Château Maucaillou traces its origins to 1871 when the estate was established by the Petit Laroche family, with the château itself constructed in 1875. The name Maucaillou, meaning “bad stones,” reflects the poor, rocky soils of the vineyard, which were considered too harsh for most crops but ideal for cultivating high-quality grape vines. The Petit Laroche family, successful Bordeaux négociants, selected the site for its proximity to the new railway in Moulis, enabling faster distribution of their wines. The estate faced challenges during the Great Depression and was eventually sold to the Dourthe group, an established négociant company that owns several prestigious properties across the Médoc, Pessac-Léognan, and Saint-Émilion, as well as the large négociant house CVGB. Today, Château Maucaillou’s 86-hectare vineyard sits on gravel-based soils and is planted with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Harvesting is carried out through a combination of mechanical and manual picking. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, with malolactic fermentation completed in tank. The wines are then aged in approximately 60% new French oak barrels for an average of 18 months before bottling. The estate produces a Grand Vin alongside a second wine, Le No 2 de Maucaillou, and a third label, Maucaillou Haut-Médoc. Average production is around 40,000 cases per vintage. Château Maucaillou also features a respected wine museum and a gallery of wine-related artwork, making it a notable destination for collectors, connoisseurs, and fine wine investors.