Coopers, teaching the art of constructing the ideal oak barrel vital for wine maturation. Guests are invited to enjoy a shared lunch at the Ducru-Beaucaillou harvest table. Additionally, the event features masterclasses, wine discovery workshops, and curated tastings. Outdoor games will be organized to enhance the social atmosphere. Guided tours of the cellar will reveal the intricate process of winemaking, and a ‘beef competition’ will also be a part of the festivities. Tickets for the festival are priced at 60 euros. However, guests have the option to partake in a masterclass, which would increase the ticket price to 85 euros. Since the Chateau is a private residence, attendees need to arrange their own accommodation. A photo from August 23, 2019, captures the Cordouan lighthouse located off the shore of Le Verdon-sur-Mer, in southwestern France. The Cordouan lighthouse holds the distinction of being the oldest lighthouse in France still in operation, having been active since 1611 and situated seven kilometers offshore at the Gironde estuary mouth. Bordeaux is celebrated for its expansive vineyards, picturesque countryside, bustling country markets, and exquisite dining options. It offers river cruises reminiscent of the days when vintners transported wine barrels on flat-bottom boats. A notable highlight is Le Phare de Cordouan, the oldest working lighthouse in France, established in 1611 and dubbed “the Versailles of the Sea” due to its lavish architecture. The region is also well-known for surfing along its Atlantic coast, boasting about 50 surfing schools. The area also offers activities like stand-up paddleboarding or yoga on a surfboard. Bordeaux, situated 580 km from Paris, is accessible by train. The fastest trains take approximately 2 hours and 3 minutes and cost about $52 if booked a week in advance. By car, the Spanish border is just 120 miles to the south. The Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, a Grand Cru classé in the Saint-Julien appellation, stands out as one of the iconic locations in the Médoc. Its website celebrates “In praise of voluptuousness.” The Médoc region is replete with vineyards offering tours and wine tasting. Bordeaux, with its vibrant wine culture, is particularly appealing during the fall, especially during the harvest festival which provides a wholesome cultural experience of the Chateau and Bordeaux. As for Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, the Millesima website notes, “In the past 300 years, six families have worked ceaselessly to elevate this estate to the international reputation it enjoys today. A property of the Borie family since 1941, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou takes its name from its terroir of “beautiful pebbles” made up of Gunzian gravel.” A worker carries a wicker basket full of grapes during the harvest at the Corton-Charlemagne vineyard, in Pernand-Vergelesses, Bourgogne region south-eastern France on September 5, 2018. One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space. In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site’s Terms of Service. We’ve summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil. Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain: User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in: So, how can you be a power user? Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine