Chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey

A unique, instantly identifiable style… The iconic French lifestyle brand Lalique, a symbol of total refinement, is entering the world of prestige hotels.

After La Villa René Lalique in 2015 (a Relais & Châteaux property) and Château Hochberg by Lalique in 2016, both located in Wingen-sur-Moder in Alsace, the third incarnation is a sumptuous hotel and restaurant in the Sauternes region, in the greatest of the Grand Cru Classé terroirs.

The LALIQUE Hotel and Restaurant has opened its doors in June 2018 to celebrate Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey’s 400th anniversary.

On the initiative of Lalique’s CEO Silvio Denz, four worlds converge here: wine, crystal, gastronomy and hospitality. Everything combines to serve art and the senses, where the only rules are expertise, rigour and passion – with emotion as a common purpose.

The vine as the lady of the house
The simplicity of the architectural lines is offset by the refined furnishings and sophisticated accessories. The vine, truly the lady of the house, has inspired a wide range of Lalique crystal pieces which are set in bed frames, chests of drawers, bedside tables, mirrors and sofas.

This same motif reappears in the bed linen and pillows. The beige marble bathrooms boast bunches of grapes embroidered on the bath towels and beautifully engraved on the tap handles.

Photos by Aerni, a Swiss artist with a passion for Sauternes, also pay tribute to the golden wine of Lafaurie-Peyraguey, whose iridescent colours range from straw yellow to amber depending on the age of the vintage.

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, four centuries of history
This is the work of centuries, undertaken by various families of owners who have striven to glorify the estate and the fame of its wines… It all began in the Middle Ages: the chateau’s porch and wall towers were built in the 13th century using the remains of very old stone from the village of Bommes.

The first known owner, Lord Raymond Peyraguey, built a fortified keep around Peyraguey and then began to cultivate vines in 1618, convinced that the land offered exceptional potential.

On 17 July 1742, the estate was purchased by Nicolas Pierre de Pichard, advisor to the King and president of the Bordeaux parliament, who expanded the vineyard to nearly 30 hectares.

On 22 June 1796, the estate was sold at auction to Mr Lafaurie and Mr Mauros, with the latter giving up his portion to Pierre Lafaurie not long after. Peyraguey was the favourite wine of King Alfonso XII of Spain, ‘buying a barrel at the fantastic price of 6,000 gold francs’.

Under Pierre Lafaurie the elder, the vineyard gained a reputation for excellence. It was granted recognition in the official 1855 classification, where Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey was named a Premier Cru Classé, ranking second in the list.

In 1865, Count Duchâtel – the former Minister of the Interior – chose to modernise the technical winery facilities and renovate the chateau in Hispanic-Byzantine style.

In 1917, the well-respected wine merchant Désiré Cordier was focusing on wine quality whilst others concentrated on volume. ‘Remarkable in its finesse, vigour and aromas, the wine produced on this estate is highly sought-after’, as is written in the wonderful volume Fine Wines of Bordeaux, published in 1939.

After restoring the estate to perfect condition, in 2014 the Suez group sold Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey to Silvio Denz, the CEO of Lalique. This businessman from Basel was particularly sensitive to the estate’s rich history and commissioned a study by the historian Roland Kissling, a meticulous artisan of the archives.

Renovation, an exercise in subtle style
It took four years of intensive work to enhance this magical site. The top priority was to preserve the location’s original identity and fit the aesthetics to the unique configuration of the existing buildings.

This meant combining materials from the original era (giving the building its historical identity) with contemporary details setting it in the present.

In order to preserve the soul of this historic building, Silvio Denz entrusted the renovation work to the talented interior designers Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli, who created the Lalique Maison collection of furniture and accessories.

They have striven to pair the region’s raw and natural materials with subtly contemporary effects – Lalique crystal thus embellishes matt wood. As Pietro Mingarelli explains, this is decoration in measured touches: ‘This project required a long period of reflection.

Our instinct was to sustain rather than transform its heritage. We had to feel the resonance of the place so as to adapt our vision to the buildings’ strict geometry. It was a difficult balance of tension between form and function.

Similarly, the conservatory – a modern extension designed by renowned architect Mario Botta – does not adversely impact the harmonious beauty of the facade. Boasting a delicate metal frame, it blends into the decor, with the transparent glass walls serving to enhance the location’s restrained appearance.

In the heart of Sauternes, a unique terroir
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855, is in the highest part of the village of Bommes. With Château Yquem as its neighbour, its 18 hectares of vineyards stand on the third terrace of the Sauternes appellation, over 70 metres above sea level.

