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Wines from Sullivan vineyards help American billionaire Tom Sullivan win over the English and his compatriots. This versatile entrepreneur produces his cuvées in France for export.
American entrepreneur turned viticulturist and winemaker
Thomas Sullivan is an American entrepreneur specializing in real estate, renewable energies and flooring. After several years of practice, he began to take an interest in wine, acquiring a number of Bordeaux châteaux: Château Auguste, Château Moya, Château Gaby and Château du Parc. His aim in acquiring these estates is to produce quality rosés from Provence. Tom Sullivan discovers the flavor of rosés during a blind tasting where he is offered four products. He fell under the spell of the Bordelais. The billionaire hopes to conquer the US market and the UK with his cuvées.
For the record, Château Auguste produces Bordeaux Supérieur wines, while its former owner Steven Meijer concentrated on producing red wines before selling it in 2016. Like the other châteaux, this is an organic estate. Château Gaby is known for its Canon-Fronsac, while Châteaux Moya for its Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux.
Today, Tom Sullivan seems to have won his bet with an average annual production of 200,000 bottles at Château Auguste alone. It continues to produce Bordeaux Supérieur, but in smaller quantities than rosé. Total production from the châteaux is 320,000 bottles, 90% of which are exported.
The terroir and grape varieties of Sullivan vineyards
Each product from Tom Sullivan’s châteaux has its own particularity based on its terroir. Château Gaby, for example, comes from a 16-hectare clay-limestone terroir, harvested by hand. The château stands on a hill with limestone-rich soil. Château du Parc comes from two terroirs, one composed mainly of gravel and sand, the other of clay and limestone. They are located near Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens. They produce a powerful, complex, intense and elegant wine.
As for Château Moya, its two grape varieties come from a clay-limestone soil that gives them their finesse and roundness. These are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Château Auguste, this fruity wine, comes from the combination of three grape varieties that grow on the same type of soil. These grape varieties are Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Merlot.
The majority of Sullivan’ s wines are made from two grape varieties: Merlot and Cabernet. Such is the case with Canon Fronsac (Château Gaby). However, there is one exception that wine lovers should note: Château Moya is a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Wines from Sullivan Vineyards
Since their acquisition, Sullivan Vineyards has produced a number of cuvées, including Château Gaby. This wine topped the rankings for the 2008 vintage, before entering the Top 10 of Bordeaux’s best wines for the 2009 vintage. Château Gaby is the flagship product of Tom Sullivan’s estate. Its fruity taste makes it the most prized wine in Bordeaux. Château du Parc’s Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is another Sullivan product. It’s “consultant’s wine”, a name it takes from its creator, Dr Alain Reynaud. The latter is an international consultant.
Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux organic wine extends this list. Its certification dates back to the 2013 vintage. This product is made from two Saint-Émilion grape varieties: Merlot and Cabernet. Château Auguste is another organic rosé from the Sullivan estate. Like Château Gaby, it has a fruity taste.
Princess Gaby is also one of the products of the American billionaire’s vineyards. What sets it apart from the others is the way it’s made. It is the result of the transformation of old vines planted on clay-limestone soil. It has a balanced, fruity flavor. It is characterized by its roundness and elegance.
Photos : Vignobles Sullivan
