Building the future

From suspended tanks to raw earth walls, Bordeaux's wineries are blending centuries-old tradition with cutting-edge innovation to redefine excellence in winemaking

- GEORGIE HINDLE

Visitors to Bordeaux in recent years won't have missed the proliferation of sleek, modern cellars transforming the region’s landscape. From Chateau Lynch-Bages’ sprawling 11,000m’ glass-clad winery in Pauillac to Chateau Bélair-Monange’s monolithic concrete structure in St-Emilion (see p88), a wave of investment has reshaped the region’s winemaking infrastructure over the past two decades.

This cellar renaissance, driven by a mix of economic prosperity, technological advancements and a competitive global wine market, reflects Bordeaux's commitment to precision, sustainability and elevated quality. The result is a new era of winemaking facilities that not only produce exceptional wines but also frequently serve as both architectural landmarks and tourist destination:

The roots of Bordeaux's cellar boom go back to the late 20th century. The 1990s saw a surge in global demand for fine wines, fuelled by economic growth and the rise of new markets in Asia and North America. The ‘garage wine’ movement, pioneered by small-scale producers such as Chateau Valandraud (first vintage 1991), emphasised low yields, microvinification and the use of new oak barrels, all of which challenged traditional practices and influenced larger estates.