Château Olivier is one of Bordeaux’s oldest estates, with roots tracing back as far as the 11th century. Remnants of the original buildings can still be seen near the east pavilion on the lower portions of the property. Uniquely for the Bordeaux region, the estate retains a moat and drawbridge, adding to its historic charm. In 1663, Pierre Penel, Baron of La Brède, married Marie de Lasserre, the daughter of the lord of Olivier, with the vineyard included as her dowry. The estate suffered a catastrophic fire in 1882 and was rebuilt in a distinctive Troubadour style. In 1867, Alexandre de Bethmann, then mayor of Bordeaux, acquired Château Olivier. The de Bethmann family, originally from Germany and founders of Bethmann Bank, still owns the estate today. The château, its outbuildings, moat, and fountains were classified as historic monuments in 1953. For a period, the negociant firm Eschenhauer managed winemaking and sales until their lease ended in 1981. Jean-Jacques de Bethmann managed the estate until his passing in 2012, when his son, American-born Alexandre de Bethmann, took over. Under his leadership, quality, particularly in white wines, has significantly improved. Château Olivier spans 220 hectares, with 60 hectares planted to vines. The red wine vineyard covers 52 hectares and is planted to 58% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot, while the white vineyard comprises 8 hectares with 78% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sémillon, and 2% Muscadelle. The red varieties thrive in gravelly, sandy soils, while the whites are planted in cooler clay-limestone terroir on hillsides rising up to 55 metres. Vine density ranges from 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare, with younger vines planted to the higher density. Red wines are vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, with malolactic fermentation taking place in tank. The wines are aged in approximately 30% new French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months, producing elegant, structured Bordeaux reds. Château Olivier produces around 20,000 cases of red wine annually. A second wine is also available, sold under the labels La Seigneurie d’Olivier and Dauphin d’Olivier, offering collectors and investors access to the estate’s quality at a more approachable level.