Château Ausone

Of the four Premier Grand Cru Classé A wineries, the highest quality distinction in Saint-Émilion, Château Ausone is the smallest in size and perhaps also the most envied for its unique terroir.

The vineyard, covering only 7 hectares, is arranged in terraces in the vicinity of Saint-Émilion, on a steep slope with soils composed of a mixture of sand and clay over sandstone and limestone. Added to this is the privileged southeast orientation and the topography of the land, which protects it from the coldest winds, providing optimal conditions for the ripening of the merlot and cabernet franc grapes that are predominantly planted there. It was precisely this location that saved the château from the severe frosts of 1956, which destroyed the vines of many Bordeaux wineries.

Regarding its history, Château Ausone takes its name from the Roman statesman and poet Decimus Magnus Ausonius, who once owned a large expanse of vineyards in this same area. However, the origin of the name is not its main peculiarity. The estate stands out as one of the leading wineries in Bordeaux that has changed hands the least since its founding back in the 13th century. Specifically, only three families have held ownership since then.

In 1995, Alain Vauthier took over the leadership, which he now shares with his daughter Pauline. Under the technical direction of Pascal Delbeck, the winery has regained all its former splendor, thanks to the high quality of its grand vin, Château Ausone, and its second label, La Chapelle d’Ausone—two essential red wines of Bordeaux.