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Decanter’s Dream Destination: Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes, France
Every month, Decanter selects a must-visit destination for wine travellers. Here, Regional Editor for Bordeaux, Georgie Hindle, explores a five-star Relais & Châteaux property in Sauternes.
Nestled on the highest gravel terrace in the heart of Sauternes, overlooking rolling golden slopes and neighbouring icons like Château d’Yquem, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is more than a Premier Grand Cru Classé estate – it’s a serene, transformative escape where history, luxury and the art of living converge.
The property’s roots stretch back over 400 years, with viticulture documented as early as 1618 under Sieur Raymond Peyraguey. Classified as a First Growth in the legendary 1855 ranking, it has long produced some of the world’s most revered sweet wines, born from the magical interplay of morning mists from the Ciron river and the noble rot that concentrates the grapes’ essence.
Visionary ambition
(Image credit: itshenriette)
In 2014, Swiss businessman and then Lalique CEO Silvio Denz acquired the estate, infusing it with visionary ambition. To mark its 400th anniversary in 2018, he unveiled the exquisite Lalique Hôtel & Restaurant, a five-star Relais & Châteaux property where four worlds – wine, crystal, gastronomy and hospitality – harmoniously intersect in a celebration of beauty and precision.
The 17th-century honey-coloured château, with its elegant tower and fortified origins dating to the 13th century, has been meticulously renovated under the guidance of designers Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli.
Lalique’s signature crystal artistry shines throughout: bespoke chandeliers resembling vine leaves cascade from ceilings, panels etched with intricate motifs adorn walls, and one-off pieces – from decanters to furniture – create an atmosphere of refined enchantment. The on-site boutique offers these items for purchase, alongside estate honeys, jellies, and of course a large selection of wines from the property – as well as Denz’ other estates Château Péby Faugères and Château Faugères (both St-Emilion Grand Cru Classé), and Château Cap de Faugères in Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux.
Intimate wine experiences
(Image credit: Hervé Lefevbre)
Yet the true heartbeat of Lafaurie-Peyraguey lies in its wine experiences. Curated tours and tastings reveal the secrets of this 36-hectare mosaic of gravelly terroirs. Visitors explore the historic ‘enclos’ vineyard, the cellars with their classic oak barrels (including a unique solid crystal barrel by Lalique), and the charming chapel fully decorated with crystal motifs.
Options range from classic visits with tastings of three wines, including the grand vin, to the exclusive ‘Hidden Treasures’ prestige tour for hotel guests, delving into the private historic cellar housing over 350,000 bottles from Bordeaux and beyond.
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Day visitors – arriving by car or coach – can enjoy tours and tastings without staying overnight, making the estate accessible.
These intimate, appointment-only experiences demystify the labour-intensive creation of Sauternes – multiple passes through the vines to harvest botrytised berries – while highlighting the estate’s dry whites too.
Exquisite dining
(Image credit: Agi Simoes & Reto Guntli)
No stay is complete however without dining at the Michelin two-star restaurant, helmed by chef Jérôme Schilling, named Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2023, who calls himself a ‘cuisinier des vignes’. It was indeed one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life with impeccable service, incredible food flavours and thought-provoking wine pairings.
His inventive, precise cuisine draws inspiration from the Sauternes terroir, using seasonal local produce to craft dishes that elevate the estate’s sweet and dry wines.
Panoramic views of the vineyards frame meals in the elegant dining room, where golden Sémillon leaf motifs on the ceiling echo the landscape outside. The extensive wine list (over 100 pages) spans France and the wider wine world including deep verticals of some of the most well-known estates (from Bordeaux and beyond) with many including their first ever vintage.
Masterful pairings are created by head sommelier Adrien Cascio unlocking new dimensions in the wines’ complexity. Dinner menus start around €220 for four courses (excluding drinks), with accessible €59-60 discovery lunches in low season for locals. The restaurant is determined to secure a third Michelin star – the first for any Bordeaux restaurant.
In warmer months, the summer terrace offers a more relaxed al fresco option, perfect for lighter menus amid the vines.
Calm elegance
(Image credit: Karine Faby)
The boutique hotel itself – just 13 rooms and suites across two floors – exudes calm elegance. Each space is uniquely appointed with Lalique crystal accents, high-end fittings and sumptuous fabrics.
Hotel amenities include a bar (with an impressive spirits and cigar selection), lounge, concierge services and complimentary e-bikes for exploring quiet lanes and nearby châteaux like Sigalas-Rabaud or Clos Haut-Peyraguey.
Personalised services from Maître de Maison Pierre Gazeau anticipates every whim – from car hoovering to organising chapel weddings or last-minute helicopter landings (requiring a quick call to the gardener for the field heliport). The hotel also holds two Michelin keys, joining the restaurant’s two stars in prestigious recognition.
In a region with no shortage of impressive estates, Lafaurie-Peyraguey stands apart as an intimate, worthy destination for a tasting, a gastronomic pilgrimage, or a multi-night immersion while enjoying the slow, soulful rhythm of Sauternes.
