Château Ausone
Château Ausone is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Bordeaux Châteaux audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~90 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type distillery
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Bordeaux Châteaux Bordeaux Châteaux guide
About Château Ausone
A Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A carved into the limestone hill above the town, believed to stand on the site of the Roman poet Ausonius's vineyard, producing small quantities of exceptionally concentrated wine from ancient vines.
Château Ausone is one of the two original estates (along with Cheval Blanc) classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé A in Saint-Émilion in 1955, the highest category in the appellation's classification system and a status that places it alongside Pétrus as one of the most prestigious addresses on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. The estate is literally carved into the limestone hillside above Saint-Émilion town, and the cellars and cave chai (barrel cellar) are cut into the living rock, a spectacular underground space where the wine ages at constant natural temperature. The estate takes its name from the 4th-century Roman poet Ausonius (Decimus Magnus Ausonius), who was born near Bordeaux and who mentions a vineyard in the area in his poems. The wine is typically a blend of about 50 percent Cabernet Franc and 50 percent Merlot, a more balanced blend than most Saint-Émilion, and one that produces wine of great complexity, mineral character, and aging potential.
Did you know? The name "Ausone" comes from the 4th-century Roman poet Ausonius, who was born near Bordeaux and is believed to have owned a vineyard on this exact hillside. This would make the vineyards of Château Ausone among the oldest continuously used wine-producing land in France.
How long should you spend at Château Ausone?
Plan about ~90 min at Château Ausone. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Château Ausone worth visiting?
Château Ausone is one of the 12 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Bordeaux Châteaux, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Bordeaux Châteaux
Hear the story of Château Ausone
Preview the Bordeaux Châteaux tour free in the Gingerguide app.