Long before it was enjoyed by the first US President George Washington, the wines of Yquem had already begun writing their chapters in the history books. It all began in 1453 when Aquitaine, previously English, was brought under French rule. A century later, a local nobleman by the name of Jacques Sauvage was granted feudal tenure over Yquem and thus became the first in a long line of dedicated winemakers. This outstanding terroir in the Sauternes appellation has exceptional climate conditions and geological features. Château d’Yquem was attributed the esteemed title Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855. From that point, the genius of this sweet wine was acknowledged, and the Sauvage and Lur Saluces families went on preserving their treasure for over 400 years.

Château d’Yquem is an extraordinary place, nestled at the top of the hills of Sauternes, bearing a hundred hectares of vineyards planted upon a mosaic of soils. All these conditions come together to yield a grape where Botrytis cinerea reveals its most valuable feature. Thanks to the process of sublimation, the grapes contain flavors and aromas that are unique in the world. This miracle is made possible by the dedication of experienced pickers, who carry their ancestral expertise from the generations that preceded them. As a result, only the best grapes, sublimated by Botrytis cinerea, are picked, because this is Yquem’s golden rule: never look for simplicity or shortcuts and risk losing everything. This is the price we pay for excellence.