The vineyard of Chateau d’Yquem extends to over 100 hectares, with the Chateau sitting at the highest point in Sauternes. Planted on a mixture of gravel, limestone and clay, it is the clay that is reputed to add extra density to the fruit of d’Yquem. The vineyards are planted with Semillon (80%) and Sauvignon Blanc (20%), and are only harvested when noble rot has properly set in. It can take the pickers up to 7 or 8 passes through the vineyard during the autumn to harvest the fruit in appropriate condition – sometimes resorting to picking individual berries as opposed to bunches.
