The former owner and namesake Louis Gaspard d'Estournel was known as the Maharaja of Saint-Estèphe. He decorated the castle in Indian style, gave great parties and lived beyond his means. In 1852 he was completely destitute and had to sell his domain. He died a year later. Cos d'Estournel is arguably the Chateau with the most new and advanced winemaking technology. From the picking to the maturing of the bottles, everything is carefully checked and carried out with the greatest care. For example, they have managed to create a vinification process in which the wine is transported without pumps. All actions are performed by gravity. In 1855 the Chateau obtained the 2nd Grand Cru Classe status
