When people think of world-class wine regions, Bordeaux, France, often tops the list. And while Ireland is better known for its Guinness and whiskey, few realize the powerful historic and cultural link between these two places. This connection is deeply rooted in the story of the “Wine Geese”—a group of Irish families who helped shape Bordeaux’s wine industry from the 17th century onward.
In this article, we explore the fascinating history of Ireland’s influence on Bordeaux wine, highlighting the 12 great Irish wine families whose legacy lives on in some of the region’s most prestigious châteaux.
Who Were the Wine Geese?
The term “Wine Geese” refers to Irish exiles—mainly from noble and merchant families—who fled Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries. Many left after the Battle of the Boyne (1690) and the Treaty of Limerick (1691), events that triggered the Flight of the Wild Geese, a mass exodus of Irish Jacobites.
These emigrants settled in France, especially in Bordeaux, and built successful businesses in the booming wine trade. Their entrepreneurial spirit and strong trade networks helped them establish and grow some of the best wine estates in Bordeaux, many of which still bear their names today.
The 12 Great Irish Wine Families in Bordeaux
Here are the 12 most prominent Irish families in Bordeaux wine history, along with the prestigious estates they founded or influenced:
1. Lynch Family
• Châteaux: Lynch-Bages, Lynch-Moussas
• Irish Roots: Thomas Lynch of Galway
• Legacy: Château Lynch-Bages is a Fifth Growth in Pauillac, known worldwide for its bold and age-worthy red wines.
2. Clarke Family
• Château: Château Clarke
• Origin: Irish settlers in 18th-century Médoc
• Legacy: Now owned by the Rothschilds, but the estate retains its Irish name.
3. Boyd Family
• Château: Château Boyd-Cantenac
• Irish Roots: Jacques Boyd, originally from County Antrim
• Legacy: A Margaux Third Growth estate carrying the Boyd family name.
4. Dillon Family
• Château: Château Haut-Brion
• Irish Roots: The Dillons of Costello-Gallen
• Legacy: Purchased in 1935 by Clarence Dillon; still run by his descendants today.
5. MacCarthy Family
• Château: Formerly Château MacCarthy (merged into Château Bellefont-Belcier)
• Origin: MacCarthy dynasty from Munster
• Legacy: Historical contributions to Bordeaux’s Right Bank wine trade.
6. Kirwan Family
• Château: Château Kirwan
• Irish Roots: Mark Kirwan of Galway
• Legacy: A Grand Cru Classé in Margaux, retaining its Irish surname.
7. Phelan Family
• Château: Château Phélan Ségur
• Origin: Bernard Phelan from County Meath
• Legacy: Merged two estates in Saint-Estèphe to form this respected Cru Bourgeois estate.
8. Barton Family
• Châteaux: Léoville Barton, Langoa Barton
• Irish Roots: Thomas Barton of County Fermanagh
• Legacy: One of the few Bordeaux estates still family-owned by the original Irish lineage.
9. Johnston Family
• Château: Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
• Irish Roots: Nathaniel Johnston, an Irish-French wine merchant
• Legacy: Played a key role in the estate’s development in the 1800s.
10. O’Byrne Family
• Château: Château Fontesteau (historically linked)
• Origin: County Wicklow
• Legacy: Their influence is recognized in early estate ownership.
11. D’Arcy Family
• Château: Château D’Arche
• Irish Roots: D’Arcy family of Galway
• Legacy: Grand Cru Classé Sauternes estate, famous for sweet white wines.
12. Château Dillon (Distinct from Haut-Brion Dillon family)
• Origin: Another Dillon branch
• Legacy: Now an agricultural school, but still carries the Irish name.
How Ireland Shaped Bordeaux’s Wine Industry
Irish wine families weren’t just estate owners—they were savvy traders who exported Bordeaux wine back to Ireland, Britain, and beyond. Cities like Galway and Cork became early wine import hubs, and Irish merchants established Bordeaux as a dominant force in global wine commerce.
The Irish also brought innovation, investment, and diplomacy, helping Bordeaux flourish through war, revolution, and economic change.
Modern Celebrations of the Wine Geese Legacy
Today, the legacy of the Wine Geese is celebrated in both France and Ireland:
• The Bordeaux Wine Festival in Galway commemorates this shared heritage
• Wine Geese trails and tours in Bordeaux attract Irish and international tourists
• Museums and exhibitions in both countries honor the contributions of these Irish families to Bordeaux’s wine culture
Conclusion: A Timeless Bond Between Ireland and Bordeaux
The story of the Wine Geese is a compelling chapter in global wine history, one that showcases the resilience and ambition of Irish exiles. The 12 great Irish wine families not only survived displacement—they built a lasting legacy that endures in every bottle from their Bordeaux vineyards.
Whether you’re enjoying a glass of Lynch-Bages, Kirwan, or Léoville Barton, you’re tasting centuries of Irish passion, French terroir, and international legacy.
