A journey into the hearth of history
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is, above all, the story of a family dedicated to creating fine wines, with a resolutely bold and visionary spirit. It’s a thrilling journey whose extraordinary saga began in 1987, when Philippe and Christine Gervoson took over a vineyard that was then in decline, facing a daunting challenge: to transform it into one of the region’s jewels—a simple, accessible, and welcoming gem, just like themselves.
For nearly 40 years, the estate has cultivated the authenticity and intimacy of a true family home, where passion, sharing and creativity are passed down from generation to generation. Today, the three young ladies — Emilie, Charlotte and Valentine — proudly embody this new generation, with a willingness to develop the estate whilst remaining true to its soul.
Between tradition and innovation, the Gervoson family cultivates a touch of madness, which has become the house’s signature. A touch of whimsy that runs through all our projects and gives rise to singular, vibrant and profoundly sincere wines. Welcome to our family.
THE ADVENTURE of CHÂTEAU Larrivet Haut-Brion
Let’s dive into the heart of the past to uncover a rich and complex history kept secret in the archives of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion.
From 1840 to the present day, the renowned reputation of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion has continued to grow.
First known as ‘Château de Canolle’, then ‘La Rivette’, followed by ‘La Rivette’ and ‘Brion-Larrivet’, it was not until 1874 that the estate acquired its almost definitive name.
Nommé alors « Château Haut-Brion Larrivet », il appartient à Ernest Laurent, négociant de la Place de Bordeaux.
In 1893, Château Haut-Brion-Larrivet came into the ownership of a group of Bordeaux shipowners, the sons of Théodor Conseil. Expanded and developed, the estate then comprised 50 hectares of vineyards.
A journey back in time takes us to 1898, a fabulous year in which the renowned Féret guide classified the Château’s wines as an ‘exceptional cru’ of the Graves.
In the 1930s, the crisis in the wine-growing industry and successive grubbings-up took their toll on production, which became almost non-existent.
In 1929, the estate found its name at last: Château Larrivet Haut-Brion. Its new owner, Mr Guillemaud, acquired the entire vineyard in 1941. He remained its demanding and attentive owner until 1982.
A PROPERTY that sets THE STANDARD and holds great PROMISE
In 1987, the Gervoson family acquired Château Larrivet Haut-Brion and set about restoring it to its glory days. At that time, the estate comprised 17 hectares of vineyards and 13 hectares of wooded park. True to their commitment to people and the land, Philippe and Christine Gervoson set about rebuilding the château’s winemaking operations.
En quelques années, la propriété atteint 72,5 hectares grâce à l’acquisition de vignes et à de nouvelles plantations (11,5 ha. pour le blanc – 61 ha. pour le rouge). Aux côtés d’une équipe fidèle, inspirée et impliquée, ils continuent de moderniser les infrastructures, réorganisent le vignoble (étude géo-pédologique approfondie) et affirment la qualité des vins, that stand out today for their elegance and character.
Bruno Lemoine, Managing Director and Winemaker at Larrivet Haut-Brion, embarked on this wonderful adventure in 2007 and has since been putting his expertise and love of a challenge at the service of the Château’s wines. The concepts of heritage and the passing on of traditions through the female line are part of Château Larrivet Haut-Brion’s DNA.
The team was thus strengthened in 2009 by the appointment of a Public Relations Manager, Emilie Gervoson, one of the three daughters of the château’s owners and a proud representative of a new generation of epicureans with a keen interest in wine culture.
In 2015, François Godichon joined the estate as Cellar Master before becoming Operations Director. Trained in Burgundy, he brings a rigorous approach that is firmly focused on the terroir, prioritising elegance, precision and balance. His work helps to shape this distinctive style, often described as ‘Burgundian’, which has become emblematic of the estate’s wines, and particularly of the Château Larrivet Haut-Brion white.
In 2020, Charlotte Mignon also joined the estate as Cellar Master, before taking over as Managing Director in January 2025. Drawing on her experience in both the wine industry and major international groups, she is driving a modern and committed vision for the estate: to enhance its reputation, open up Bordeaux to new uses and devise a more sustainable and desirable model for wine production. Under her leadership, the ‘Vignoble du Futur’ (Vineyard of the Future) was launched – an ambitious agroforestry project designed to ensure the vineyard’s long-term sustainability in the face of climate challenges and to pass on a thriving estate to future generations — always with that touch of madness that defines Larrivet Haut-Brion’s identity.
TERROIR
Area under vine: 70 hectares.
Soils: typical of the middle terrace of the Graves region in Bordeaux. Very gravelly with a sandy or clayey matrix. Divided into remarkably well-exposed and perfectly drained hillsides.
Grape varieties: 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc (red wine). 85% Sauvignon, 15% Sémillon (white wine).
Average age of vines: 30 years (red wine) and 25 years (white wine).
CULTIVATION AND HARVEST
Hand-picked into crates and machine-harvested.
Ageing: each plot is aged separately in a vessel suited to its profile (amphorae, casks, new barrels or one-wine barrels, concrete eggs) for 16 months for red wines and 11 months for white wines. No set recipe is followed; regular tastings guide the ageing decisions.
