Château de la Craffe
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Château de la Craffe is a winegrowing estate in Francs, managed by Quentin, Joann, and Charlie. Committed to regenerative agriculture, it has been certified organic since 2024. It cultivates 10 ha of vines planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Chenin Blanc, and Sémillon.
Identity
Château de la Craffe is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Francs, in Gironde. It is owned by Quentin, Joann, and Charlie. Quentin is the primary manager of the project, taking care of tractor work, vinification, sales, screen-printing, and administration. The estate's name is a tribute to the Porte de la Craffe in Nancy and to Vins de la Craffe (1865–1997).
History and Philosophy
The estate was taken over in 2021 by its current owners. That same year, the conversion to organic farming was initiated. All wines produced from the 2024 vintage onwards are certified organic by Ecocert.
Appellations
The estate is located in the Bordeaux wine region, close to Saint-Émilion.
Practical Information
Château de la Craffe is located at 114, route de Seignade in Peroutet, 33570 Francs. For any enquiries, the estate can be contacted by phone on +33 (0)6 13 70 67 97 or by email at quentin@chateaudelacraffe.com.
Customisable thematic tours are available, led by Quentin, the winemaker and owner. These visits last between 1 and 2 hours and cover diverse topics such as estate history, geography, terroir, oenology, and screen-printing. The tour costs €20 per adult and includes a tasting of two wines of your choice. Bookings can be made directly with Quentin or online via Viator.
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Frequently asked questions
- Who owns Château de la Craffe and what are their roles?
- Château de la Craffe is owned by Quentin, Joann, and Charlie. Quentin is the estate's primary manager, overseeing a wide range of tasks including tractor driving, vinification, sales, screen-printing, and administrative duties. Joann and Charlie are co-owners of the estate, situated in the commune of Francs, Gironde. The estate's name is a tribute to the Porte de la Craffe in Nancy.
- What are the terroir characteristics and farming practices at Château de la Craffe?
- The Château de la Craffe vineyard spans 10 hectares, with soils made up of silt, clay, and sand. The topsoil (0–40 cm) consists of 50% silt, 30% clay, and 20% sand, while the subsoil (40–150 cm) contains 45% silt, 40% clay, and 15% sand. The estate practises regenerative farming without pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, or insecticides, incorporating agroforestry, green manures, natural plant preparations, and no-till soil management.
- Which grape varieties are grown and what certifications does Château de la Craffe hold?
- Château de la Craffe grows several grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec for reds, and Chenin Blanc and Sémillon for whites. The estate is certified organic by Ecocert for all wines produced from the 2024 vintage onwards. The 2021, 2022, and 2023 vintages were produced during the conversion to organic farming.
- What types of tours and visits are available at Château de la Craffe?
- Château de la Craffe offers customisable thematic tours hosted by Quentin, the owner and winemaker. Lasting between 1 and 2 hours, these visits cover diverse subjects including estate history, local geography, terroir characteristics, winemaking, and screen-printing. Each visit includes a tasting of two wines of your choice. Bookings can be made directly with Quentin or online.
The Vineyard (Terroir)
The Château de la Craffe vineyard covers 10 hectares within a 20-hectare property that also includes 3 hectares of fruit orchards (planted in 2023 and 2025 with apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees) and 7 hectares of wild meadows and woodland. The estate is situated in the Libournais winegrowing sub-region.
The topsoils (0–40 cm) are composed of 50% silt, 30% clay, and 20% sand. Deeper down (40–150 cm), they consist of 45% silt, 40% clay, and 15% sand.
The estate practises regenerative agriculture, excluding the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers, and insecticides. Cultivation practices also include agroforestry, green manure cover crops, natural plant-based preparations (PNPP), and no-till farming. The estate cultivates red grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, as well as white varieties including Chenin Blanc and Sémillon.
Flagship Cuvées
Château de la Craffe produces several cuvées in limited quantities, generally ranging from 200 to 700 bottles per cuvée. These include ROGÉ (2024 vintage), SCARABEE (2022 vintage), ORIGAMI (2021 vintage), THE FOX (2023 vintage), UFOW (2021 vintage), THE CLITORIS (2022 vintage), KNUTS (2023 vintage), THE WITCH (2022 vintage), LIRIOPÉ (2024 vintage), and LUIS (2024 vintage).
Vinification and Ageing
The wines are crafted using added sulphur and fining agents. A pea-protein-based fining agent is specifically used for sparkling, white, and rosé wines. From 2024 onwards, all wines produced are certified organic. The 2021, 2022, and 2023 vintages are in organic conversion.
- Commune
- Francs
- Owner
- Quentin, Joann et Charlie
- Technical direction
- Quentin
- Surface area
- 10 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Chenin Blanc, Sémillon
Practical information
- Address
- 114, route de seignade à peroutet, 33570 Francs
- Phone
- +33 (0)6 13 70 67 97
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Visites thématiques uniques et personnalisables guidées par Quentin, vigneron et propriétaire.