Les Chais du Port de la Lune

Laurent Bordes & Annica Landais-Haapa — Bordeaux

Les Chais du Port de la Lune is a groundbreaking urban winery project that is challenging Bordeaux's traditional image. Founded by Laurent Bordes, a trained oenologist with extensive experience in the region and Napa Valley, along with his partner Annica Landais-Haapa, this label operates as a "flying cellar" right in the heart of Bordeaux. The name refers to the crescent-moon shape of the city's harbor, a nod to their deeply rooted yet innovative approach.

A Philosophy of Urban Terroir and Reinvention

The project is built on the unique idea of creating wine where it is consumed, in an urban setting. Les Chais du Port de la Lune aims to reconnect city dwellers with the winemaking process and to prove that Bordeaux can be a fertile ground for natural, expressive wines.

  • Urban Micro-Négociant: They do not own vineyards. Instead, they meticulously select grapes from small, local organic and biodynamic growers across multiple regions in France, ensuring a high level of quality and a commitment to sustainable viticulture.

  • Low Intervention: Laurent is dedicated to a minimalist approach in the cellar. All fermentations are spontaneous with native yeasts, and the wines are bottled without fining or filtration.

  • Minimal Sulfur: The use of sulfur dioxide (SO2​) is kept to a minimum, with many cuvées being made entirely without it, allowing the pure character of the fruit to speak for itself.

The Vineyards and Terroir

Because Les Chais du Port de la Lune is a négociant project, their "terroir" is a diverse mosaic of vineyards from different regions, which gives them the freedom to create unique and unconventional blends.

  • Grape Sourcing: They source grapes from various partner growers, primarily in the Bordeaux region but also from other areas like the Loire and Languedoc.

  • Grape Varieties: Their wines feature a wide range of grapes, including classic Bordeaux varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Franc, as well as other grapes like Syrah, Carignan, Gamay, and Colombard.

  • Organic & Fair Trade: They work exclusively with growers who are certified organic or in conversion. They also pay fair prices for the grapes, a practice they see as a form of "fair trade" that supports the farmers' efforts to maintain healthy vineyards.

Winemaking and Process

The most distinctive feature of Les Chais du Port de la Lune is their urban cellar, located in a renovated World War II bunker in the Bacalan district of Bordeaux. This unique location offers a naturally temperature-controlled environment perfect for vinification and aging.

  • Harvest: Grapes are hand-harvested and immediately transported to the urban cellar for processing.

  • Vinification: They use a variety of vessels, including stainless steel, concrete, and old barrels. They are known for their creative and surprising blends, co-fermenting different grapes to achieve a unique balance of flavors.

  • Aging: The wines are aged on their lees to develop natural stability and complexity before being bottled by hand.

Signature Wines to Discover

The wines are known for their vibrant labels, artistic flair, and lively character, often with unconventional names.

  • Mélopée: A pure and expressive white wine.

  • Purple Rain: A vibrant, light-bodied red.

  • Mégawatt: A powerful and energetic red blend.

  • Le Naturiste: A wine that embodies their non-interventionist philosophy.

Address & Contact

Les Chais du Port de la Lune is both a working winery and a cultural statement. They do offer tastings and tours by appointment.

  • Address: 23 Cours du Médoc, 33300 Bordeaux, France.