Château Luchey-Halde

An atypical and preserved history

Prior to its acquisition by the École Nationale Supérieure d'Ingénieurs Agronomes, Château Luchey-Halde passed through the hands of various owners, who exploited the vines present on the land since Roman times to make it one of Mérignac's most renowned terroirs until the early 20th century. In 1920, the entire estate was uprooted, as were many surrounding properties.

However, the Luchey-Halde lands were preserved from the urbanization phenomenon of the time thanks to the army, which made them one of its training grounds. In 1999, Bordeaux Agro Sup acquired the land when it was put up for sale by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, and saw the opportunity to revive the winegrowing activity and showcase the know-how of the establishment, which trains our country's future winegrowers here.

An exceptional and respected terroir

Located in the heart of the Bordeaux metropolis, in the very heart of the prestigious Pessac-Léognan appellation, Château Luchey-Halde benefits, as revealed by the pedological study carried out by Bordeaux Sup Agro's teacher-researchers, from a privileged terroir conducive to the cultivation of vines and the vinification of great wines. The gravelly soil is particularly well-suited, as it is poor and well-drained, forcing the vines to draw nutrients from the deepest parts of the soil, making them stronger by absorbing higher-quality nutrients.

Of course, the Bordeaux climate needs no introduction, as it is more than suitable for vine growth thanks to its river and sea influences, which temper the intense heat typical of summers on the Atlantic coast.

As a result, the region's emblematic grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon flourish. The distinctive character of Château Luchey-Halde lies in its high planting density, which concentrates the bunches of each vine for greater intensity of flavor.

Wines born of innovation, the fruit of the responsible commitment of its teams

The reconstruction of the estate has enabled the École Nationale Supérieure d'Ingénieurs Agronomes to experiment with new winemaking techniques. The winery, for example, features a circular, semi-buried vat room with gravimetric berry reception.

Sustainable development and agro-ecology are also central to the way the estate is run, as is the omnipresent issue of passing on knowledge.

These principles have given birth to the château's three cuvées, all of which are vinified in red and white: Luchey-Halde, Les Haldes de L. and U. Each wine is a reflection of its terroir and the care taken in its vinification.