Graves

🇫🇷 France

AOC

Both red and white wines from gravelly Left Bank terroir

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Region profile

History

Oldest wine region in Bordeaux - closest to the city. Haut-Brion was Samuel Pepys' favorite in 1660s, first "New French Claret" noted by name in England. Despite being just south of Médoc, only Haut-Brion included in 1855 Classification, but its presence validated Graves quality.

Climate
Gravelly soils (region named for gravel) with excellent drainage; warmer southern location compared to Médoc
Signature wines
Château Haut-Brion - First Growth proving Graves can equal Médoc; also exceptional dry whites from Sémillon-Sauvignon blends
What sets it apart
Only major Bordeaux region excelling in both red and white wine; encompasses Sauternes; proved gravel works outside Médoc

Facts

  • Only Bordeaux region producing both world-class reds and whites
  • name literally means "gravel" in French
  • Château Haut-Brion (only Graves château in 1855 Classification) proved quality rivaled Médoc

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026