Château Belgrave

Identity

Château Belgrave is a Cinquième Grand Cru Classé of 1855, located in Saint-Laurent-du-Médoc in the Gironde. It is managed by the wine merchant house Dourthe, itself owned by the Champagne group Thiénot. The management team consists of Pénélope Godefroy as Managing Director, Valentin Jestin as Deputy Managing Director, Bertrand Delavelle as Estate Manager (since 2018), Alex Blanchard as Vineyard Manager (since 2020), and Guillaume Singier as Cellar Master (since 2026).

History and Philosophy

The origins of Château Belgrave date back to a hunting lodge under Louis XIV, influenced by the Coutanceau family. The vineyard underwent significant expansion in the early 18th century. Bruno Devès acquired the estate during the opening decades of the 19th century. The first record of the name "Belgrave" dates to 1845. The property was awarded the status of Cinquième Grand Cru Classé in 1855, and its vineyard surface area has remained unchanged ever since.

Marcel Alibert subsequently adopted the definitive name of "Château Belgrave", before selling the estate in 1924. In 1979, the wine merchant house Dourthe took over the estate under a farming lease. Since then, a comprehensive initiative to reduce inputs has been implemented, incorporating natural composts and fertilisers. The estate is also deeply committed to preserving biodiversity, as shown by a biodiversity audit conducted in 2023, the planting of 850 metres of hedgerows, the installation of 5 hives for native Médoc black bees (in 2020) in partnership with Les Ruchers du Littoral, and a collaboration with the Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux (LPO). A flock of Landes ewes, managed in partnership with the Conservatoire des Races d’Aquitaine, ensures the grazing and maintenance of the grasslands.

Appellations

Château Belgrave produces wines under the Haut-Médoc appellation, with the status of Grand Cru Classé in 1855 for its grand vin. Its second wine is likewise produced under the Haut-Médoc appellation.

Practical Information

Address: Château Belgrave, Darrous, 33112 Saint-Laurent-Médoc

Telephone: +33 (0)5 56 35 53 00

Email: contact@dourthe.com

Visits to the estate are available by prior appointment and are reserved for trade professionals.

Direct sales at the property and mail-order purchasing are available.

Learn More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Château Belgrave vineyard covers a single contiguous block of 60 hectares. The soils consist of deep gravel and pebbles over a clay subsoil—geological remnants of ancient Garonne river terraces that provide excellent drainage. Around 75% of the vineyard is planted at a high density of 10,000 vines per hectare.

The grape varieties are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), complemented by Merlot (48%) and Petit Verdot (2%). Vineyard management includes meticulous pruning, green harvesting, and manual leaf thinning. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, accompanied by a double sorting process.

Flagship Cuvées

The estate produces two main cuvées:

Château Belgrave

This grand vin, classified as a Cinquième Grand Cru in 1855, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (68%), Merlot (30%), and Petit Verdot (2%). It is distinguished by the classic structure of Haut-Médoc wines, with an aromatic complexity that unfurls gracefully over time.

Diane de Belgrave

The estate's second wine, Diane de Belgrave, is crafted from younger vines with a dominance of Merlot. It presents a softer, fruit-forward profile with supple tannins, designed to be enjoyed in its youth.

Vinification and Ageing

The renovated vat house at Château Belgrave is equipped with 33 stainless steel vats and 6 small-capacity truncated cone-shaped vats, facilitating parcel-by-parcel vinification. Ageing of the grand vin takes place in oak barrels, with 32% new oak.