Robert Giraud

Robert Giraud SAS is one of the few negociant companies in Bordeaux whose forward-looking nature is rooted in a large vineyard holding and several generations of winegrowing.

The outstanding success of Robert Giraud SAS reaches far beyond the Cubzac region of Bordeaux where its roots lie. Built-up over decades, the company reflects the full measure of its founder’s exceptional personality.

At the time of his birth in 1925, Robert Giraud was the last of a long line of winegrowers from Saint André de Cubzac which can be traced back to the mid 18th century.

Real expansion came after the second world war, when Raoul Giraud purchased Chateau Timberlay in 1945. Adding to the existing vineyard of Domaine de Peyreau, the 35 hectares of Chateau Timberlay brought the family vineyard holdings up to an economically viable 65 hectares of uniformly high standard  vineyards (today, Chateau Timberlay has 115 hectares of vines).

In 1953 Robert Giraud created his own negociant and distribution business: Les Etablissements Viticoles Cubzagais, with the aim of selling wines from the family vineyards and progressively adding nearby properties.

The next year saw him criss-crossing the entire region ceaselessly organizing meetings with the aim of instituting obligatory taste tests for wines in order for them to be entitled to the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations, and at the same time breathing new life into the winegrowers’ association.

In 1960 Robert Giraud succeeded his father at the helm of the family estates. From then on he was to dedicate his energies with the aim to strengthen the family company’s solid position through an ambitious vineyard purchasing programme and to continue the development of the "negociant-éleveur" business.

In 1973 the need to market an increasingly large production and to look after the distribution of numerous Chateaux and brands lead to Robert Giraud deciding to restructure the business into what became from then on Robert Giraud SAS. This restructuring lead to a new team being put in place as well as the construction of modern and functional wine cellars as well as new warehouses for bottling, packaging and storage.

From 1974 onwards the company would rapidly expand its range and offer to complement the family Chateaux, which meant that the company could offer a complete and quality range across all appellations of the Bordeaux wine appellations. The company’s historic orientation towards the export markets, as Robert Giraud had wished, would pick up pace from 1976 with the arrival of his son Philippe and then his daughter Florence. Without neglecting the French market, Robert Giraud wines are now present and distributed in more than 60 countries.

« TERRA VITIS » is a national federation which groups together associations of winegrowers from several French regions (about 900 of which 90 are in Gironde) whose objective it is to set up an integrated form of production which is mid way between organic agriculture and traditional agriculture.

The best definition of the “TERRA VITIS” process is the following:
“It is the intention to produce high quality grapes which express the terroir and the know-how of wine growers in ecologically healthier ways with a view to preserving the environment and human health (from the producer through to final consumer)”.

In concrete terms, this means following a strict set of conditions covering specific practices in planting, vine protection, waste management, choice of products, method of treatment, hygiene and protection of the workforce, training etc… One of the objectives is to limit phytosanitary products as much as possible by only undertaking really necessary applications. This principle depends on the perfect knowledge of the vineyards and its continuous observation.

The way we conform to the conditions set can be traced in everything which takes place in the vineyard. The achievement of a certificate of conformity is only possible after two inspections of which the second is by an independent organization.

Château Timberlay

The origin of Château Timberlay goes back to the 14th century, during the 100 Years' War, when Aquitaine was under English domination. 

The château was destroyed during the French Revolution, later rebuilt, and has been completely renovated since the Second World War.
The wine of Château Timberlay has won prizes regulary for the past century, and has an excellent international reputation.            

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Domaine de l’Etalon D’Argent

Name is taken from the fact that the location of today's vineyard used to be an area for keeping horses used for working the vineyards.

Château Haut Fourat

Château Haut Fourat is located exactly on the 45th parallel, at the top of Montalon hill, overlooking the Dordogne river. 

Technical Sheet

Château Le Bocage

Château Le Bocage is an attractive sight to behold, with well-kept vineyards surrounding an elegant 19th century country house. 

Technical Sheet

Château Côtes de Rol

Château Côtes de Rol is located several hundred metres north-east of the medieval village of Saint-Emilion. Its three hectares of vines grow on a limestone outcropping in-between the alluvial gravel of Château Figeac and Cheval Blanc on the Saint-Emilion plateau.

Château Côtes de Rol's aeolian sand soil and clay-limestone sub-soil encourage superb ripening.          
                    
The average age of the vineyard (over 40years) contributes to consistently low yields (40Hl/ Ha.)                 
                    
Quality in the vineyard continues into the cellar. Winemaking is traditional, and aims to reflect the very best of the vineyard soil. Most of the ageing process takes place in oak barrels in the depths of ancient quarries, under conditions of ideal temperature and humidity.      
               
Château Côtes de Rol is deeply coloured, full-bodied and powerful without being aggressive. It has wonderful balance, a highly individual bouquet and flavour, and good ageing potential as befits the greatest wines of Saint-Emilion.