Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau’s home estate is situated in the commune of Mouillac in the canton of Fronsac. Over a third of Grand Village is planted with vines in the best and most suitable plots for viticulture. The rest of the estate is woodland or is used to rear cattle or produce cereal crops. It is an enchanting estate and one that despite its lowly appellation is capable of producing excellent wines. The estate also houses the family’s massale selection nurseries. The healthy virgin soils in a rich bio-diversity provide the favourable conditions to nurture old Bouchet cuttings from Chateau Lafleur.

The same 15 strong team who tend the vines at Chateau Lafleur is responsible for the viticulture and wine-making here. With all the resources and savoir-faire of one of Pomerol’s elite estates at their disposal, it is no surprise that the wines produced at Grand Village are spectacular. From the 2013 vintage, a new cuvee produced exclusively from Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc clones has been bottled. ‘Les Champs Libres’ is a miniscule production that demonstrates the outstanding quality of the terroir and the talent and ambition of the Grand Village team. It is fermented and aged entirely in new Taransaud barrels and marries the intensity and laser like focus of great Sauvignon Blanc to the gunflint and silken texture of something altogether more Burgundian.