The mosaic of terroirs – spread across the four villages of Bommes, Sauternes, Fargues and Preignac – give the wines of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey their typical, long-reputed style.

The ‘L’Enclos’ and ‘Maisons Rouges’ plots of land form the historic heart of this exceptional terroir, with the others distributed near to various Crus Classés within the appellation in the form of five-hectare islands (Yquem, Suduiraut, Guiraud, Rieussec and d’Arche).

A wide range of soils and subsoils (mostly gravel and clay) have been recorded here, a unique typology which explains the exceptional aromatic complexity offered up by Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey wines.

Liquid Gold
Liquid gold, a miracle born of a microclimate situated between the Ciron and the Gat Mort, two tributaries of the Garonne. Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Barsac are the chosen locations which fit not only geodetic but also astral and solar coordinates.

In Bordeaux’s smallest village appellation, the wines seem to absorb this pearlescent, subtle, hesitant light in a capillary or transmutation action. The region produces the highest amount of noble rot of this quality in the world.

The autumnal morning mists paired with afternoon sunshine encourage the development of a miniscule fungus called botrytis cinerea, which concentrates the sugars in the grapes. After this phase of overripening, the grapes dry out in the sun.

The effect of the fungus enhances the fruit, which reacts vigorously by producing a multitude of aromas. This is a curious and touching paradox: providential humidity, so harmful to other wines, here produces beautiful concentration.

Magical Sauternes
The excellence of Sauternes wines also comes from a unique cultivation method: meticulous green pruning, long harvests in a series of passes, and picking by hand one grape at a time.

This is delicate work in the chilly autumnal conditions: each vine and each grape counts. Low yields result in an extraordinary density of aromas.

Both the old Sauternes families and new arrivals to this exceptional French speciality such as Silvio Denz are preserving Sauternes’s history and working hard to develop its image beyond our borders.

Their repeated efforts have helped to carve out a new geography for this wine which can sit perfectly on any table. Today, we enjoy pairings that go far beyond the traditional.

Hotel
A haven of peace for guests seeking discretion. A charming stopover to enjoy the serenity of the landscape and lose yourself in every facet of the vines…A sense of detail and harmony prevails across two floors.

Taking the broad staircase, you will discover a sumptuous library in the centre of the floor, home to a collection of Lalique decanters. This continues outside onto a terrace overlooking a stone arena. Far from the hum of the city, this relaxing space is available for full private hire upon request.

A drinks service is available all day long. Lalique works also stand on display in shared areas. The understated setting highlights the timeless beauty of the brand’s creations, such as the large crystal panels installed in the lobby.

In the greatest tradition of prestige hotels, every guest is greeted by la Maîtresse de maison, Lucie Cozzi, who assists them throughout their stay. A highly personalised service is offered in line with guests’ requirements so as to ensure a unique experience for everyone at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey.

Suites
The suites are structured with wooden alcoves and punctuated with touches of colour that remind guests of wine’s multi-coloured nature.

Each has its own particular style: the first, with its splendid Champs-Elysées chandelier, has a wonderfully high ceiling; the second, located in the medieval tower, contains a reading lounge; and the third, a duplex room, offers views of the ancient porch and the L’Enclos plot of land, the historic heart of the great Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey terroir.

The Royal Bacchantes Suite
Like the elegance of the hotel, this Royal Bacchantes Suite transports you to its exhilarating universe. A name that will take you back to Grecian times and to that of nymphs who celebrated the mysteries of Dionysus, god of wine.

Sensuality, finesse, refinement, calm,… So many words to describe this unique suite in the heart of the Sauternes.

With its exceptional furniture, its carefully chosen colours, the sumptuousness of the materials, the breathtaking view of our vineyard, so many details that will take you into the world of a first Grand Cru Classé and the Cristallerie Lalique.

The Royal Bacchantes Suite is the essence of this extraordinary place. Enjoy a unique experience by staying in this famous suite, which was traditionally the owners’ room.

Rooms
To retain the authenticity of the Sauternes countryside, the rooms are furnished with draped fabrics in shades of beige ad brown, matt oak furniture, sculpted French windows and beautiful wooden frames.

You are immediately immersed in the atmosphere of the place. The decoration plays on local elements enhanced with Lalique crystal pieces. Each room looks out onto a calm, peaceful landscape. A hushed atmosphere perfect for relaxation…

Restaurant – 1 Michelin star
In the main 17th-century building you find an initial subdued and cozy room followed by a second modern extension designed by Mario Botta, fitting perfectly within the peaceful vine landscape.

