For many people, the possibility of becoming a winemaker is just a fantasy. No longer. At VINIV, we believe that the art of Bordeaux winemaking should be accessible to individuals who want to take their passion for wine to a new level. For more than a decade we’ve seen first-hand how winemaking is the perfect outlet for creative expression. Our raison d’être is to empower wine lovers to chart their own winemaking pursuit. VINIV offers what no one else does: the opportunity for wine enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a Bordeaux winemaking experience and create their own limited-edition fine wine. We provide an environment that gives VINIV members direct access to vineyards from Bordeaux’s most prestigious appellations, guidance from the winemaking experts of Château Lynch-Bages and advisors to the region’s most famous properties, and an award-winning design team to create a personal brand and label to tell their story.

“Located in Pauillac, a famous Cabernet Sauvignon centric appellation on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, VINIV is owned and operated by the Cazes family, which owns Chateau Lynch-Bages. The DIY aspect allows well-heeled Bordeaux lovers to create their own blends from grapes grown in vineyards throughout Bordeaux’s storied appellations. The sweat equity is done by professional vintners and winemakers.

VINIV’s clients enjoy the more glamorous side of winemaking: barrel tastings in the cellar, blending sessions to find the best formula for the wine, and, of course, the experience of visiting wine country and creating their own wines. There’s an element of star quality as well: Each team works closely with Daniel LLose, Lynch-Bages’ chief winemaker, on their blends. The cost starts at about €16,000 per barrel, depending on the vineyard sources of the grapes.”

Dave McIntyre, The Washington Post

With few exceptions, Bordeaux wines are created by blending several different grapes varieties together. Your blend selection will be a singular work of art - your wine expression.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc represent 98% of the varieties that are planted in the region. Each variety has its own characteristics and expresses itself best in different regions of Bordeaux. This is driven by climate, altitude and soil type. At the same time, each variety – on its own – has its weaknesses. This explains why the mastery of combining different varieties has in many ways sealed the global reputation of the best Bordeaux châteaux.

In Bordeaux, every château owner is confined to using grapes from their own property to commercially benefit from using the château name and single appellation on the label. For example, Château Lynch-Bages, owners of VINIV, benefits from the Pauillac appellation because all of its vineyards are located in Pauillac. Were they to use Merlot or Cabernet Franc from elsewhere, they would lose the right to the name and the appellation.

 At VINIV, we are not confined by restrictions linked to a property name or an appellation. We simply choose to source each grape variety where it grows the best. 

In the Médoc, referred to as Bordeaux’s Left Bank, Cabernet Sauvignon is king. The region’s warm gravel soils and more temperate weather allow this late-blooming varietal to reach its full potential. The châteaux in this region typically plant Merlot and Cabernet Franc in lower-lying or damper soils to add fruit, volume, freshness and aromatics to their blend. 

VINIV only sources Cabernet Sauvignon from the best appellations of the Médoc:  Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estéphe.

On Bordeaux’s Right Bank, also known as the Libournais, the cooler soils are the perfect setting for Merlot, a faster ripening varietal. Merlot dominates most Saint-Émilion and Pomerol blends from anywhere between 50 to 95%. Cabernet Franc is the perfect complement to Merlot, providing structure, ‘lift’ and vibrancy to Merlot-dominated blends. Cabernet Sauvignon is rarely found – except in the warmer soils of Pomerol – for fear that it will not reach optimal maturity.  

VINIV only sources the best Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the most prestigious sectors of the Right Bank appellations : Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Canon-Fronsac.

Bordeaux’s 2019 vintage continues a string of six vintages of excellent quality wines. This vintage reveals very aromatic and fruit-driven wines, with alcohol contents that are consistent with a ripe, concentrated Bordeaux vintage. The high acidities provide ample freshness and the tannin structure is both deep and fine, though slightly less powerful than the 2018 vintage. If it’s the first time that you are considering making a wine with VINIV it’s an excellent vintage to start because of its elegance.

“2019 is an interesting vintage because of its elegance. It is full of tannins, yet it’s not overly powering thanks to its freshness and fruit. VINIV’s parcels demonstrate this across the appellations.”

Daniel LLose, General Technical Director, Château Lynch-Bages and Château Ormes de Pez

You can make wine from 2019 Vintage any time before February 2021, subject to availability. Your wine is bottled in July 2021 and is ready for pickup or delivery that autumn.  The member experience timeline outlines the winemaking process, your experience as a member and optional events that you can get involved in. 

As a VINIV winemaker, you can choose from a selection of exceptional vineyards to produce your bespoke wine.

With the guidance of our winemaking team, you will quickly discover the alchemy of blending and decide which combination of plots and grape varieties best match your objectives.

Our grapes are sourced from the finest old-vine vineyards in Bordeaux’s most prestigious appellations. Some of our vineyards are owned by recognised ‘classified-growths’, while others belong to passionate, boutique growers whose properties adjoin the best properties in Margaux, Pauillac, Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien.

Unlike any other Bordeaux winery, VINIV gives you the opportunity to go beyond the boundaries of appellation by blending wine from vineyards within the best sectors on both the Left and Right Banks. This is an essential part of your singular winemaking story 

A brand is more than the name you give your wine. It includes all the elements that tell your story and capture your wine’s personality. On your label you may choose to share a personal anecdote, a life philosophy or achievement. VINIV provides you a ‘white canvas’ to share your journey with others. You will be guided by our design team to create your brand and label. For packaging, your barrel price includes a choice of high quality 0.75L or 1.5L magnum bottles, corks, capsules and unbranded wooden cases. Further options are available to customise your packaging to differentiate your wine brand.