Château Doisy-Védrines, Grand Cru Classé wine estate in Sauternes, France

Château Doisy-Védrines is a wine estate in Barsac whose 27 hectares of vines are planted 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc, with an average vine age of 30 years. The oldest part of the building is a round 16th-century tower; the pale stone facades are partly covered by climbing vines, and a square tower with a projecting upper window bay rises at the left.

The estate traces to February 1677, when Jean Raymond took over a property called Doisic. On 5 June 1704 Jean-Baptiste Védrines married Marie Raymond, bringing the name and lands at La Pinesse to the family. In 1850 most of the estate belonged to Madame Dubosq, who sold it to the Boireau family in 1851; that unit became Doisy-Védrines, while the Faux and Daëne parcels became Doisy-Dubroca and Doisy Daëne. All three were ranked Deuxième Cru Classé in 1855.

The name Doisy comes from the 1677 holding Doisic; the Védrines family acquired it in 1704 through the marriage of Jean-Baptiste Védrines to Marie Raymond. Descendants of the Boireau family, who bought the estate in 1851, still run it as the Castéja family, now led by Olivier Castéja. The second wine is bottled as La Petite Védrines.

Visitors can tour the estate by arranging appointments in advance to participate in guided visits and tastings. It is wise to book early and plan your visit around the available opening hours.

The oldest part of the estate building is a round tower from the 16th century, predating the Védrines family's arrival in 1704. The label of the 1970 vintage shows a two-storey manor with rows of windows and a central entrance, beneath the words Grand Cru Classé en 1855.