A total of 130 m2 in size with a capacity of 40 covers, the restaurant’s splendor unfolds: the ceiling is decorated with a hundred and twenty Semillon leaves in gleaming gold crystal, and other iconic Lalique pieces stand on console tables.

Discover the two autumn menus from chef Jérôme Schilling. The Terroir du Sauternais (100% vegetarian) in 3, 4, or 5 dishes or Le Grain Noble menu in 3, 4, or 5 dishes.

Table decoration
Benefitting greatly from Lalique’s refinement and expertise, the table decorations boast a thousand subtleties: a symphony of crystal and porcelain, tassels, and carefully chosen flowers.

The beautifully dressed tables are first of all a feast for the eyes: tablecloths in noble fabrics, glasses, decanters, and door handles from the 100 Points range designed by the wine critic James Suckling.

Customers will also discover other creations from the famous crystal works, made for the hotel restaurant with its major partners: Fürstenberg porcelain plates, Christofle napkin rings incrusted with ‘grape’ crystal pieces, and Peugeot Saveurs salt and pepper shakers, perfect replicas of the ones co-created by René Lalique and Peugeot in 1924. The chairs and furniture are also decorated with crystal inlay.

The spirit of the menu
For this new autumn 2021 carte, the chef and his team have prepared two separate menus. Le Terroir du Sauternais menu in three, four, or five courses of your choice (vegetarian menu) and Le Grain Noble menu in three, four, or five courses of your choice.

Sauternes in all its forms
Jérôme Schilling is aiming to turn traditional on its head and experiment with different ways of using Sauternes: infusion, maceration, fermentation, crystallization, poaching. Everything provides inspiration: grape must, wine lees, vine shoots.

The richer and more complex the wine, the greater the possibilities for combinations: ‘It is all about bringing out the qualities of Sauternes in precise gastronomic pairings, enhancing its aromas, highlighting its various shades and playing with textures’.

Sweet wine brings other foods into the realm of haute cuisine. Wine serves as a condiment, a mixer, or on ice. Head sommelier Adrien Cascio revisits the Sauternes menu every season. The same ambitions apply to desserts.

The head pastry chef is seeking to pair his sweet creations with Sauternes wine: freshness, seasoning, and deconstruction all heighten its succulence. The desserts and petit fours also evolve with the seasons.

The LALIQUE Bar
Since 2008, LALIQUE has approached the most beautiful brands of spirits in the world in order to imagine and create unique decanters, real works of art highlighting the quality and precision of crystal glasswork and the dazzling beauty of these eaux-de-vie.

This is how LALIQUE became a partner of the famous Macallan (Highland Whiskey), Beluga (Vodka), Patron (Tequila), Dictador (Rum) and Hardy (Cognac).

Each decanter is produced in extremely limited quantities and is a delight for great collectors around the world. At Bar LALIQUE, we have more than 40 numbered decanters drawn from perfume bottles created by René LALIQUE himself.

In addition to this fabulous collection of brandy for these great maisons, the other distilleries and artisans on the Bar LALIQUE menu have been selected with great precision. Each of the products present at the Bar has a story to tell, an intrinsic quality and a unique sensory value.

Thus, we offer more than 10 Armagnac vintages, 20 French liqueurs and eaux-de-vie, 4 signature cuvées from La Grande Chartreuse or even rare and precious products such as the famous Marc de Bourgogne vintage from Domaine de la Romanée – Conti.

The LALIQUE Bar is also, and above all, the meeting place for lovers of Sauternes, eminent sweet wine throughout the world. In 2017, “Sweet’Z Original ©” marks the revival of Sauternes wines.

Aperitif created and trademarked by Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sweet’Z is simply made up of a young vintage of Sauternes, a Zeste d ‘Orange and a few ice cubes This drink offers a more modern and dynamic approach to Sauternes wine and appeals to both lovers of sweet wines and new consumers.

Therefore, we decided to create a cocktail menu that allowed us to interpret and enhance Sauternes in Mixology. Thus, we only develop cocktails from seasonal products and based on a worked, infused, macerated, or even unstructured Sauternes.

Thus was born the signature cocktail of Bar LALIQUE, “From Bommes With Love”: combining Sauternes and Gin aged in Sauternes casks. Our menu now contains more than 30 cocktail creations imagined around Sauternes and approved by our loyal customers.

