Graves de Vayres is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for wine in the Bordeaux wine region of France, where it is located in the commune of Vayres. It was established as an AOC in 1936. The designation is named after the town of Vayres and the French word for gravel, "graves," which refers to the soil in the region.
The area produces red, white and dessert wines from grape varieties that are typical for the Bordeaux region, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. The wines produced here are known for their deep, dark color and tannic structure due to the gravelly soil, which also contributes to their rich, full-bodied and complex character.
The Graves de Vayres region encompasses about 700 hectares of vineyards, which produce approximately 40,000 hectoliters of wine annually. The white wines of this area are dry and somewhat fruity, while the dessert wines are sweet and served chilled.
In addition to winemaking, the region is also known for its historic landmarks, including the Château de Vayres, which is a listed historic monument in France.
