Château Guiraud is the only Sauternes first growth (along with château Yquem) in the commune of Sauternes.
The 100 hectare vineyard has a complex terroir consisting of gravel, red sand, and chalk.
Guiraud was fairly mediocre until 1981, when it was acquired by Canadian Frank Narby who sparked a renaissance. Major investments were made at the time in order for this wine to regain its lost reputation, and consideration in keeping with its official classification in 1855. Standards were raised significantly under the management of Xavier Planty, who introduced integrated pest control, prohibited chaptalization and cryoextraction, and improved barrel aging. These various measures led to much better wine.
Fifteeen percent of the vineyard is devoted to making "G" , an interesting dry white wine.
In 2006, the estate was bought by a financial holding company with a majority shareholding held by the Peugeot family. The presence of Olivier Bernard (Domaine de Chevalier), Stephan von Neipperg (Château Canon la Gaffelière, La Mondotte, etc.), and Xavier Planty (current manager) among the group of buyers seems destined to ensure the new owners' ambitions.