Finally, to complete its prestigious offering, LALIQUE has been, since April 2019, owner of the oldest certified whiskey distillery in Scotland, The Glenturret.

This acquisition gives us the opportunity to offer new and rare whiskeys with extraordinary age and vintages on our menu. You will thus have the chance to find Finish Douglas Laing from the 19th century or rough casks from the early 20th century.

To conclude, we have also imagined a cigar room, selected for a perfect match with an old vintage of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey. The bar is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Cellar treasures
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey’s two historic cellars contain a collection of red and white wines. The two other vaults hold ancient elders and exceptional nectars. A heritage of 350,000 bottles that visitors can admire.

Cellar book
Adrien Cascio, head sommelier of the Lalique restaurant, has worked with Romain Iltis to create an ambitious wine list with a variety of influences: a broad selection of Sauternes, Bordeaux crus and Rieslings (a nod to Alsace, the birthplace of Lalique) as well as major estates from abroad, mainly Spain and California (vertical vintages of Dominus, Eisele Vineyard, Harlan Estate, Colgin Cellars and so on).

The majority come from Silvio Denz’s personal collection. There is also a full range of Premier Grands Crus (ranking equal with Lafaurie-Peyraguey), including Châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux and Haut-Brion, as well as Pétrus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Angélus and Pavie in rare vintages.

The wine list of course gives this golden wine pride of place. It is a showcase for Sauternes Crus Classés in a thousand shades of colour: Yquem 1895 (the oldest in the cellar), Château Climens 1921, Château Rieussec 1945, and not forgetting sixty vintages of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey.

Wines are available by the glass from Silvio Denz’s collection of bottles and other gems unearthed both in France and abroad.

Terroir reading
Another initiative is the ‘terroir reading’ launched by Romain Iltis at La Villa René Lalique. The variety of soils, exposures, altitudes and vine cultivation techniques allow a wine’s characteristics to be broken up ‘vertically’ or ‘horizontally’.

As an ambassador for the vineyards of Bordeaux, Adrien Cascio recognised this approach as an innovative opportunity to help customers understand wines, targeting numerous aromatic and flavour profiles.

La Terrasse de Lafaurie: an ephemeral summer terrace
Every year from May to October 15, the Hotel & Restaurant LALIQUE opens its ephemeral terrace located in the square courtyard of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, in order to offer a complementary offer to that of its gourmet restaurant.

This summer terrace offers world cuisine based around the grill and prepared in front of your eyes by chef Alejandro Moyo, a loyal collaborator of Michelin-starred chef Jérôme Schilling

It offers a unique menu with a choice of two starters, two main courses, and two desserts to choose from. Other French specialties are available à la carte as well as a wine list by the glass and in the bottle. The wine list is prepared by the head sommelier Adrien Cascio.

World cuisine revolves around the grill and prepared in front of your eyes by chef Alejandro Moyo, a loyal collaborator of starred chef Jérôme Schilling for 6 years, who has managed the gourmet restaurant LALIQUE as since the opening in 2018.

Visits & Tasting
At the heart of Sauternes, visit Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, property of 18 hectares, the “enclos”, historical terroir of its grand vin, Premier Grand Cru Classé, the cellars and the Chapel, entirely decorated by Lalique. The Vinothèque welcomes you from Thursday to Monday for visits and tastings, by appointments only.

Classic Tour
During this visit, you discover the history of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, the territory of Sauternes, its viticulture and the secret of its sweet wines. We explain the special link that unites our wines to the art of LALIQUE.

After the visit of the estate, historical plot l’Enclos, fermentating room, cellars, Chapel and its exceptional and unique crystal barrel LALIQUE, we invite you to taste three wines of the Château. This tasting moment takes place at the Vinothèque.

Visit & Vertical Tasting
After a visit of the estate, the vat room, the cellars and the chapel and its exceptional and unique crystal barrel LALIQUE, let your senses go for a vertical tasting of four vintages of our first Grand Cru Classé in Sauternes.

This experience will open your taste buds to the magic of Sauternes and reveal what makes a vintage a great emotion over the years. Please, meet us at the Vinotheque of the Chateau 10 minutes before the visit and bring your sanitary pass.

Wine & Food Pairing Visit by Michel starred Chef Jérôme Schilling
Discover unique wine and food pairings ! After discovering the property, you will enjoy a special moment. Bites prepared by the Michelin-starred chef of LALIQUE Restaurant, Jérôme Schilling, will be served with three wines during. Sauternes will reveal new secrets and beautiful emotions.

