Château Ferrière

Château Ferrière is a Bordeaux wine estate in the Margaux appellation of France. Its principal wine belongs to the historic 1855 Classification of the Médoc, in which it was designated a Troisième Cru, or Third Growth. The estate is associated with approximately 29 acres, or 12 hectares, of planted vineyards, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc forming the principal grape varieties. The property takes its name from Gabriel Ferrière, who served as a royal official responsible for the king’s hunts during the eighteenth century. In 1777, he sold the estate to cousins who also bore the Ferrière name. One of them, Jean Ferrière, later became mayor of Bordeaux in 1795, after the fall of Robespierre. The family’s ownership connected the property to the early history of the Margaux wine landscape and helped establish the identity that the estate retains today. Château Ferrière was included among the Médoc growths classified in 1855. The classification gave the estate an enduring position within the hierarchy of internationally recognized Bordeaux wines, although its subsequent production history was not consistently equal to the status implied by that designation. The Ferrière family retained the property until 1914, when it was sold to Armand Feuillerat, who also owned Château Marquis de Terme, another classified Margaux estate. In 1952, the wine writer and négociant Alexis Lichine assumed management of Château Ferrière under a farming arrangement. During this period, the estate’s grapes were vinified at Château Lascombes, a Second Growth in Margaux. For roughly four decades, only a limited quantity of Ferrière wine was bottled, and the label became closely associated with Château Lascombes rather than operating as a fully independent estate brand. The wine was reportedly encountered by a particularly restricted audience, including passengers of a major airline, rather than enjoying broad distribution as a conventional classified-growth release. The estate entered a new phase when the Villars family acquired its vineyards and buildings in 1988. Agricultural leasing arrangements continued until 1992, when the family took direct control of vineyard management and winemaking. This transition restored Château Ferrière as an operating classified-growth estate in its own right. The property is now owned and managed by Claire Villars-Lurton, who is also associated with Château Haut-Bages-Liberal and Château La Gurgue. She is married to Gonzague Lurton, owner of Château Durfort-Vivens. Today, Château Ferrière’s identity rests on the combination of its Margaux terroir, its Third Growth classification, its relatively compact vineyard area and its revival under the Villars-Lurton family. Alongside the grand vin, the estate produces a second wine called Les Remparts de Ferriere. The winery therefore operates both as a historic Bordeaux property and as a contemporary wine brand whose principal market is the international fine-wine trade.

Château Ferrière’s recorded history begins with Gabriel Ferrière, an eighteenth-century royal official responsible for the king’s hunts. The estate’s name derives from his family. In 1777, Gabriel Ferrière sold the property to cousins who shared the Ferrière surname. Jean Ferrière later became mayor of Bordeaux in 1795, following the fall of Robespierre, linking the estate’s family history to the political and civic life of Bordeaux. The property achieved lasting recognition in 1855, when the wines of the Médoc were ranked for the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. Château Ferrière was placed among the fourteen Troisièmes Crus, or Third Growths. This designation established the estate as one of the historically important properties of the Margaux appellation and continues to define its position in the Bordeaux market. The Ferrière family retained the estate until 1914. It was then acquired by Armand Feuillerat, who already owned Château Marquis de Terme, another classified growth in Margaux. The property subsequently entered a long period in which its own production identity became less visible. In 1952, Alexis Lichine took over management as a farmer. The wine was vinified at Château Lascombes, a Margaux Second Growth, and only a small volume was bottled under the Ferrière name for approximately the next forty years. During this period, Château Ferrière functioned in practice almost like a secondary label associated with Lascombes rather than as a fully independent classified-growth operation. A major change took place in 1988, when the Villars family purchased the vineyard and buildings. The existing agricultural lease did not end until 1992. After that point, the family assumed direct responsibility for vineyard cultivation and winemaking, beginning the estate’s restoration as an autonomous producer. The current owner and manager is Claire Villars-Lurton, who also manages Château Haut-Bages-Liberal and Château La Gurgue. Her husband, Gonzague Lurton, owns Château Durfort-Vivens, creating a family connection among several notable Bordeaux estates. The modern estate covers approximately 12 hectares of planted vines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the principal varieties identified with the vineyard. Château Ferrière produces its classified-growth grand vin and a second wine, Les Remparts de Ferriere. The estate’s present profile is therefore built on the recovery of a historically ranked Margaux property, the continuation of its traditional name and the production of wines for the international fine-wine market.

• 1992

  Return to direct management and winemaking

  [1]Château Ferrièreen.wikipedia.org

  With the agricultural lease concluded, the Villars family took over vineyard management and vinification at the estate.

• 1988

  Acquisition by the Villars family

  [1]Château Ferrièreen.wikipedia.org

  The Villars family acquired the vineyard and buildings, setting the stage for the estate’s return to direct family management.

• 1952

  Alexis Lichine assumes management

  [1]Château Ferrièreen.wikipedia.org

  Alexis Lichine began managing the estate under a farming arrangement, with production vinified at Château Lascombes.

• 1914

  Sale to Armand Feuillerat

  [1]Château Ferrièreen.wikipedia.org

  After remaining with the Ferrière family, the property was sold to Armand Feuillerat, owner of Château Marquis de Terme.

• 1855

  Classified as a Third Growth

  [1]Château Ferrièreen.wikipedia.org

  Château Ferrière was ranked among the Médoc’s Troisièmes Crus in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.

• 1795

  Jean Ferrière becomes mayor of Bordeaux

  [1]Château Ferrièreen.wikipedia.org

  Jean Ferrière, a member of the family associated with the estate, became mayor of Bordeaux after the fall of Robespierre.

• 1777

  Transfer to the Ferrière family

  [1]Château Ferrièreen.wikipedia.org

  Gabriel Ferrière sold the estate to cousins who also carried the Ferrière name, continuing the property’s association with the family.

A historic Margaux classified-growth estate positioned in the premium and fine-wine segment, combining 1855 Third Growth status with a modern revival under the Villars-Lurton family.

• Classified-growth red Bordeaux wine

  Château Ferrière

  The estate’s principal wine is produced in the Margaux appellation and carries the property’s historic name. It represents the classified-growth identity of Château Ferrière and is associated with the 1855 designation of the estate as a Third Growth. The vineyard is planted principally with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Following the Villars family’s return to direct management, the wine again became the central expression of the estate rather than a limited bottling handled through another Margaux property.

• Second-label red Bordeaux wine

  Les Remparts de Ferriere

  Les Remparts de Ferriere is the estate’s second wine. It is produced under a separate label from the grand vin and extends the Château Ferrière range beyond the principal classified-growth bottling. As a second-label Bordeaux wine, it provides a distinct expression of the estate’s Margaux vineyard resources while retaining a direct connection to the Ferrière property and brand.

1. 1Château Ferrièreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Château Ferrière official websiteferriere.com