Each property is unique but, Chateau La Tour Blanche has very particular history, organisation and now approach to welcoming visitors.
High on the rolling hills of Bommes, one of the five villages that make up the appellation, Chateau La Tour Blanche traces its name back to the 17th century, thanks to the then owner, The Seigneur de La Tour Blanche. Therefore, as well as giving his name to the property, he built a chateau and of course a tower!
In 1800, Frederick Focke bought the property. A German, he was already familiar with sweet wines from his own country. He contributed to the 19th century innovations in Sauternes production. Joining Châteaux Yquem and Suduiraut in using the selective harvesting, a method that defines Sauternes wines today. His commitment to quality was rewarded in the 1855 classification, when Château La Tour Blanche was made Premier Grand Cru Classé, just behind Château d’Yquem. Sadly, he died the same year.
Later on, in 1876, another passionate wine lover took over. Daniel Iffla was a wealthy and generous financier, a benefactor to causes from culture to research and helping the needy, even operating a boat in Bordeaux as a soup kitchen for the destitute!
Always forward looking, when he died with no descendants in 1907, he left the property to the French state on the condition that it operated as a free viticultural school. The school opened in 1911. The Château and the school are now owned and operated by the Conseil Régional or regional government. There are 150 students at the school, all living on the site, and 50 employees. An important community in this quiet rural region south of Bordeaux.
Sustainable
The 46 ha of vines are farmed with HVE sustainable certification, sheep graze the vineyard in winter and cover crops are crushed to create mulch, keeping humidity, organic matter and biodiversity in the soil. The vines undergo a long rotation, with land resting between uprooting and replanting. There’s always around six ha lying fallow, sown with wild plants and flowers. This adds to the beauty of the rolling vines interspersed with small woods, hedgerows and streams running into the cool Ciron River. It’s thanks to this river hidden in the trees, that morning mists create the perfect conditions for noble rot, the signature of the golden wines of Sauternes.
Today, the vineyard operates as a private company, with any profits contributing to the running of the school. They are investing in the young people who represent the future quality of the golden wines of Bordeaux. The students admire and learn from the chateau La Tour Blanche, but wine making is left to the professionals. Students have their own separate practice cellar.
Cooperation and inspiration
Director Miguel Aguirre sets an annual marketing challenge for students that has resulted in some great ideas. These insights of the young people help rise to the challenge of keeping Sauternes relevant.
L’Instant Tour Blanche was an idea from one of the students. It has now become a series of evenings in the vines held throughout the summer. Hundreds of guests come to share the ‘Apéros Dorées’, drinking cocktails created using the wines of Château La Tour Blanche. It’s a perfect way to share the versatility of these wines, no longer relegated to being a dessert wine – they are now officially party wines. Thanks to those events, they won a Best Of Wine Tourism award in 2023 !
Get high
On the high point of the vineyard, 60 metres above sea level, overlooking the Ciron valley, the chateau la Tour Blanche has built a Belvedere. It offers a unique perspective of the natural environment of Sauternes, an outpost with views across the vineyard towards the Atlantic ocean. The Belvedere is the perfect spot for a sunset glass of Sauternes and can be privatized for a picnic or sophisticated aperitif. You can stay late and enjoy the star filled sky – there’s no light pollution out here – just lock the door as you leave.
Wendy Narby