[…] From Provence to Champagne, passing through Bordeaux and Languedoc, five instances of passing the torch to the younger generation.

Nestled in the heart of Entre-deux-Mers, just thirty minutes from Bordeaux, the Renaissance family château of Grand Verdus has known vines since 1846. However, it used to deliver its grapes to the Créon cooperative. That was until Philippe Le Grix de la Salle’s coming out. “Gripped by a passion for winemaking, our grandfather decided to make his own wine, and our father, Antoine, immediately followed suit,” recount Thomas and Edouard. Expanding the vineyard, contagion of desire, neither needed any pushing to join the family ranks. With studies in agriculture, a stint in New Zealand for Thomas, and South Africa for Edouard, they are now the driving force behind the Grand Verdus’ renown. Agroforestry, organic certification, creation of a conservatory of ancient grape varieties, and the cuvées Les Parcellaires, La Petite Folie, Les Petites Bulles… they are shaking up the codes of Bordeaux. But there is no doubt, the passion of this trio is from the same barrel! […]

Retrouver l’article de GALA complet

Revue des deux mondes – Special Edition

In a recent issue of the Revue des deux mondes, Béatrice Delamotte highlights the captivating story of brothers Thomas and Édouard Le Grix de la Salle, alongside their father Antoine, owners of Château Le Grand Verdus. Their bold approach in the Bordeaux wine industry, characterized by innovative single-varietal and parcel-based cuvées, challenges established conventions. As the author explains, “The two young men have made wine abroad, confronted other cultures, and disrupted Bordeaux codes with their offbeat cuvées.”

Their strategic choice to stand out from Bordeaux’s traditional market by opting for autonomous distribution is also emphasized: “No distribution through merchants for Château Le Grand Verdus, but the claimed choice of autonomy.” This decision allowed Thomas Le Grix de la Salle to explore untapped international markets, thereby enhancing the global recognition of their family wine estate. As Béatrice Delamotte notes, “We are also present in countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, and Cambodia.”

The article highlights the Le Grix de la Salle brothers’ commitment to educating consumers about the true identity of Bordeaux: “A real effort to explain what Bordeaux is when some still think it’s a grape variety…” This approach, combined with an annual production of 700,000 bottles, positions Château Le Grand Verdus as a major player in the contemporary wine landscape, where innovation and tradition harmoniously blend.

Additionally, the international impact of Château Le Grand Verdus is illustrated by murals in Kigali: “Like in Rwanda, where street art paintings display the estate’s colors in the streets of the capital, Kigali.” This artistic recognition testifies to their success in penetrating niche markets with their distinctive approach and their growing influence beyond Bordeaux’s traditional boundaries.

Dive into the universe of Cuvée Vertige from Château Le Grand Verdus, a white wine that blends tradition and innovation in Sadirac, in the Entre-deux-Mers region. As described by Sud Ouest, “On the estate with 100 hectares of vineyards, they have embarked on an unusual solera aging in Gironde.” This method, inspired by Spanish Sherries, shapes a unique wine from multiple vintages.

The specialized press unanimously praises Cuvée Vertige. According to La Vigne, it is “a surprisingly aromatic 100% Sémillon with a long finish.” La RVF adds that this wine offers “remarkable intensity but above all a lot of finesse.”

Edouard Le GriX de la Salle, co-owner of Le Grand Verdus, emphasizes the importance of time for this grape: “Sémillon is a fantastic grape variety, but it needs time,” he explains, as reported by Terre de Vins magazine.

Aging in underground concrete tanks through the solera method gives Cuvée Vertige a remarkable aromatic complexity. As mentioned by La RVF magazine, this wine “develops surprising and attractive nuances, with a perfectly integrated exotic touch.”

Available at the estate price of 19 euros, with an annual production of around 4,000 bottles, Cuvée Vertige from Château Le Grand Verdus is not only rare but also sought after for its quality. – Visit us in-store

Vertige embodies audacity and excellence in wine innovation, offering enthusiasts a unique white wine rich in history and flavors, ready to be enjoyed now or treasured for years to come.

First Rays of Sunshine and First Big Gatherings: Everything is in place to choose a few bottles that help warm up the atmosphere.

Château Le Grand Verdus, Les Petites Bulles This unique wine hails from Entre-deux-Mers. Additionally, this surprising natural sparkling wine is a blanc de noirs, made from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc. On the nose, pear dominates: both the skin and flesh bring their freshness, while aromas of fresh and cooked fruit intertwine. Ideal for chilling.

See the article

Essai Vin Coeur is much more than a simple tree planting project. It is a meaningful initiative that strengthens the connections between rugby and the Bordeaux wine industry while delivering tangible and sustainable benefits on social, environmental, and economic levels.

Moringa Conseil, a company specialized in strategy and CSR programs, conceived, created, and coordinates this project, supported by the Union Bordeaux Bègles (UBB) and the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB). Since January 1, 2023, Essai Vin Coeur counts all points scored by UBB at home during TOP14 matches. For each point scored, 10 trees are planted. By April, 200 trees had already been planted thanks to the partnership with Château Le Grand Verdus.

The Essai Vin Coeur project is an innovative and ambitious initiative that aims to promote the three fundamental pillars of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Society, Environment, and Economy.

Society

• Social Inclusion: The project encourages tree planting by young people with disabilities or those who are distant from the school or employment systems. This initiative aims to offer them an enriching experience and promote their social inclusion.
• Awareness: Essai Vin Coeur raises public awareness about the numerous benefits of agroforestry, a sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practice.

Environment

• Agroforestry: Planting in agroforestry allows trees and vine cultivation to coexist. Trees draw water from deep underground, helping surface vegetation, structuring vineyard soils, promoting biodiversity, and increasing vine resilience to climatic challenges.
• Carbon Sequestration: By planting trees, the project contributes to carbon sequestration, helping to combat climate change.

Economy

• Image Enhancement: The project enhances the image of Bordeaux Wines and Union Bordeaux Bègles, two influential entities in the Bordeaux region, by associating them with a virtuous and sustainable initiative.
• Support for Winemakers: Winemakers benefit from support, training, and tree planting at a reduced cost, improving their agricultural practices while being economical.
• Labor Shortage: By involving young people in social inclusion, the project provides a partial solution to the labor shortage in the viticulture sector.