Château Benito
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Château Benito, situated in Cardan, is a 26-hectare winegrowing estate in organic conversion since 2021, owned by Chantal Larnaudie. It produces wines under the Cadillac-Côtes-de-Bordeaux, Entre-deux-Mers, and Bordeaux appellations.
Identity
Château Benito is a winegrowing estate located in Cardan, in the Gironde. The property has been owned by Chantal Larnaudie since 2004.
History and philosophy
The history of the wine estate is marked by its acquisition in 1994 by Nicolas Benito. In 2004, Chantal Larnaudie took over the management of the property. The estate is committed to sustainable viticulture and has been in conversion to organic farming since 2021.
Appellations
The estate produces wines under several appellations, notably Cadillac-Côtes-de-Bordeaux, Côtes-de-Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur, Entre-deux-Mers, and Bordeaux. The Cadillac appellation is also used for certain white wines.
Winemaking and ageing
The estate uses temperature-controlled vats of various capacities for vinification. Certain red cuvées are crafted without sulphur. For the white wines, Clos Saint-Nicolas is documented as being aged in oak barrels for specific vintages.
Practical information
The estate offers cellar-door sales and tastings at the property. The contact address is Le Videau, 33410, though another source lists 2 Rte du Fileur, 33750 Beychac-et-Caillau. For any enquiries, the estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 6 88 03 32 93 or +99 (0)5 56 74 20 20, or by email at c.larnaudie@vignoblesbenito.com or contact@benito.fr.
Find out more
Official estate websiteFrequently asked questions
- Where is Château Benito located exactly, and what is its surface area?
- Château Benito is situated in Cardan, in the Gironde, within the Entre-deux-Mers region. The vineyard spans an area of 26 hectares. The vines are established on clay-gravel hillsides with a south-easterly exposure, a crucial factor for grape ripening. Proximity to Cadillac is another defining geographical feature of this property.
- Who is the current owner of Château Benito, and since when?
- Château Benito has been owned by Chantal Larnaudie since 2004. The estate's history was also shaped by its acquisition in 1994 by Nicolas Benito, before Chantal Larnaudie took over management a decade later. This transition directed the property towards sustainable viticulture and conversion to organic farming.
- What appellations are produced at Château Benito, and what are the main grape varieties used?
- Château Benito produces a diverse range of wines under several appellations, including Cadillac-Côtes-de-Bordeaux, Côtes-de-Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur, Entre-deux-Mers, and Bordeaux. The Cadillac appellation is also used for select white wines. The grape varieties planted include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc for the reds, and Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Sémillon for the whites, offering a wide aromatic and stylistic spectrum.
- Does Château Benito practice organic viticulture and offer tastings?
- Yes, Château Benito is committed to environmentally friendly winegrowing and has been in conversion to organic farming since 2021. The estate also offers direct sales and wine tastings on the property, allowing visitors to explore the different cuvées and appreciate the domain's philosophy in the heart of its vineyard setting.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château Benito vineyard extends over an area of 26 hectares. It is established on the heights of Cardan, in the Entre-deux-Mers region, close to Cadillac. The vines are planted on clay-gravel hillsides, benefiting from a south-easterly exposure.
Flagship cuvées
Among the estate's signature cuvées is Château Saint-Nicolas, a red wine in the Cadillac-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation, typically characterised by a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. In certain vintages, it is vinified without sulphur. Château Tour du Videau is another red wine, produced under the Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation. For white wines, the Château Graveyres Jade cuvée, from the Entre-Deux-Mers AOP, is crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The estate also produces the Clos Saint-Nicolas cuvée, a white wine under the Cadillac appellation, which can be aged in oak barrels and blended with Sémillon, Muscadelle, and Sauvignon.
- Appellations
- Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur, Entre-deux-Mers, Cadillac, Bordeaux
- Commune
- Beychac-et-Caillau
- Wine region
- Entre-deux-Mers
- Owner
- Mr Nicolas BENITO
- Surface area
- 29 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, Sémillon
Practical information
- Address
- 2 Rte du Fileur, 33750 Beychac-et-Caillau
- Phone
- +99 (0)5 56 74 20 20
- contact@benito.fr
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Oui