Pessac Léognan estate classified exclusively for dry white wine, with red and white wines from gravel, clay and limestone soils.
The producer
Château Couhins sits in Villenave d'Ornon within the Pessac Léognan appellation south of Bordeaux. Its 1959 Grand Cru Classé status applies exclusively to dry white wine, making it the only Bordeaux estate with that distinction. INRA acquired the property in 1968, and the estate received 100% organic certification in 2022. The range includes a grand vin, Couhins La Gravette, La Dame de Couhins and a 2019 white wine named Château Couhins Les Demoiselles de Couhins.
Known for
Dry white Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux
Notable facts
Château Couhins was classified Grand Cru Classé exclusively for dry white wine in the 1959 Graves Classification.
INRA acquired the estate in 1968.
The vineyard covers 32 hectares, divided between 22 hectares of red varieties and 10 hectares of white varieties.
Château Couhins received 100% organic certification in 2022.
The story
The Estate Divided
In 1968, INRA acquired Château Couhins, then a large estate held by the Gasqueton and Hanappier families. A smaller portion was sold to André Lurton and became the neighboring Château Couhins Lurton, a separate property. The division created two châteaux with different owners and names. Château Couhins entered the INRA period, while André Lurton's portion became the estate named Château Couhins Lurton. The neighboring property was established from part of the original holding.
From the atlas
Château Couhins
Villenave d'Ornon estate in the Pessac Léognan appellation, classified Grand Cru Classé exclusively for dry white wine and certified 100% organic in 2022.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Bordeaux
Appellation
Pessac Léognan
Commune
Villenave d'Ornon
Classification
Grand Cru Classé exclusively for dry white wine, 1959
Range
Grand vin, second wine and third wine
Farming
Certified 100% organic in 2022
The Producer
Château Couhins carries an unusual Bordeaux classification. It is the only Bordeaux estate classified Grand Cru Classé exclusively for dry white wine, while the property also produces red wine.
INRA acquired Château Couhins in 1968. A smaller portion of the original estate was sold to André Lurton and became the neighboring Château Couhins Lurton, a separate property. Château Couhins now covers 32 hectares, with 22 hectares planted to red varieties and 10 hectares to white varieties.
The white vineyard is based mainly on Sauvignon Blanc, with Sauvignon Gris in the baseline composition. Annual production reaches approximately 8,000 cases of red wine and 4,000 cases of white wine.
Place
South of Bordeaux, Villenave d'Ornon is the commune for Château Couhins within the Pessac Léognan appellation, the Bordeaux designation that appears on the label. The estate's soils contain gravel, clay and limestone.
Gravel drains water and warms the ground around the vines, while clay retains moisture. Limestone adds another mineral component to the soil. The combination supports both red and white plantings within the same property.
Wines
Château Couhins is the grand vin. Couhins La Gravette is the second wine, produced in red and dry white versions, while La Dame de Couhins is the third wine and is red only. Château Couhins Les Demoiselles de Couhins is a 2019 white wine.
The red wines age in approximately 30% new French oak barrels and foudres. White wines ferment in 60% temperature controlled vats and 40% Burgundy oak barrels. Temperature controlled vats keep fermentation stable, while oak barrels add wood contact and controlled oxygen exposure during fermentation.
Final Word
Château Couhins is a Pessac Léognan estate where an exclusively dry white Grand Cru Classé status sits alongside red wine, white wine and a three level range of labels.