Château de Fieuzal
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Château de Fieuzal, a Cru Classé de Graves in Léognan, is renowned for its well-balanced red wines and expressive whites. Owned by the Quinn family, the 75-hectare winegrowing estate practices sustainable viticulture with state-of-the-art facilities.
Identity
Château de Fieuzal is a Cru Classé de Graves located in Léognan, in the Gironde. The estate has been owned by Brenda and Lochlann Quinn since 2001. Stephen Carrier has directed the property since 2007, with Jean-Charles Fournié serving as cellar master and Thomas Duclos as consulting oenologist.
History and philosophy
The estate dates back at least to the 16th century, and the Fieuzal name was already in use prior to 1851. In the 17th century, the Fieuzal family took ownership. The Ricard family subsequently managed the property from the late 19th century until 1974. In 1959, Château de Fieuzal was classified as a Cru Classé de Graves. Georges Nègrevergne took ownership in 1973, before Banque Populaire acquired the château in 1994. In 1995, the estate purchased Haut-Gardère, and in 2001, Brenda and Lochlann Quinn became the new owners. In 2011, a new cellar designed by architect Philippe Ducos was inaugurated. The estate practices sustainable viticulture with plot-by-plot vineyard management.
Appellations
The wines of Château de Fieuzal are produced under the Pessac-Léognan Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée.
Practical information
Château de Fieuzal is located at 124 Avenue de Mont de Marsan, 33850 Léognan.
Telephone: +33 (0)5 56 64 77 86
Email: communication@fieuzal.com
The boutique is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, strictly by appointment. It is closed on weekends and public holidays. Visits are by prior appointment only via the website, from Monday to Friday, and can be conducted in French and English.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- What is the history of Château de Fieuzal?
- Château de Fieuzal dates back at least to the 16th century, and its name was already recorded before 1851. The Fieuzal family took ownership in the 17th century. The estate was managed by the Ricard family until 1974. In 1959, it was granted Cru Classé de Graves status. Following several changes in ownership, Brenda and Lochlann Quinn acquired the property in 2001. A new cellar was inaugurated in 2011.
- What is the grape variety blend at Château de Fieuzal?
- For the red wines, the grape plantings consist of 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. For the white wines, the plantings comprise 70% Sauvignon and 30% Sémillon. These proportions underpin the distinctive character of the red and white wines crafted at the estate.
- How does Château de Fieuzal vinify its wines?
- For the red wines, vinification includes double manual sorting of the grapes, followed by 12 to 14 months of ageing in barrels, with a portion renewed annually. The modern cellar, inaugurated in 2011, enables high precision through the use of small concrete, wood, and stainless steel vats. For the white wines, fermentation is carried out at low temperatures in 225-litre barrels, followed by ageing on the lees.
- What are the distinctive characteristics of Château de Fieuzal wines?
- The red wines of Château de Fieuzal are characterised by pure fruit, vibrant freshness, and excellent length on the palate, offering great balance. The white wines are known for their originality, suppleness, fine density, and honeyed aromas, in a style reminiscent of certain Burgundy wines. The estate also produces a second wine, L'Abeille de Fieuzal.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard spans a total area of 75 hectares, with 65 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties and 10 hectares to white varieties. The vines average 30 to 35 years of age. Planting density is 9,000 vines per hectare. The soils consist predominantly of gravel on gravelly knolls, with white gravel and a clay-limestone texture on the terroir dedicated to the whites. Harvesting is carried out by hand.
The grape variety mix for the red wines comprises:
- 45% Merlot
- 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 10% Cabernet Franc
- 5% Petit Verdot
The grape variety mix for the white wines includes:
- 70% Sauvignon
- 30% Sémillon
Flagship cuvées
The estate produces both red and white wines. The red wines of Château de Fieuzal are characterised by pure fruit, vibrant freshness, and remarkable palate presence, offering superb balance. The white wines of Château de Fieuzal are acclaimed for their originality, delightful texture, impressive density, and honeyed aromas, in a style reminiscent of certain Burgundy wines. The estate's second wine is L'Abeille de Fieuzal.
Vinification and ageing
For the red wines, vinification includes double manual grape sorting. Ageing lasts 12 to 14 months in oak barrels, a proportion of which is renewed annually. The cellar inaugurated in 2011 allows for precise parcel selections and vinifications using small concrete, wood, and stainless steel vats.
For the white wines, fermentation takes place at low temperatures in 225-litre oak barrels, followed by ageing on the lees.
- Appellation
- Pessac-Léognan
- Commune
- Léognan
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Classification
- Cru Classé de Graves
- Owner
- Brenda et Lochlann Quinn
- Technical direction
- Jean-Charles Fournié
- Surface area
- 75 ha
- Second wine
- L'Abeille de Fieuzal
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Petit Verdot 5%, Sauvignon 70%, Sémillon 30%
Practical information
- Address
- 124 Avenue de Mont de Marsan, 33850 Léognan
- Phone
- +33 (0)5 56 64 77 86
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- Du lundi au vendredi de 9h à 17h, uniquement sur réservation. Fermé les week-ends et jours fériés.
- Visits
- Sur rendez-vous uniquement via le site web du lundi au vendredi