With time the Bastit Saint-Martin family sold off their assets, selling the original Lamothe portion to the Despujols family, who continue to run the estate today, in 1961, and the Bergey portion to the Guignard family, in 1981; hence the name of the property was changed to Lamothe-Guignard. The Guignard brothers Pierre and Jean already owned a number of successful properties around Sauternes and Graves, and Jean's sons, Philippe and Jacques, were keen to take on an estate of their own. This somewhat rundown section of the old Chateau Lamothe was just such an opportunity. Over the ensuing years they replanted the vineyards and restored the chai , which was dilapidated; during the tenure of Bastit Saint-Martin the fruit harvested here had been fermented at another of his properties, Chateau d'Arche. As a result quality has rocketed, and Lamothe-Guignard now offers, in my opinion, good quality wines at a favourable price. There are 17 hectares of vineyards here, occupying two distinct regions around the chateau, some on limestone and clay slopes descending to the Ciron, planted at 5500 vines/ha, and a gravelly plateau overlooking the town of Sauternes, planted at 6000 vines/ha. The vineyards, overseen by Jacques Guignard, comprise 90% Semillon with 5% each of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, and average vine age is now over 40 years. The harvest, obviously occurring in several tries, brings fruit to the chai where they are pressed hydraulically before fermentation in stainless steel or en barrique. Much depends on the characteristics of the vintage. Fermentations may end spontaneously, but Jacques Guignard, who looks after things in the winery, are comfortable with the addition of sulphur dioxide if they deem it necessary. The wine then sees up to fifteen months in oak, 25% new each vintage.