Château Brown straddles three communes (Gradignan, Villenave-d’Ornon and Léognan) in the heart of the famous Pessac-Léognan appellation, the oldest winegrowing region in Bordeaux, located quite close to the city.

Château Brown dates back to the 12th century, when the Aquitaine region owed allegience to the English crown. However, it was a Scotsman, John Lewis Brown, who gave his name to the estate in the 18th century. Brown's grandson (and subsequent owner) was also a wildlife artist, and his finest works are displayed in the majestic château. Brown was later sold to the négociant firm of Yvon Mau in association with the Dirkzwager family from Holland. Jean-Christophe Mau is presently manager.

Château Brown produces both red and white wine. The 28-hectare vineyard covers two gravelly rises marking the water divide between the Olivier and the Eau Blanche, two streams that run through the Graves. One of the rises on the southern end of the estate is twenty-three meters high. The northern part of the vineyard covers much of the second rise. Unsurprisingly, the best-drained plots are the ones towards the top of the rise. This is where Cabernet Sauvignon is planted. These also have better sun exposure and thus ripen earlier. Merlot is planted on clay-gravel soil. White wine varieties are planted on soil with the highest concentration of clay.

The vine density is 7,200 per hectare, divided as follows: 

•  4.5 hectares of white wine varieties (70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon) 
•  23.5 hectares of red wine varieties (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot).

In the Bottle

Château Brown produces approximately 20,000 bottles of fresh, fairly rich white wine with a beautiful long aftertaste.

The red wines of Château Brown are quite elegant, fruity, and fresh.

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Château Brown rouge, Château Brown blanc, le Colombier de Château Brown, second wine