Château Castera

Identity

Château Castera is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Cissac-Médoc. It is currently managed by its owner, Thomas C.Press. The technical team comprises Marie Malepeyre as technical director, Sébastien Rahard as cellar master, and Éric Boissenot as consultant oenologist. Bruno Baudoux is the estate manager.

History and philosophy

Château Castera is an estate with an ancient history, with records of its oppidum dating back to the 10th century. Historical figures such as Étienne de La Boétie and Michel de Montaigne are associated with the château's past. The Verthamon family notably helped shape the vineyard over the centuries. In 1616, a deed of wine sale by Anthoinette de Montaigne, dated 21 January, bears witness to the estate's early winemaking activity. The medieval tower dates from the 14th century, and a domestic chapel from the 19th century. The current owner's father ushered in a new era for the property in 1986. The estate has been recognised as a Cru Bourgeois since 1932 and was later elevated to the rank of Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. It also achieved Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR/RSE) certification in 2024, notably committing to the “Cultivons demain” programme.

The appellations

The Château Castera parcels are distributed across the communes of Saint-Germain-d’Esteuil and Ordonnac. The estate primarily produces wines under the Médoc appellation. It also offers wines under the Bordeaux Blanc appellation.

Practical information

Château Castera welcomes visitors for tastings and tours. Wine tastings are available, and tasting slots can be booked online. Guided tours are temporarily suspended from 29 September 2025 due to construction work related to the “Lire entre les Vignes” project, carried out in partnership with landscape architect Enzo ENEA. The château remains open during this period for direct sales and complimentary tastings. The estate offers cellar-door sales and mail orders. Accepted payment methods include American Express, debit/credit cards, bank cheques, holiday vouchers, and cash. Facilities such as a shop, an online boutique, delivery, and Wi-Fi are available. Groups (15–40 people) are accommodated, and pets are welcome. The team speaks French, German, English, and Spanish. Château Castera holds the Best Of Wine Tourism and Vignobles et Découvertes labels, and was awarded a Best Of d'Or in 2018 and 2024 in the Art and Culture category.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Castera vineyard extends across 63 hectares of vines within a 120-hectare estate that fosters biodiversity. The soils consist of clay-limestone and Pyrenean gravel, alongside clay-sandy parcels. The average vine age is 35 years. The red grape varieties comprise 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. In 2016, one hectare of Sauvignon Blanc was planted on limestone terroir, marking the introduction of white grape varieties.

Flagship cuvées

The estate produces several cuvées. Château Castera, a red wine under the Médoc appellation, is classified as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. It is a wine with a Médoc character, often dominated by Merlot, displaying red fruit aromas such as cherry, alongside animal nuances and supple tannins, aiming for balance. A 100% Petit Verdot cuvée is also crafted, offering an intense and distinctive profile. The Blanc de Noir Cap Castera, made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is characterised by almond aromas, fruity freshness, and notes of peach and nectarine. The Rosé Cap Castera, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, reveals a salmon-pink colour and is aromatic and approachable. Finally, the Anthoinette cuvée, a Bordeaux Blanc, is a still wine with aromas of orange blossom, yellow fruit, and citrus on the nose, leading into a palate rich in candied fruit, generous volume, and a finish on candied orange with a subtle touch of bitterness.

Vinification and ageing

For the red wines, ageing takes place in oak barrels. For instance, some vintages have undergone 11 months of ageing. White wines, such as the Anthoinette cuvée, are aged in vats and barrels, occasionally in demi-muids, cigar barrels, and stoneware.