Esteemed wine house Château Lafleur has elected to leave France's appellation system. Starting with the 2025 vintage, the Château will no longer sell its wines under the Pomerol and Bordeaux appellations. Instead, all six of its labels will be designated as Vin de France.

The announcement comes just as the 2025 harvest begins, and the estate's break with the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) system will make it the first of Bordeaux’s top tier producers to do so. 

In a letter on August 24, the Guinaudeau family announced their significant decision to leave the appellation system, citing it as a necessity due to accelerating climate change and the increasing restrictions of the current system.

Since 1985, the family has been in charge of Château Lafleur, a winery founded in 1872. The estate is considered one of Bordeaux's most unique, producing some of the region's most sought after wines. The family's decision will impact all six of its red and white wines, including Grand Village and Les Champs Libres.

This move positions one of Bordeaux's most respected wineries outside of its traditional system, and adds the company to the list of small but influential producers who have rejected France's strict AOC  framework in favor of more creative freedom.

Lafleur's decision to leave the AOC system was said to be driven by the need for greater flexibility in vineyard management and winemaking. With climate change bringing more heatwaves, droughts, and shifting weather patterns, Bordeaux's traditional rules are no longer sufficient.

Debates over issues like irrigation, planting density, and permitted grape varieties have been ongoing as producers adapt to hotter, drier conditions. While the Bordeaux appellation has allowed some experimental plantings since 2021, many feel the changes are too slow.

By leaving the Pomerol AOC, the Guinaudeau family states they will have the freedom to implement practices that ensure the "longevity of our vineyards, the quality, and the identity of our wines" without compromise.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team