Château de France

Identity

Château de France is a winegrowing estate located in Léognan, in the Gironde department. The property is managed by Arnaud Thomassin. The Thomassin family, owners of the estate since 1971, are one of the longest-standing families in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Oenological consulting has been provided by the Rolland laboratory since 1996. The estate is a member of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux.

History and philosophy

The origins of the manor house at Château de France date back to the late 17th century, when it was built by Philippe Decoud. The development of the vineyard continued during the 18th and 19th centuries, notably under the impetus of Taffard, a councillor at the Parlement de Guyenne, and Jean-Henri Lacoste, who acquired the property in 1862 and shaped it into the estate seen today. In 1971, Bernard Thomassin took the helm of the property. Arnaud Thomassin has served as managing director since 1995. The estate has undergone significant renovations, including a new barrel cellar and a modernised vat room following a fire in 2011.

Appellations

Château de France produces wines under the AOC Pessac-Léognan appellation.

Practical information

Château de France is located at 98 Avenue de Mont de Marsan, 33850 Léognan.

Visitors can contact the estate by telephone on +33 (0)5 56 64 75 39 or by email at contact@chateau-de-france.com.

The estate boutique is open Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Tours and tastings of the cuvées are available upon reservation, including on weekends by appointment. Visits are also offered Monday to Saturday in July and August by appointment, with accessibility for Persons with Reduced Mobility. The languages spoken during visits are English and French. The estate offers cellar-door sales and mail-order delivery.

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The vineyard (terroir)

The Château de France vineyard covers a total area of 40 hectares. It is situated on one of the highest slopes of the Léognan terrace. The terroir is characterised by fine, deep gravel. Notable parcels include the lieu-dit Ferbos, quintessential of the Graves region, as well as the “Coquillat” parcel, remarkable for its 19-million-year-old fossils. The average age of the vines is 35 years.

The area dedicated to red grape varieties spans 36 hectares, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (55% or 60%) and Merlot (45% or 40%). The 4 hectares dedicated to white wines are planted with Sauvignon (80%) and Sémillon (20%).

Viticultural practices include leaf thinning, green harvesting, and a sustainable approach (culture raisonnée). Harvesting is carried out by hand.

Flagship cuvées

The estate crafts several cuvées in both red and white wines.

Red Wines:

• Château de France rouge: The estate's principal cuvée.
• Château Coquillas rouge: The property's second wine.
• Le Bec en Sabot: Another red wine cuvée.
• Paré à vider Rouge: A cuvée distinguished by its fruit-forward character and attractive structure, offering an ageing potential of 3 to 6 years.

White Wines:

• Château de France blanc: The estate's principal white cuvée.
• Château Coquillas blanc: Second white wine.

Average annual production stands at 180,000 bottles of red wine and 20,000 bottles of white wine, representing a total of around 200,000 to 220,000 bottles.

Vinification and ageing

Following a fire in 2011, the estate benefited from the construction of a new barrel cellar and the renovation of its vat room, providing the property with modern facilities for winemaking and ageing.