Key dates
The history of wines at Grand Verdus is the story of a château dating from the Renaissance period and the Le Grix de la Salle family, who decided, after the Second World War, to develop their small vineyard into a renowned winery.
1579
In 1579, the fortified manor was built on the site of an old fortified castle.
The first known lord was Arnaud de Bonneau in the 16th century .
1846
Claude DESCHAMPS, architect of the Stone Bridges of Bordeaux and Libourne under Napoleon, acquires the castle.
His son married Clothilde Le Grix de la Salle, who left the estate to her brother Charles. At the beginning of the 19th century, around 1846, we are at the begining of the dynasty and the Grand Verdus is no longer just a leisure property.
1947
In 1947, Philippe Le Grix de la Salle, the family's first winemaker, began to cultivate vines after the Second World War.
For 30 years, the harvest followed one another despite lean periods, the severe winter cold of 1956 and the inevitable reduction in planting densities.
1973
Philippe Le Grix de la Salle
In 1973, Philippe left the Créon cooperative to vinify at the property and finally fly on his own. This is the birth of Grand Verdus as a wine château, with its bottle and its label. Under the magnificent structure of more than 400 years on one of the wings of the courtyard of the castle, are the wine cellars. The stainless steel tanks are among the first installed in Gironde. At the same time, some Premiers Grand Crus Classés of the Médoc are also equipped.
With the help of Emile Peynaud, famous professor at the Faculty of Oenology of Bordeaux and “mentor” of Philippe Le Grix de la Salle, a modern oenology is on the way.
1974
Le Grand Verdus is listed in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments (I.S.M.H)
In 1974, Le Grand Verdus is listed in the additional inventory of Historic Monuments (I.S.M.H) as one of the finest pieces of heritage in the Bordeaux region.
1975
Antoine Le Grix de la Salle
In 1975, Antoine, 24 years old, joined his father, Philippe le Grix de la Salle, at the estate, after a few months in Napa Valley, with Robert Mondavi. As a trainee, but more unusual, he was his tennis teacher!
For twenty years, they shared the same office and met importers, promoting the tradition and unique history of their wine.
Through his relentless work, entirely self-taught, he is at the origin of the development of the vineyard to its current size, where nearly 50 plots are now identifiable.
2008
Thomas le Grix de la Salle
In 2008, Thomas, the eldest of Antoine’s two sons, arrived definitively on the family estate, he took over the vinification and the marketing of the wines of the property. Passionate about wines from all over the world, he takes advantage of his travels and his meetings with the most “crazy” winegrowers.
2019
Edouard le Grix de la Salle
In 2019, Edouard, Antoine’s second son, joined the family property with the aim of supporting his father in the management of the vineyard and bringing his know-how and his passion for agronomy. It also commits the property to its conversion to Organic Farming from 2020.
