Château de Come
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Château de Côme, in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned as the appellation's first winegrowing estate to be certified organic, achieved in 2018. Managed by the Velge family, it also crafts wines produced without added sulphur.
Identity
Château de Côme is a winegrowing estate located in Saint-Estèphe, in the Gironde département. The property is managed by the Velge family. José Bueno serves as estate director, assisted by Miguel Esteban, vineyard manager and cellar master since 2001. Consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot has advised the estate since 2008.
History and philosophy
The Château de Côme vineyard was established around 1840. It was recorded as early as 1886 in the Guide Féret as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. In 1995, the Velge family acquired the estate. Under their leadership, significant changes were introduced, notably a conversion to organic farming. The first parcels were converted to organic viticulture in 2011, and the entire vineyard achieved certification starting with the 2018 vintage. Château de Côme is recognised as the first estate in Saint-Estèphe to obtain organic certification for 100% of its vineyard. The estate was also a pioneer in crafting wines without added sulphur in Saint-Estèphe, introducing this approach in 2011.
The appellations
Château de Côme produces wines under the Saint-Estèphe appellation.
Practical information
Château de Côme is located at Les Pradines-Nord, 33180 Saint-Estèphe. The offices are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Estate visits are available by appointment.
Telephone: +33 (0)5 57 75 05 98
Email: come@chateaudecome.com
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
- What is the surface area and grape variety composition of the Château de Côme vineyard?
- The Château de Côme vineyard spans 7 hectares. The grape varieties consist of 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot. These varieties thrive on clay-limestone soils, contributing to the hallmark character of wines crafted under the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The estate places strong emphasis on mechanical soil cultivation, including traditional ploughing and surface tilling, avoiding the use of chemical herbicides.
- Who currently manages Château de Côme and which experts assist them?
- Château de Côme is currently managed by the Velge family, who own the property. José Bueno is the estate director, assisted by Miguel Esteban, who has served as vineyard manager and cellar master since 2001. Consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot also lends his expertise, having advised the estate on winemaking since 2008.
- What sets Château de Côme apart regarding certifications and viticultural practices?
- Château de Côme has been certified organic across its entire vineyard since the 2018 vintage, making it the first estate in Saint-Estèphe to obtain organic certification for the totality of its vineyard area. The estate was also a pioneer in Saint-Estèphe for producing wines with no added sulphur, beginning this practice in 2011. These choices reflect a philosophy centred on environmental stewardship and an unadulterated expression of terroir.
- How are vinification and ageing carried out at Château de Côme?
- Vinification at Château de Côme takes place in medium-sized concrete vats. The wines are aged for 12 months in French oak barrels from Allier, with 20% to 25% new oak. The estate performs manual topping up several times a week and relies on natural cold clarification during the winter. Racking is carried out manually every three months, and egg-white fining takes place during the second winter. Ageing on fine lees is also standard practice at the estate.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château de Côme vineyard covers 7 hectares, following an initial acquisition of 2 hectares in 1997. The soils are clay-limestone. Pruning is carried out using the double Guyot method. Soil management takes centre stage, relying on traditional ploughing and surface tilling (griffage) rather than chemical herbicides. The grape varieties comprise 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot.
Key cuvées
The harvest undergoes double sorting: first in the vineyard and a second time on sorting tables in the cellar. The estate produces wines crafted with no added sulphur.
Vinification and ageing
Vinification takes place in medium-sized concrete vats. Ageing is carried out in French oak barrels from Allier for 12 months, with the proportion of new oak ranging between 20% and 25%. Topping up (ouillage) is performed manually two to three times a week. Initial clarification occurs naturally via winter cold exposure. Racking is manual and carried out every three months. Fining is performed with egg whites during the second winter. Ageing on fine lees is also a signature practice of the estate.
- Appellation
- Saint-Estèphe
- Commune
- Saint-Estèphe
- Wine region
- Médoc
- Owner
- Famille Velge
- Technical direction
- José Bueno
- Surface area
- 7 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Petit Verdot 10%
Practical information
- Address
- Les Pradines-Nord, 33180 Saint-Estèphe
- Phone
- 33 (0)5 57 75 05 98
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- Lundi au Vendredi de 9h à 12h et de 14h à 17h
- Visits
- sur RDV