Château Crabitey
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Château Crabitey is a Graves winegrowing estate in Portets, managed by Arnaud De Butler. It produces red and white wines from a 28-hectare vineyard planted on deep gravel soils. Committed to sustainable viticultural practices (culture raisonnée), the estate favours a blend of Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon for its reds.
Identity
Château Crabitey is an estate located in the commune of Portets. It is managed by Arnaud De Butler, with Christophe Chaloupin serving as cellar master. The consulting oenologist is Christine Jacoby-Sourdes. The estate is operated by SARL LES VIGNOBLES DE SEILLON.
History and philosophy
The history of Château Crabitey dates back to 1872, when M. Faye, a Bordeaux lawyer, transferred the property to a religious congregation of the Ordre des Franciscains, which owned it for nearly 150 years. Vineyard management was entrusted to Jean-Ralph de Butler in 1982. In 1985, a restructuring of the vineyard was undertaken. Jean-Ralph de Butler's father retired in 1999. A new cellar was built in 2002. In 2008, Arnaud de Butler bought the estate and vinified his first vintage under his direction that same year. The religious congregation officially sold the estate in 2009.
The appellations
Château Crabitey produces red and white wines under the Graves appellation. The estate's parcels are situated in the commune of Portets.
Practical information
Château Crabitey is located at 63 route du Courneau, 33640 Portets. Vineyard visits are available by appointment. Direct cellar-door sales and tastings are on offer. Opening hours are from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. For any enquiries, the email addresses are contact@debutler.fr and info@softwaredevelopmentvault.com, and the telephone number is +33 (0)5 56 67 18 64.
Find out more
Official estate websiteFrequently asked questions
- What is the history of Château Crabitey?
- The history of Château Crabitey began in 1872 when the property was transferred to a religious congregation of the Ordre des Franciscains, which owned it for nearly 150 years. In 1982, vineyard management was entrusted to Jean-Ralph de Butler, and a vineyard restructuring programme was launched in 1985. In 2008, Arnaud de Butler acquired the estate and vinified his first vintage. The religious congregation officially sold the estate in 2009, opening a new chapter for the château.
- What are the characteristics of the terroir and grape varieties at Château Crabitey?
- The Château Crabitey vineyard covers 28 hectares, with 27 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties and 4 hectares to white grape varieties. The terroir consists of deep gravel, with dry surface gravel resting on orange clay-gravel subsoils. For red wines, the grape varieties are 47% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. For white wines, it is planted with 80% Sauvignon blanc and 20% Sémillon. The estate favours Cabernet-Sauvignon on its finest parcels.
- What types of wine are produced at Château Crabitey and under which appellation?
- Château Crabitey produces red and white wines under the Graves appellation. The principal cuvées are Château Crabitey Graves Rouge and Château Crabitey Graves Blanc. The grand vin red is an equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon, complemented by Petit Verdot, and typically benefits from barrel ageing. The white wines are made from Sémillon and Sauvignon blanc. Average annual production is around 150,000 bottles.
- Is it possible to visit Château Crabitey and buy wine at the property?
- Yes, Château Crabitey can be visited by appointment. The estate also offers direct cellar-door sales as well as tastings of its wines. Opening hours are from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. For further information or to book an appointment, you can contact the estate by telephone or email; contact details are available on their official website.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château Crabitey vineyard covers a total area of 28 hectares, with 27 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties and 4 hectares to white grape varieties. The average age of the vines is 24 years. The soils are characterised by deep gravel, with dry gravel ranging from 50 centimetres to one metre deep, resting on orange clay-gravel subsoils that can reach depths of up to 30 metres. For red grape varieties, the varietal mix comprises Cabernet-Sauvignon (47%), Merlot (47%) and Petit Verdot (6%). The estate favours Cabernet-Sauvignon on its finest gravel knolls. For white grape varieties, the vineyard is planted with Sauvignon blanc (80%) and Sémillon (20%). Soil management is carried out through ploughing, and the estate practises Médoc pruning as well as green work, adhering to a sustainable viticultural approach (culture raisonnée). Harvesting is carried out either by hand or by machine.
Flagship cuvées
The estate mainly offers two cuvées: Château Crabitey Graves Rouge and Château Crabitey Graves Blanc. The grand vin red is an equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon, complemented by a touch of Petit Verdot. These red wines are typically characterised by oak barrel ageing. The white wines are crafted from Sémillon and Sauvignon blanc. Average annual production is approximately 150,000 bottles, including 80,000 bottles for the red cuvée. Red wines are generally served between 16 and 17 °C.
- Appellation
- Graves
- Commune
- Portets
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Classification
- Graves — domaine emblématique
- Owner
- Arnaud de Butler
- Technical direction
- Christophe Chaloupin
- Surface area
- 27 ha
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Cabernet-Sauvignon 47%, Merlot 47%, Petit Verdot 6%, Sauvignon blanc 80%, Sémillon 20%
Practical information
- Address
- 63 route du Courneau, 33640 Portets
- Phone
- 05 56 67 18 64
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- De 9h à 12h et de 13h30 à 16h30
- Visits
- Oui sur rendez-vous