Château de l'Hospital
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Château de l'Hospital in Portets, owned by Brigitte and Florent Battistella, cultivates 40 hectares in the Graves appellation. Certified organic, the estate produces red, white, rosé, and sweet wines, including distinctive single-varietal bottlings such as a 100% Malbec.
Identity
Château de l'Hospital is situated in Portets, in the Gironde department. It is owned by Brigitte and Florent Battistella. Julien Zuanet serves as the technical director and estate manager, with Julie holding the position of cellar master.
History and philosophy
Originally known as Sautadères, the estate owes its present name to Jeanne Cambon, wife of Jacques de L’Hospital. The construction of the current château began in 1787 and was completed in 1789 under the direction of architect Victor Louis. The de L'Hospital family owned the property until the mid-19th century, when it passed to the de Lacaussade family. Raymond de Lacaussade passed away in 1964. In 1973, the château was listed as a Monument Historique.
In 2012, Brigitte and Florent Battistella acquired the estate and embarked on a major five-year renovation programme. Château de l'Hospital is deeply committed to environmentally friendly practices, as demonstrated by its organic farming certification awarded in 2017 by Ecocert. This philosophy translates into the use of natural inputs, green manures, and mechanical weeding. Active measures are also taken to support biodiversity, including the establishment of uncultivated natural areas, grass cover crops, hedgerows, meadows, and beehives. Beneficial fauna such as predatory mites (typhlodromes) and pipistrelle bats contribute to natural pest control.
Appellations
The parcels of Château de l'Hospital are located in Portets and are farmed under the Graves appellation.
Practical information
Château de l'Hospital is located at Lieu-dit Darrouban, 8 RUE DE L'HÔPITAL, 33640 PORTETS. The estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0)7 49 80 88 27 or +33 (0)5 56 73 17 80. The email address for production and sales is contact@chateaudelhospital.fr, and for events, EVENT@CHATEAUDELHOSPITAL.FR. The estate offers tours and workshops, providing vineyard visits and tastings. It is also available to host corporate and private functions on site.
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the soil characteristics of the Château de l'Hospital vineyard and how do they influence the wines?
- The Château de l'Hospital vineyard in Portets spans 40 hectares. The soils consist of gravel and clay, with a predominance of clayey gravel resting on a limestone bedrock. These soil types are renowned for providing excellent natural drainage and regulating the vine's water supply. The gravel promotes steady grape ripening, while the clay retains essential moisture and nutrients. This classic Graves terroir imparts structure, freshness, and refinement to the estate's wines.
- How does Château de l'Hospital integrate sustainable practices into its production?
- Château de l'Hospital has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2017, demonstrating its commitment to environmentally sound viticulture. This approach involves the use of natural inputs, green manures, and mechanical weeding across the vineyard. The estate also fosters biodiversity through uncultivated wildlife corridors, grass cover crops, hedgerows, meadows, and on-site beehives. Beneficial species such as predatory mites and pipistrelle bats provide natural pest regulation.
- What different types of wine are produced at Château de l'Hospital?
- Château de l'Hospital offers a diverse range of wines reflecting its varietal mix. The portfolio features the classic red Château de l'Hospital (a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot) and Château de l'Hospital blanc. Special cuvées include “Où est Malbec” (100% Malbec), “Le Bouffon de l’Hospital” (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend), and “Solstice” (a red wine with no added sulphites). The range also includes a 100% Merlot rosé, “Il fallait rosé”, and a sweet dessert wine, “Douceur de l’Hospital”.
- What grape varieties are planted at Château de l'Hospital and which appellations are produced?
- The 40-hectare vineyard of Château de l'Hospital is planted with traditional Bordeaux red and white grape varieties. For the reds, the estate grows Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The white grape plantings consist of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Sémillon. All vineyard plots are located in the commune of Portets and are produced exclusively under the Graves appellation, renowned for its dry red and white wines.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard covers 40 hectares, with 3 hectares dedicated to white grape varieties. The soils consist of gravel and clay, with a predominance of clayey gravel over a limestone bedrock. The grape plantings comprise traditional local red and white varieties. Merlot is a prominent red variety grown on the estate. The white planting plan provides for 80% Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, complemented by 20% Sémillon.
Flagship cuvées
Château de l'Hospital produces a range of wines that reflects the diversity of its grape varieties and cellar practices. The red Château de l’Hospital is crafted from a blend of 70% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. Château de l’Hospital blanc is also produced.
Among the special cuvées, “Où est Malbec” is made entirely from 100% Malbec. “Le Bouffon de l’Hospital” is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The “Solstice” cuvée is a red wine crafted with no added sulphites. In rosé, “Il fallait rosé” is a single-varietal Merlot vinified as a rosé. A sweet dessert wine, “Douceur de l’Hospital”, completes the range.
Vinification and ageing
Vinification and ageing at Château de l'Hospital are carried out in concrete vats and oak barrels. The oak casks used for ageing have a capacity of 300 litres. The estate's red wines maintain a total sulphite level below 80 mg/l.
- Appellation
- Graves
- Commune
- Portets
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Owner
- Brigitte et Florent Battistella
- Technical direction
- Julien Zuanet
- Surface area
- 40 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon
Practical information
- Address
- Lieu-dit Darrouban, 33640 Portets
- Phone
- +33 (0)7 49 80 88 27
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- découverte du vignoble, dégustations