Location

Sauternes are a tiny appellation, only 2% of the Bordeaux vineyards, located 40 kilometres southeast of Bordeaux.
It is here in Preignac, Guillaume and Jacques Perromat have their properties.

An Astonishing Mushroom
The Sauternes characteritics are due to a microscopic mushroom called “Botrytis Cinerea“ or “noblerot”. A special set of circumstances are required for the Botrytis to grow.
There are alternating times of wet periods when the Botrytis proliferates and then dry periods which concentrate the juice by removing the water. These circumstances also add much more aromatic complexity than simply ripening in the sun of the late grape harvest. Profiting from a microclimate characterized by misty mornings and afternoon shone upon, the “Botrytis” finds all the conditions favorable for its development.
Benifiting from a microclimate characterized by misty mornings and afternoon sun, the “Botrytis” finds all the conditions favorable for its development.

The soil

Sauternais is bordered in the south by the immense Landaise forest and in north by the valley of the Garonne. Clay, sand and low registers are superimposed there in layers, distinct variable thickness form what is called the soft inclined hills called “croups”.