Château Cantenac
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Château Cantenac, a family-owned winegrowing estate in Saint-Émilion, produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. Committed to an HVE approach, it offers tours highlighting its sandy-gravel terroir and its oak-aged wines.
Identity
Château Cantenac is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Saint-Émilion. It is owned by the Roskam-Brunot family, representing the fourth generation at the helm of the property.
History and philosophy
The history of Château Cantenac dates back to 1786 with the acquisition of its first vineyard parcels. The name Cantenac was bestowed upon the estate in 1832. The current building was constructed in 1870. The Roskam-Brunot family took ownership in 1937. The estate is committed to environmentally friendly viticulture, certified by the HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) label.
Appellations
Château Cantenac produces wines under the Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellations.
Flagship wines
The estate's flagship cuvée is Château Cantenac, a red wine made predominantly from Merlot, with an addition of Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is distinguished by a fruit-forward structure, supported by ageing in oak barrels.
Practical information
Château Cantenac is located at 719 Route de Castillon, 33330 Saint-Émilion, France. For deliveries and collections, as well as lorry and coach access, the address is 1976 Route de Rivalon, 33330 Saint-Émilion, France.
The offices are open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. For any bookings, the estate can be contacted by phone on +33(0)646.145.322 or +33(0).557.513.522, or by email at reservation@chateau-cantenac.fr. For general enquiries, please call +33 (0) 557 513 522 or email contact@chateau-cantenac.fr.
The estate offers several tour and tasting options by appointment. The "Sélection du Moment", lasting 30 minutes, is available at €9 per person from Monday to Friday. The "Visite Classique", lasting one hour, includes a tasting of 3 wines for €15 per adult, €7.50 for teenagers (13-17 years old), and is free for children under 12. The "Visite Prestige", lasting 1 hour 30 minutes, includes a tasting of 4 wines paired with mature cheeses for €35 per adult. Finally, the "Visite Collection Privée", lasting 1 hour 30 minutes, featuring a tasting of 4 wines paired with mature cheeses, is offered at €75 per adult for groups of 4 to 12 people.
Standard tour times are 10:30, 14:00, and 15:30, Monday to Saturday, subject to availability. The estate accepts payment in cash, credit cards (Amex, Visa, Mastercard, Paylib), Paypal, and Stripe.
Château Cantenac provides disabled access (PRM) for the boutique, the tour route, and the toilets. Coach parking is available. Pets (dogs/cats on a lead) are welcome under certain conditions. Tours are conducted in English, French, Spanish, and Cantonese (upon prior booking).
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Which appellations are produced by Château Cantenac?
- Château Cantenac crafts wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru and Saint-Émilion appellations. These controlled designations of origin guarantee a specific geographic provenance and adherence to meticulous winegrowing standards characteristic of the Bordeaux region, celebrated for the quality of its red wines.
- What are the main grape varieties planted in the Château Cantenac vineyard?
- The Château Cantenac vineyard is predominantly planted with Merlot, representing 75% of the vines, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon making up the remaining proportion. This grape variety blend is typical of Bordeaux's Right Bank, with Merlot providing roundness and fruit, and Cabernet Sauvignon imparting structure.
- What is the terroir of Château Cantenac like?
- The terroir of Château Cantenac is characterised by sandy-gravel soils resting upon a clay subsoil. This composition ensures excellent surface drainage through the sand and gravel, while the deep clay retains essential moisture for the vines, contributing to the complexity and richness of the wines produced.
- Is Château Cantenac committed to environmentally friendly practices?
- Yes, Château Cantenac is committed to environmentally responsible viticulture, as evidenced by its HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification. This certification validates agricultural practices designed to minimise environmental impact, notably in terms of biodiversity, plant protection strategies, and the management of fertilisation and water resources.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château Cantenac vineyard extends across the commune of Saint-Émilion, around 3.5 km west of the medieval town. The soils are sandy-gravel over a clay subsoil. The main grape variety planted is Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vinification and ageing
The wines of Château Cantenac are aged in oak barrels, with the proportion of new oak limited to around 40%.
- Appellations
- Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Saint-Émilion
- Commune
- Saint-Émilion
- Wine region
- Libournais
- Owner
- Famille Roskam-Brunot
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 75%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%
Practical information
- Address
- 719 Route de Castillon, 33330 Saint-Emilion
- Contact form
- Contact the estate