History and Terroir

Cheval Blanc’s official history dates back to 1832, when Jean-Jacques Ducasse purchased the estate, but winegrowers have been working the land here for six centuries. Pierre Lurton, who started in his youth as head of his family’s vineyards, was appointed at the young age of 34 years as General Manager of Château Cheval Blanc. In 1998, the owner of LVMH group, Bernard Arnault and his friend, Baron Albert Frère purchased the property, keeping Lurton as head of the Château, and built a new cellar, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect, Christian de Portzamparc.

Farming and Winemaking

Partnered with the technical manager, Pierre-Olivier Clouet, who brings his expertise in agronomy engineering and oenology, the pair have ensured the Château Cheval Blanc continues to maintain a strong identity regardless of the complexity of its soils & grape variety. Careful tasting determines which parcels will make it into the grand vin, and, depending on the vintage, only 15 to 45 plots make the blend, which is then aged in the cellar in semi-darkness for over a year.