Please, meet us at the Vinotheque of the Chateau 10 minutes before the visit and bring your sanitary pass.

The Chapel
The chapel nestles discreetly at the heart of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey between the two his¬toric cellars, a perfect meeting of wine and spirit. Some beautiful weddings have been celebrated at this altar.

Baron Nicolas Pierre de Pichard, who owned the chateau from 1742 and was baptized at Saint-Éloi church in Bordeaux, had a reproduction of the 1491 baptistery from his baptismal church built in the Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey chapel – one man’s tribute to the location’s sacred nature.

The chapel is now decorated with Lalique’s most beautiful historic and contemporary works. A red and black marble altar, designed by Pietro Mingarelli and inspired by the bap¬tistery altar in Saint-Eloi church, shows off the chapel in all its glory.

This altar pays tribute to work that was begun in the 20th century by René Lalique, such as the chancel of the Notre-Dame de Fidélité church in Douvres-la-Délivrande in Normandy and St Matthew’s Church in Jersey.

Above are stained glass windows decorated with the motif “Merle et Raisins” (Blackbird and Grapes), as well as the crystal work of art Eternal Belief by the artist Damien Hirst. With this piece, Damien Hirst chose to depict life and faith – shown in the finest of settings in Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey’s chapel.

Seminars & Events
Some of the largest companies in the automotive industry and in the CAC 40 have already trusted the Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey to organize their events (seminar, vehicle launch, international meeting, filming of advertising film, press launch, etc.).

For your seminars and company meetings, we offer different formulas and we adapt to your wishes. The Hotel & Restaurant LALIQUE has a 45m2 seminar room equipped with a projection system and its own WIFI system, enjoying a view of the vineyards of the property.

The seminar room can accommodate up to 30 people in seminar format or up to 15 people in meeting format. All the rooms of the hotel and the restaurant as well as the bar and the terrace can be privatized as well as the parking lot of the property. You can also book the entire Château!

Weddings
Whether for a wedding, a honeymoon, a romantic weekend, or simply a moment out of time for both of you, the Hotel & Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey and its 13 rooms and suites facing the vineyards of one of the world’s greatest Grand Cru Classé, is the ideal place to immortalize these moments.

The suites and our starred-restaurant all offer exceptional panoramas to enjoy unique and romantic sunsets. The Hotel & Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a true symbol of Love, a romantic place to celebrate your wedding.

Our team will be entirely at your service for the preparation of your event. The brigade of our starred chef Jérôme Schilling will create a tailor-made menu that will be served outside or inside the property.

Our dedicated team knows how important these events are to you and will take care of your project down to the smallest detail. The sales department is at your disposal from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm to prepare your event.

EXPERIENCES
Throughout the year, the Hotel & Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey organizes captivating events for its customers.

Among the various Experiences offered, we organize four-handed dinners with renowned starred chefs to the delight of gastronomes as well as dinners in the vineyards for those who wish to live a real dining experience in the vines of a Grand Cru Classé.

Jérôme Schilling also offers cooking classes and other events organized both on the Terrasse de Lafaurie in summer and in the gourmet restaurant in winter.

An exceptional dinner in the middle of the vineyards
Located in the middle of a 36-hectare vineyard, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey converted into a hotel & restaurant in 2018 by the House of LALIQUE offers a unique and exclusive dining experience.

Just before the harvest that begins in October, the vine is beautiful and generous and the grapes are exposed to the light. We invite you to dine as a couple, with friends or as a small group. We will set up your table in the middle of the vines of the 1er Grand Cru Classé.

Michelin-starred chef Jérôme Schilling will prepare an exceptional dinner in five sequences and will come in person to talk about his dishes and the Sauternes wine he uses in his cooking.

You will start your meal enjoying the sunset with a view on the Ciron valley and you will finish it under the stars overlooking the beautiful Sauternes region until the end of September. On his side, the chief sommelier will prepare a wine and food pairing that will leave you with a guaranteed unforgettable memory!

Cooking classes
With the launching of his cooking class program at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, starred chef Jérôme Schilling wishes to share his knowledge, his know-how and his passion for gastronomy and fresh products.

Put on your apron for your first two-hour cooking class with Chef Jérôme Schilling. During this small-group culinary workshop, you will learn everything from regional cuisine to haute cuisine.

Website: www.lafauriepeyragueylalique.com

Rooms: 13

Price: from 225 EUR per night