Chateau Haut Brion, Bernard Magrez and Domaine de Chevalier are just a few of the many luminaries that have donated over €2.5 million to fund a new cultural centre in Bordeaux.

The centre will be used to celebrate viniculture in Bordeaux, and architectural drawings of the centre make it stand out like so many cultural buildings around the world, such as the Sydney Opera House or The Louvre in Paris.

Over all, the cost of the centre is estimated to be €63 million. It is yet to be named, but significant donations from the Bernard family suggest who may have a say in those matters. So far there have been donations from Haut Brion owners Domaines Clarence Dillon, who donated €1million, €500,000 from Vignobles Bernard Magrez of Chateau Pape Clement, and €500,000 from Millesima negociants, Lucien Bernard & Cie and Domaine de Chevalier, all of which are owned by branches of the Bernard family.

There have also been generous donations from Joanne negociants, who donated €100,000, while another €500,000 comes from the Bordeaux chamber of commerce and Vinexpo. These early donations are expected to be joined by a wealth of other donors from around the region, which are set to be finalised within the next few months.

Benefactors will have their names displayed at the entrance to the museum, and will play an advisory role on events and exhibits, Philippe Massol, director of the centre, told Decanter.com.

Mr Massol said that it wasn’t just the money that was of importance to the success of the centre, but also the sense of confidence and support which has been brought in by big names from around Bordeaux. Patrick Bernard of Millesima said that it was a joy to be involved in the project, talking to Decanter.com he said: “This is the right project, in the right city. Bordeaux receives around 1.5m visitors per year, attracted by our reputation as a world wine capital. We are also a UNESCO World Heritage city, and this cultural centre further demonstrates the ambition of Bordeaux.”

Once open the cultural centre hopes to attract 425,000 visitors per year, exploring 15 themes in the permanent exhibition space, with frequent workshops, tastings and interactive events.