Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Wine estate in Pessac, France
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion is a 29-hectare estate with a modern cellar designed by Philippe Starck that looks like a metal vessel floating on water at ground level. The property produces wines made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
The estate was established in 1584 when Carmelite monks managed the property and maintained their rule until the French Revolution in 1789. This long period under monastic care shaped the traditions that still define the winery today.
The place blends traditional Bordeaux winemaking with new approaches, using different containers made of steel, wood, and concrete for fermentation. This mix shows how the winery respects its past while moving forward.
The estate is located on Rue des Carmes in Bordeaux and offers guided tours and tastings. Visitors should book ahead since tours operate in small groups with limited availability.
The underground cellar uses gravity to move wine and maintains steady temperatures for around 300 barrels. This functional subterranean design is rarely so clearly merged with contemporary architecture.
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